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.

Isdaan: The best side trip for Pinatubo

We only have limited time left before bedtime. We arrived in Tarlac at past 5 already. After check-in at the inn we had reservation with for an overnight stay, we almost an hour drive from Capas to Gerona. It was long but it was worth the rode trip. We passed by Hacienda Luisita, Camp General Servillano Aquino and some other landmarks. 

It was even worthwhile arriving at Isdaan. Taste was pure Filipino. Ambiance, a fusion. It was impressive how the mix of Pinoy and Thai blended so well in this almost-like-a-theme-park floating restaurant.

It is a household name in Gerona. And its a popular stop for travelers.

Fountains are a common sight. The sound of the waters are a music to the ears.

A stage in the middle of the restaurant is surrounded by floating huts which gives its guests exclusivity during dinners.

Performers (acrobats, gymnasts, ventriloquist, dancers, etc.) entertains its guests before dinner. Show starts at 8PM.

Refreshment - fresh watermelon juice.

Price for value is reasonable. Servings are big. (They are actually wrong in saying that servings are good for 2-3 persons, because i think it could serve 3-5. I don't know, maybe because female appetites are not that big?)

The best pinakbet ever!

Figures of classic heroes like Spiderman are also a sight.

There are about 3 Thai buddhas in the restaurant. All of which, towering.

After dinner and in between photo ops, guests may choose to do any of the activities/ challenges in the park. Some though, I wouldn't try. Not in this lifetime. Like this one.

But of course there are many other challenges to choose from. All of them, when completed, will earn you a kilo of fish. Above, a guest crosses the narrow bridge across a 9-ft deep pond. Seem simple but here's the catch, before the end of the bridge, a giant fish fountain releases water (in speed I don't know) directly to where the brave soul passed. It shook his balance...and so he fell. Poor lad.

The famous TACSIYAPO wall was another story and this shouldn't be missed. It's good for anger management they say. I tried it. Just for the sake of trying. Only the ceramic cup's handle reached the wall. It shattered just because it fell into the pile of broken pieces below. Not enough anger perhaps to build the strength for a sure shot (I didn't even know what I'm aiming at but I think it hit the "alak, sugal, babae" part of the wall). I missed, but it was so much fun.

Tacsiyapo wall. Mugs (P15), bowls (P18), vases (P340) etc even TV sets are available...only to be thrown and broken.