Michi Photostory

March 01, 2011

Day Trip at Villa Escudero

This is a delayed celebration of our fourth wedding anniversary and we decided to go to Villa Escudero. I always want to go to Villa Escudero and this time, it will be a dream come true. Lol! It is the best place to unwind and relax because you will really feel nature away from the metro.

I was surprised that there are so many people who visit the place such as foreigners, students, couples, and family. The staffs are all nice and friendly. There are welcome drinks for all the guests so you will not get bored while waiting for your turn at the reception area. We only avail day tour package which is P1250 per pax. After paying you will receive a stub that you will use inside including your buffet lunch at the Labasin Waterfalls Restaurant. Just proceed to the entrance to start your tour.

There are jeepneys and carabao carts that are all waiting for guests, they will take you to the resort proper. It is nice to ride in a carabao cart because there are musicians that will serenade you all the way to the resort.

Lunch will start at 11AM so before eleven we already went to Labasin Waterfalls restaurant because we want to sit near the food table and falls. Lol! It is a different experience so we take our time and enjoy the food.

We were not able to try the bamboo rafting because my son is not allowed to ride it.

There is a locker for rent if you want to swim and leave your things safe and secure.

There is a cultural show at 2PM and we went there at exactly two so we no longer have seats. We finished the show because the performers are really talented and good.

After the show, we went back to the entrance via jeepney service and we visit the AERA Memorial Foundation and Museum.

We had a great time in Villa Escudero, it is worth the time and money. See my latest post of Villa Escudero 2011 here.

Villa Escudero Plantations and Resort

San Pablo City, Philippines

Manila Office: 1059 Estrada Street, Malate 1004 Metro Manila

Telephone Nos.(632) 521-0830 (632) 523-0392 (632) 523-2944

Fax Number: (632) 521-869

E-mail: info@villaescudero.com

Provincial Mailing Address: P.O. Box 4 San Pablo City 400, Philippines

Klook.com

February 28, 2011

3rd Wedding Anniversary in Tagaytay

February month was our third wedding anniversary. Hubby has only one day leave so we decided to celebrate it in Tagaytay with my mother and son.

Picnic Grove

The first stop in Tagaytay is Picnic Grove, it is not really our favorite place but if it is your first time visiting Tagaytay, this is one of the favorite tourist spots. We’ve been here for the nth time already but since we’re traveling with my mom, we will visit Picnic grove. I think this was her first-time visit.

The entrance fee is P50 per person and P35 for the vehicle. It was a weekday so parking was not difficult and only few tourists were there. There are zipline and cable car but we never dare to try. There were ABS CBN crews; they are setting up to tape Kim and Gerald teleserye so we did not stay long. We had a quick snack in their restaurant before leaving. Next stop is T-House.

T-House Tagaytay

After our visit to Picnic Grove, we went to T-House Tagaytay. It is located in Mendez, Cavite few meters away from Picnic Grove. It is a bed and breakfast hotel that also offers a spa. The place is not that big but the ambiance is very relaxing and peaceful. Since I have my son in tow, I have no choice but to take care of him while my mom and hubby are enjoying their massage.

T House Tagaytay
3195 Calamba Road
Tagaytay City Philippines

Leslie’s Tagaytay

We had lunch at Leslie’s Tagaytay, I can’t remember what we ordered but one thing for sure, we know that we have a bulalo. We always order that whenever we dine at Leslie's.

Hawaiian BBQ

Hubby was on leave so we went to Tagaytay to stroll around. After visiting Our Lady of Lourdes Church we had lunch at Hawaiian BBQ, it is located in Boutique Bed and Breakfast. I’ve been meaning to try their famous baby back ribs but Boracay is too far so I was glad when I’ve learned that they have a branch in Tagaytay.

We ordered Bulalo Steak and Baby Back Ribs. We’re happy with our ordered and it is worth the price.

Staycation: Hotel Kimberly Tagaytay

My son was only 2 months old so we decided to spend our New Year in Tagaytay, away from noise and smoke. We booked at Hotel Kimberly Tagaytay, the rooms were almost fully booked so we settle for double standard room.

