In my previous post, I've walked you through how my friends and I ended up in Alhibé Farm at Carmen, Cebu. Today, I'll bring you to the other equally spectacular corners of Alhibé Farm that other blogs won't usually talk about. Are you ready?
Accommodation
First and foremost, let's tackle the accommodation! The farm is situated in the wilderness so don't expect a hotel-like accommodation. Prior to booking this place, we knew we'd stay in tents amongst trees, shrubs and the like. It wasn't a big deal at all; most of us have tried camping.
If you're going with your family or any big group for that matter, don't expect that you'd be sleeping in one place. The tents are scattered all throughout the farm and can accommodate 2-4 pax depending on how huge the tent is. Although the tents looked sturdy enough to withstand a typhoon, Alhibé's management was worst-case-scenario ready. The tents were pitched under semi-covered structures. This way we were at peace that no rain can ruin our staycation.
These tents are not the usual beach tent or camping tents that can hardly fit 2-4 pax; these tents are massive that 2-4 single beds with frames can fit inside and you'd still have space for your belongings. A dining table or a sofa can even fit in on top of everything else!
In broad daylight, the tent accommodation felt like a dream but at night,these tents transformed into cozy place where rest is guaranteed. Aside from the small lampshades, nothing else shed light inside the tents. Some might find this charming but to others, this might look a little creepy. You can bring your own flashlight or emergency light if you think these aren't enough lighting for you.
Unique common toilet and shower area are available, too! There's no need to worry about clean water as well as Carmen and its neighboring towns are known to be great natural sources of endless water.
Anything else?
We slept soundly at the relaxing sound of crickets in sync with the wind's slow but steady rush. In the morning, I felt rejuvenated and ready to discover more about Alhibé. We began the day with a morning stroll towards the downhill and farthest part of Alhibé.
We hit the end of this side and discovered a few more tent accommodations. These can easily accommodate another 8-10 pax but looking at their state and the surrounding area, I doubt that they'd be safe to house guests. These have spectacular view of the valley below Alhibé tho.
A stroll and the secret
This time, we walked towards the highest portion of the farm. It might be that obvious but most of the farm is located at the side of a biggest hill. We walked past what felt like a never-ending jungle.😅 Along the way, we spotted random shrubs, ferns, trees and flowering plants; some parts had clear pathways but others were covered or hidden under overgrown grass. I could only think of the work they need to put in here just to maintain the cleanliness and orderliness of the entire farm.
So far, I've seen the two (2) pools that I kept on seeing on social media but there's one spot that I am yet to discover. That morning, the goal was to find this IG-worthy spot in Alhibé. A few minutes later, I spotted a wooden structure. It was unclear what it was but when I got closer, I knew this is what I've been looking for.
The structure is a two-storey accommodation made mostly from hardwood. In the first floor, a long bamboo table was the center of attention. Apparently, this is a kitchen complete with cooking utensils.
I looked for a flight of stairs that will take me on the second floor; I found it on the right hand side of the building. There was no one around. The accommodation looked odd and old.
I made sure no one is around or inside the room on the second floor before I invited myself in. I found an empty room and a balcony overlooking Alhibé's entirety (although you can't see that much due to the tall and thick trees surrounding the balcony). I was expecting that this accommodation will be offered to us given we're a big group and we were the only guests during our stay. But when I saw its dilapidated state, I understood why none of us were assigned to this room. It could bring more harm than fun.
The balcony was in total ruins. A portion of its wooden flooring was rotting from the continued exposure to Cebu's extreme weather conditions. The room showcased a massive queen-sized bed with what could've been the perfect morning view anyone could ask for. There are cobwebs everywhere, the floor was filled with dust and the bed had yellow patches from water that dried out over time.
Still, it was beautiful.
Overnight Shenanigans
On our first day at Alhibé, we had a great time swimming at its two natural pools. On the same day after dinner, we spent the rest of the night playing card games, catching up and having some deep conversations. It was a night well spent!
To cap off the night, we asked Alhibé's staff to light up some bonfire for us. Once the fire was big enough, we gathered around it and continued talking, laughing and discovering new things about my friends. This one's for the books indeed!
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