High tea

Fresh from a hangover that can only guarantee my performance during Holy Week in Boracay, fellow YStyler DJ Montano and I were asked to host an afternoon tea party at the lux Mandala Spa and Resort garden with a few of our likewise inebriated chums. It was a welcome change of scene from the main beach, which was an enchanted forest of banners and posters with jingles and house music howling from every corner.

We were greeted with a sumptuous setting of chic canvas lawn chairs, native woven mats strewn with fragrant hyacinths and gently glowing candles. The piece de resistance however had to be the magnificent picnic spread prepared by the resort’s resident chef (formerly of the legendary Baling Hai) Julia Lervik. From moist oatmeal cookies, basil and cheese samosas, deelish scones with homemade mango, papaya and strawberry marmalade and chocolate macaroons – it’s easy to forget all about our bikini abs for the afternoon. We washed down the goodies with some ginger iced tea (my favorite) and lemongrass tea.

The resort boasts of an extensive spa cuisine menu that holds its pad thai as its crown jewel. Among others are mushroom medallions, grilled tofu and a wonderful breakfast that includes egg white omelettes and their fabulous homegrown muesli. All of course are meatless and thus conducive to beach body flashing.

The sun has set, and fangs of course have started to come out again. Overjoyed with their raffled winnings which includes free spa treatments (for anyone who has gone to the spa you will know what a treat this freebie truly is), our guests each left to get drunk at yet another sunset session. However, we vowed to be back, after all we have fallen in love hook, line and sinker.

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To get to know Mandala more call 036-2885-5858.