Simple pleasures at Hindang’s Tessla Beach Resort

In need of a time off but can’t be away too long, or too far?

Try Hindang, Leyte’s Tessla Beach Resort. It isn’t too far from Ormoc, and if you need to get back to the city most immediately, the drive won’t be too long either.

My small family of four tried this resort out following my daughter’s 8^th birthday last Chinese New Year – February 16, 2018. It took our breath away. The place, the ambiance, reminded us so much of our favorite getaway – Visca and everything it has to offer.

Tessla Beach Resort is located in Brgy. Tabok, Hindang, Leyte. It is quite well-known around Hindang and Hilongos so no worries as to getting lost because you can always ask for directions from the friendly locals in the area – even the ones hanging out by the roadside.

Other than that, the entrance to the resort has a huge signage, enough to get your attention, to the right, by the roadside if you are coming from Ormoc.

All in all, the resort has seven regular rooms and one family villa with rates ranging from P1,200 for the small standard rooms that fit only two adults, to P2,300 for their deluxe room fitted with a refrigerator, to P3,500 for the stand-alone villa for a family of six to eight people.

Room rates are inclusive of a breakfast of coffee, bread and an egg. One can also have their bread replaced with one round, delicious pancake. Yes, they make a “killer” pancake, and proof of which is my two children devouring the pancake, paired with a mug of Milo, in the blink of an eye – without yours truly prodding them to “eat your breakfast”.

All of the resort’s rooms are air-conditioned, with a private balcony, hot and cold shower, and cable television.

If you are checking in, use of the swimming pool is for free; and they’ve got a slide! It became an instant hit. Yes, the adults that we are still enjoy a slide or two.

But what my husband and I loved most about Tessla Beach Resort is how quiet, how so very peaceful at nighttime. Mind you, all seven standard rooms at the time were occupied. Yet, we were able to enjoy our noodle cup on our “very own” balcony while listening to some “good music”, as we ended February 16, without the noise pollution of the city and all the gadgetry that comes with it.

The children played with their toys (or they might have been watching cable television) while we enjoyed the company of each other and the long and meaningful conversation that we had that night.

We were already planning our next visit; and we hope to bring with us more members of our extended families.

By the way, the resort’s restaurant at the time wasn’t operational as the cook accordingly was on leave. So, the friendly staff directed us to the nearest “best of the best restaurant” in the next town, that is, Hilongos’ Chika-an – and it did not disappoint, and it is only 20 minutes away from Tessla.

We also recommend, therefore, Chika-an to travelers, adventurists or families on a road trip to the south of Leyte. We loved the quick service, the good food – short order or “tudlo-tudlo” – and the “metropolitan” vibe the place has to offer.

So how about trying local, an off-the-beaten track beach resort, in your next out-of-town. Check in with Hindang’s Tessla Beach Resort. You can get in touch with the resort through their Facebook page or call 0921-439-3635.

#SummerCameEarly
#VergarasGetAway
#TryLocal

The instant hit swimming pool, just because it has a slide :)

These are the Deluxe Rooms :)

The view from our balcony :)

Dearest Paul Daniel

Singapore, January 2016

Dearest Paul Daniel:

I have always loved your name Kuya Paul. You have such a beautiful, blessed name. So very much like your personality – saint-like, kind, down-to-earth, sweet, respectful, polite, and my list could go on and on about how good of a boy you are Kuya Paul; but mind you, you are also impatient, self-destructive, distracted, easily persuaded, and, again, my list could go on and on about how you need to improve in this department.

However, this birthday letter is not about who you are Kuya Paul today – while we anticipate your 12^th birthday on March 21, 2018.

My goal is to inspire you so you become the person you are meant to be. In my 34 years as a sometimes-living/sometimes-zombie human being, I have come to learn that life is not about the good or the bad, nor is it pure black and white. Life is a magnificent burst of colors. It is sometimes bad, at times better, a few times in-between, but mostly, good.

So good Kuya Paul this life that we have. This life we have been blessed with, it can only be good. REMEMBER that Kuya Paul, when times are difficult, when you feel like you can no longer breathe, or when you feel like you want to end it all. At times too, when it seems like everything is going your way, ALWAYS REMEMBER to be grateful to The One Above who has blessed you with such a ‘good’ life.

Secondly, you are special Paul Daniel. Why would The One Above create you, Kuya Paul? Why would He put you inside Mama’s tummy if you weren’t? You were an ‘express’ delivery, mind you. Papa Emar and I didn’t expect you, but still you came. That is how special you are my not-so-little boy.

REMEMBER that, when you feel like giving up on school, on your homework, on your Math or AP lessons, on your writing career, cartooning dreams, or learning to tie your sports shoes. You are special and you have a role to play in your lifetime. Whatever that is, pray. Let The One Above guide you. I cannot impose this on you, my dear Kuya Paul.

You’ve got free will. We’ve been gifted this from The One Above. Therefore, you always have a choice. Choose where you want to go Kuya Paul. Choose which path you want to take. Papa Emar and I, with younger sister Phoebe Dawn, will be with you all the way.

We might let go of your hand, in the process. That is only because we want you to journey on your own. We do not want to influence you one way or the other. More importantly, we don’t want to slow you down. REMEMBER that Kuya Paul.

REMEMBER, that we will always be with you – in your memories, in your cellphone photos (of course) and inside a portion of your big heart. So, if you feel, right into the future, that we seemed to have left you to fend for yourself.

No, no, no. REMEMBER, we want you to grow into the ‘person’ The One Above has planned. Besides, you can always text me, or your Papa Emar, or Phoebe Dawn – when you feel lonely.

Finally, make room for love Kuya Paul and falling in love in your lifetime – and everything that comes with it to include the heartbreaks, heartaches, heart palpitations, and the indescribable feeling of needing someone ever so badly.

Please try not to skip this part out. Well, a ‘love life’ won’t define you as a person in the long run, but it could shape the ‘human’ part in you – whether because you’ve been hurt or because you love so deeply that every day your partner brings with her a basketful of happiness, every morning a ray of sunshine, or every minute, she literally takes your breath away. Don’t miss out on this.

REMEMBER to love and allow yourself to be loved. From the exterior, you might seem to have been made only with soft parts Kuya Paul but believe me, you are built to last, shine and leave an imprint in your lifetime. So, open up yourself to your ‘one true love’ – when the time is ‘right’, whenever that is.

I love you Paul Daniel Vergara. I will always remain as your number one fan no matter the circumstance, your ‘monster mom’, your ever-reliable tutor, and your ‘one true friend’ today and the years to come.

Papa Emar, Phoebe Dawn and I love you to the moon and back, a 100x over!

Signed With Love:

Mama Jima