TAGAYTAY: Night and Day Tour

Night

Sun down? Nope. A street light.

Been there countless times, often for Sunday masses, sometimes for occasional family gatherings or for just plain dine-outs. We normally get there on a weekend in a little less than 40 minutes, which makes it really convenient so I never run tired of going back.

But I've never been to Tagaytay with friends. I guess because of the companions, it gave me yet another unique experience of the city. And besides, it was the longest I have stayed after dusk.

From Silang (after dining at Balinsasayaw), we took a jeepney which almost worked as a private service vehicle. We were the only ones, that's why. It took us less than 15 minutes to pass by Tagaytay's rotonda and another 2 minutes to arrive at the strip of retaurants, cafes, fastfoods etc. Destination: Starbucks.


Starbucks was one busy coffee house that evening. And despite the cold, it was unbelievable how many were still having frapps (including us). But watching the sky and the little warm light given by the peeking moon must have hidden the cold.

The highway at night.

Frapps even on a clod weather, works.

Day
We only had half a day since we spent the other half hanging out in Our Lady of La Salette in Silang after a 9AM mass. Lunch at Palace in the Sky, siesta at Picnic Grove and merienda at Mushroom Burger - these occupied our afternoon lakwatsa.

PALACE IN THE SKY. The palace's (which they say is Marcos' property) far-from-completion-and-obviously-depreciated state still does not fail to charm its visitors by the view of the City and its neighboring towns. It also has one of the better views of Taal (from afar) which we had one while having lunch. Indeed, this made the walk to the top rewarding as much as it was also exhausting.

Walk to the top.

A view of Taal Lake from Palace in the Sky

Palace in the Sky's open theater.

PICNIC GROVE. While it has continued to improve its facilities and attractions (now having zip lines and cable cars), the park still remained its simple charm which works as a favorite of families who would like to spend an afternoon just relaxing...of moms and dads taking naps or kids running around and playing.

We did not walk around the park anymore. We just stayed under a good spot where we had a generous share of the shades from the surrounding trees. 

Families relaxing under the trees is common view in Picnic Grove.

View of Taal Lake from Picnic Grove.

Pasalubongs.

MUSHROOM BURGER. It tastes like real beef! Only healthier. The restaurant serves more than just burger though. I've been there once and have tried the molo soup. It was just as great as its famous mushroom burger, which we ordered for our  merienda.

Mushroom Burger

COLLETTE'S BUKO PIE. Colette's buko pies are a classic favorite. We each bought one - fresh from the oven. We bought one from the store near Tagaytay's Rotonda. 

Collette's

SILANG: Not your ordinary Gateway

Balinsasayaw Restaurant

After a quick stop at Immaculate Concepcion Parish in Dasmarinas, Cavite, we took a passenger jeepeney bound for Silang (the town before Tagaytay, our ultimate destination).

Immaculate Concepcion Parish Church, Dasmarinas City, Cavite

We dined at Balinsasayaw Restaurant, which is a family favorite. It was a perfect choice for our budget and cravings. We had a small dinner of a serving of (my personal favorite) Balinsasayaw rice, bulalo and adobong pusit. And it was the best. I remembered hearing "ang sarap..." from every spoonful.

The price ranged from around 180 to 300 per serving, which is good for 3-4 person (it worked on us). The restaurant also offers bilao packages (a mix of grilled, fried, etc dishes with rice) which ranges from 1,200-1,800. Either ordering a set menu, singles or bilaos, I think the restaurant will offer a good value for one's money which it did in ours.

Bulalo.

Adding to the affordable and really delectable food is an ambiance of exclusive outdoor dining in a Filipino garden environment, which no doubt, attracts guests to take good photographs. I've done them several times myself during the many visits I made. But this was special and different...Balinsasayaw at night was a sight. It presented  another face of the restaurant - one where yellow artificial lights dominate the garden while darkness temporarily hides the natural reds and greens.

Balinsasayaw's most photographed area.

Another photographed area.

