Private Nature Retreat w/Brick Oven & Hiking

Restore yourself in a striking Quonset style house tucked away in Malarayat mountains. Appease your mind in a 6000sqm private forest less then 20min from Lipa City. Enjoy your own homemade pizza baking in our charcoal fired brick oven. Please your family with even the largest of meals cooking in our fully stocked kitchen. Be rewarded by a stunning view overlooking Lipa's valley after a short climb to Mt Malarayat summit. And make sure you ask me an additional 10% discount! The space Feeling stressed & exhausted? You deserve some quality time focusing on essentials: HEALTH AND WELL-BEING. Let me tell you how 'Ginhawa' has changed our family life! Please read until the very end, because this story is going to teach you a 30-second exercise to help you survive when an emotional storm hits. And pay very close attention half way there, because you are going to learn a one-minute technique to instantly stop struggling with stress. *My wife Paulette called me one day in tears.* "I have so much to do and too little time." I asked her what was the matter. Paulette and I had just celebrated the 1st birthday of our 3rd daughter. She is a certified wealth & estate planner and had started a cake business from home. X She was back to work. X She was often restless all cramped between our 3 daughters, the yayas and me (!) in a way too small condo of Paranaque. X And she spent her days in meetings and her hours in Manila traffic. I knew EXACTLY what was going on. *She feared for her health in the long run.* And she is right. The medical literature (like this 2017 review "The impact of stress on body function") is clear. There is evidence that prolonged psychological distress leads to life-threatening effects and death. Shorter lifespan, lower quality of life and overall less happiness... NO WAY! Being in the wellness industry for long years, I knew it was time to do something about it. Hi! I am Louis. I am your host and my ambition is to humbly bring comfort to people's lives. Paulette and I are more than happy to welcome you at 'Ginhawa' (which means "freedom from pain" in Tagalog). Keep reading and thanks for following me so far :) *Do you think this lifestyle is healthy for my wife?* Not to mention air pollution was getting worse in Manila.... The DENR had just reported that fine particles concentration in Manila was 8 times higher than WHO annual air quality guideline value, and was unhealthy for sensitive groups. When Paulette struggles, there is a one-minute stress breaking breathing technique that is extremely effective. It was taught to me by a world renown doctor (in combination with that last tool I'm gonna explain later). Start by sitting comfortably : - Take a deep breath, letting your abdomen expand fully. - Hold it for about 3 seconds. - Let your breath out all at once (with a sigh). - As you exhale, relax your jaw and shoulders. - With your eyes closed, shift your attention to the tip of your nose. - As you breathe in, become aware of the air entering your nostrils. Count 6. - As you breathe out, of the air passing back out. Count 6. - Repeat 5 times This technique would always help her take a break from stressful thoughts. Try it for yourself! However, we needed more than a breathing technique at this point. So, I went on a search for a greener place. The plan was clear: RECONNECT WITH NATURE and above all find a new source of comfort, safety, love and support for my family. It was around that time I got a FB message from a good friend of mine, JL. "I think that's what you're looking for...". He sent me a link to a real estate ad. "Lipa is not bad, easy to access, much better than Antipolo, near Taal and Mindoro!" Long story short... Paulette and I had just fallen in love with the property. (thanks JL!) *Ginhawa is peaceful and stress free.* After more than a year of searching for the perfect venue, it was love at first sight. Breaking the daily grind, taking a step back and looking at life in an whole new and positive way were merely what we needed. It was the trigger for my wife! Since then, Paulette has opened her mind to finding ways of maintaining a balanced life. ... for her own well-being and health. Just as an example and as promised, here is the 30-second exercise. You can do it anywhere/anytime to help you stay grounded when an emotional storm hits you. First, NOTICE that thought or feeling that hooks you. Then, SLOW DOWN and RECONNECT with your body. Slowly breathe out. Slowly stretch. Slowly push your feet into the floor. This is called GROUNDING. Now, NAME that difficult thought (silently). And immediately PUT DISTANCE. I mean, say to yourself something like… "This person I hate has been scolding me. I won't take it so personally next time." "I got angry with a dear friend unfairly. I'll do better next time." The next step is to REFOCUS in the present moment and fully ENGAGE in what you are doing and with who you are with right now. And remember, it's completely normal to have difficult thoughts and feelings when we're stressed. This happens to everyone! I am done here with my little story. And now it is my pleasure to cordially invite YOU to experience that getaway.  ✓ Bring fresh air into your life. ✓ Spend some family time in Ginhawa! ✓ And finally enjoy a moment of FREEDOM, far from your ENSLAVING routine. To describe the place better, Ginhawa is a coffee farm located at the foot of Mount Malarayat. It is a unique and very diverse tropical forest habitat. Truly a paradise for nature enthusiasts and the perfect retreat for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Mount Malarayat is located in Lipa, Batangas, a mountain plateau, 86km south of Manila. Malarayat is where the first coffee beans were introduced and planted by the Spaniards in the 15th century. It is also home to the Philippine palm civet (Musang). You might see one in the property! ;) Our house is a 150sqm Quonset (domes architecture) 3 bedroom home with a loft and mezzanine. It is located in a private forest of 6000m² 20 minutes from Lipa City. This house offers exceptional privacy. This off-grid cabin offers a perfect blend of tranquility and comfort for a sustainable getaway. Ideal for romantic escapes or family vacations with children, it's a pet-friendly destination where you can reconnect with nature. Equipped with necessary amenities and designed to be environmentally friendly, it's a great option for those looking for a sustainable holiday. Created by Dutch designer John F. Vermeulen, Ginhawa is developed with Permaculture Design Ethics and Principles in mind. With its secluded location and unique domes architecture, this house is truly one-of-a-kind. Browse all the pictures to discover its interior and the comfort of each room. Send me a message with the questions you may have. And make sure you ask me for an additional 10% discount! Please CHECK AVAILABILITY and reserve! Add us to your wish lists (by clicking on the heart) so finding us later is easy. Guest access You have got full access to the 6000sqm property. This includes the main building, all rooms and all floors, the patio and the 3 slots parking in front of our owl's yellow gate! However the Bodega is dedicated to the solar panels' power system (in case of blackout) and workshop's tools. Therefore guests are not allowed there unless invited. Last time we've checked, there was no ghost... You may cross our neighbor's property to the north to reach down the river for a swim and a little trek. Our property is located in a quiet and peaceful area, so you can rest assured that your infant will be able to sleep soundly during your stay. APPLIANCES - brick oven charcoal fired to enjoy homemade pizza - microwave oven - convection oven - oven toaster - stove top - refrigerator - rice cooker - electric kettle - coffee maker - flat iron - hair dryer - electric fans - water purifier - charcoal BBQ grill with tongs - LG washer with laundry powder - 43" 4K HDR TV with G TV to connect to Netflix KITCHENWARE - plates and bowls - cups and saucers - spoons, forks, knives, teaspoons - drinking glasses and wine glasses - cooking ladles - kitchen knife and scissors - chopping board - bottle opener - Dutch pepper mill - dish rack - pasta maker - meat grinder - vegetable shredder - almost any condiment you need! olive oil, vinegar, salt & pepper, hot sauce, BBQ sauce, ketchup, mustard ... OTHER NECESSITIES - extension cords - adaptors - emergency light - hangers - basic toiletries, towels, beddings We also have a selection of children's toys and games to keep your little ones entertained during your stay. POOL ACCESS Swimming is a popular activity, and we want to make sure you can enjoy it during your stay with us. Although we don't have a pool on our property, we've compiled a list of the best local resorts with pools in our guidebook. From beautiful, sparkling pools perfect for a refreshing dip on a hot day to family-friendly pools with water slides, and quiet adult-only pools, we have something for everyone. Check out our guidebook for more information and let us make the arrangements during your stay. Don't miss out on swimming just because we don't have a pool. Other things to note The forest is a very humid environment. So we take great care in cleaning and maintaining the house. That said, it is certain that at one time or another you will be confronted with spiders, frogs, lizards, mosquitoes or other insects. Do not panic, animals are our friends. Especially our stingless bees (Trigona species) a very effective pollinating bee that we keep hived around the house. However, please do not try to touch them. If you have any