SOMEWHERE TO GO DURING HOLY WEEK

Kuh's Tagaytay hideaway
FUNFARE By Ricardo F. Lo The Philippine Star Updated April 16, 2011 12:00 AM 0 comment to this post

When life in the city gets somewhat too suffocating, some stars usually hie off to, if not foreign shores (Hong Kong and Bangkok are favorite destinations), Boracay to unwind, never mind if the faces they bump into are the same ones from Manila they are running away from.

Tempo’s Ronald Constantino is right.

“The perfect place to be during the Holy Week is Metro Manila,” said Ronald who is packing his things for a post-Lenten holiday “somewhere” with STAR contributor Bibsy Carballo. Hola! “Everybody goes out of town and Metro Manila is all too suddenly quiet and peaceful, no traffic and no ‘intrigues’ since TV is off, so it’s ideal for meditation and soul-searching.”

But where does Kuh Ledesma go to relax, recharge and renew herself on weekends and during the Lenten Season? 

Yes, to her own Hacienda Isabella (named after her daughter) in Tagaytay City which is only more than an hour drive away. The place has been consistently receiving rave reviews for its tasteful, unique and rustic style, laid-back ambience and impeccable service (the buffet offers food for all kinds of palates).

“During Holy Week,” Kuh told Funfare, “an option of healthy organic food will be available aside from the Hacienda’s best-sellers.”

The Hacienda is open to guests.

“We accept walk-ins for special breakfast, lunch or dinner,” added Kuh.

More than the gustatory delights, Hacienda likewise offers “food for the spirit” at its daily Bible classes and inspirational talks conducted by Kuh herself and other speakers who are Bible teachers.

(Note: For reservations and inquiries about the Holy Week package, call 726-6485 and 721-1936, or mobile phones 0920-9539488 and 0917-8139065.)

Holy Week events at Kamay ni Hesus

And if you happen to be at the Kamay ni Hesus Shrine in Lucban, Quezon, here’s Fr. Joey Faller’s schedule of activities for the Holy Week:

• Palm Sunday, April 17 — Commemoration of Jesus’ entry to Jerusalem, morning and afternoon Masses, and Estacion General (Via Crucis at Grotto);

• Holy Monday, April 18 — Morning and afternoon Masses and stage play Biglang-Bigla Isang Umaga;

• Holy Tuesday, April 19 — Afternoon Mass, and continuation of stage play;

• Holy Wednesday, April 20 — Morning healing Mass and afternoon Mass, and continuation of stage play;

• Maundy Thursday, April 21 — Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Washing of the Feet, Holy Communion, Procession, Benediction, and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament;

• Good Friday, April 22 — Celebration of the Lord’s Passion, Liturgy of the Word, Veneration of the Cross, Communion, Procession, and continuation of stage play;

• Black Saturday, April 23 — Continuous veneration of the Image of Crucified Christ and continuation of stage play; and

• Easter Sunday, April 24 — Eucharistic celebrations.

(E-mail reactions at rickylo@philstar.net.ph or at entphilstar@yahoo.com. You may also send your questions to askrickylo@gmail.com. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare.)

MY THOUGHTS

I've never been to Kuh's hacienda. I can't really say if it's a good place to go or not. But it's near enough to risk it. We took a risk at Sonia's and it was good.  We risked going to Nature Spa and have gone there 2x already.  We risked eating at this quaint italian restaurat in Tagaytay.  I can't remember the name but I can still remember the taste of their excellent pasta and how tranquil you feel eating under the trees with all those glittering lights. 

I'd say it's worth checking out Kuh's place.

I've been to Kamay na Hesus and I will never dare those stairs again.

VOLUNTEER VACATIONS

Volunteer Vacations
For the Thrifty Traveller
http://www.frugal-living-tips.com/volunteer-vacations.html

Volunteer Vacations, are they for me? If you like experiencing life without all the tourist hype and love to get your hands dirty, then I would say yes they are.