After dinner, we later found ourselves clamoring for the wide array of finds (and hopefully for keeps) in the souvenir shop. It has the most items I have seen in any other souvenir shops within a restaurant. From bags to accessories, food and sweets, home furnishings and decors, toys etc. it could perhaps provide whatever its guests would ask. They bought one bracelet for themselves: I bought six (for my sisters, brothers and nieces). It was just tempting. Bracelets, depending on make and design ranges from as low as Php15 to a reasonable, Php65. I don't know if there were higher prices, I just did not have interest to look. (laughs)

Balinsasayaw souvenir shop.

Items at the store includes bags and accessories, home decors, food, etc.

Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette

In the morning before we again went to Tagaytay, we dropped by La Salette. My sister and I have went to church here on several occasions already. We admire the church's simplicity and enjoy the fresh air every time. I have been used to the crowd in our parish church (Dasmarinas), so going to mass in La Salette which seem to have almost always enough mass goers that every body can be accommodated really gives me peace, quiet and relaxation.

Our Lady of La Salette altar

But little did I know, that on the far right of the church, opposite its parking which is already a common sight to us, there lies a wide garden with towering old trees, giving you just enough shade to protect you from the sun. We were particularly amazed by the autumn leaves along the narrow path in front of the church leading to the well. It was astonishing how oranges suddenly popped in the middle of greens! Nature really has its ways.

Lucky to have seen autumn leaves

Foreground

One of the many flowers in the garden

Bible study

Our quick stops in Silang was all worthwhile. Balinsasayaw in the evening and La Salette in the morning - both were perfect gateways which almost equaled the getaway we planned.

PINATUBO Do-It-Yourself

Duration of Stay             :1.25 days
Travel time from MM     :3-4hrs. by van via NLEX
Budget Hotel                  :The Blue Inn (This is the closest they say, we just had a misunderstanding with one of the owners about the rates. Apparently, the one posted in their website is not updated. We just settled for a compromise. Good thing they did that. Otherwise, I won’t even mention the name. Haha)
Activities                         :Trekking in Mt. Pinatubo, Side trip in Isdaan, Gerona, Tarlac
Means of Transpo           :We rented a van for this whole trip so, no commuting
Budget                            :about 2,500 per pax (We were 12)
Best Pasalubong             :The rocks? Or dried lava?

2D1N Pinatubo Itinerary

Day 1

1:30 PM Depart from Makati

4:00 PM Arrival in Capas, Tarlac

6:00 PM Arrival in Gerona

6:30 PM Dinner in Isdaan Restaurant

Day 2

4:30 AM Breakfast (in McDonalds, Capas)

5:30 AM Depart for Sta.Juliana (Tourism Center)

6:30 AM Arrival in Tourism Center

7:00 AM Start of 4x4

8:30 AM Start of trek

10:30 AM Arrival at resting point before summit

10:45 AM Start of trek to summit

11:30 AM Arrival at summit

2:00 PM Descent

4:00 PM 4x4 Back to Tourism Center

5:00 PM Arrival at Tourism Center

5:30 PM Departure for Manila

7:00 PM Dinner at Caltex along NLEX

9:00 PM Arrival in Makati

10 Must-see Places in the Philippines as listed by TV show, 'Ang Pinaka'

The TV show, 'Ang Pinaka' which airs on Sundays at GMA News TV listed the following as 10 Must-see Places in the Philippines:

I'm proud to have been in two of them - Bohol and Puerto Princesa Subtarranean River National Park. In November and in February next year, I will be in Coron and Boracay, respectively. Whew! It means the pressure is only for the other six!

10. Bohol

Bohol's Panglao Island boasts its long white beaches. This, aside from the more popular, Chocolate Hills, tarsier sanctuary and dolphin watching in Balicasag; and of course, the now equally popular, Danao Adventure Park which  houses the famous exhilarating ride, "Plunge" are just few of the many attractions in Bohol.

9. Vigan
8. Lake Sebu
7. Boracay
6. El Nido and Coron, Palawan
5. Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

The Underground River was recently listed as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. And it is indeed! Truly a must-see for every Filipinos and visitors alike. This is nature's wonder at its best...and its humbling that nature chose to place it in this part of the world --- Palawan, Philippines.

4. Agusan Marsh
3. Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park
2. Banaue Rice Terraces
1. Batanes

The episode was aired yesterday, Sunday, September 16, 2012. 

