A short trip before the summer ends. A trip with so much delay. Still end up going with people who is always on the go!
And yes, it was planned. I'm always amuse with planned outings. HAHAHA.
It was a long day trip and I never experienced weariness not until i slept and woke up.
Tagaytay is just a 2-3 hours trip from the city of Manila. It is an easy getaway for people who wants a quick relaxation and leisure.
Tagaytay is at my province, Cavite! But to tell you honestly, I've never done a full visit to Tagaytay until this trip.
We've gone to three destinations, major spots Picnic Groove and People's Park, and The Church of Manaog (Tierra Maria).
As always, I do my own research before launching to a trip. Something I've learned from a good friend when we went to Baguio way back 2009.
A short information, Tagaytay belongs to the province of Cavite. (some still asked this question since Tagaytay has the view of Taal Volcano which is addressed to the province of Batangas.) Famous of its very very favorable climate usually more cooler than nearby provinces that is why it is tagged as the "Second summer capital of the Philippines" next to Baguio.
Aside from its own landmarks, Tagaytay is 30-60 mins away from famous places of Laguna like Mt. Makiling, Pagsanjan Falls and Enchanted Kingdom via South Luzon Expressway. (Actually, you can reach Tagaytay for 15 mins from Manila using the same road.)
For me this is a rumor, but i think plenty of people knew about it. I was young back then so im not so sure with this. Just a little piece of information, there was a news long before about the construction of Disneyland in Tagaytay. It never happened coz from what I know, environmentalist is trying to protect the place (economically speaking, Disneyland is not suitable in PH, my two cents!). The Fantasy World in Lemery, Batangas which is near Tagaytay is a castle formatted like the Fantasyland of Disneyland. I dunno if this thing has something related to Tagaytay Highlands referring to Disneyland as their inspiration. And since the construction never happened, Disneyland was constructed in HongKong.
Transportation from Manila to Tagaytay is not a problem. If you have a car, you can use SLEX to get to Tagaytay in 15 mins. There are plenty of buses that will pass by to this place. Bus with signboards, Mendez, Alfonso, Olivares/Tagaytay and Nasugbu will bring you to Tagaytay. Fares ranging from 90-100 pesos one way! =)
Meet them at SM Dasmarinas at 10AM, they left Manila at 7:30AM, (no traffic, Thank God!)
Just bought some stuffs and we are ready to go.
From Dasmarinas, we took 40 mins before reaching Tagaytay. We ride a jeep at Olivares Terminal going to Picnic Groove, signboard with "People's Park" can take you there.
For your information, Picnic Groove has an entrance fee of 50 pesos per head, and rental of cottages if you are going to have your picnic. Cottages are ranging from 100 to thousand, depending on the size of the cottage. We took Picnic Cottage that costs 150 pesos.
Inside the Picnic Groove, you can also do horse back riding, zip line, cable car and nature trailing.
Food meals are kinda expensive so if you are going here for picnic, bring all your stuffs. What I am really complaining about is the smell of horses in the entrance. Welcome deed ah? HAHAHA.
We never tried this Zipline, since we are comparing our Zipline experience in Davao and here. HAHAHA. and we think its not worth it. Of course, if you want to have the experience you can try this out... You cannot go to Davao anytime you want for their better Zipline! HAHAHA. You need to take 1 hour flight if you want. HAHAHA.
Zipline is 250 pesos one way and 300 pesos for two way. For the sake of those who want to try, i will not post the comparison. HAHAHA.
So lunch time!! I provided our full lunch meal for free. GEEZ! Pork Adobo, Fried Chicken and of course Rice! =)
Although the place is not really awesome but still tolerable, its a nice experience to witness the scene while eating your lunch! HAHAHA. I wish they do some serious maintenance around the area, more worst when its really really crowded. You have an overview of Taal Volcano from Picnic Groove. THAT'S REALLY AWESOME!
You can relax by just looking at it. And there are masahistas over the area in case you want a massage. HAHAHA. There is a trip going to the crater of the volcano.. You need to go down to the lake, ride a boat and rent a horse to take you to the top. Trekking alone is not an option. the price vary on how well you are in bargaining. HAHAHA. It can be a package or individual, makes sure that the package includes everything. Renting of horse alone costs 1000 pesos per head.. (PRICEY??)
FACT: Taal Volcano is the smallest active volcano known to date. There is a report dated June 1, 2011, which is the time that we are there about bubbling activity in the middle of the main crater and a weak intensity 2 earthquake. HEH! This is a complex volcano... it's like a crater in a lake inside a crater.. in a lake again?! HAHAHA. Stretch can reach up until Manila so as the explosion. It is indeed the most dangerous volcano I know. Looks nice and calm but terrible.
At 3PM, we decided to leave Picnic groove for People's park before the rain starts to pour.
This is the highest peak in Tagaytay where you can be able to view the 3 provinces all at the same place. 15 pesos for the entrance and then just trek it anyway its just close. Let's put this as very very ancient place. LOL. It was a guest house bulit in Marcos time (70s) for the visitation of that time California Governor Ronald Reagan but never happened.
The highest point of Tagaytay, the statue of Christ over there!
As what I said earlier, the place is so damn creeppy! HAHAHA. Check this out!
Makes me shiver, slight! HAHAHA.
Some of the pics I took at the top.
Overview of Tagaytay Highlands and The Christmas Village... Christmas Village is FAB! HAHAHA.
The zigzag road going up the park!
And some spectacular views.
Since we are caught in the rain, we need to buy some time at the top until the rain stop.
Aside from chit chatting, we just eat, eat, and eat! LOL.
And the rain is not just a rain... with thunder of course, we are just seating there while we are watching closely the movement of the thunder. I was so afraid that we might get hit by it! LOL.
After the rain stopped, we head for our last destination, but before that.... here's an amazing view after the rain.
Last stop is the Tierra Maria, which is the Church!
Famous with this big statue.
It was a small church but a very solemn place.
After the visit, we decided to end our long day! Since they are going out now of the province they might get into a traffic jam so better for them to went home early, and my body wants to surrender. HAHAHA.
It was a fulfilling trip with them.
Looking forward for the next trip...... =)
