Calaruega

Upon entering the gate/main entrance of Calaruega, you will be given a pamphlet showing some photos, facilities available, reservation guidelines (for retreats, seminars and weddings), fees and statements about Calaruega:

“Calaruega is a house of prayer and renewal.  It is open to activities like retreats, recollections, prayer and renewal workshops, study, research, youth camps, marriage and family encounter celebrations, skills training, leadership seminars, art, music, and liturgy workshops and environment and agriculture-related activities.”

Btw, this is my first time to visit the place.  Calaruega was our first place in our T3 (Trip to Tagaytay) itinerary together with family and friends.  It is really advisable to have an early or much earlier visit there.  For those who haven’t been to Calaruega yet, this place is good for nature lover and photoholics like me. I’m not that pro he3 but I really wanted to share some of my shots to you here.























This is their 150-seat capacity Transfiguration Chapel. A beautiful church indeed.











Nice view..







What I like about this blog thing is, posting and writing about places I have visited make me learn more and get attached with the place.  As a blogger, it is a requirement that I know at least the basic of the place I am about to blog.  Here’s how I do it actually.  First, I do my little research before I go to such place, but not to the extent because the excitement might lose especially if it’s my first time to visit.  Second, the up close and personal.  I don’t take notes, just my own and camera’s memory.  I visited places to explore and enjoy which are the primary reason, to blog is just secondary.  Third, I edit and upload the photos taken, then write and post draft to blog.  Fourth, before I publish my blog, that’s the time I read other blogs with the same topic as mine.  And before I publish my Calaruega experience, I realized that there are some spots there that we were not able to take a look at and that was after reading some co-blogger’s post.  So there’s my fifth and last step in blogging, a revisit..not a bad idea after all he3..

Till next time! 

Calaruega – Philippines

Brgy. Kaylaway, Batulao

Nasugbu, Batangas

0921-2709890/0921-8304226

Email: calaruega_philippines@yahoo.com

Website: www.calaruega-Philippines.ph

Picnic Grove Tagaytay Zipline and Cable Car

Going to Tagaytay is not complete without visiting or dropping by the famous Picnic Grove.  The last time I had been to Picnic Grove was during my college days.  An opportunity came last May this year when we had a short visit there (an hour, more or less) before we checked into Taal Vista Hotel.

It’s a place in Tagaytay that has one of the best views of Taal Volcano, said to be the smallest volcano in the world.

There are lots of things to do in Picnic Grove.  It’s also a recreational place.  You may opt to do horseback riding or rent a cottage or picnic hut.   Family bonding has never been this relaxing with the scenic views and cool Tagaytay breeze.

I also noticed Fish Spa inside the Picnic Grove.  We didn’t try but we were planning at some other time and maybe at some other place since my hubby and I haven’t experience this yet.

There are also stalls selling different items like t-shirts, key chains and other pasalubongs; and vendors selling food items. 

And now one of the tourist attractions and fit for those adventurous souls is the zipline and cable car.  It’s a 250 meters long and 300 feet off the ground exhilarating ride.

Here are the Zipline/Cable car ride rates. 

Weekend/holiday rates:

• 1 way ride > P300/head
• 2 way ride > P400/head

Weekday rates:

• 1 way ride > P200/head
• 2 way ride > P300/head

All rides with free one (1) souvenir photo.

The price is on top of the P50.00/head Picnic Grove entrance fee and P35.00 parking fee.

This is their cage-like cable car.  If I haven’t had an experience to ride a cable car in Hong Kong, I would definitely try this one in Picnic Grove. 

And their zipline.  This is the prone position which is close to flying (superman-style).  You can ride alone or with a buddy in a prone or sitting position.  The zipline experience I had at Ugong Rock in Puerto Princesa Palawan was sitting position.


Sorry the picture above riding the zipline is neither me nor my hubby.  I just made this shot for sharing purposes.  Their weekend rates for zipline or cable car ride are quite expensive in my humble opinion especially for a family of three like us.  And besides, I don’t want my son to ride that thing yet.  I’m afraid for him.  It’s a mom thing actually.. 


Anyways, we just chose to have a walk along the Eco Trail.



Climbing these stairs made us sweat a bit. 

That short visit wasn’t enough of course to truly enjoy the place.  But we had fun doing the stroll together without burning a hole in our pocket.  And that’s what simple joys of traveling really all about.  Till next time! 


P.s.
For more info., visit The Official Website of Tagaytay Ridge Zipline and Cable Car.

Bag of Beans Not Just Coffee

Our delightful stay (overnight) in Taal Vista Hotel, Tagaytay City was over.  It was a sunny twelve o’clock noon, check-out time.  No more itinerary that time, just have our lunch and buy pasalubong in Good Shepherd Sisters, Maryridge Tagaytay City afterward.

I have read and heard a couple of times about a not so new coffee shop/bakery/restaurant named Bag of Beans.  This statement alone convinced me that we should have our lunch there before we head for home to Manila.  It was a late lunch by the way.  We were still full from a sumptuous breakfast buffet we had at the hotel that’s why we only ordered sandwich, fries, pie, cheesecake and frappes.

Grilled cheese sandwich and fries for my son.  The plate/serving is big. I knew he can't finish it so I didn't order another meal for myself.  My calculation was accurate, I almost ate half of it.

Black forest frappe for hubby and mocha frappe for me.

