A refuge in serenity: Lagos del Sol mountain lake resort

The magic of the lake
It was an ordinary day in the mountains surrounding Lagos del Sol Mountain Lake Resort in Caliraya, but it was a different one for me and my traveling companions. The rush and bustle of the city completely disappeared behind the mountain range of the Sierra Madre.

Two and a half hours were all it took to reach this mystical sanctuary in Cavinti, Laguna, and we did not need a pair of hiking boots to experience the the mountains.

The still waters of the lake also entice people to relax and leave the worries of the city behind—even if for just a few days. I was attracted to a bench near the lake which was positioned under a big tree. Sitting in this concrete seat allowed me to spend a few minutes of guiltless silence as I cleared my mind.

Two men carrying fishing rods walked past me without even a single glance. There was freedom in the stillness to mind your own world and separate yourself from intrigue. All they wanted was to spend a quiet afternoon fishing for a good catch while what I wanted was to spend mine doing nothing but being enveloped by the lake’s magic. In Lagos del Sol, people coexist yet there is freedom to do your own thing without being disturbed.

However, a more exciting experience awaits those who wish to take on a water adventure on the lake, and I chose the infamous banana boat ride to add spice to the calm day. The speed boat pulled the banana boat and toured us around the lake. It was a long ride and we passed by some rest houses which also took refuge in the serenity of the man-made lake Caliraya.

Officially opened in 1994, the resort is beautifully maintained under the leadership of president and general manager Lilong Chua. Lagos del Sol also offers other water sports facilities such as kayaks, canoes, and pedaled boats on which one can sail slowly on the still waters without the noise of the speed boat. I chose the canoe for my second water encounter and rowed around the lake. There was no rush. I rested my arms after some minutes of paddling and just allowed the soft current to rock my boat while I reclined on my back to face the sky.

Blending with the earth

Sprouting from the earth’s grounds were different colored flowers which I had only seen arranged in bouquets and wedding reception setups. Bunches of hydrangeas and pots of red anthuriums added contrast to the verdant land, and pots of flowers lined the concrete staircase leading to different cabanas. It was a blessing that Manuel O. Chua, chairman of the resort’s corporation Goldbell Philippines, had an inclination to environmental beauty and protection; thus, splendid landscapes of a wide variety of flora can be found in its parameters.

Our cabana was named Gumamela and true to its name, big bushes of gumamela were planted right outside the veranda.

Since the resort is used to hosting big groups, some rooms can accommodate six persons, depending on the needs of the group. Function rooms which can accommodate up to 250 guests are also available for conferences and different occasions. All guests converge at the mess hall every meal and with the quiet surroundings, it was surprising to find out that there were actually a lot of people with you in the resort. Though the place was designed as a Chinese restaurant, home-style Filipino food is also served, which makes the ambience cozier.

Spending a quiet night

Insomniacs should try the natural therapy of the atmosphere in Lagos del Sol. Aside from good conversations, all one can hear are the songs of birds, insects, and other animals, testament to the resort’s rich biodiversity. Resort staff say that squirrels are sometimes seen jumping off branches and running after each other. I was not fortunate enough to see them, though my companions were.

From the verandah, one is bound to be enamored by how the moon interacts with the mountain lake. We were lucky to have a full moon that night and it painted a long bright reflection on the dark waters. It was as if the sight was taken straight out of a romantic movie where you are included in the frame.

[ Lagos Del Sol Resort Wiki ]