Where the Water Falls

Villa Escudero is a coconut plantation and resort located a few hours away from Manila. Employees are dressed in traditional Filipino clothing from the Spanish era and guests are driven around in carabao-drawn carriages while musicians serenade them with Filipino folk songs. The resort proper has three small pools, a few sports facilities, and a river where guests can ride native bamboo rafts.

They don't allow cameras inside. The first level is very very creepy.

Their carabaos have names! This one is Ligaya (meaning "joy" in English).

Riverside cottages are available for those who desire to stay overnight.

The resort boasts of their Waterfalls Restaurant but it's actually NOT a natural waterfall. It's actually a dam of sorts. It is certainly where the water falls so I suppose they weren't entirely lying. I've been spoiled by beautiful natural waterfalls in Mindanao so this was a huge disappointment.

It gets crowded so come in a little earlier to grab a good table.

They have shelves where guests can leave their footwear but I suggest wearing waterproof footwear like flipflops or aqua shoes so that you can keep them on. Keep in mind that the water is very cold and while you can rest your feet on the metal reinforcements under the table to keep them above water, you'd still be spending a good amount of time with them submerged.

They don't provide spoons and forks so guests either eat with their hands or with the disposable chopsticks they have on site. Drinking water is free, but they charge for other drinks like soda or fresh coconut juice.

Villa Escudero is quite pricey for us who are used to cheaper resorts in Mindanao, but children seemed to enjoy the place just fine. They also have a sort of cultural show where they show off traditional dances from different parts of the Philippines, so that's another thing guests may find interest in.