Glamping at BLOC Camp Site

GLAMPING, a new word for a new kind of travel, defined as glamorous camping.  

When you're glamping, there's no tent to pitch, no sleeping bag to unroll, no fire to build. Whether in a tent, yurt, airstream, pod, igloo, hut, villa, cabin, cube, teepee or treehouse, glamping is a way to experience the great outdoors without sacrificing luxury. (Glamping.com)

BLOC camp site is located at Barangay Bukal - Cansuso Road, Bgy. Bukal Cavinti Laguna. 

 💜💜💜

We spent Valentine's this year doing GLAMPING. It's a new experience for us, we were glad we made time for it. We learned though that it usually rains during the month of January and February this side of town. And February's the coldest month pa. The weather would have been perfect had it not rained way TOO MANY times. Actually it was just a drizzle pero as in aambon tapos aaraw, aambon ulet tapos aaraw ulet. The first day we enjoyed it pa and were able to take lots of pictures and videos but when nighttime came ayan na, uulan for a minute then hihinto for another minute and then uulan ulet and then hihinto ulet. Repeat that 1000x and that's the kind of weather we did contend with. I think it even reached less 15 degrees. Weird but it was love. If not for that weather though we would have tried swimming in the lake and paddle boat sana. But it was still worth it. Anyways, here are some details I thought I'd share. 

First off, If you send pm in their Facebook page and inquire, they would answer all your queries about glamping. Mr. Inno of BLOC was very patient with me as I had so many questions so I think you'd be perfectly accommodated via their FB page. 

HOW MUCH?
BLOC CAMP SITE FEES (for overnight) 

CAMPING FEE: P500/Camper
ACCOMMODATION FEE: 1 Small Glamping Tent (good for 2 only) = P1,000
there are many glamping tents to choose from
VILLAGE ADMIN FEES

ENTRANCE FEE:  P100
PARKING FEE: we didn't bring car
CLEANING FEE: 1 Day x P250

payment's made via bank deposit. we paid half the total amount for reservation and then paid the other half one week before our glamping trip.

INCLUSIVE:

- Unli-Swimming at the Lake
- Fishing at the Lake (bring your own fishing rods/gears)
- Utility of Toilet&Bath Facility

EXCLUSIVE:
- Food & Drinks
*Standard 20% Corkage Fee, unless you will also pre-order at least a set of group food from them (example: breakfast meals) so that the 20% Corkage Fee will be for FREE!

for breakfast we had tocilog, longsilog and hotsilog all for P99 each. actually we ordered all our food from them - including lunch and dinner para we only had to bring bottled water, biscuits, chichirya, chocolates and instant coffee. just ask for the menus and let them add it to your total bill because thay had to prepare them ahead of time.
 

FREEBIES:
- Rubber Boat w/ a pair of Paddle
- A pair of Safety Life Vests
- 1 set firewood for Bonfire (bring marshmallows to toast!)
- 1 set charcoal for BBQ Grilling (bring food to grill!)

HOW TO GO TO BLOC via Commute

- Go to the HM Trans Bus Station at Cubao, Quezon City. It's located at EDSA near the intersection of Aurora Blvd. It is right beside the 5 Star Bus Station. Ride a Bus going to Sta. Cruz, Laguna (P140). When you reach the HM Trans Bus Station somewhere near the boundary of Sta. Cruz and Pagsanjan, Laguna, there are jeepneys that are bound to the town of Cavinti (P21). Tell the Driver to bring you to the Jeepney Terminal at Cavinti Town going to Brgy, Bukal (P14). When you reach Brgy. Bukal, ask for the Passion Cove Estates owned by an American expat. The BLOC Camp Site is located inside the Passion Cove Estates at the end of the service road near the Lake.

Travel time is usually 3-4 hours. 

