Tower Ground Bulalohan in Tagaytay

It was really stormy, but we fought it like pro-firefighters. Amidst the drizzle and cold wind blows, we drove to Tagaytay for that yummy mushroom burger and bulalo.

When we got there, there was a family of eight. From the front side of the establishment, you could see the Taal Volcano in one of the windows.

We did not mind the strong wind, that it even made our eating not really comfortable. But we wanted to eat with the view of the volcano, so we took a seat by the window and did not mind what the waiters were thinking that time. We also ordered fried tawilis. And it's so yummy!

Tagaytay

If you are bored and do not know how to spend a Saturday or Sunday, try strolling around Tagaytay.

If you are coming from Manila, take the exit to Tagaytay. You can go directly to People's Park In The Sky and feel the cold breeze. The picture below was taken when we went there amidst a storm.

Souvenir items are sold at the park. When we were looking for ref magnet that is unique to Tagaytay, the vendors were showing those that have no "Tagaytay touch." There was even a vinta lousily written with "Tagaytay." Where in the hell could you see vinta in that mountainous city? There might be / is something wrong with the tourism campaign of the city.

You can take your breakfast at the Mushroom Burger. Check my post here.

A good alternative is the row of bulalo stores juxtaposed to the Mahogany Market.

 

 As I could see on the banner of the city's market, "Mahogany - Home of Tagaytay Beef" I assume that bulalo here is good. You can also roam around the market and see the different items for sale like ornamental plants and fruits.

 

We saw this one, reminiscent of Wilson from the movie Cast Away.

 

One more round for the beef and flowers of Tagaytay.

 

Pico de Loro

Pico de Loro is a beautiful monolith stone located in the midst of Mt Palay-Palay in Ternate, Cavite.

How to get there from Metro Manila:

1. Take a bus bound for Ternate in Lawton, Manila. Or go to Baclaran or Coastal (in front of the then Uniwide Coastal mall) and wait for the same buses in the loading area. Fare from Baclaran is more or less 50pesos. The trip only takes a bit over an hour via the newly-built Cavite Expressway.

2. At the bus terminal in Ternate, you can take trikes near the church to the DENR office for registration. One ride can accommodate three passengers. Fare is 75pesos each. You can haggle for a more affordable fare with the trikes near the bus terminal. (Note: Trikes near the bus terminal charge higher fares sometimes. A ride would normally cost only 225pesos.  You can actually rent a jitney all the way to the jump-off point for even more affordable fares if your group is composed of 15 people or more.)

3. Registration fee at the DENR station is only 20pesos. There is another registration station at Base Camp 1 for 20pesos. But I do not see the point why you need to register again at this point. I think of this as a money-making strategy. They should just make it compulsory to pay 20pesos in exchange for a Coke or buko juice. In that way, they could sell and earn from it. Yes, they could earn by asking 20pesos from hikers, but I feel it a bit wrong because they are not doing something for the good of the mountain. They even encourage hikers to leave their wastes in their yard because they can sell the plastics and other recyclables and keep the income for their own use. The DENR station fails to conduct briefing or orientation to hikers. Mountaineers know the rules but the general public does not. Some youngsters were taking a bath at the falls with soap, shampooing their hairs in the waters of the falls. I have also never seen the head of the DENR station, only the old lady and her family face the registrants.

4. The trail is easy. It is equipped with concrete signs (which should not have been nailed to trees) and trailsigns (ie straw, cords, stones).

5. For other notes, check my first ascent to Pico de Loro.