Tagaytay: A Quick Escape

Whenever we feel tired from all the hustle & bustle of the Metro we always head out south and enjoy the breeze. We've been loving Tagaytay ever since, and never get tired of it. Actually when I was small my grandma usually have monthly recollections here & while waiting for her we would shop or go to the nearest tourist spots.

So here are my compilation of Tagaytay escapades this year (yep you read that right it's just this year coz if I add those I had before we'll have to make part 1 & part 2 even till part 5 with the blog post hahaha)

First of course like what we usually do... Some know-knows...

Tagaytay City (population 16,322) is about 60 km / 37 miles south of Manila in the mountains of Cavite Province.Tagaytay is home to the view of Taal Volcano, which is reputed to be the world's smallest and yet most active. It stands on its own island amid a landscape of ash and cinder. It actually is the one and only active volcano with such feature. It's featured in different magazines, travel shows & the latest is Katy Perry's music video "Roar"

Tagaytay, considered as the country's second summer capital because of its crisp and cool climate all year around, is a treasure box of pleasure points in by itself. Here, the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Philippine Tourism Authority built Picnic Groove, a public park in the city which generates public patronage through user fees and the sale of low priced goods, thus contributing to the industrial growth of Tagaytay. Tagaytay, however, is more than a picnic haunt. The place has given rise to many congregational houses and retreat centers. It is also conductive to spiritual meditation, that is earned yet another title for being the "Center of Spiritual Retreat." 

Mariapolis Center (from: Focolare website: http://focolare.org.ph/)

It's a beautiful city so why the name TAGAYTAY???

Legend has it that the word Tagaytay came from "taga" meaning to cut and "itay" which means father. A father and son were said to be on a wild boar hunt when the animal they were chasing turned and attacked them. As the boar charged towards the old man, the son cried "taga itay!". The boy's repeated shout reverberated in the alleys of the ridge. Heard by the residents, hunters and wood gatherers, the cries became subject of conversation for several days in the countryside. In time, the place where the shouts came from became known as Tagaytay.

One can reach Tagaytay in many ways one is via the smoother easiest way to get there (our usual way), Sta. Rosa, Laguna. One might pass by the newest attraction in the city, Nuvali and because of the different restos one might think of having a snack or even a smiple Lunch before heading to Tagaytay Proper (but I suggest keep some space there for later) or one might even think of just having dinner there later since it's also has a great view.
Here's our afternoon escapade...
It was quite weird because this pictures had a very bright atmosphere but I remember having rain so hard that we all got wet on our way home. Luckily our car had leather seats on so yeah it was just a matter of drying it up.

Koi fishes you could actually feed these cute little fellas by buying feeds in the booth

Boat Ride 60 pesos per person

Nuvali also has high end shops, schools, offices and of course a variety of restaurants from high end to your usual fast food.

Nuvali is just about 30 minutes away from Tagaytay already so it's just a short ride after. There are also other establishments on the way there like malls, restaurants, pasalubong shops, furniture shops to name a few.

If you want some family time and some amusement type of fun, then head to one of the largest amusement park in the Philippines, Enchanted Kingdom.

Us during our rainy escapade to EK June 2013

Enchanted Kingdom was opened to the public on October 19, 1995. It first had 16 rides and attractions which is enclosed in 7 themed zones with food and merchandise outlets around the park.
 Currently the amusement park has a total of 24 rides namely The GrandCarousel which is the first ride you would see as you enter,  the Dodgem which is actually a bump car pit, Up, Up & Away, EKstreme (one hell of a ride!), Roller Skater (a mini roller coaster), Anchor Away, Bump Splash, Swan Lake, Wheel of Fate (Philippine's largest Ferris Wheel before MOA Eye came around town), Jungle Log Jam, Space Shullte, Rialto, 4D Discovery Theater, Rio Grande Rapids, Flying Fiesta, Dinosaurus, Air Pterodactyl, Stone Egg, Boulderville Eexpress.

After a long adventure, you might want to stay just before closing time and enjoy their nightly fireworks. It truly would leave the MAGIC to STAY WITH YOU.

one the way to Tagaytay

Going back to our main topic, you know when you're near Tagaytay when you see more and more pineapple plantations and even banana plantation.

A rainy view of Taal

When you reach Tagaytay you would see a good view of Taal Volcano. But it's a bit hard to see when it's raining or even foggy.

Town Proper Rotonda

The town proper has a big rotonda with many restaurants on the side and boat ride barkers. Try haggling with them to get a better price on their boat rides. They would actually bring you down to Batangas then would bring you to the Taal's crater by boat. From there one could avail service of a tour guide. To bring you to the viewing deck of the crater.

A better view of Taal from a viewing deck

Me & my friends trying Bulalo Point!

If you feel a bit hungry with all the sight seeing and picture taking of the breath taking view of Taal & Tagaytay itself. There are restaurants scattered in the road.

Me at Leslie's Viewing deck

You may try the usual restaurants/fast foods like Jollibee, McDonalds, Gerry's Grill, Dencio's, etc. Or you may try the popular restaurants in the city like Leslies, Antonio's, Rowena's, Kay Ryan Grill, Sonya's Garden, Josephine, RSM Restaurant, and the famous Mushroom Burger.

Or try the newbies like Bulalo Point & All about Goto. My mom and her friends also discovered a restaurant, I researched and knew that it was an old resto but the main (& popular branch) is located at Silang, Cavite. But I think the one in Tagaytay beside Total gas station a bit after Mushroom Burger is just new coz the place looks new but tourists & Manilenos are seen frequently in the place, the name of the restaurant is BALINSASAYAW.

