CAVITE is the nearest province south of Metro Manila to catch some summer breeze and frolic in the water. A short drive through the new Manila-Cavite Expressway or Cavitex is Island Cove, a resort that we visited recently. It’s a good place to bring the wife and kid for a relaxing afternoon, or an overnight stay.

Having a seafood lunch in a hut on stilts at Island Cove’s Fishing Village reminds us of our idyllic youth in Malabon in the 1970s; but the wind seems to blow more constantly in Cavite.

An acoustic quartet on guitars and vocals performs some folk tunes, sounding like an authentic harana group.

Exercise in patience

Our restless 6-year-old son wants to try fishing, so a staff member hands him the rod while giving basic instructions. Fishing is an exercise in patience, but in no time, the kid jumps with joy as he catches a baby tilapia.

Walking down the resort’s sprawling grounds, the kid’s eyes brighten at the sight of ostriches, crocodiles, tigers and various birds at the Wildlife Sanctuary.

The water in the pool at an area called Oceania Swim & Splash Park beckons; the kid pulls his mom to jump right in, while we opt to sit back at the resort’s Sangley Point restaurant which has beer, pork barbecue, chicken and other happy-hour fare.

It’s good to walk some more on a full tummy, as we pass through the newly refurbished hotel and a spa. We make a mental note to sleep here overnight and try the spa soon, because the heat is oppressive and Island Cove is less than 30 minutes from the house.

Island Cove Hotel and Leisure Park, Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite; tel. nos. 8107878, (046) 4340210, Korean GSA +82-2-7256585.