How we surfed the Omicron surge in a wellness retreat

I enjoyed yoga sessions while my kids were entertained by the peacocks, ducks and geese

Smack in the middle of the Omicron surge, our family went to The Farm at San Benito. It was a trip planned in November, when COVID-19 cases were subsiding and people were getting braver. So brave, that my girlfriends and I planned a trip to the same place in the same month.

“Please, I need this!” said one of them in our chat group, echoing my sentiments. Since getting married, the five of us hadn’t had a chance to reconnect with a getaway as we all focused on our families.

But in early January, three of them had COVID-positive households. We had to rebook. My family and I pushed through with our plans.

My husband Jason and I had to get swabbed before entry. Our 11-year-old Jack and 6-yearold Juno didn’t require testing. I’ve never had to till then, so it was my first time, and it wasn’t pleasant. But it was convenient, and the kids got to fawn over the freely frolicking peacocks while we waited for our results. After testing negative, we were let in.

From yoga to peacocks

I’ve always wanted to visit The Farm. It’s challenging to convince people to go where the food is mostly vegan, so I used the anniversary card to get my husband to come (he reluctantly eats plant-based for health reasons).

There were activities for kids and adults, but of the sessions we attended, only my kids were there.

No matter; they were entertained by the peacocks, ducks and geese that waddled about the premises. Some peacocks even ventured into our villa and took a swipe at my son’s sandwich!

I enjoyed the morning vinyasa yoga sessions, as it was set in an amphitheater in a beautiful garden.

Walking through some fog to get there from our villa was surreal. Next time, though, I would bring my lightweight, stink-free Tyro Yogi mat as some mats were old and musty.

Included in our booking was breakfast at Alive! Everything was vegan and delicious. Kids ate free as the pancake station, cereals, coffee/tea service and fresh juice bar were buffet-style. The fruit plate, salad, arroz caldo, bread and chickpea omelet served at the table were good for two. It was so filling I canceled my plans of joining the midmorning hatha yoga class and just enjoyed our comfy villa playing board games with the kids.

There was supposedly a face painting session but the kids were just handed poster paint so we just painted the pretty peacocks and played sungka at the lobby.

Late lunch was pizza, which we all shared because prices were steep (good thing we loaded up on breakfast!).

There was a playground and some swimming pools, but two pools were kept quiet as they were for healing and therapy. Kids can swim only at the waterfall pool and the south pool.

Outdoors

In the afternoon, we took a 10-minute walk on a hilly terrain to get to a grassy helipad and an organic farm where they grow the resort’s herbs and vegetables, aptly named the Helifarm, for kite flying.

There wasn’t much wind, but that didn’t stop Jack and Juno from getting the zoomies out of their system, running and willing their kites to take flight till they were spent.

Our guide then took us to see the other animals: rabbits, goats, sheep and a chicken Juno named Pecker. Sadly, there were other roosters kept separately, too, for cockfighting. There were dogs as well but those were kept indoors and were not for petting. I was told that the animals at The Farm were mostly given by guests.

That walk to and fro was an efficient way to get our hearts pumping and a pleasant way to move outdoors. The whole place is made for walking, and the dips and inclines make even short strolls matter for physical activity.

There was also a gym, so we went there the next day. The trainer took the kids through circuit training while Jason used the gym equipment.

Jason and I had wellness treatments as part of our package; he did the kidney compress, while I did the live blood analysis. The doctor pricked my finger and divined information about my health based on how my red blood cells looked onscreen.

Overall, we enjoyed our stay at The Farm. We had a private space, with all shared areas outdoors. Or, at least well-ventilated, for those who chose to dine indoors, though we always ate alfresco.

There was live entertainment Friday night, where I got to Rickroll my son by requesting the singer do a bit of Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up.”

One server expressed amazement that the kids ate everything. “Usually, we find it hard to please the children,” she admitted. When she learned the kids were vegan, too, she said, “No wonder! You’re meant to be here!”

I would love to go back for more chocolate pecan cake.