Sonya's Garden Bed and Breakfast

Sonya's Garden Bed and Breakfast is not only my favorite ultimate place to relax, but it is also a world away across the Pacific. This destination defines "getting away from it all."

Tucked away close to the rolling hills of Tagaytay, Philippines, Sonya's Garden B&B is paradise found. Owned by Sonya Garcia, this country estate and garden was Sonya's personal sanctuary and haven until friends and visitors convinced her to open it to the public. The high altitude and cool climate of Tagaytay has made it a popular getaway from the noise, hustle and bustle of city life. Yet Sonya's Garden B&B stands out amongst the rest, a place so tranquil, beautiful, unique and uncrowded, where one begins to appreciate once again the simple joys in life. It is way more than a Bed and Breakfast place. It is an experience. We left the place feeling rejuvenated, healthier, fully rested with the promise to come back again someday.

All photos were taken by Bakerwoman (that's me). All rights reserved.

Beautiful but dangerous, Taal volcano still rumbles and is an active volcano. The volcano sits in the lake of another crater (Crater Lake) which makes Taal very unique.

Imagine two floating bells randomly bumping into stationary bells and playing music all day long in a copper bowl.

All our meals were included in the cottage rental for the weekend and cooked in the kitchen behind the pavilion. Included in our weekend special was a cooking demonstration on how to make an easy vegetarian pasta dish with herbs from the greenhouse. This was then served to everyone of my family who still had room to spare for this healthy and aromatic pasta dish.

We could feel the tropical breeze wafting through the open walls and hear the crickets and frogs singing in unison. There was no doubt that we were going to be spoiled and pampered that weekend, being waited on hand and foot, and enjoying the "art of doing nothing", a philosophy coined by Sonya herself.

Aromaric herbs, organic vegetables and fruits are grown in the greenhouse and served to guests. The chandelier that hangs in Sonya's greenhouse is functional and decorative. It is a conversation piece and seemed out-of-place in a greenhouse. It certainly makes a statement.

My sister and I were invited into the greenhouse by Sonya and after I tasted the leaf of stevia, which is a sugar substitute, we hastily left the premises after being bit by ants.

Hand-embroidered linen, vintage bone china, silverware, homegrown greens and fruits were some of things that set aside Sonya's Garden B&B from other places. Servers waited on us hand and foot which was a welcome change for these tired and weary visitors.

We feasted on fried local fish, fresh mangoes, pineapple and herb salad, fried rice, coffee, tea and bottomless dalandan juice for breakfast. Philippine mangoes are the best in the world, in my opinion, smooth like the texture of cling peaches, non-fibrous, juicy and sweet. All the salad greens and herbs were grown in Sonya's greenhouse.

A leisurely stroll along the curvy red brick road delighted us with the the aromatic scents of flowers, the trills of songbirds, bubbling fountains, and the tranquility of a new-found paradise.

The entire garden is hand-watered with garden hoses. There are no timed sprinkler system. Sonya told me that she employs the villagers to come and tend her garden everyday. It is no wonder there is nary a weed in sight. You can see one of the workers in a yellow shirt (far right) working on the landscaping.

Window panes and sliding doors are lined with capiz seashells, a traditional style used in cottages and provincial homes in the Philippines. Capiz is often referred to as windowpane oyster because these are used as an alternative to glass being translucent and abundant, not to mention cheaper. There is a wooden lounge inside for an afternoon siesta or just for meditating and taking in the lush greenery around. It almost could pass for a garden tea house.

I really like this charming hideaway in the garden.

The Wonders of Capiz Shells

A coconut tree laden with young green fruits stand tall in the backdrop next to a tamarind tree. Bougainvillea and other tropical plants seem so perfect next to each other.

This charming and elegant garden lounge is like no other I have ever seen or sat on. The coverlet is hand-crochetted with embroidered pillows to prop up and soothe tired muscles. A sheer mosquito netting canopy hangs over the lounge for protection and privacy. There is no doubt that everyone who chanced upon this seating area actually had to stop, sit and had a picture taken. We did.

Suspend this elegant mosquito netting canopy over a setee, patio bench or hammock and protect yourself from flying bugs and create a sense of privacy. The fine polyester mesh will even keep the smallest bugs out.

Aquatic plants like water lilies and papyrus sedge surrounding the gurgling fountain brought on visual and mental relaxation. The simple pleasure of listening and watching water flow soothed and calmed our nerves.

This bubbling fountain is just outside our cottage on the way to the restaurant pavilion. The dining table and chairs can be seen peeking out of the lush ferns.

One does not have to walk too far to come across an inviting bench or a place to sit. The low-impact exercise of a leisurely walk in the garden and occasional stopping to smell the flowers sometimes requires a minute or two of rest. This was true for my 85-year-old mother who walked many steps behind us and could not keep up her pace. The walk around the garden was a way to whet our appetite for the next delicious meal.

Who does not like freshly baked goodies from Sonya's panaderia (Spanish for bakery). We packed a few bags of cookies and buttery Spanish rolls and Chinese hopia (pastries with sweet mungbean paste) to take back to our cottage for our afternoon tea.

Native handicrafts, embroidered linens, beads, jewelries from local communities, treasures Sonya have collected in her travels can be found in The Country Store. Lavender soaps, essential oils and lotions were also available as souvenirs.

We indulged ourselves with 90 minutes of Swedish massage, Japanese Shiatsu finger-pressure massage, Thai massage, foot reflexology, facial and foot scrubs. It was a perfect fusion of European and Asian massage techniques with the use of essential oils. After a steam bath and hot shower with homemade herbal soaps, we all felt refreshed and rejuvenated. It feels so good to be pampered.

We were now famished and ready for dinner at the pavilion.

The evenings were cool and breezy but there was no need to wear any jackets. Stained-glass garden lanterns light up the winding garden paths. Trees are festooned with miniature lights. It almost seemed like the holidays were upon us in September.