  

I'm a coffee lover.  I wanted to try hot coffee served in their signature mug (right photo) but I ordered mocha frappe (left photo) instead since time was past 1 p.m., the weather was hot and we were at the open cafe part of the establishment.  The mocha frappe is good but I would still prefer the one in Starbucks Coffee.

My husband ordered this Steak and Mushroom Pie.  He put hot sauce in the meat & mushroom fillings while  eating.  He was so stuffed that he can't almost try the blueberry cheesecake.

But who can't refuse with this delicious desserts anyway.  My son loved it too.

Actually, my son didn't want to leave the place yet because of this duyan.

And he was astonished with this big birdcage.

I'm looking forward to a next or more visit in Tagaytay's Bag of Beans.  I would as well try their brunch buffet and all-day breakfast meals.

Celebrating Mom's Day at Taal Vista Hotel

Tagaytay is one of the best places to plan a summer getaway aside from being the second summer capital of the Philippines.  A place to choose instead of Baguio if you're on a budget, I mean lesser gasoline expenses.

It was April 2012 when I decided and booked our reservations for an overnight stay at Taal Vista Hotel.  I didn't plan but it turned out that the date I chose was actually Mother’s Day.

Why in Taal Vista Hotel?  Besides the hotel promo (Diamond Cut) which is until end of May this year, we were offered a much lower rate being employed in the bank whose owner (leads Filipinos in Forbes’ richest list) made Taal Vista one of his previous acquisitions.  Moreover, Taal Vista Hotel is still has the best view of the Taal Volcano.

Picnic Grove

I, together with my husband and kid arrived in Tagatay around 10 a.m., an approximately two hours of travel time from Metro Manila.  Our first destination was the famous Picnic Grove.  It was long time ago since I last visited the place.  There are zipline and cable car ride now.  A cost of P300 per person for a one way ride and P400 for a two way ride which in my humble opinion are pretty expensive.  That's why we didn’t try to ride or I didn’t insist either maybe because I had this experience in my recent tour in Palawan together with my colleagues.  But to all the readers who haven’t experience yet this exhilarating ride, I would suggest that one in Picnic Grove.

Mahogany Market

Mahogany Market

After an hour, we headed ourselves to Mahogany Market to have our lunch.  We ordered Bulalo, good for 1-2 persons for only P120; half order of Tawilis and Isaw.

Taal Vista Hotel Lobby Lounge

It was around 1 p.m. when we checked into the Taal Vista Hotel.  We were quite exhausted and welcome drinks (free of course) which we had in the hotel lobby lounge were just in time.

Taal Vista Hotel Superior Room West Wing

Our hotel room was Superior Room West Wing which I think is their lowest room rate and it's situated near the hotel outdoor swimming pool.  There’s a choice of 1 king size bed or 2 single beds in which we picked the latter.

Taal Vista Hotel Superior Room West Wing

Taal Vista Hotel keycard/slot

The hotel uses keycard to open the door (just hold the keycard against the sensor, located directly above the door handle) and to switch on the main power (just insert the card at the key slot located at the door entrance).

There are complimentary bottled waters, coffee, creamer, tea and sugar; electric kettle, personal ref (that's why we brought some refreshments), cable LCD TV, Wi-Fi internet connection, electronic safe for your valuables, slippers, towels, extra pillow, morning newspaper, hair dryer, hot & cold shower and bathtub.  Toilet and bath are complete with basic toiletries.  Closet is large and spacious.

Taal Vista Hotel complimentary drinks

Taal Vista Hotel personal ref 

Taal Vista Hotel toilet & bathroom

Taal Vista Hotel bathtub

Taal Vista Hotel toiletries

Our stay includes use of hotel amenities such as the outdoor swimming pool.  As we had planned, we brought our swimming outfits and didn't pass this opportunity to enjoy the summer.

Taal Vista Hotel Swimming Pool

In front of the Taal Vista Hotel is the Casino Filipino and McDonald's in which we had our dinner, my son’s favorite.

Taal Vista Hotel Entrance

Taal Vista Hotel Superior Room West Wing

The hotel room has centralized air conditioning.  Sheets and comforters are really comforting.  We did sleep early that night.

I set the alarm of my mobile phone at 5 a.m. for us to have an early morning stroll through the hotel grounds.  But the beds are too inviting, we woke up past 6 a.m.

We have had picture taking sessions before we had our breakfast buffet.

Taal Vista Hotel

We couldn't view the volcano that time due to fog formation.

Taal Vista Hotel

Taal Vista Hotel Cafe-on-the-Ridge

Included in our availed hotel accommodation (promo) is breakfast buffet for 2 adults at Café-on-the-Ridge, located beside the hotel lobby lounge.  Since my son was not included, we paid half of the buffet price for P339 as the waitress suggested.  Said buffet price is almost the same price if we ordered a la carte.

Taal Vista Hotel Cafe-on-the-Ridge

Their hot choco for me is the best.

Our overall stay in Taal Vista Hotel is indeed memorable and unforgettable one.  We loved the food, the place, the views and the weather.  The hotel staff are courteous and friendly. They also immediately attended to our room service needs/requests.  

At present, my son keeps on asking me and my husband as to when are we going to return to Taal Vista Hotel.  But for now I'm thinking of other hotels to stay.  So watch out for my next blog. :)

Taal Vista Hotel

Kilometer 60, Aguinaldo Highway

Tagaytay City 4120, Philippines

Tel No: +63 (46) 413-1000

Fax No: +63 (2) 886-4325

               +63 (46) 413-1225
Website:  http://www.taalvistahotel.com/