Ever thought of going to Balete, Batangas for a nice weekend getaway?

Batangas is roughly a two-hour drive from Manila and is probably the first in mind when we think of a nice beach or hiking activity. Usually, it’s the popular towns that get in the list first — Nasugbu, Cuenca, Taal, Laiya. How about considering Balete?

Sherdon and I got to experience Balete at the Batangas Earth and Fire Festival on the last weekend of January, organized by Lima Park Hotel, FAITH (First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities), Team GANIT, and Nayomi Sanctuary Resort. Thanks to Little Running Teacher Cheryl Golangco and Running Free Manila Allan Ray Enriquez, we had the chance to have fun with the locals and see firsthand how this quiet little town got the boost they deserve.

Where to stay: Lima Park Hotel

“Lima Park Hotel is your complete destination for rest, recreation, meetings, events, gatherings, and conferences.”
— http://www.limaparkhotel.com/about.php

True enough, they have the amenities and staff that can cater to the needs of a leisure traveler, a businessman, or a corporate executive. Check out their website for more information.

We arrived here a little past ten on Friday night. We were ushered to the lobby and got in a room for two. I only noticed how everything looks nice the following morning.

They have a pleasant staff — from the hotel driver to the receptionist and waiter. No wonder top corporations and organizations choose them as venue for business meetings. The life of a business is in customer service.

What to do: Get out and play

TV personality John Pratts had this idea of putting up an aqua sports facility with a cafe at Balete Lakeshore and I think it has given that town a spark of energy. The name is quite fitting — Dynamite Aqua Sports for the water activities and Lakeshore Cafe managed by Nayomi Sanctuary Resort. The building is leased by Lima Park Hotel from the Balete local government.

The whole facility is a partnership between Nayomi Sanctuary Resort and Lima Park Hotel. Their aim is to promote Balete as a weekend destination complete with facilities that people with active lifestyles look for.

We also had the chance to experience the Taal Lake Cruise aboard Lady of The Lake. This is educational and entertaining at the same time, thanks to the staff of Lima Park Hotel who operates the boat. It is child-friendly and would be a nice experience for families who want to get to Taal Lake.

The last major activity was for the athletes — the Sunset Duathlon. It is a 5k run – 20k bike – 3k run along the rugged and hilly slopes of Balete. It was a tough course that truly tested the participants’ endurance.

The long day ended with fireworks and drum beaters, marking the town as a destination for all kinds of travelers.

For more info on Lima Park Hotel,

check them out here – https://www.facebook.com/Lima-Park-Hotel-157373031017200/?fref=ts

For updates or just to stay in touch,

follow the LittleRunningTeacher on FB – https://www.facebook.com/LittleRunningTeacherPage

Instagram/ Twitter: @cherylgolangco