UPDATE (As of May 2017 from BLOC Facebook page)
 Guide Map to the BLOC Camp Site

TIPS:
- Take the longer route but more scenic Lumban-Caliraya Road instead of the Road under Repair Pagsanjan-Cavinti Road.
- From Lumban-Caliraya Road after passing by Brgy. Lumot, spot for the BLOC Camp Site signage going to Brgy. Bukal and take that narrow winding road until you see the WELCOME to the BLOC Camp Site signage.

CAMPING REMINDERS from BLOC

We are not a (luxury) resort hotel, but a nature adventure camping site. Bring everything you think you'll gonna need to feel and enjoy camping, including personal stuffs such as towels and toiletries. And yes, it would be really cool if you will also bring your own camping gears and stuffs like LED flash lights, folding camping chairs, ice coolers, (rain) jackets, utensils, portable stuffs like camping stoves, etc.

Glamping includes Airbed with bed sheet, blanket, and pillows. Also, a provision of LED light and a power outlet for (gadgets) charging.

A BBQ grill will also be provided for free; bring your own extra sets of charcoals. And don't forget to bring marshmallows to toast and for s'mores during bonfire bonding.

Camp Site properties covered by your booking as well as those you borrowed or rented will be under your stewardship. You can fully enjoy it but be responsible to replace it or pay for its original price if in case you break it.

As much as possible, confine your activities within your designated Activity Area. Please be pleasant with other Campers especially when you are using the shared or common areas.

All Campers who will go swimming or boating are required or suggested to use life vests for safety.

You are entirely responsible for your own safety.

Campers go to the BLOC Camp Site to experience and enjoy the theme of camping. Campers want to experience different camping activities like bonfire bonding or BBQ grilling; and during night time, campers want to relax in the midst of the great outdoors. Kindly respect other campers and observe good camping etiquette.

As a respect for neighboring Campers, all loud activities should be mellowed down after 10PM.

Loud Sounds and Bright Lights Off: 10PM
Complete Sounds and Lights Off: 12 MN

Take care of the surrounding environment and also, clean as you go.

Standard Check-in Time: 2PM
Standard Check-out Time: 12NN

 💜💜💜

Likes:

the people here are very accomodating. and the staff are courteous.

many tourist attractions nearby especially waterfalls.

Dislikes:

shared CR. 

no convenience store nearby although we saw a small tindahan a few feet away from the site. 

side note: there were tricycle drivers who took advantage of us. good thing there was an elderly who taught us the way around. we almost had to pay a thousand pesos for a tricycle ride when it wasn't our fault we headed the wrong place. NIGHTMARE.

anyways here are the pictures we took from our glamping experience...

romantic

lunch meal (sinigang na baboy and liempo). we only paid P99 each order

CR. left side,  for females. center,  for males. right side, lavatory

bonfire at night. it was raining so we weren't able to roast marshmallows

other campers

view

where bonfire happens

a peek inside our tent

closer look

you can charge your phones and cameras

UPDATE AS OF MAY 10, 2017 FROM BLOC CAMP SITE FACEBOOK PAGE:

Good News!!!

About Food Order Policy, there will no longer be a Corkage Fee.

*Pre-ordered food (and beverages) strictly should also be pre-paid.

The BLOC Camp Cafe now have 3 Types of Menus:

1) Special Menu - Prepared, cooked and served by our Camp Cafe Chef, Ms AJ (if she is available during your stay; and if we have a supply of the rare and specialty food ingredients like the American Black Bass and the Philippine Cara-Beef);

2) Simple Menu - Prepared, cooked and served by our assistant Cook, a local named Aling Ligaya (when our Camp Cafe Chef or the rare specialty food ingredients are not available).

3) Substance Menu - If you are into more nutritious or healthier option, the green vegetable based Menu is ideal for you!

NOTE: If you will pre-order food, you'll enjoy its original low price. But If you will order on site, price will be twice the price. So better pre-order.

*Pre-ordered food (and beverages) should also be pre-paid. =)