Affordable Resorts in Fairview, Quezon City: List of Places to Beat the Heat

Here's a list of nearby pools in the Fairview, Quezon City area. 

There's no doubt that the summer is here with the temperature reaching up to 34 degrees. The best way, for me, to beat the summer heat is to take a dip in a cool and refreshing waters. If you live around Fairview here are possible places where you can swim and be cool!

photo credit: http://www.markanthonyermac.com/2012/03/summer-2012.html

1. La Mesa Eco Park (North Fairview, Quezon City)

There's a large pool located inside the Eco Park at La Mesa Dam. You have to pay a separate fee for access to the pool aside from the park's entrance fee. The good thing about this place is that there are also other activities that you can do within the park's grounds such as wall climbing, kayaking, fishing, biking and zip lining(?) The park is only open until 5 pm.

How to Get There via Public Transportation: 

• Ride a jeep/ FX or bus going to Fairview. 
• Drop off either at Winston or Pearl Drive. (Drivers know these places.)
• Ride a tricyle going to La Mesa Dam. 

2. Water Fun Resort (BIR Village, Fairview Dahlia)

This is a small resort with about a few pools for kids and adults. This is located inside BIR Village around Dahlia, North Fairview. For a simple dip, this place would do. As far as I know, Water Fun has night swimming. 

How to Get There via Public Transportation:

• Ride a jeep/ FX or bus going to Fairview
• Drop off at Fairview Center Mall
• Ride a tricyle going to Water Fun. (The terminal is behind the mall.)

3. Casa Milan (Regalado Avenue, Fairview, QC)

Casa Milan is a prime subdivision. The pools are in their club house. The management allows outsiders to use their clubhouse unless there's an event in their function area. The pool area is only open until 5 pm. Recommended for small group of family and friends. This is about 5 minutes away from SM Fairview. 

How to Get There via Public Transportation:

• Ride a jeep/ FX or bus going to SM Fairview
• Drop off at the gate of Casa Milan. (This is along Regalado Avenue)
• Ask the guard for directions to the club house. (It's quite complicated to explain it here.)

4. Patio Isabel 

This is also a club house inside Sacred Heart Village. This is way past SM Fairview and near Lagro Subdivision. 

How to Get There via Public Transportation:

• Ride a jeep or bus going to Sapang Palay or Tungko. (Both places are in Bulacan)
• Drop off at Sacred Heart Village's gate, just across Iglesia ni Cristo's church. 
• Ask the guard for directions to the club house. 

5. North Olympus 

Opposite of Patio Isabel's way is North Olympus. This is another pool area located inside North Olympus' subdivision. Compared to Patio Isabel and Casa Milan, North Olympus has a playground for kids. 

How to Get There via Public Transportation:

• Ride a jeep or bus going to Almar, Zabarte
• Drop off at the gate of North Olympus
• Ask the guard for directions to the club house. (You just have to follow the Main Street until you reach the club house. )

6. Dreamland Resort

See my post on this resort. (Click the link!)

These places are ideal for simple dips so don't expect spectacular sights and views. This is just to beat the heat! 

Milk Tea, Milk Tea: Review of Milk Tea Brands in the Metro

I was never a fan of tea or milk.  It was only recently when the postings on my facebook persuaded me to try one of the food, or rather drink, craze right now- milk tea! To catch up with all the milk teas I missed ever since its conception, I went the rounds to trying all the milk tea stands and stalls in a mall near my house.

So let me share with you my own take on the milk teas I have tasted so far: 

1. Bubbatealicious

photo credit:  http://ph.openrice.com/manila/restaurant/commentdetail.htm?commentid=18436

This brand of milk tea is my favorite. Their milk teas are sweeter compared to other brands. And cheaper too! I've tried all their milk tea flavors and the best for me is the Caramel Milk Tea. 

Just an advice, their blueberry and strawberry milk teas don't taste that good. They resemble the taste of medicines- kinda sour and artificial. They also don't have the infamous wintermelon milk tea yet. 

Location: SM Fairview, 2F Annex Bldg. 

2. Tearrific

photo credit: http://jillianisyourfriend.wordpress.com/2012/02/09/check-it-tea-riffic/

I've tasted Tearrific's wintermelon milk tea. The taste is smooth with enough pearls. A regular-sized tea is about P55. Nothing really unique to set it apart from other brands. Just be careful when holding it since the container seems more "crushable" than other brand. 

Location: SM Faiview, 2F Main Building near Max's Restaurant

3. Happy Lemon

photo credit: http://www.ourawesomeplanet.com/awesome/2010/12/happy-lemon-manila.html

Sorry for those who adore Happy Lemon, I think their milk teas taste a bit bland. The pearls are also bland and small compared to other brands. It's like there's more water and it's not that thick. But for some reason, there's always a long queue in their stall in Trinoma. (It must be me who's having a problem with taste buds!). Also, their milk teas are more expensive than other brands. I think the cheapest you can buy is about P85- the milk tea with black pearls. 

Just an advice, brace yourself for waiting esp. on weekends. 

Location: Trinoma Mall, 3F near the Cinema

4. Tea Tattle 

photo credit: http://jennyandjessie.blogspot.com/2012/03/tea-tattle-sm-fairview.html

This brand is also one of my favorites. (I think my second in the list. hehehe!) I only tasted their creme teas. My favorite is the Tattler's Choice Milk Tea. The milk is creamier and the taste of tea blends smoothly with the taste of milk. There's also plenty of pearls- no need for additional ones. It's also relatively cheaper than other brands. Cheapest is P60 for 12 ounces. 

Location: SM Fairview, UG across Goldilocks

5. Cha Dao Tea Place

photo credit: http://taraletseat.blogspot.com/2012/02/cha-dao-tea-place-sm-fairview.html

I simply don't like the taste of their tea esp. if it's mixed with egg white. For me, their milk teas taste like medicines- tolerable to some extent but not something you'd choose to taste. I actually did not finish my milk 

Location: SM Fairview, LG Annex Bldg. 

So there's my initial list of milk tea brands. I'll have another round of tasting other milk tea brands!