doubt about these surprise guests, do not hesitate to contact us. Here are some useful recommendations for your first time in the forest: - Draw the mosquito net curtains closed at the front door every time you come and go. - Keep lights minimal at night to avoid attracting insects. - Do not leave food lying around in the kitchen. - Dry dishes and surfaces thoroughly after cleaning. - During strong winds, use the helmets at your disposal to protect yourself from falling coconuts. Nothing very complicated, but important to consider before booking -- "The show of nature is always beautiful." but it's better if you've prepared for it. Here are some tips about using the house amenities: HOW TO BREW YOUR MORNING COFFEE Locally grown whole coffee beans are available on top of the fridge together with coffee grinder. Grab the stainless steel coffee filter and coffee pot from dishes shelf. Grind some coffee and place one tablespoon per cup in filter previously placed in the pot. Pour carefully same number of cup of boiling water in the pot. Let it brew 5min and it is ready to serve! WHAT ABOUT THE STOVE To turn on the stove, long press knob down and turn it to the left. Lite up the gas with flint and steel that you'll find on the magnetic knives holder. Wait a few seconds before releasing the knob. Beware, the stove is powerful. Control your flame. HOW TO COOK YOUR OWN PIZZA To turn on the brick oven, please allow 60 min beforehand to set it to the desired temperature (600°F). So I suggest you start the oven before starting preparing the dough and other ingredients. First pick up a piece of charcoal. Place it in a little container with denatured alcohol. You have a bottle on top of the dishes shelf beside the first aid kit if you need to refill. Once the piece is soaked, you can fill up with charcoal the small trap compartment made of bricks blow the oven (below again is the ashes catch). Using the tiny tongs place soaked piece on top. Carefully lite up the soaked piece of charcoal, blow air until it is red hot and close the compartment. Wait a few minutes and the charcoal will start burning. Notice on top of the oven you have a thermometer. Control the temperature by putting more charcoal in the compartment. Please note there is latency between the time when you put the charcoal and the time when temperature increases. Here is a quick recipe for your pizza dough using ingredients you will already find in our kitchen. 1- In a mixing bowl, combine the flour (2 1/2 cups), baking powder (3 tsp), and salt (1 tsp). Whisk until thoroughly combined and set aside. 2- Combine the water (3/4 cup) and olive oil (1 tbsp.) in a separate cup. 3- Slowly add the water mixture to the flour mixture, holding back a little in case you don't need it all. 4- Using your hands, mix until the dough should be soft, but not sticky. Add a splash more water if your dough is too dry. 5- Lightly flour the baking table and a rolling pin then roll dough into a 12-inch circle using your hands. Please monitor carefully the temperature of the oven, so you avoid burning your pizza. It takes a couple minutes at 600°F. The oven will keep temperature for hours, so once started you can use it multiple time during the day. Just make sure charcoal is still burning or lite some again. Once done and cold, please clean the inside with the brush to get rid of the black soot and ashes. Then do the same with the charcoal compartment. And finally with ashes catch. Ashes can be dispose on the plants, they love it! RELAX UNDER RAINFALL SHOWER Use the shower knob to select rainfall feature. Turn the knob down and allow a minute for the water to start flowing. If water pressure is low (issues with Metro Lipa Water), please open the valve outside below the water tank. Please close it then when the water tank is overflowing. Please be aware that the area occasionally experiences low water pressure. This can make showering challenging, especially for larger groups. We are taking measures to address this issue, but we recommend being mindful of water usage and allowing extra time for showers when you are a group of 10 guests. We appreciate your understanding in this matter. HOW TO KEEP THE PLACE CLEAN You have got anything you need to wash the dishes and clean the floors and other surfaces. Please keep your shoes in the entrance hall. Make sure the mosquito net is well closed. IMPORTANT NOTES:  - Dishwashing machine is malfunctioning. Please do not use it. - Laundry washer is working fine. You will find it in the utility area together with laundry powder. - TV is brand new 43" 4K HDR and function with Netflix, Amazin Prime, YouTube, Disney+. - There is a spiral staircase that leads up to the loft area. For the elderly and young children, getting up and down stairs can be difficult because the stairs do not have handrails.