I totally agree with the top destination. I myself would rank it FIRST. Batanes is also a dream destination I hope to visit. And though it is said that flying to Batanes is the most expensive domestic flight in the Philippines, second being, a direct flight to El Nido; I will still save for both.

Crazy (now) for Climbs

Rei, one of my closest friend called during lunch and shared a news of seeing a good discount in Metrodeal for a day tour at Mt. Pinatubo. In the first few minutes, I couldn't break the enthusiasm just yet...allowing her to savor it a little more, and them boom! I dropped the bomb --- "Rei, I've been there!" "You did?", she said laughing. But I could also imagine how a little disappointed she must have been. I assured her though, that if everybody (roomies) goes, then it's okay with me. Going back to Pinatubo is not a problem and it would be really nice. I just didn't expect it to be this soon. But one of our friend, Novs has been to Pinatubo as well and because she rated 12 in a rating of 1-10 in terms of difficulty and fatigue, she swore she wouldn't do it again. And it didn't change until now.

I suggested a Taal trek instead but she gave even better ideas. It occupied my thoughts then. She suggested Mt. Pulag, Mt. Pico de Loro and Mt. Isarog. Brilliant! This shall be our own top 3 must-climb mountains in the Philippines. At least those that we know, are reasonable climbs based on what little skills we have in mountaineering. I hope we could do at least one, if not all...I've seen some of these in pinoymountaineer.com, a hiking and mountaineering guide/ blog authored by Gideon Lasco. I hope I'd be able to take one of my own too - soon!

 
In my searches, I also came across the title: Top 5 Must-Climb Mountains in the Philippines from www.geosocphil.org.ph, maintained by The Geological Society of the Philippines. The article lists the following: Mount Pico de Loro in Cavite, Mount Daguldol in Batangas, Mount Pinatubo in Zambales, Mount Ugu in Benguet and Mount Pulag in Benguet. Proud to say I've completed one climb already!

We didn't come to a conclusion today because we weren't able to talk to the others - Mars and Edge. We'll see in the next days, maybe weeks or months...even a year. Oh I hope it wouldn't be a long wait.

Falling for Blue

I crossed the site while I was doing my initial research for our Coron trip in November. That was last week. I forgot though which site was it where I saw the map. And it's a letter A- (or was it A? Already forgot). It has obviously more blues than I have.

I got a C. Pretty modest I think (or so I think because, until now, I just can't move on with the thought of how soon could I color it blue...haha).

Although I don't understand what the C could really mean, illustratively, I could see how scattered my trips are. I have a couple each in Visayas and Mindanao, and a few in Luzon. I almost colored the entire Bicol Region (it would have been disappointing if I hadn't). Only because it's my hometown and it was easier to say, do an overnight stay in Caramoan (which I just did during this year's holy week break), a couple of field trips in Tiwi hot springs, Cagsawa Ruins and Mayon Volcano (which was years back in elementary and high school) and more than a handful of required trips to Metro Naga (where I went to a university). 

But I must admit though that I have yet to explore this magayon na lugar (beautiful place). Maybe because I was born there that the feeling of urgency to go around is not as strong. Yes I have colored a substantial part of Bicol but the truth is...

I still haven't been to CamsurWatersportsComplex (CWC) and it's just about 40 minutes from our place. I've been to Pili Provincial Capitol, where the CWC is located, but then again, not in the park itself. I haven't been in Donsol, Sorsogon to swim with the whale sharks, in Catanduanes to see its clean, white beaches or in CamNorte's Calaguas island. I still haven't witnessed the famous rodeo festival in Masbate. And though I have been to the foot of Mayon and photographed it several times, I have yet to climb it, see it at a different angle; and what better way to do it than visiting the Mayon view deck. These and a longer list including a nature adventure in Mt. Isarog (CamSur) and Lignon Hill (Albay) or a taste of luxury in Misibis Bay is hoped to be accomplished soon.

And of course, all the others in the map...will be visited one at a time. The challenge is up. Oh! It gives me headache! Haha. I will update this end of next year with the hope of obvious improvement...I pray for more blues.

I am a C traveler!

Bravo to the maker of this app, Eugene Alvin Villar. The site's url is http://forge.codedgraphic.com/lakbayan/  . And it's worth the try.