The place is quite new; it looks simple, modern, and elegant.

We had a great time in Hotel Kimberly Tagaytay because the room includes welcome drinks, buffet dinner and buffet breakfast. There is swimming pool but of course we did not dare to swim, it is very cold in Tagaytay. There is also playground for kids. DVD’s are also available in reception area so we borrow 5 DVD’s for our movie marathon while waiting for Year 2009.

Klook.com

Day Trip at Golden Sunset

After our quick visit to Caleruega we went to Golden Sunset. We were supposed to visit this place last 2007 but we decided to let it go because we need to save money for our Singapore trip. But after two years we had our chance to visit Golden Sunset.

I was not expecting that the travel time would be long so we were really hungry when we got there. I thought we could find some fastfood where we could eat our breakfast but most of the fastfood was still closed maybe because it was Good Friday.

We avail of a day tour trip only; the entrance fee is P300 per person. Golden Sunset has a cashless payment system, so you need to buy a passport at the reception area, you will use this passport to pay for anything inside the resort. The resort is quite big but good thing that they have a mini-jeepney to transport guests.

And because we were really hungry, we took our breakfast first. Bringing of cooked food inside is prohibited so we have no choice but to eat inside. The price of the food is quite expensive and the taste is just ok. This breakfast is P180 and even though I was hungry, I was not able to finish this serving. We did not know that yesterday was Ricky Reyes birthday and food were free.#sayang

There are an outdoor museum, playground, butterfly garden, and serendipity spa which you can try and visit during your leisure time.

I was a little bit disappointed because there is no beach, I thought it offers both a swimming pool and beach resort.

Golden Sunset Resort
Brgy Uno, Calatagan, Batangas 4215
http://www.goldensunset.ph/

Paradizoo

I was not feeling well on the day of my birthday so we have to delay the celebration. Since we only have one day to celebrate. I decided to go to Paradizoo. We paid P100 each for the entrance fee and my son is still free.

Paradizoo is located in Mendez, Cavite and we live in Laguna that time so the travel time is not that long. I’ve been reading a lot of good reviews here so I was expecting more.

The place is just ok for me, not that bad but less activity. There are Perpetual Park Pet Cemetery, Butterfly Garden, Mushroom Garden, Honeybee Farm, Camping Area, Picnic Area and Infinity Pond of Positivism. According to my research, guests can interact with different animals such as camels, llamas, ostriches, miniature horse and many more. I don’t know what kind of interaction because when we went there we just tour on our own. No tour guide at all. Yes we see animals free roaming around like piglet and ducks.

We’ve seen flower and vegetables garden but I think it is not yet time for harvest. If you are nature lover and animal lover you will enjoy this place. This happened last 2009 so I’m not sure if there are improvement already. Anyway the entrance fee is not that bad if you want to see farm animals. Do not forget to bring water, cap or umbrella. Paradizoo Km. 63 Panungyan Road, Mendez, Cavite, Philippines Klook.com

February 27, 2011

Manila Ocean Park 2009

My sister decided to celebrate my nephew’s birthday in Manila Ocean Park but since my mom was here for vacation, she treated us in Manila Ocean Park. Yehey! The best things in life are free.

I’ve been to Singapore Underwater World but Manila Ocean Park is much bigger. The entrance fee is P400 for adults and P350 for kids, with no entrance fee for my four-month-old son. But I find it expensive.

We have tried 1-hour fish spa.

Nayong Pilipino

February 2009

Though we wanted to try the pool in Oasis Hotel, we decided to check-out early so we can still roam around the Clark. We visited some outlet store and went to Nayong Pilipino, yes, you read it right. Nayong Pilipino is no longer in Metro Manila; it is now in Clark, Pampanga. But I still like the old Nayong Pilipino. Nayong Pilipino in Clark is smaller compared to the old Nayong Pilipino. During our trip, some parts are still under construction.

Actually, there’s nothing much to visit so after taking some pictures we immediately went to SM Clark to eat our lunch.

