Maquinit Hot Spring, Mimaropa, Philippines

4London-Phil 5:00 PM Sep 9, 2020

The place to meet new friends...
This is an interesting attraction and one that requires a certain type of 'outlook', I feel to properly appreciate it. Firstly, check carefully with the trike driver before agreeing a fare to go otherwise, they'll likely be an argument at the end over cost, specifically the waiting time, as I experienced. Secondly, it's a Tourist attraction in a poor country, so don't expect to get in for free as the Philippines is hardly wallowing in riches. Pay the money and smile graciously, 200 php is hardly going to break the bank! Also, it's gonna be busy, as it's a TOURIST ATTRACTION, so lots of people from all over the world will likely have the same idea in visiting. This for me is really what it's all about as I'm a chatty soul who can make conversation with a stone if need be. Happily that day, I met not only a lovely group of mature and attractive Japanese Ladies (see pics!), but also a lovely couple that I arranged to meet later for dinner. Surely, that is the essence of real travel, not the geography of the land but the people that inhabit and visit it? Put simply, If you're just a 'tick-list' traveller, then this particular attraction may not be for you. Other little negatives are Yes, it is hot but, perhaps the title rather gives the reason away. Lol! There could be more toilets and changing rooms and the guard on sentry duty when first entering was more than a little officious but again, as long as you don't actually drink the water, as an experience, well worth the visit I felt. As always, happy and safe travelling. Phil Postscript. Whilst chatting to the couple, I discovered that the chap enjoyed drawing and painting. Rather cheekily, I asked him to paint me a watercolour picture of the springs, this even though we were both due to move on in a day or so. Unbelievably, the finished result was (hesitantly) given to me when we met for dinner later that evening. I love it and it's now framed and proudly adorning a wall in my Living Room (See Pics). As I had little to offer in return bar the meal, I offered to sing to them in the restaurant as a thank you. An unequal exchange perhaps, but I got a big hug from each of them in return so I guess, it wasn't such a poor exchange after all. Now that, is a travel memory born of being in the right place, at the right time, dressed in little more than a ever present smile! Ergo...You are not defined by what you possess, but by what imprint you leave when you do. (PC, September 2020)

5vida turingan 5:00 PM Jan 21, 2020

A very therapeutic and relaxing place to chill
This place is further away from the main town, so you will need to arrange transport to get to here. The tricycle is around 350 pesos per person round trip from the town. The driver will wait for you until you finish soaking. Although I would recommend getting a town trip package instead because the transport is better. The road going to the hot spring is quite rough so a tricycle ride can be a pain. There is a 120 pesos entrance fee to be paid at the door. They have a couple of changing rooms in there and a cold shower by the pools in case the water in the pool gets too warm for you. They recommend a maximum of 10 minutes dipping in the hot spring, come out for 10 minutes before dipping again to prevent dehydration. I will recommend bringing a bottle of water with you when you go here. It is also a lot nicer to soak in the evening rather than during the day because it can get too hot during the day. There is a place where you can do barbecue although we did not get to use it. There is also a mini store there in case you get hungry from all the soaking in the hot spring