City Baby

During the last weekend of February, Stan, Naima and I went on a mini vaca-y to celebrate our 2nd wedding anniversary. We left Manila at around 10am and made it to Tagaytay just in time for lunch. Lunch was at Buon Giorno at the Cliffhouse. We had initially wanted to try Cafe Verbena but there was a private function. Stan loved the mushroom/chicken risotto! After a yummy lunch, we were back on the road to head towards Buck Estate.

We booked at Sonya's Bed and Breakfast. The place was full. When we arrived, there were several events at their various pavilions. Luckily, the B&B was at the far end of the property, separated by a wooden gate. We were assigned to Rosemary room, which had 1 queen bed and a day bed. Naima eagerly explored the room and started rolling all over the bed! The room was lovely - Filipiniana designs with a lot of knick knacks (which we put away from Naima's reach) and quaint details. The curtains were made of sheer fabric, weighed down by shells (the kind used for sungka) -- little did we know that it would result in some sleeping issues.

We spent the afternoon exploring and of course, capturing various Naima moments :) Dinner was at the B&B's dining room, with Sonya's salad-bread-pasta set menu. We didn't have any yaya so Stan and I took turns eating and feeding Naima. One of Sonya's staff generously offered to take care of Naima for a bit so we could eat. Being the socialite that she is, Naima immediately said bye-bye and went off to do more exploring on her own.
Bedtime came and after getting ready, all three of us went to bed ready to cuddle and turn in. There was no aircon but the room was cool thanks to the light night breeze. The sound of the tinkling shells and crickets were slowly lulling Stan and me to sleep. And where was Naima during all of these?! In between us, playing with Stan's cellphone and refusing to sleep!! City baby that she is, she was used to the buzz of the aircon! Every tinkle, hoot and cricket sound made her search around the room, looking for the source of the sound. She repeatedly also asked Stan to read her Dr. Seuss' Alphabet Book over and over and over (i think about 20 times). She wasn't scared.. she just wasn't used to all the country noises. She finally fell asleep at 10pm with Stan and I joining her shortly after. AND she was up at 630 in the morning - with the sound of the crowing roosters waking her! So instead of a leisurely 9am scheduled breakfast, we were ready and at the breakfast table a little after 8.
Breakfast was a heavy one with salted fried rice, mushroom and cheese omelette, chicken pork adobo, fried bangus, fruits hot chocolate, coffee and this yummy mango tomato salsa. Naima had her own meal of mangoes, melons and potato wedges with herbs which was especially cooked for her. Despite my city baby's restlessness, we enjoyed Sonya's B&B and would definitely go back again.. but probably with earplugs for Naima :D

Sonya's Bed & Breakfast
Barangay Buck Estate, Alfonso, Cavite, Philippines
(near the vicinity of Tagaytay City, Philippines)
For reservations: call or text +63-9175329097 or +63-9175335140

*all photos by Stanley Ong