The year 2020 can be remembered mostly by people globally as the COVID-19 pandemic year. This pandemic has caused tremendous changes in the lives of people both positively and negatively, depending on a person's life's circumstances. For most of the working groups of people this meant a change in the working environment, from office to a Work-from-home (WFH) set-up. Though there are people who thrives in this kind of job set-up, there are those who prefer to work in a real office environment where work and home lives could be differentiated and clearly identified.
For typical Filipinos who managed to live with the WFH set-up, holidays or long weekends are considered to be a time-luxury where it can be clear that holidays are days when the mind and eyes are "off from their laptops or personal computers" to do work. As a working professional myself, even if I can say that I do thrive with the WFH set-up, a daily activity of facing my laptop and nothing else I guess makes me realize that there is more to life than getting caught up in the challenges of the pandemic. Spending a day or two to see the grandeur of nature as something far remarkable than the pandemic is definitely a thing to cherish and celebrate, now and I guess in the nearest future.
So it was from April 2-4, 2021 when I had the opportunity to feel a long weekend in Cebu since the onset of the pandemic way back March 2020. Armed with the pandemic-prevention protocols in mind, my friend and I, and two lovely pets headed to the southern part of Cebu, Casa Aleli, a hostel in the Municipality of Ginatilan, Cebu. A usual 4-hour drive from the city, driving on a Good Friday was a breeze as it only took us a little past 3 hours to get to the hostel. By the way, a prior booking was made with the owner, Ms. Angeli, a very accommodating owner who answered all of my queries, gave in to a couple of requests, and ensured that everything was settled and prepared for. With the owner a fur-parent herself, allowing pets to stay with you on your vacation in their hostel is not an issue, though of course as a fur-parent it is expected that we do know how to care for our pets in all aspects.
We booked for a 2-night stay where the first night was on a fan room (since no AC room was available at that time) and an AC room for the second night. One might be wondering why settle for a fan room on a summer season in Cebu? Well, for one it is not easy to find a resort that is not just pet-friendly, but really safe for pets and even adults. And secondly, yes, it is a hostel but with a beach, a very beautiful kind of a private beach just across the street where you can peacefully watch the majestic sunset while enjoying the waves, and bask at the sands with only a very few people, a safe and relaxing place indeed during the pandemic.
When we arrived at the place, we saw that there is a parking space right in front of the hostel enough for 3-5 vehicles. Ms. Grace, one of the two ladies (MS. Josephine being the other one) who takes care of the hostel, welcomed us with the observance of safety protocols. She ushered us to our room, which was at the second floor. The hostel boasts of only 4 rooms: 2 at the ground and another 2 at the second floor. I believe the rooms at the ground floor are good for around 6 pax per room so we were given a room at the second floor that is good for 2-4 pax. The room was very neat, clean, and spacious. The T&B is also spacious with separated areas: shower, toilet with bidet, and a lavatory. The sight and smell of the T&B speak of how clean the area is. However, it is not situated inside the room. The T&B is beside the room so one needs to go out first to use the T&B.
The ground area has a very intimate and relaxing ambience as trees and plants surround it. There are also 2 garden sets that can accommodate 4 pax per set. This means that one can still peacefully enjoy the outdoor area of the hostel as it has a gate that closes at night time to ensure the safety of its guests. Safety is not just the concern but the convenience as well as the hostel has a kitchen that can be used by guests to cook, eat, and wash dishes. Prior to use, I believe that the opportunity to use the kitchen must be agreed by both the owner and the guest/s. We were told that a family of around 8 members was able to reserve the kitchen for their use, but it was not a major concern for those small groups of guests who would want to grill their own food as the owner allows for the use of a small griller, free of charge.
The amenities that are available in this humble but stylish hostel may be simple but sufficient enough to make its guests feel that pandemic may have changed the way people live, but not enough to forget that the best things in life are the ones that go beyond height and distance. The tranquility of the place is a moment spent with nature. A place that cannot be forgotten. A place that serves like home. A home that everyone loves and deserves.
For more information about the rates and the place, please check out their Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/CasaAleliCebu/
