Tuesday, September 25, 2012

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



Thursday, September 20, 2012

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.

Monday, September 17, 2012

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

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