Lost and Found - Oh! We're Finally In Tagaytay!

Cool weather, fesh air, and not far from Manila – these are the usual reasons why people go to Tagaytay. It's just a few-hour drive from Manila, though that depends on the traffic.

I have been there three times and each trip has its own adventure to tell.

First Tagaytay trip:

I was told to take the FX (shuttle) from Starmall FX Terminal, bound to Balibago and get off at this particular market whose name I just can't just remember. It was just me and a teenager, both first timers. The driver seemed to notice that we had no idea as to where we were going, so he just dropped us at the next drop off point in I-had-no-idea where.

Oh well, Heaven was still kind to me. There was this older man who offered to help us. He's with us on that FX, too. He said he's going to this another I-don't-know place and from there we could just take the jeepney with the who-cares signage. Finally, after getting off at that place, we just hailed a tricyle to bring us to our first stop: People's Park in the Sky.

It's indeed cold and foggy and it's such a nice place to take a walk while enjoying the view. There's a very minimal entrance fee and huts/tables and chairs are available for rent.

We took another tricycle ride going to Picnic Grove. I was on my way to Picnic Grove’s entrance when a middle-aged woman approached me and offered a boat ride going to Taal’s Crater for Php 300. I agreed. But, oh! There were hidden charges.

The bumpy tricycle ride took about 30-45 minutes. It’s like we’re no longer in the busy town/city. When we finally arrived at this resort-like place where the boat’s waiting for us to take us to our jump off point, I saw the boat that would take us to the crater. And just almost in front of me – Taal Volcano.
 

It’s almost lunch time and I was actually hungry. There’s no other place to eat and the evil kid I was with and I were offered to have a small bottle of soft drinks, rice, and grilled fish for lunch for an effing Php 400! I was just thankful I brought extra cash with me.

Time to have a little adventure. Boat ride! I love boat rides! At the dusty entrance, I found lots of horses there and we were told that we have to mount those horses for another Php 500 EACH to conveniently reach the crater. A BIG NOOOOOO! Now I didn’t have enough money in my wallet. There’s another option - trek! Which I gladly accepted. I was still young and was an active climber then. But we can’t just go to the crater on our own without a guide. That middle-aged woman offered her “tour-guide” service for a student-friendly price of Php300.

Two teenagers at the back of their respective horses were tailing us, who strongly believe that we’ll soon give up and will be in need of horses. Hah! They failed! I succeeded!

No regrets after seeing this view.

Too bad we couldn’t stay longer as the sun started to set. We had to get back since we’ll have to “walk” our way down, going back to the jump-off point/entrance.

Second Tagaytay Trip

I was with some of my former team members and that's the time that I was able to explore the Picnic Grove. We took an air-cool (old) bus somewhere near Baclaran Church and the bus conductor somewhat forced us to get off in the middle of the road when we reached (Tagaytay?). That was rude and we had no idea where we were! Good thing it took us only a few-minute walk to reach Picnic Grove (by accident).

Fronting Picnic Grove (entrance) is a place where you can enjoy delectable food at a very affordable price. The place is small, but clean.

Third Tagaytay Trip

It's more like visita iglesia this time. I was with one of my former colleagues. She was the one who led the way, although she got clueless when we were nearing Tagaytay. God has always been good, though. Perhaps He knew we were planning to go to Pink Sisters Convent. Somewhere on the road, we saw a signage (while still in the bus) that would lead us to the convent. We got off when she noticed that we're “almost” there. Okay, no more pretending. We decided to trace all the landmarks that we saw on the road until we reach the convent.

           






















 

                                                                                    That's my auntie, taken last Dec. 26,                                                                                              2014, few years after I first visited this                                                                                           convent with my friend.

Tagaytay Highlands (Just A Glimpse)

The name itself would describe the kind of scenery and travel experience you'll have when you visit Tagaytay Highlands. 

We took the usual route on our way to Tagaytay and for me that's quite boring. The only part that I normally enjoy is when we get to see the beautiful Taal Volcano/Lake.

 

On your way to Tagaytay Highlands, you will both see and feel that you're heading to a higher part of the mountain – the wind is getting colder and when you look outside the window of your car, it's obvious that you're on the road that's built on top of the mountain. And the way the developer created everything – the road, the landscape, the style – it's really meant for a high standard of living.

The road's perfect for a Tokyo Drift-type of drag race.

Let your eyes feast on the breath-taking scenery once you reach the main entrance.

  

 

Our Lady of Manaoag, Pangasinan - Tip As When To Go or Not To Go

Your Not-So-Ordinary Sunday Mass

Our Lady of Manaoag, Pangasinan

It wasn’t my first time to visit Our Lady of Manaoag Church in Pangasinan, but it was only last Oct. 5, 2014 that I was able to take some photos and to have the liberty to go anywhere I want. The last time I was in Manaoag – I was still in my minor years.

Taking NLEX (North Luzon Express Way) / SCTEX going to Pangasinan has always been very convenient – I love that road.

However, our driver decided to take a shortcut. I just found this signage and I had to say bye to a more beautiful and peaceful scenery in NLEX.

The Rosary Month is being celebrated in October. My aunties found it to be a perfect month to hear a mass in Manaoag Church. But I guess it’s not a good idea, especially if you’re planning to go there on Sunday. I honestly didn’t find enough time to pray and found it hard listening to the homily because of the crowd. I prefer a quieter atmosphere inside a church if I want to have a heart to heart talk with those Big Bosses up there.

Lesson Learned: Do not go to Manaoag on Sunday or in October if you opt to have a relaxing and a holier visit.

Since I was not alone and it wasn’t really I who planned this trip, I couldn’t just decide where to go or when to leave. I was just able to steal a few moments while my aunties were busy buying some religious stuff and while they’re still lighting their candles. I took a walk and photos as well.

Parish Hall, located at the side of the church.

Benches are available in case you need one.

Museum, almost fronting the Parish Hall. I was disappointed that it was closed. I was looking forward taking photos of those huge statues.

Religious store. Few steps away from the Museum. Perhaps, 5 steps away?

Candle Lighting Area.

Candle Lighting Area – view from the Religious Store.

Candle Lighting Area – view from a distance.

The Rosary Garden. At least I was able to accomplish one thing on my list.

And perhaps the crowd and hot temperature besides the annoying traffic made them tired. I actually prefer to have some ME TIME, so I was lucky that they’d rather take a rest than to go with me to see the place.

 

Life-size statues that shows each mystery of the rosary.














With a fountain in the middle.

We were supposed to go to see the Lighthouse in Bolinao after our Manaoag visit, but Bolinao happens to be a few-hour drive from Manaoag. My aunties are a bit killjoy and do not appreciate the value of traveling. We were almost there (perhaps in an hour or hour and a half) when they all decided to go home