Sunday, January 25, 2009

Unexpected Birthday Spa Party

I tremendously enjoyed my birthday this year. One of my most memorable birthdays to date. I celebrated my day with the people I hold close to my heart and love the most.
What made the day more special was that we were able to attend mass as a whole family.

Our original plan was just to have brunch at Sonya's Garden but the night before my birthday I learned that mama wanted to avail some of the spa services offered. I quickly called Sonya's if they could still accommodate reservations for their spa and if we could move our brunch reservation to a late lunch. They were able to accommodate our late night reservation and make some adjustments.

The day of my birthday.

We started the day early with a mass at Pink Sisters’ Convent. We arrived just in time for the morning mass. It was quite noticeable that there were a lot of people this particular Sunday. It was comforting to know that they have extra chairs provided for those who won't be able to get inside the church.

We were expecting the cold climate but we were still surprised on how actually cold it was. The cold climate was even magnified with sudden surges of strong winds. I was already wearing a long-sleeved shirt plus a hoodie and I was still feeling cold. Some of my cousins forgot their jackets and wore regular t-shirts ...brRRrrr...

After the mass we purchased some souvenirs, cloistered cookies and on our way out we bought boiled peanuts. We all wondering how they got the peanuts to taste like smoked bacon. As much as I wanted to eat more smoked bacon peanuts cause it tasted real good but I didn't want to spoil our lunch buffet at Sonya's Garden.



We scheduled to have our spa at 10 am, arriving just in time. We divided into two groups the first group were the one who are availing of the spa services while the other chose just to hang around and raid the paninderia for the freshly baked breads. Mama, tita and my cousins were quite busy selecting in the spa menu which service to pick. My sister and I had already selected in advance and we both chose "Foot Scrub Indulgence". Mama and Tita chose "Traditional Hilot", Jc and Ate Rose chose "Sonya's Signature Massage" and Ate Jen chose "Foot Spa with back Massage".

All of us stayed in one cottage with individual private areas for those who availed of full body services. At first we were all engaged in conversation updates on what happening, reminiscing and laughing a lot. After a few more minutes the room was in complete silence "a good sign" that everyone is already relaxing or sleeping.

It was delight to see the smiling faces of my cousins and mama after their each respective spa sessions. They looked relax and refreshed while sipping their hot dalandan tea (a must try).

Sonya's Lunch/Dinner Buffet was the highlight of the day. We were all seated in a long table and it was quite obvious that everyone was already hungry. We were served green salad with Sonya's Secret Dressing, bread with an array of homemade dips, Pasta 2 sauces with different toppings, Dessert sweet potato, chocolate cake and bannarolls (mini turon) and bottomless dalandan juice.

We also ordered their roast chicken for those who aren't veggie fans (yaya, nieces and my lil bro).

To be honest, if not for the fixed menu I wouldn't mind just eating the Salad and Bread. Cause by the time we had Pasta I was already full.

A few years back, I've always read reviews about Sonya's Garden and often wondered what was all the fuss about. But now that I have celebrated my birthday with them it was an unexpected most memorable birthdays to date. The ambiance, excellent quality spa services and the sit down buffet entices people to relax, talk and bond with their respective loved ones and just enjoy each others company. I recommend families who wish to just get out of the busy manila life and enjoy the activities they can do together at Sonya's Garden.


Sonya's Garden

Barangay Buck Estate, Alfonso, Cavite, Philippines
(near the vicinity of Tagaytay City, Philippines)
For reservations:
call or text +63-9175329097 or +63-9175335140
http://www.sonyasgarden.com/

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t-na @ 11:50 AM| 2 comments

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Baking Episode Two: Carrot Walnut Cake Creamcheese Frosting

I was craving for carrot cake but my favorite carrot cake store, Home made Carrot Cake closed and the next nearest branch in my area was in Pasig. I decided to make my own but after I finished baking the cake my craving had gone. I only ate a slice and I gave my cousins and a few friends a couple of slices and they enjoyed eating them. What I love about this recipe is that it does not have raisins and pineapple.

Carrot Walnut Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

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t-na @ 11:49 PM| 1 comments