It is perfectly possible to visit some of the most exotic, and beautiful places in the world without spending a fortune and enjoying a holiday that makes a difference as part of your frugal living plan.

By taking a working vacation, you help could be helping a very good cause or just helping the local economy and all on a shoestring budget.

By volunteer vacations, I don't mean a placement for months at a time, but a short break, from a weekend to two weeks, either short or long haul, where, for the cost of a little work, the overall expense is reduced, in some cases drastically.

There is the added advantage that you get a much richer experience of the place you are visiting than the tourist on an often overpriced package holiday may do.

Does this all sound a little risky? - Not at all these days, there are many specialist travel agents well experienced in providing volunteer vacations, with all the safety precautions taken into consideration and checked out before hand.

It does require a little thought and planning on your part, though. Obviously, there's no point in volunteering to dig ditches if you have a back problem, or volunteering to do something you really wouldn't enjoy. After all this is meant to be a holiday.

Also, it does help if you have a specific skill. But that doesn't necessarily mean eight years of medical school or a degree in horticulture, just being fluent in English is a sought after skill, for instance.

How to find volunteer vacations.

There are lots of websites out there that can find you the perfect frugal living vacation; here is a selection of some of the longer established organisations:

The Earthwatch Institute (www.earthwatch.org) specialise in environmental placements. They have teamed up with Travelocity (http://leisure.travelocity.com) to offer grants to qualifying volunteers, which could cut the price of your vacation even further.

Global Vision International (www.gviusa.com) is a very well organised site; it has sections for U.S., U.K., Irish and Australian volunteers.

They specialise in placements of one week or more, and at any one time have over 100 different projects to choose from.

These are mainly long haul. The support given to volunteers by GVI is excellent, and they are on hand to help 24 hours a day in the unlikely event that you run into any problems, however minor.

The volunteer has to organise their own airfares, insurance, and in some instances, transfers from the destination airport.

United Planet (www.unitedplanet.org) again specialise in long haul volunteering vacations. Again they have hundreds of projects to choose from. They also have a useful section on obtaining sponsorship, which can help cut the cost of your vacation even further. Their fees do not include airfares.

Cheap Tickets (www.cheaptickets.com) have a volunteering option where it is possible to take a few days out of a leisure holiday to take part in a volunteering opportunity. They also have options of taking a few days out in the U.S. to help with different projects in a range of areas. This is useful for planning short breaks.

Own Country Holidays

Depending where you live, there are any numbers of country-based charities offering vacations for volunteers, for example:

The American Hiking Association (www.americanhiking.org) offers opportunities to mend trails, provide visitor facilities - ideal for outdoor types.

The National Trust (www.nationaltrust.org.uk) offers a range of activities in the U.K., from painting lighthouses, to stewarding in Stately Homes. If history is your bag, then these are excellent.

MY THOUGHTS

Sounds promising. I may not go for camping or backpacking but I might just go for a volunteer vacation.

SAVING ON VACATIONS BY CAMPING

Camping Holidays
For The Perfect Cheap Vacation.


Camping holidays, are they for you? Well you either love or hate camping, there doesn't seem to be much of a middle ground.

Many of us first experience camping when we are children, going away with mum and dad or with the local kids club.

It was all high jinx; scary stories and waking up in a damp sleeping bag and you may be wondering why as an adult would you want to do that again.

Well things have changed over the years and camping holidays are now a little less basic and with a little effort are great fun for the whole family.

If you want to get away from it all and your budget is tight, frugal camping holidays could be the perfect solution.

What are the choices for frugal camping holidays?

There are plenty of different places you can now pitch your tent, it all depends on what sort of camping experience you are looking for. For instance there are:

* Get away from it all sites - these can be basic with just a shower block and toilet facilities. But they are great for being in the middle of nowhere where you can truly enjoy the countryside and get away from all of life's hustle and bustle.

* Seaside sites - If you enjoy being by the sea or want to have a family beach holiday then these sites are perfect. They normally also include some sort of onsite family entertainment centre where the kids can play and the adults can have a lively drink or two.

