Balay Celina

My aunt's rest house, now named Balay Celina, in the little town of Liliw, province of Laguna, Philippines is heaven. Designed by a local architect, its open floorplan and over all theme is Bali inspired. Most importantly, it is built to house mom's huge family (there are 12 brothers and sisters) which at times can bring together over 40 people on a given weekend. This is an overview of the main house...The front where we we usually hang out while waiting for our rides. This is a detail of the small pool and hand carved wood door...
This is where we all usually gather, for meals and just hanging out telling old stories. It amazing when it rains because it is covered and with a tropical climate, it is warm enough to continue whatever we are doing...
Over view of the space, even the chairs were hand carved...The guest rooms are open and sleep more of us on the floor when needed. There are also several sitting nooks to carry out the Bali theme...There is always fresh fruit, these are little bananas and lanzones. I always fall in love with the graphic tiles that feel ancient and modern at the same time...
The part that houses the kitchen...Flowers that grow in the back of the property and their buddah...
The cabana and the pool where you can take a morning swim sometimes in the rain! One Easter we hid all the eggs in this open area, crazy...
A view inside the cabana, a simple, but enormous structure which can house even 50 people on floor cushioned beds. Everything except the 2 bathrooms are made of the the bamboo and dried grass that forms the roofs. Windows are usually open at night which makes you feel like you're sleeping outdoors. The last night I was there, the sky was pitch black with thousands of stars...

The Liliw Church and a view of a rice field and Mount Banahaw where my mom's family has an amazing farm...

The ice cold river that runs down from the mountain. I have fond memories of when all of us would walk down to the river for lunch and swimming. Man on horse with a machete...
5 peso (maybe about 10 cents) per person tricycle rides which can seriously fit two behind the driver and three in the little side car. One of the many roosters that will crow at 5 a.m...