One dollar travel

Benign night shift. Thats how we call it when all patients decided to have a good sleep and the watchers scheduled their complaints after sunset of their “not-so-cold” AC problems, high elevation of their toilet’s doorway, and/or dysfunctional remotes. So before all of these comes up, I have the luxury to write about our trip to La Conchita Spring Resort.

When all the planets align and the universe allowed me and my friends have the same off days, we grab it and go on a small trip. This time, we went to the hometown of our friend Pebbles.

La Paz, Leyte is an hour and a half drive from Tacloban City. From the town proper, it’s a 10 minute motorcycle journey to Brgy. Mag-aso where this resort is located. The gas cost us around 80php (1-2usd) and not even half of it was consumed. Along the way, you’ll see “instagram-worthy” sceneries and you might want to stop for a while to take shots for your future blog post. Just be careful as the carabaos rule the place and they decide who stops and who goes first in the road. You might want to slow down and enjoy the fresh air if you see them crossing (they usually take their time in walking).

For just about 20php (less than a dollar) as an entrance fee, we were able to enjoy La Conchita Spring Resort.

They have a wide pool and it’s water comes from the overlooking mountain spring. How cool is that?

Upon entering the place, the owner’s caretaker greeted us with that huge smile and you can instantly see and feel the small-town-resort vibe. They have cool little nipa hut as cottages. Rent ranges from 150-200php (3usd). Though you have the option to not use a nipa. Just lay your things nearby and jump to the pool! Up to you.

We went there at an early morning around 6am. This was the hardest part ever. Waking up that early because no one is a morning person, really. But we did it! Yay! We’ve been offered for some coffee and guess who rejected it? NOBODY, of course. Exactly what we need.

At one corner of the pool, floaters are available. They are the unused interior truck tires and honestly, it is better than the ones we buy at the mall. Look how grand I look!

We had the pool for ourselves at that moment so playing a game was mandatory. It was so fun that one of us almost drown. Okay, well that part was no fun but she’s a non-swimmer and we had a standby local lifeguard/nurse with us who happens to be pebble’s cousin. Plus, we are nurses too. Hah! It inspired her to have swimming lessons this year.

Since the water doesn’t need chemical balance and comes from a spring, you can wear anything when swimming. Bikinis or swimswear attires are encouraged but not neccessary.

When it is summertime, they put up a little shed at the corner of the pool so guests may opt to rest with a shade without having to step out of the pool. Also, you may need to bring your own snacks or food because they dont cater any food orders yet. No corkage fees collected, ofcourse.

The place is so serene, peaceful and clean. It is a family owned business so everything has a personal touch in it and workers are either family members or a town local. This is definitely a budget weekend getaway.

If you need to replenish that energy for the week ahead without having to spend a lot, consider visiting this amazing place!

All photos are mine.