Sajorda River Park, Iba, Zambales
Sajorda River Park is a small town stay-in resort at Lipay-Dingin in Iba, Zambales. The park opened in 2003 and is owned by Architect Quin Sajorda and his wife. Currently, their daughter Ottie Sajorda acts as the primary manager of the park.
It sits beside a long river (more or less 2 kilometers in length) whose name I cannot confirm (not in google maps and not known by locals). The flow of the river is slow and subtle, and the greenish murky water gives this great swamp experience.
There are only a few cottages and huts in the area, so be sure to arrive with a paid booking. We booked through agoda, which made our arrival easy. During summer time and holidays, they are usually fully-booked, and those who booked through pay-later websites might be forced to look for other places to stay in due to online overbooking.
The place gets high ratings on different sites, though honestly, the place was not much. It was a simple place with simple amenities. Wifi was restricted to their dining area and there was no cable or special hotel service to expect. On the flip-side, they have dvd players and CDs which you can use.
Throughout my stay, I was able to note the strong points of the place. First off, the place you stay in is similar to a studio-type house, with a small living space, bedroom, bathroom and kitchen area. The kitchen area is a big plus to those people who would like to save or bring snacks. They allow cooking and outside snacks, and they even have refrigerators!
There are about 5 mango trees where you can freely pick fruits, so it's best go during April, where harvest is abundant. In addition to that, the place is pet friendly, and that is definitely a plus for those families with furbabies. The location of the place is also near a public, pet-friendly beach, which can serve as an additional activity place to go to. The park management has set-up a tent and table to where beach-goers can leave their things during their swim.
Many picnic tables are found near the river edges and the garden. Enjoy the fresh air and the heat of the sun under shaded areas, while sipping your favorite refreshment. Fresh mango shake and halo-halo are available at the park -- definitely a way to top of a lazy, sunny day.
There is floating restaurant where families can enjoy lunch while coursing and exploring through the length of the river. For adventurous individuals, kawayan rafts are available as standing paddle boards. Also of note is the rich marine life, where people can go fishing for different kinds like tilapia and bangus.
The distal side of is lined by mangroves, serving as a great ecosystem for crustaceans and fish. They also serve as productive ecosystem for many types of organisms like snails, birds and various reptiles.
If you're looking for a new experience, discovering rivers and mangroves should definitely be on your list. A bonus for this place is its proximity to the beach, allowing you to experience both in one trip. Aside from that, the Sajordas were very hospitable and generous people who'll make you forget the competitive perspective of mundane city life.
