We traveled to La Trinidad, Benguet several times but only to go to Strawberry Farms. We never knew that there is a place called Lily of the Valley Organic Farms and Homestay until it was featured in Kris TV last January 1, 2016.
In the span of 3 months since then, we tried to book a room for the weekend but the reply we would get is “we are fully booked over the weekend”.
Then last March 4, its a Friday, I tried to inquire if there is an available room for the weekend. Lo and behold, there is! And without thinking twice, I requested to reserve the room for an overnight stay for Saturday.
LOV Organic Farms and Homestay is located a few minutes away from the famous Strawberry Farm of La Trinidad. It is a hidden gem, nestled in one of the valleys of Benguet, away from the noise and busyness of the city.
It is owned by the dynamic tandem of Mr. Jefferson and Mrs. Elisa Laruan. ATI in the Cordillera website describe Sir Jefferson as the “The Organic Agriculture Preacher-Farmer of the Cordilleras”. Ma’am Elise is a retired nurse and teacher, she’s the one behind the delicious home-cooked food for her family and for the guests.
Here are the things that we really enjoyed during our staycation:
1. Our Room
Upon arrival, we settled in the reserved room for us…the Dac-amen Room. According to Ma’am Elise, it is named after the ancestor of the land where the farm is located.
It has no TV, no WI-FI and we even have to use a common bathroom located in the ground floor. But it doesn’t dampen our spirit. Though we heard a murmur of complaint from Daniz, but it did not last long…as she found a playmate with the grandson of Ma’am Elise.
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| On the left is the balcony and on the right is our room... |
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| Sorry for the mess :)...this picture was taken while packing our things, a few minutes before we left. |
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| The view from the window of our room. Below are veggie plots and farther left with the bamboo fence is the campsit |
2. The Farm-Grown, Home-Cooked Organic Foods
Our Dinner. At short notice while on our way to the farm, Ma’am Elise Laruan, was kind enough to accommodate us for dinner.
Mountain Rice, Chicken Tinola with Sayote and young Sayote Leaves, Rosemary Pork with baby Carrots
Our Breakfast
Fried Mountain Rice, Kale Omellete, Sauteed Omellete, Grilled Chicken with Rosemary
One of the best freshly brewed coffee that we have tasted. Jonjie and I had a few cups after dinner. And I had several, before, during and after breakfast. The coffee beans are locally grown from Atok, Benguet.
3. The Farm
The set-up below only shows one tent that can accommodate 4 persons. For big groups, they can set-up a maximum of 4 tents. The camping rate is Php1,000 per tent (as of this writing, April 2016).
Upon request and for a fee of Php1,000 pesos, a bonfire can also be set-up near the campsite…with marshmallows and hotdogs for roasting. Please click here for a short video of bonfire during our stay.
4. The Farm
In every trip, it became a habit for Jonjie and I to wake up early and explore the place…when everything seems on a standstill and every guests are still snoozing in their beds.
We visited the organic farm which is located at back of the house on the lower ground beside the brook. We saw organic vegetables such as carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, red and green cabbage, etc.
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| Our room is the one on the left with open window. |
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| J & A...just the two of us moment! |
Mulberries...the darker the fruit, the sweeter. I have to include it here as it is the first time I saw a Mulberry tree.
5. The Experience
We had a great time. For Jonjie and I, staying at Lily of the Valley Organic Farm brought back memories of yesteryears…of going home to a farm, enjoying the quiet life and savoring farm-grown, home-cooked meal.
For Daniz, it’s spending time with Ma’am Elise grandson…playing, running, talking, laughing. She forgot about tv, wi-fi, and gadgets.
We left the place feeling refreshed and renewed.
And we are planning to go back…to experience the campsite.
Below are some of the common Areas Inside the House
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| The Living Room with the fireplace waiting to be lit |
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| The Balcony beside the Dac-amen Room...our room. |
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| Play room...small library... |
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| The Hallway to the other rooms...stairs on the left. |
- As of posting, LOV Homestay has available 4 rooms for guests:
- Kayman Room – good for 6 persons @ Php1,800, only room with T&B
- Anchong Room – good for 4 persons @ Php1400, 6 persons max
- Dacamen Room – good for 6 persons @ Php1400, 8 persons max
- Darwan Room – good for 2 @ Php1200, 4 persons max
- For inquiries and booking, you can directly contact Ma’am Elise through this no. 09212170430 or through their website http://lilyofthevalley-organicfarms.webs.com/contact-us or facebook account https://www.facebook.com/LOVorganicfarm/
- How to get there:
- By Car – please check the map location at https://goo.gl/maps/dYWNJqLjdGD2 or use Waze Apps
- By Public Transport – no direct jeepney route to the area yet, but you may request Ma’am Elise to arrange a transport.
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