* Trekking - if you really want to see the countryside and are into some serious walking then trekking with your tent on your back and visiting specially allocated small trekking camping sites could be for you. These sites attract the adventurous types and you could find yourself sitting round campfires in the evening swapping stories with other trekkers.

The equipment

Keeping it frugal, simple and light to carry especially if you trekking is often the first consideration when taking camping holidays. However there are some essentials that if you travel without could ruin your entire vacation.
Sleeping comfort

You can either decide to:

* Sleep on just a ground sheet - rather hard on your back and you may end up getting wet.

* Airbed - these are comfortable and only require blowing up. However they can be heavy to carry.

* A sleeping pad - lightweight and easy to carry, these rolls provide a little comfort.

* Camping bed - these are raised off the ground like a hammock are quite comfortable but a little more difficult to carry around.

The sleeping bag you choose will depend on the time of year you are travelling. During the summer only a lightweight bag is required but it is always better to go for something a little warmer, as it is much easier to cool down than to warm up.

Cooking equipment

If you are going for the full camping holidays experience then you will be cooking under the stars. If there are only a couple of you then a single gas stove is all you will need.

They are light and easy to carry and are great for single pot cooking. If there are more of you and you are not planning to carry your equipment around with you then there are full outdoor stoves available, these are probably better if you are cooking for a family, as your menu options are greater.

However be frugal with just how many pots and pans you really need, after all you don't want to have to carry around with you heavy unecceassry items if you don't have to.

Plan your meals before you go and only take the cooking utensils you will require. To keep costs to a minimum, take your own pots and buy some cheap plastic plates etc from the cheap stores rather than from the camping store.

If you are trekking and planning to camp often then it would be advisable to buy the proper camping utensils as they have folding handles and stack together for ease of transportation.

Lighting

You will need a torch to find your way to the toilets during the night. Invest in a wind up one that will reduce the cost of batteries and can also be used forever more at home. A little gas lantern will be needed to light your tent at night. Only have one per tent and use aluminium foil to reflect the light as they can be a little dim for reading with.

MY THOUGHTS

I've had very few camping trips in my lifetime. My memories of them are not worth repeating. All I can remember is the uncomfortable, messy feeling. A tent is not my idea of a vacation. Even if it's just for one night. Maybe I should try it again. If I follow these tips, maybe my perspective (and my experience) might change.

BUDGET TRAVELTIPS

Budget Travel Tips
For The Frugal Traveller

Budget travel planning has been something both my partner and myself have carried out for years, ever since we no longer had two incomes coming into the home.

Gone are the days of booking the first hotel we come across and usually being ripped off by their over priced rooms and add-ons.

Now we spend a little time planning ahead and discovering that there are plenty of ways to travel in style without paying a fortune. Frugal vacations need not be diffcult to organise.

Of course budget travel planning also sometimes means not going on the usual two-week holiday just because it is something everyone else does. Instead it could also mean planning lots of short weekend breaks and day trips throughout the year.

This can work out a lot cheaper as you can book out of season and gain by taking up all those weekend break deals being offered. It also places less pressure on work and children's schooling commitments.

I used to miss one week at the start of term when I was little because my parents couldn't afford to go on holiday at peak times, it was very difficult to catch up.

Watch out for those hidden extra costs

There are always things that can be easily forgotten when budget travel planning and which can throw the whole expenditure into turmoil if not careful.

Vaccinations - if you are planning to go to a country where lots of vaccinations are required before you go, it is best to check with your doctor if there are any charges for these, especially if you live in a country where the health service is not free.

These vaccination charges can mount up if the whole family need them, so it best to try and build these into your budget travel plan. Of course you could just be very frugal and decide to go somewhere else instead.

Equipment - You may be planning on going on an activity holiday where you will be expected to either have some of your own special equipment or clothing or will be expected to hire them once you are there.

