6.21.2013

Fun Friday: Field Trip to Sta. Elena's Fun Farm

Third Friday of the month: Travel / Recreation


Summer is over and the kids are still bugging me to bring them back to The Fun Farm.  I've heard and read wonderful feedback from friends who have been there since last year, so I promised the boy and the girl that we'll go on a field trip with the cousins before vacation is over.  We finally did, last June 6.

I know, I know, we should have gone earlier, and I'm late at sharing this with you too.  It would have been a perfect summer post on where to have fun with the kids.  But better late than never, right? =)  Besides, The Fun Farm in Sta. Elena is just about an hour away from Manila, and a weekend drive would not be a hassle.

I'd say it's about 90 minutes from San Juan City with light to moderate traffic, southbound.  We left the house at 8:30 a.m. and arrived in Sta. Elena area at 10:40 a.m. - that's over 2 hours 'coz we spent around 30 minutes with a stopover to take a leak, then another stop to buy our lunch to bring to the farm.

The Fun Farm is a great venue for field trips, family picnics, parties, even weddings and other special occasions!

We were all psyched for this back-to-nature trip with the kids.  I just sent a text message (contact details at the end of the post) to inquire if the farm can still accommodate our party of 8 on our preferred date, then we're all set.  The kids were even counting down to this day, and prayed real hard that it will not rain despite the weather forecast that week.  Thank God it was bright and sunny the whole time we were at the Fun Farm.  Happiness!

Entrance fee is PhP 300 per head (for 2 yrs. old and above) - bring your own food and drinks.
Fee includes all activities and use of amenities, such as:
  • Animal feeding (bunnies and guinea pigs, ducks in the pond - feeds will be provided too)
  • Carabao-cart riding
  • Horseback-riding
  • Mini fishing
  • Mini row-boating
  • Mini zip-line
  • Playground and sand house
  • Rope course & obstacle course
  • Bike trail
  • Use of Pavilion and picnic grounds
I'll let the photos do the "talking" from here on.  Be warned... photo overload!
See how much fun we had that day:

An imposing tree house... I mean, bird house, as we entered the farm.
The were pigeons hiding inside the pigeon holes.

Say 'Hello' to the farm animals -- that's Chocnut the carabao, cooling off... a herd of goats passing through, and some kind of chickens (sorry, I don't know this breed), and Mocca the horse

 First stop is the animal feeding area where the roosters just seem to climb whichever roof they like.

We missed our bunny Skyler after seeing this gentle hopper... carrot treats for this fella.

More cute bunnies, chicken, and some lazy hogs that never seem bothered by the intrusion of this rooster below. =)

Just beside the pig pen is this stable where Mocca and other horses are housed. 

 More feeding fun... this time with their new favorite guinea pigs.

The care-takers and farm guides were all very helpful and generous with the supply of carrots.  
We all took turns inside the pen to feed these cute hungry guinea pigs.

The kids can't get enough of their furry friends.

It's good to note that they have a bottle of alcohol on stand-by to sanitize our hands after handling and feeding the animals.

Lunch break at the Pavilion - well-ventilated and all set up with long wooden tables and benches.
It's safe to leave your things (food, bottles, etc.) there - bring your valuables/purse with you just to be sure.


Clean toilet and washroom is conveniently located by the side of the Pavilion entrance.
There's also a shower area (in case you fall in the pond - one student did fall in when we were there).
Where there's food, there will be ants - they're everywhere, so pack food well, dispose properly and clean as you go.

Outdoor wash area with bamboo spouts... clever!

We have not explored this side of the farm since the kids were excited to go back to the animals.
Spot the giant jackfruit.

Check out the rustic farm truck parked near the zip-line.


Everyone's excited to try the mini zip-line, myself included! =)

My brave niece was first to go... the boy followed.  Weeeeeeee!

Kids were securely strapped with a harness, and sat on a wooden disk, hung several feet above ground.  There were several farm guides to supervise each round from the push to the catch below.

Watch his 10-second Zip-line Video here on Instagram.

Crossing the hanging bridge for another round... 

...but the little ones backed out and left the big kids with unlimited rounds at the zip-line.
I forgot how many times the boy and cousin #1 went back up and down!

Now, it's my turn... FUN! The seat was uncomfortable for me so 1 round was enough. =)


Chocnut the carabao was waiting for us by the zip-line... we took a cart ride around the farm.

It was a hot and bumpy ride. I failed to take snapshots of the lettuce patch, eggplant and corn fields that we passed while riding the cart.

Next stop:  Horseback-riding.


Rowing a boat was a first for all four, and they were up for a challenge.

Eventually, the gang got the hang of using the oars and navigated the small pond pretty well -- they didn't want to get off the boat!

On the other side of the pond is the fishing area, filled with kois and small fresh water fish like tilapia.


The kids were given a bamboo fishing rod each, with earthworms as bait.
Only cousin #1 got lucky with four successful catch... tiny fish all thrown back to the pond.

The small ones settled for feeding the ducks instead.

It's so serene here...

Before going back for another round at the zip-line, my SIL and the kids went for the obstacle course.


It was still scorching by mid afternoon, so gear up if you plan to visit.  Be sure to bring:
- Hats / caps / bandana / headwear
- Umbrella
- Sun glasses
 - Suncreen
- Hand/face towels
 - Wet towels / wipes
- Water / drinks (jug and individual bottles)
- Food (lunch and snacks)
- Wear comfy clothes and closed rubber-soled shoes
- Extra shirt / change of clothes esp. for kids
- PhP 300 per person
(Bottled water for sale at PhP30 each)


Our visit to The Fun Farm at Sta. Elena was awesome... it was exhilarating, tiring but so much fun for everyone.  A whole day well-spent, to commune with nature, be with the animals, and appreciate farm life. After the rainy season, we'll surely plan our next trip!

FUN FARM at Sta. Elena
Barrio Malitlit, Sta. Rosa Laguna
Operating Hours: 9 am - 4 pm. By appointment only. 
For bookings and inquiries, email:  holycarabao@gmail.com 
Call or text: +63920-4688785 or +63918-8886588
Check their services, rates and FAQs here.

Directions:
From SLEX, southbound, take Cabuyao Exit. After tollgate, turn right.
About 500 meters is the Sta. Elena Village Gate. Enter and follow the sign to the Fun Farm.

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