These were the activities I had fun doing on our second day at the GK Enchanted Farm in Angat, Bulacan. This is already Part 2 so I suggest you read Part 1 first of my favorite spots at this Gawad Kalinga Farm Village University ;)
We walked for a bit (around 1.5 km if I'm not mistaken by walking from the entrance) to get to their animal farm with the kids. I will tell you more about this in the next post.
I liked this part where they lined the site with mahogany trees. In a few years, they said, these would be fully grown. Just behind that is the beekeeping section maintained by one of the social entrepreneurs here.
Next came the area where mangoes hung aplenty (they were not yet ready). It brought back thoughts of my childhood when we lived in this house with a big mango tree. Soon, I hope, they will include mango-picking as one of the activities.
For now, these giant ants have them to themselves. There are over 300 mango trees in the property and there are 4 types including Indian, pico and apple mango.
I was looking forward to an intro to their organic farming techniques but I guess they still have a long way to go and it's not 100% yet. They were selling potted plants though near the Ube Farm
and some produce at the Grassroots Kitchen.
They have plants and herbs like aloe vera, ashitaba, peppermint, purple basil, lemongrass, lemon basil, chocolate mint, stevia, tarragon, Thai basil, oregano, java mint, tarragon and sweet basil.
One of the spots I liked was the extension of the Grassroots Kitchen.
There were dwarf bamboos and ylang-ylang trees in this area and it was slightly shaded.
I thought it was duhat at first but then someone told us that the flowers haven't bloomed yet. Just imagine sitting down here and a gush of wind comes bringing the scent of ylang-ylang in the air... You might also want to find that spot in the farm with cotton/kapok trees (and it might just appear like a scene of fake cherry blossoms) during the right season... ;)
Near the ylang-ylang spot were pots of the 9 basic herbs you "must" have in your home (I believe they sell these)...
One of the treasures of the Grassroots Kitchen was Ate Lourdes and her ice buko.
For one, I've missed this rare treat (and it might not be organic or healthy, sorry haha). And two, it only cost P8. The sweet ripe mango-flavored one was to die for also. It was a great, great thing to munch on after our meal and that long hot walk under the sun.
Just behind the food was the cottage cheese hut. Seeing cheese made in front of you in a few minutes and eating it fresh was well worth it! Let me tell you more about this social enterprise in the next post also.
This was the way to our rooms. It's a nice path
that leads to the swimming pool (not over 5 ft) right next to the Shell Villas! Although not heated, it was a nice escape for us the night before. We were invited to the bonfire area for some guitar time but Marky, Elvie and I just stayed here doing laps and all soaked (me singing with the music coming from the portable speakers Elvie brought) for a few hours in our own corners. I didn't want to walk in the dark anymore too hehe.
Here's a view of the sunset from the Bamboo Palace. Marky said the view from the pool was so perfect and we didn't have to walk all the way to the palace...
I loved this road going to the main entrance. It was an alternative to the winding hilly (up-and-down) bamboo path a while ago. There, we found more types of accommodations
and serene sights. One of the Ates told us that residents of upscale subdivisions near the farm like to come to the GK farm to jog or walk around. Imagine that.
I like this way to the Grassroots Kitchen better
because it also passed through this area where we held cocoa demonstrations the day before. The air sure smelled like it and there were these benches and chairs made from recycled materials.
I love this space with plant box as it gets my non-existent DIY juices flowing. Haha.
There's more to this farm that I haven't explored. Luckier are those who will stay here for a longer time period and study in this future campus for a 2-year period to get a degree in Social Entrepreneurship at the Gawad Kalinga Farm Village University. But hey, it's just 1.5 hours away from Manila ;)
Farm near Manila Less Than 2 Hours Away - Activities at the Gawad Kalinga Enchanted Farm in Bulacan! - Part 2 of 2
Farm Details:
California Street, Pangi Angat Road,
Angat, Bulacan, Philippines
Open Tuesdays to Sundays 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Website, How to Get There, Activities, Accommodation and Fees
Step by Step Directions to the GK Farm
Step by Step Directions to the GK Farm
info@gkenchantedfarm.com
0916-2253363