Skiing vacations are a good example of this, where skiing equipment and extra warm clothes costs will be on top of your travelling and accommodation costs.

Even if you do have your own skies and clothes and plan to take them with you, it may cost you extra to travel with them in your luggage due to size and weight. Build all these costs into your frugal budget travel plan.

Luggage - make sure that you do not pack too much when travelling abroad. Too many people have been hit hard at the airport when they have to pay extra weight charges on their luggage. These costs can be high, so always check exactly what your weight allowance is before you go. Be frugal with your packing and ask yourself "do i really need all these clothes"?

Insurances - Always build in insurance costs into your budget travel plans. Lost luggage, double booking and accidents are all good things to insure your self against. Make sure you buy your insurances separate from your holiday seller to ensure you do not may too much. Also it is possible to buy insurance that will cover you for a whole year if you plan to frugal travel more than once, it works out a lot cheaper in the long run.
What types of budget travel vacations are there?

Family vacations - When you have a family your choice of holidays dramatically change from when you were single.

Now instead of wanting to sip cocktails in the moonlight, you now have to make sure that there are plenty of activities to keep the children amused so that you at least get the occasional five minutes to yourself.

Planning a vacation for the family can work out expensive but it is possible to take advantage of many child friendly vacations on offer and by comparing the deals you may even end up saving yourself some money.

Backpacking - For those of you that have the wanderlust in you, backpacking is a great way to see the world on a shoestring if you don't mind roughing it a bit.

There are many offers for student travel available and if you are prepared to work a little on these vacations you may find that accommodation costs are practically nil. Frugal living at it's best.

Working Vacations - These vacations used to be very popular in the UK during the 50's when a lot of families who could not afford holidays would spend two weeks picking hops on farms in the south of England. However these sorts of holidays are still around today and in many different parts of the world.

Whether it is picking fruit, grapes for wine, olives or helping to clear rhododendrons as part of an environmental scheme, they are all great fun, cheap and a good place to make new friends.

Camping - traditionally the cheaper way to go on vacation, where accommodation costs are minimal and experiencing the great outdoors is all part of the joy of the holiday.

Keeping this type of vacation simple and not eating out at restaurants every night but cooking your own food and making the entertainment up yourself will ensure that this holiday will remain a budget travel reality.

Vacations for singles and couples - Even if your dream is of a fairly luxurious and perhaps romantic vacation, it is still possible to make a budget travel plan that will help to keep the costs to a minimum and within your frugal budget. After all every frugal traveller knows that it is possible to still have a great holiday on a budget. You could even decide to take a virtual trip to say somewhere like Las Vegas instead. A little piece of Vegas can be enjoyed via online casinos, just keep within your budget.

MY THOUGHTS

My personal preference would be to save up and really vacation in style. It doesn't have to be the high-end hotels and resorts. But I prefer not to cook not scrimp on food when on holiday. In fact,I wouldn't mind foregoing a vacation for a year so I can enjoy the real deal next year.

WHAT TO EAT WHILE ON VACATION

WHAT TO EAT TO SAVE ON VACATIONS

FROM THE ARTICLE 'Cheap Family Vacations For the Frugal Lifestyle'
www.frugal-living-tips.com

What to eat

Eating out with the whole family all the time will cost a fortune. Instead be frugal and:

* If staying at a hotel, make sure that everyone eats a big breakfast everyday to keep them full for longer. You could also try to take some bread rolls at breakfast with you for your lunchtime snack.

I used to sneakily fill bread rolls with bacon and take some of the fresh fruit that was left for us at breakfast and keep it for lunch.

* Prepare frugal foods for picnics. Use the local supermarkets for cheap ingredients.

* Always carry snacks for the kids. Cereal bars and bags of crisps are a great way to fill them up and to steer them away from other takeaway options available.

Cheap family vacations activities

* Always plan in advance if you can what you are going to do every day. Remember that you do not have to do everything and the main reason for your holiday is to enjoy spending some time together.