Kamayan sa Palaisdaan

My aunt bought a lot in Victoria, Laguna and we’re going to check the construction of the house. We’re not familiar with the place so on our way to Victoria, Laguna, we stopped at Kamayan sa Palaisdaan to eat our lunch because we’re really hungry.

My hubby tried this restaurant before and he told me that the place and food is good. Well, he is right because the place is really relaxing and peaceful. The food is also affordable.

There is a group of men who will serenade you while you are eating.

People's Park + Buon Giorno

I was pregnant when I celebrated my 26^th birthday, and I didn’t want to travel far, so we celebrated it in Tagaytay. Since we always visit Picnic Grove, we decided to try People’s Park, but there is nothing special about this place. Nakakahinayang because they did not maintain the place.

We did not stay long because it was too hot, and we were hungry already. We went to Buon Giorno in Cliffhouse for lunch. I always read good reviews about Buon Giorno, so we tried it, but the food was just okay for me. It was expensive for my budget, but nothing special. I loved the view.

Arabela Restaurant

Hubby was on leave and out of the blue he decided to go to Liliw. Liliw is known for shoe industry, it is a place where you can buy affordable slippers, sandals, shoes and other products. It is a street of different shoes store so you have a lot of options. We’ve never been in Liliw so I was glad that we’ve found our way and we’re not lost.

Do not forget to visit St John the Baptist Parish. It is walking distance from slippers stores and best place to park your car.

We did not leave Liliw without trying the famous Arabela restaurant. The place is quite small but there were a lot of people who are willing to wait just to taste their pizza, pasta and salad.

Related Post

Liliw 2011

February 25, 2011

Bohol Countryside Tour

We were in Bohol for 3 days but only had one whole day to enjoy it because we just went there without any itinerary. I’m thankful for the flyers at the airport because we were able to book our last-minute Bohol Countryside Tour. We paid PHP2000 for a private car tour for two people.

Call time is 8AM so we woke up early to prepare. We ate breakfast at the Metrocentre Hotel; part of the room package is Continental Breakfast for two persons. We know it is not enough for us so we need to order another breakfast meal para busog kami bago magtour.

Itinerary for the day: Blood Compact Shrine, Baclayon Church and Museum, Tarsier, Loboc-Loay River Cruise, Hanging Bridge, Mahogany Man-made Forest, Chocolate Hills, and Souvenir Shop.

We have a list of our itinerary but the driver/tour guide is the one who decides the order of our trip. So the first stop is Tarsier; there are only a few places in Southeast Asia where you can find tarsiers and we’re lucky that we have that in Bohol. I can’t remember if we paid for an entrance or gave a tip for our visit.

Tarsiers are nocturnal animals so they sleep during the day so you are not allowed to make any noise. You can look and take pictures but make sure to turn off the camera flash. You are not allowed to touch it so I was surprised when the staff put the tarsiers on our shoulders and hands. He immediately took a photo of us. Nakakakiliti, good thing they are not moving. (2007 experience) I was so amazed because they are tiny and cute.

The next stop is the Chocolate Hills because this is the farthest tourist spot; thank God that it is no longer raining when we reach the chocolate hills. There are a lot of tourists so we need to wait for our turn; there is a photographer who can take your picture if you want to have a good shot. The downside of traveling alone or kahit couple pa kayo, wala taga-picture so we paid for this photo.

Then we visited the Man-made Forest, Hanging Bridge and Loboc-Loay River for our lunch. We paid only for our lunch, free na yata ang driver na nagdala sa amin kasi may place doon kung saan sila naghihintay at kakain.

The price of the Loboc-Loay River Cruise is worth it because we enjoyed the food and the scenery. I used to see this river in a TV commercial but now I was able to personally see it.

After our cruise, we visited Baclayon Church, Blood Compact Shrine, and Souvenir Shop. We finished the tour early so kaya siya ng half-day tour kung nagstart kami ng maaga. And because of that, we had a side trip to Panglao Island Nature and Spa.