This article has been sitting in my drafts since February 2020, and I nearly forgot about it until I checked again this month. I guess with my busy schedule at that time, followed by the lockdown due to the ongoing pandemic, I didn’t feel like it was fitting to write about something like this.
But I always say that I like using my blog as a way to look back on special memories, so I hope that you’ll allow me to continue remembering that happy weekend with the Cupcake—our first Valentine’s Day as a married couple!
Below is the article I wrote, and finished just today:—
If there’s one thing that the Cupcake and I enjoy more than traveling and exploring the world together, it’s getting away from the busy life in the city and simply enjoying some quiet time with each other. That’s exactly what happened during our first Valentine’s Day weekend as a married couple. We drove down south to Anilao in Batangas, which was about a 2-hour drive from our condominium in Legazpi Village, Makati. We left on Valentine’s Day itself at about 11am, and arrived at Vivere Azure just a little passed 1pm. I didn’t expect the drive to be so quick—but then again there was no traffic at all!
If you visit their website here, Vivere Azure is meant to be a paradise situated by the mountainside of Anilao, where one can relax and break away from the monotony of city life. It’s exactly the kind of place the Cupcake and I love being in.
Vivere Azure was originally built as a family rest house, where weekends were spent watching the sun set, and with a front row view of the ocean. There are thirteen suites—each unique, and all of which exude a sense of openness without sacrificing privacy. The suites are named with positivity in mind—names that evoke an uplifting feeling. You can read more about the different suites here.
The Cupcake and I stayed for two nights in one of the grand premiere ocean view suites, Ultima, a 60-square-meter space that offers the most breathtaking view of the landscape. Amenities included an in-room safe, widescreen TV, refrigerator, insect repellent, citronella oils, resort bag, slippers, hygiene kits, a night light, and a Nespresso machine.
The suite’s interior design made me never want to leave—if not for the tempting snorkeling adventures that waited for us just right outside. After settling in and eating lunch on our first day, we went snorkeling right away to get a glimpse of the diverse ecosystem. The Cupcake used to come to Vivere Azure a lot with his whole family, and still knew his way around—especially in snorkeling. He immediately showed me the giant clams—one of the many amazing things you’ll find underwater! You can watch the video below to see them.
We snorkeled for about 30 minutes, and then took a break on the beach beds and just talked for hours. Before we knew it, it was time for dinner.
When you’re checked in at Vivere Azure, you don’t need to worry about where or what to eat. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all included—and it’s always a delicious buffet of simple, can’t-go-wrong kind of food. That evening, we were even served a complimentary large slice of chocolate cake that we enjoyed over coffee. They surprised me with a long-stemmed red rose as well!
The following day, we booked a private tour and went island hopping! We were able to visit Sombrero Island and Fortalez Island. We met a couple of beach doggos in Sombrero Island that I couldn’t stop taking pictures of. We also took the longest time snorkeling in Fortalez Island, and were so mesmerized by all the beautiful corals and fishes. I got to feed them, too!
The rest of the day was spent relaxing. We swam in the infinity pool, sipped on fruit shakes, and booked a massage for two. It was definitely a fun and memorable weekend, and the last time I got to really bask in the sun and take in the smell of the ocean right before the lockdown started. I feel very fortunate to have experienced all of that.