Nature-tripping in a Hyundai Santa Fe

I had set aside a special day last week. I called it my “trip into nature” day.

I got up early, 5: 30 a.m., woke up Vodka the Bichon, and together we prepared for an excursion in the Hyundai Santa Fe.

I had done some research on Costales Farms in Laguna. My friend F, who was joining Vodka and me for the day, had promised me that we would enjoy the drive, the organic food and the company.

The Santa FE way

I must admit that I was impressed with the Santa Fe the minute I saw it. I love all-wheel-drive vehicles because it means that I can take a trip to the great outdoors and not worry about whatever the weather or terrain might be.   

The Santa Fe is big, but not that big — so it was easy for a small driver like me to get the hang of sitting in the driver’s seat.  This beauty is actually known as a midsized SUV.  I was told by Carl, a friend of mine who owns a Santa Fe, that this year’s Santa Fe has been redesigned and improved. 

For starters, the Santa Fe has lots of room. With only three of us in the SUV, we were able to load on lots of stuff that we picked up along the way — from tiles to food and even groceries.

I loved the moments I spent sitting in the driver’s seat and just looking at how cool the cabin space is. The cabin has an attractive, modern design and well-placed, easy-to-find controls.  Of course, let me not forget that powerful V6 engine, which not only got me to Costales Farm in a jiffy but also responded when I did some off-roading on the way to the falls.

And Vodka wasn’t the only one getting the stares as she rode the car with her head out the window. Folks we passed by were giving the Santa Fe a good look — after all, it is very good looking.

Outside looks

Standard features include 18-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, a rear spoiler, windshield wiper, cruise control, trip computer, full power accessories, air-conditioning (with second- and third-row rear vents and controls), a leather-wrapped tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, an eight-way power driver seat (with four-way power lumbar), and heated front seats.  Yes, the cool weather we have been experiencing lately afforded me the luxury of trying out the heated seats, which worked fine.

Also standard are a rearview camera, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, Hyundai’s Blue-Link telematics system, and a six-speaker audio system with CD player, satellite radio, HD radio, USB/iPod integration and a 4.3-inch touchscreen display.

I really enjoyed my place in the driver’s seat because the cockpit has a switchgear that is well-organized and legible, while the touchscreen menus and functions are as intuitive as it gets.

Off to the farm

Costales Nature Farm is a prime agro-tourism destination that conducts ecological and balanced farming techniques, which aims to promote sustainable agriculture, a healthy lifestyle, and environmental biodiversity through integrated organic farming. 

When we got there it was about 10:30 a.m. and we were just in time for a tour of the farm, which included an eat-all-you-can organic salad meal at the end of the tour. How could we resist?

As we went around and were educated on how organic farming is really the best kind of farming ever, Denise, our farm guide, informed us that the Costales Farm wants to help raise awareness about the ill effects of chemical inputs in food production, the importance of organic farming, inspiring small farmers to become better agri-preneurs, encouraging students to engage in organic agriculture and patronizing organic produce for a healthy lifestyle.

The five-hectare farm was developed in 2005, initially as a family weekend getaway and source that provided a steady supply of healthy organic vegetables and livestock for the family. 

It became commercial in growing organic produce in 2008 and became the country’s biggest single producer of high- value vegetables and culinary herbs.

In 2012, Costales Nature Farms opened its gates to business opportunities in organic agriculture with Overseas Filipino Workers for Joint-Venture programs in the establishment of greenhouse facilities, enabling the company’s aggressive expansion of organic, high-value vegetable/culinary herb production for local distribution.  Partner OFWs are now enjoying their continuous share of farm revenues while working abroad at the same time. Dizon Farms, the largest fresh-produce integrator in the country, also ventured with Costaleses by establishing its own greenhouse facilities managed by a team from Costales Nature Farms. 

The organic farm produce is available at the organic section of Dizon Farms in different supermarkets. Costales Nature Farms has partnered with Healthy Options in the production of organic free-range chickens, eggs and pigs. Finally, during the third quarter of 2013, Bistro Holdings, which owns TGI Friday’s, Krazy Garlik, Village Tavern, Tonkatsu and Modern Shanghai, ventured with the Costaleses for the production of high-value vegetables and culinary herbs for Italianni’s. 

The walk around the five-hectare farm made me hungry. Thank goodness we were soon ushered into a nipa hut where we waited for our organic salad.

I must add that we capped off the meal with a glass of kale juice, which I was told is a good way to keep cancer at bay. Well, it tasted sort of okay — and I did drink it up to the last drop.

Off we go

A little after 1 p.m., we started our drive to the falls. Because I was just a little bit tired, I became more aware of just how comfortable the front seats are for longer drives, with enough adjustments to accommodate drivers of all sizes.  

On either side of the driving spectrum, the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe has the potential to impress. The smooth and quiet engine makes for relaxed highway travel, as do low levels of wind and road noise. On winding mountain passes, the Santa Fe feels fairly light and sporty.  

We reached the falls and took a 20-minute walk to get to them. The falls were a great sight, although we were not prepared to take a dip.  It was worth the 20-minute walk through slippery and muddy terrain. 

I really enjoyed the cool air and the quiet. There is really nothing like a day out in the country to know that there is more to life than Metro Manila.

We drove back to Manila in the comfort of the Hyundai Santa Fe. Even if I had spent almost eight hours driving, it didn’t seem that long because the Santa Fe was so easy to maneuver on the roads — that I could have come back to Manila and gone on the trip all over again… if only we had the time.