I was craving and excited to experience the mountain again, and the rural lifestyle pushed me to accept the offer and invitation of the farm resort owner for a short escapade by the sea, mountain, and forest.
Back in my childhood days in the countryside, at night, we would sit down on the wooden bench in front of our house, watching the fireflies on treetops and listening to the crickets and other insects twitting. Sometimes, the cry of the night owls made our hair stand and pushed us to get inside the house.
Time has run so fast, and for more than three decades now, I have gotten used to city life; all you can hear are the car horns, loud music on the radio, and people talking, yelling, screaming, and other noises. The old ways of my life are a part of myself that I could not quickly get away from; most often, I keep wishing to feel the energy of my childhood place again, so the invitation is something I cannot let slip through my fingers. I grabbed the opportunity.
At the Naval De San Andres, making a retreat for a few steps back to the old and modest lifestyle is still possible in a place that keeps you away from the city's toxins to a rank of pristine and natural serenity.
Naval De San Andres is a perfect retreat place for the one doing a soul search, making personal reflection, or wanting to escape the hustle-bustling without getting detached from the community and essential accessibility. Naval De San Andres is a private farm resort located in the town of Siruma, Camarines Sur, Philippines.
As the light fades and the dark of night starts covering the entire place, you will get fascinated by the different sounds in the forest during the dark period. The twitting insects, the whistles, cries, and songs of the nocturnal animals will give extra chills and fascination.
Keeping away from the city's contaminated environment for a while or a day does not require extra effort. The resort is within walking distance from the town’s commercial area; however, despite the close distance to the town center, the moment you set foot inside the premises, you will be in complete seclusion, away from the noises of the city.
All that will greet you are the sounds of the forest, the swaying and raging ocean waves, and the squeaking wild birds perching on the treetops.
You will have the chance to experience going back to the traditional way of living when electricity was still unavailable, living in a hut without any modern utensils and conventionally cooking foods using firewood. You can choose whether to use traditional lighting, a kerosene-fuelled lamp, or electricity power at night.
The cottages are built using indigenous materials inside the farm alone, designed to make you sense the simplicity of life back then.
It is not commercially operational yet, but if you wish to visit and use the place for your hideaway escapade, you can arrange it with the owners.
Big thanks to the owner for his invitation, which brought me back to the day when life was easy, uncomplicated, happy, and contented. It was a great escapade.
See more images below:
Here is some additional information about the farm:
Things You Can Do
Whole or overnight swimming
Camping
Farm and forest exploring
Firefly watching
Island hopping (but you need to arrange a boat at the Pamintan Port)
Facilities Available
Cottage
Comfort/washing/bathroom
Accessibility
Commercial access for your basic commodity needs – close to the town’s commercial area
Communication facilities with excellent signal; mobile phones and internet
Accessibility (Transportation & Communication)
Siruma is accessible through Naga – Siruma Road in concrete condition. Two-hour drive with a distance of 75 Km.
Good road condition from the town proper, but as you get close to the farm, you will drive on a trail in the middle of the prairie.
How To Get Here
If your car is from Manila, you can go directly to Naval De San Andres. When you reach Naga City, you may ask the locals for directions or use Google directions.
From Manila, book a flight to Naga Airport in Pili, Camarines Sur, or a bus to Naga City. You may contact the resort owner for directions when you reach Naga City.
There is only one public transport trip from Naga to Siruma daily. So, it would be much better to arrange a van to take you to Siruma and then back to Naga.
Public transport by bus could be a terrible experience for you.
No van transportation is operating from and to Naga City.
What to Expect
Scenic sights await the guests along the way during the trip.
The distance is only 75 Km from Naga City, but it prepares for a 2-hour mountain drive.
When you enter the Tinambac-Siruma road from Barangay San Vicente, there are no available restrooms for the ladies along the way and no big grocery store or supermarket. Only one eatery is available, and it’s already closer to Siruma town proper.
What to Bring
On your way to Siruma:
In addition to your personal belongings (clothes and others), you need to buy snacks and drinks in the town proper or in Barangay San Vicente to prevent thirst and hunger in case of an unexpected occurrence.
Bring your cooking utensils.
Bring bottled drinking water.
Before proceeding to the farm, you may buy everything in the town proper.
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