MY THOUGHTS

if you're with kids, don't go for the packaged meals- especially the buffet. kids who eat adult food are rare. it's still cheaper to let them eat 'a la carte'.

WHERE TO GO to save on Vacations

WHERE TO GO TO SAVE ON VACATIONS

from the article "Cheap Family Vacations For the Frugal Lifestyle"
www.frugal-living-tips.com

Where to go

* For a cheap family vacation stay in your own country and either drive or take a coach and avoid airfares.

Even though airfares look very cheap once you have added all the taxes and luggage costs and insurance it can work out far more expensive than you first thought.

* If your heart is set on one of the big family resorts like Disneyland and your frugal living budget can't stretch to these then it is still worth checking out any discounts they may have on offer.

Again it may be worth finding your own accommodation and travel deals yourself rather than relying on agents.

MY THOUGHTS

yes, i am one of those people who cannot completely trust travle agents and web reservations. got burned in that area a couple of times and i wouldn't want a repeat performance. and yes, you end up getting better deals when you make reservations yourself.

WHERE TO STAY to save on Vacations

WHERE TO STAY TO SAVE ON VACATIONS

from the article "Cheap Family Vacations For the Frugal Lifestyle"
www.frugal-living-tips.com

Where to stay

* The all inclusive cheap family vacation is often a good choice for families with small children, as everything is included in the price including kids activities.

* For families with older children booking your own accommodation directly will work out better, as you won't be paying for things you won't be using, like a kids club.

Telephone hotels directly to see if they have any special rates or family deals on offer. When being frugal with your vacation plans it may mean having to take extra time to sort things out for yourself to save in the long run.

* Home swaps - why not arrange with family or friends who live far away to swap each other's house for a week or so.

It will still feel like a vacation and the cost of accommodation is just reduced to paying for utilities.

* Time-shares - if you have a place you like to visit regularly for your vacations then why not consider a share in a time-share apartment. Top tip though is to deal directly with the owner of the apartment and not through an agent.

* Book accommodation on the outskirts of your destination rather than in the centre, prices will differ greatly and buying a season ticket for your whole family can further reduce local bus fares.

MY THOUGHTS

i would much rather save by vacationing off-season. if the place is not nice,comfy, with room service - i wouldn't call it a vacation.

WHEN TO TRAVEL (Cheap Vacation Tips)

WHEN TO TRAVEL (Cheap Vacation Tips)

from the article 'Cheap Family Vacations For the Frugal Lifestyle'
www.frugal-living-tips.com

Cheap family vacations that will keep everyone happy are a reality
When to travel

* If it is possible to travel during the off season then this can save you lots of money, often these holidays are 30 to 40% cheaper. It may mean that the kids will miss one week of school, make sure that this won't be too disruptive and make sure that the school is aware of your trip.

* Check with your destination when their off peak starts, this may not necessarily coincide with other places and so you may be able to go during their first week of their off season and not disrupt your children's schooling.

* Make sure that when you want to travel does not coincide with any festivals or events at your destination. This can raise prices considerably and reduce your choices of accommodation.

MY THOUGHTS

if everyone vacations during off peak, soon off peak will become peak. i'm just being silly. but if we follow the law of economics, the law of supply and demand, that can happen.

SAVING ON FAMILY VACATIONS

GOING ON A FAMILY VACATION ON A TIGHT BUDGET

from the article "Cheap Family Vacations For the Frugal Lifestyle"
www.frugal-living-tips.com

Cheap family vacations that will keep everyone happy are a reality for a family used to the frugal living lifestyle.

Planning ahead and spending your money wisely can still lead to a great vacation, all you have to do is to stay away from all the tourist money grabbing traps and to tell your children before you go that you are all on a budget.

I find that if you let them know this before hand it causes fewer arguments and upsets later and most kids are reasonably understanding if you treat them as grown ups.

MY THOUGHTS

watch out for the tips on When to travel, Where to stay, Where to go, What to eat.