My mom and her friends in a nipa hut

Baby shrimps!!! I love the suka (vinegar)

The food is very delicious, probably why the opened another branch. And the price is worth it. Well a bit pricey compared to others but it's simply because it tastes good and they really pick up fresh ingredients. They even told us once that what we ordered is not available because the vegtable is already not in good shape & about to rot. So yeah they're up for quality for their customers to come back, and yes they had my mom as one come back customer.



After a sumptous meal one could go to the famous tourist spots around. Here's a list you would want to have in hand...

• Picnic Grove
• Palace in the Sky
• Tagaytay Highlands
• Puzzle Mansion
• Paradizoo & Residence Inn Mini Zoo
• Sky Ranch (newest)
• Our Lady of Manaoag at Tierra de Maria
•  Maryridge Good Shepherd Convent (for pasalubongs too)
   

 Source: Trip advisor (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g317121-Activities-Tagaytay_Calabarzon_Region_Luzon.html)

After a days adventure one can visit the famous Mahogany Market & buy some fresh fruits & even meat. You'll really love the taste of their meet you really would taste the difference from meat from the city. Inside the market you could also find some pasalubongs but be sure to haggle for lower prices. Outside you may see plants stores. The biggest plant store is our "suki" they actually are 3 different stores but they're relatives so no hard feelings if you want to buy from the other and later buy another plant from the other. :D

 


It's actually fun to see a variety of flowers and ornamental plants. They also have a variety of medicinal plants such as Ashitaba, Oregano, Stevia, etc. They will also teach you how to care for the plant, just ask. And they give big discounts when you buy so much, like what mom & dad usually does.

from Rowena's website (http://www.rowenas-tarts-tagaytay.com)

If you still haven't buy any pasalubongs, you could still buy on your way back to Manila. One of the famous pasalubongs from people from Laguna is Buko Pie. Where else to buy one, but at The Original Buko Pie Bakeshop. The name speaks for itself. They're the first Buko Pie makers around town. I haven't seen a shop for quite a while until just last month when they opened a new store in Petron gas station. Another famous Buko Pie place is Colette's Buko Pie. They also make good pies, but make sure that you can see people buying in the stall, the quality still depends on the franchisee's ability to maintain the product fresh. If you know someone who doesn't want Buko Pies then better get to Rowena's. They make the best mini tarts. They also have all the native sweets you can imagine. They even have a dine in area, but due to it's customer's demands, they eventually made it into a cafe. What I love the most is their Blueberry cheesecake tart. It really has a generous amount of blueberry toppings and a delicious cheesecake filling.

So next time you feel a bit bored with the hustle and bustle of the Metro, try coming here and enjoy the breeze of fresh air and the scenic view of Taal. If you want to be in line with your spiritual center, have a retreat with the numerous retreat houses around. And remember to pass by the pasalubong stops for your friends back in the Metro for them to also have a bite of Tagaytay.

 
HOW TO GET THERE:
COMMUTE
from Alabang:

1. From Alabang-Zapote Road, ride a jeep/bus to Alabang, and get off at Manuela Metropolis Alabang (Metropolis Mall).
2. Ride a jeep or bus to Balibago/Sta. Rosa via SLEX or National Road (passes by SM Sta. Rosa).
3. From Balibago Terminal, ride a jeep to Tagaytay.

from Manila:
From Taft, in front of Rizal Park (Luneta), ride a bus to Tagaytay

from Laguna:
From Balibago bus terminal in Sta. Rosa, ride a jeep to Tagaytay.

PRIVATE CARS
Option 1 (my usual way): via SLEX Sta. Rosa Exit, the most popular and easiest, is a straight drive all the way to Tagaytay Public Market (and right smack into Tagaytay Econo Inn) where you turn right going to Tagaytay city proper and Nasugbu/Balayan/Lemery Batangas or left going to People's Park in the Sky. Usual travel time from Makati CBD is 1.5 hours.

Option 2 (kinda confusing cause greenfield is full of tall grasses & not much sinages): SLEX Greenfields Exit, an alternate route to Tagaytay that pass by Pramana, Nuvali, Eton City and Paseo de Sta. Rosa, ideal to avoid traffic buildup on Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay National Road on Saturday mornings thus making it the fastest route to Tagaytay on weekends.

Option 3: SLEX Southwoods exit then Governor's Drive in Carmona going to Dasmarinas. Turn left on Maguyam Road just before the Shell Station to your left.

Option 4: Roxas Boulevard, Baclaran, Coastal Road, Bacoor, Imus, Dasmarinas via Aguinaldo Highway. Not recommended due to presence of heavy traffic made worse by SM Dasmarinas and Robinsons Palapala. At the end of Aguinaldo Highway is the Tagaytay Rotonda (roundabout) where a statue of Ninoy Aquino, a BPI with ATM, Days Inn, Max's Restaurant and 7-11 store as landmarks.

Option 5 (kinda long and tiresome): Another route for the adventurous to Tagaytay is via Daang Hari that passes by Molino, Bacoor, Imus, Dasmarinas and Silang. It bypasses the traffic chokepoint of Bacoor rotonda but not SM Dasma and Robinsons.

Option 6: From SLEX Toll Road 3/Sto. Tomas, Batangas via STAR Tollway in going to Lipa City, take Sambat exit and follow the national road to Talisay then go up Ligaya Drive, the zigzag road to Tagaytay (sometimes called Bitukang Manok, not for the faint of heart and newbie drivers)

If you're a foreigner, you can hire vans to get there or an airport taxi. Some taxi drivers charge a fixed rate or double the meter fare plus toll fees.

From Backpacking Philippines website