Travel tips during the COVID19 pandemic

It’s always summer in the Philippines with occasional but often unpredictable rains. Normally I can take advantage of the weather by enjoying the heat and trooping to the beach anytime I want. It’s very comforting to hear the sound of the ocean as I rest in a hammock or feel the sand texture as I walk along the seaside. 

And of course, nothing beats a nice refreshing swim on a hot summer day or even a therapeutic bath at early morning freezing water. With all this in mind, I’d say I totally enjoy going to the beach and I love swimming. I have to swim once in a while…

When my friends and I planned a summer getaway last year, we decided to turn up a notch and try surfing. Unfortunately, we couldn’t go to Boracay for everyone had his own out of the country escapade and anticipated higher expenditures.  As a result, we looked for a different getaway that was cost-effective. That’s when we found an online deal from CashCash Pinoy—a 3D/2N accommodation with surfing lessons at Normi2’s Beachfront Resort in San Juan, La Union. Although online deals usually don’t live up to expectation, we tried our luck. After all, we thought nothing could be madly exasperating as long as the group’s complete 

Just a tip, whenever you purchase an online travel deal, make sure to check your hotel accommodation prior to the date of your arrival. Confirm your room reservation not only to the promo agent but more importantly to the hotel itself. There had been a few instances when the coordination between the promoter and the hotel failed and caused great inconvenience on the customer’s part. Don’t let this happen. As much as possible read the terms and conditions of the purchased deal, coordinate both sides, ask all pertinent facts especially the ones that may not be clear to you e.g. shuttle service, additional bedding, food, fees/extra-charges and so on…

Below are some photos from our trip to La Union (***Treehouse Tavern Photo credit to Normi2’s Facebook account)

You may continue reading for more information about Normi2’s Beachfront Resort.

Moving on here’s helpful information about Normi2’s Beachfront Resort in case you consider staying there with your plan to escape the city and ride La Union waves 🙂

RESORT FACILITIES AND AMENITIES:

*Selected air-conditioned rooms with colored TV, DVD player, small fridge, hot & cold shower, bathroom, closet with hangers, beddings, utensils (to be requested from the kitchen personnel)

*Air-conditioned Function room
*Rooftop and Poolside Function Area
*Semi-Olympic Pool & Kiddie Pool
*Restaurant (It closes at 10 PM! Make sure to buy a snack to binge on at midnight or ask for hot water in case you carve for a cup of coffee afterwards)
*Bar and Videoke Room (I was so frustrated it was closed the time we were there. Luckily these days visitors can hang in the bar and listen to some local artists. The bar is more popularly known as the “Treehouse Tavern”)
*In-house Laundry Service (hmmmm… it never occurred to me I would ever need to have this service)
*Sports Facilities: Volleyball, Billiards, Badminton, Frisbee (yes!!! VOLLEYBALL!!! We enjoyed several hours of spiking a yellow ball down to the sand… Billiards is also fun…)
*Surfing Lesson (This depends on the waves. So make sure you visit La Union at the surfing season, probably from September to February… don’t go there on a Holy Week! You should already know why!)
*Kayak Rental (very fun to try)
*Massage Service (never tried)
*Souvenir Shop (not that interesting for me)
*Picnic Sheds
*Shuttle Service (San Juan-San Fernando)
*Spacious Parking Area (we didn’t have a car to park anyway)
*24-Hour Standby generator (the time we went there, a blackout occurred. Great they had a generator)
*Daily Newspaper (if you badly need it!)
*Welcome Drink (Ice Tea!!!)
*FREE WI-FI Connection (MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL. Kidding)

ROOM RATES:

Standard          = 3pax Php1,840

Deluxe              = 2pax Php2,100

(with breakfast for two(2), one(1) hour surf lesson or kayak and 30 minutes body massage)

Family              = 5pax Php2,480
6pax Php2,800
8pax Php3,220
9pax Php3,540

Economy (fan) = 3pax Php1,350

Apartelle (fan) = 6pax Php2,950

OTHER CHARGES:

– Extra Person (with bed & breakfast) Php300
-Extension Rate Php200

Check-in Time: 2PM
Check-out Time: 12NOON

*Major Credit cards are accepted

FOR RESERVATIONS AND INQUIRIES, YOU MAY CONTACTS NORMI2’S BEACHFRONT RESORT THRU THESE NUMBERS:

LANDLINE:          (072)720-0519
MOBILE NOS:     0927-449-6934(Globe)

        0928-4231-476(Smart)

Parting Words

I highly recommend going to La Union. Whether you plan to pick up a surfboard for the first time or not, it’s one of the best places to catch some waves. Just remember to wear extra sunscreen unless you want your stay to be daunting rather than relaxing.

What do you think about this beach resort? Have you tried surfing in La Union? Let me know what you think in the comments section below!