OF FORESTS AND GARDENS

Our Sunday was about forests and gardens.

At 6am, we ran for the restoration of the country's rain forests via Haribon's Million-Hectare Challenge. I joined J in the 5K race (nag-level up na ko!).

Above: Our bibs & shirts

Above: After the Race

The 7am sky at The Piazza Venice, McKinley Hill, Taguig.

(Proud of this shot, taken with my lowly Nokia E63 pero maayos.)

After the Run, we headed to Sonya's Garden, Tagaytay for our well-deserved massages and super healthy lunch! Last time we were here, we were still boyfriend-girlfriend, and the place had no bed & breakfast, no spas yet. It's great to know that even with the expansion, it has kept its charm.

Above: This way to paradise!

Above: Not-so-Secret Garden

Above: lotus pond

Above: one of the many charming garden nooks

Above: Welcome to the Spa Area

Above: My massage bed

Above: Our massage room's window.

Super presko!

Hearing the tree leaves dance with the wind

made our massages even more relaxing!

Above: My view, face down.

Above: Dalandan-based Tea,

served after our massages.

Sarap!

Room's motif: traditional Pinoy bahay-kubo.

Capiz walls separated the massage rooms.

After our very soothing back and feet massages (Php560 each plus Php100 for the Couple's Room), it was time for our deliciously healthy eat-all-you-can lunch (Php610 per person).

Above: Create your own salad of freshly harvested lettuce and arugula

topped with mango, broad beans, eggs, cucumber, jackfruit, pineapple,

edible flowers in season, drizzled with Sonya’s Secret Dressing.

VERY GOOD!

Above: Bottomless freshly squeezed

dalandan juice (green mandarin).

MY FAVORITE!

Above: Pasta Fest

Two kinds of sauces and toppings: sun dried tomato and chicken cream with mango.

Topped with ratatouille, salmon belly, shitake mushrooms, black olives,

capers and grated parmesan cheese, pepperoncini.

OK LANG.

Above: Fresh baked whole wheat sesame bread

with an array of homemade dips and toppings:

basil pesto, white cheese, anchovies,

bruschetta tomato toppings, and mushroom pate.

LOVE! LOVE! LOVE!

My lovely embroidered table napkin.

Above: Dessert

Homemade chocolate cake from the Sonya's Garden Panaderia

(good but Uno's is still our favorite),

banana rolls with sesame & jackfruit (sarap!),

glazed sweet potato (best eaten with mint leaves).

We're trying their Bed & Breakfast soon!