I’ve always wanted to live in a castle. I guess that’s what you get in reading a lot of fairy tale stories. When I was younger, we used to live with the family of my dad’s sister. She has four children who were way older than me and my siblings so we get to read their books in their library. And since my parents couldn’t afford to buy us toys and much worse they don’t believe in toys, so I ended up readng books. My favorite book then was a red fairy tales book which had around a hundred stories. Then I would imagine myself living in a castle with the twelve dancing princesses or picture Cinderella sleeping near the fire place. And then gorwing up I would imagine meeting my Prince charming who would take me away with him to live happily ever after. Although 27 years have passed and still my prince charming haven’t arrived yet but then that will be a story for another day.

Last Saturday, May 17, 2008, my friends and I went to Argao, Cebu to attend the 3rd birthday celebration of Angela, the daughter of one of my friends. And since we had a couple of hours to spend one of my friends asked the group if we would want to see a castle. And since I’ve always dreamt of living in one, I joined him in convincing our friends to go. So we rode a tricycle (a motorcycle with a cart attached to it’s side) and off we went to the Riverstone Castle.

I was so amazed when I saw the place. Whoever built the place did use river stones to build its walls. When you pass the main gate, you will see a bridge with a small creek underneath with crocodiles in it and knights (made of cement) guarding the gates. In the main building, you will find a tavern which has an aquarium underneath it, a royal hall which serves pizza for 230 pesos per pan, a karaoke hall on the second floor, a mini court yard in the center of the property, a swimming pool and mini zoo with some exotic animals. They also have small towers that you can climb to see the forest around it and the sea that surrounds the shores of the area.

It felt weird being there. It’s like I’m in a different dimension. I was like waiting for a noble man or woman to pass by in their royal wardrobe. Hehehe… But seriously, it was a great place to visit. It’s a great get away if you would want to get out of the city to think things through or to just get away from it all. The place is really quiet since it’s outside of the town proper and it’s also almost on the top of the mountain not a lot of people would pass by the place. And since it’s a bit secluded and they only have five available rooms you’ll really feel like you’ve got the place for yourself.