TraveLORE: Tagaytay Day Trip 2016

01/25/16

Summer was on our heels. Thus before we finally soaked in sweat-inspiring summer days, we set off to a cooler place to relax ourselves. Tagaytay was just few hours from Manila. People frequented this place so it becomes the least option for escapade. But Tagaytay had many good things to offer. We were just right in time when we went here; that day was recorded as the coolest temperature so far, for 2016! I wasn’t completely prepared because I went there in shorts and I was freezing cold.

It would be more convenient if you have a car but it was a lot fun commuting from one place to another. We almost memorized the places. I asked my friend Benj for places that were worth visiting. He suggested the following: Pink Sisters, Bag of Beans, Caleruega, Mahogany Market, Picnic Grove, People’s Park, and Skyranch. Here was an account on how we traveled from one place to another (just in case you wanted to go backpacking too – try it, it would be fun!). My mother, cousin, and I went to MRT Taft Bus terminal and rode bus bound to Nasugbu via Tagaytay. The bus set off at 6:30AM – we knew then that we will be late for our itinerary. At 9AM we reached our first stop: The Pink Sisters.

The Pink Sisters of Holy Spirit of Perpetual Adoration (9AM-10AM)

A place for prayer, we confessed though that our first intention here was to look for nuns in their pink holy habits. We wanted to see the pink sisters but we never see one. The place was quite and relaxing. It was so peaceful that we were talking in a hush voice. We didn’t want to disturb the serenity of the place – it was shameful to be the source of any noises there. You could feel the holiness and sacredness of the place, it reflected the life being lived by the Pink Sisters.  We prayed and contemplated in silence then we wrote a prayer request and dropped it to the prayer request box. Hope we could attend the mass next time and experience the famous delicious cookies that people talked about.

How to go here: Ask the bus conductor to drop you on the street going to Pink Sisters. It’s near the Olivarez terminal. 

Caleruega Church (11AM-12:30PM)

A peaceful place to go – Caleruega was a serene spot for retreat and a romantic venue for wedding events. Not only quiet but also beautiful, Caleruega was love; this rustic place breathed the air of nostalgia. There was an entrance fee of PHP30/head, but that’s just a small amount for the sceneries that were worth more bucks. We were awed by the shabby-chic but polished structures of the Transfiguration Chapel, Fountain Compass, Hanging Bridge, Gazebo, and lots of other must-see sights. We were given a pamphlet to guide us through our tour. We strolled and savored the breathtaking views while enjoying the chilling temperature. From Caleruega you'd see the stunning sight of Mt. Batulao from afar. These beautiful mountain ranges towered over the stretch of fields below it.







We walked around while taking picture. Our last stop was in the Koi pond and the Hanging Bridge. There were still many places to go but we got an itinerary to follow. Our stomach was already grumbling in hunger.

How to go here: From Olivarez terminal, we rode a jeep bound to Nasugbu. Fare is PHP25. Traveling time is 45 minutes. Ask the driver to drop you off at Evercrest. There’s a tricycle terminal there. Fare is PHP20. You can arrange for the tricycle driver to fetch you later because there’s no tricycle that passes regularly in Caleruega.

Mahogany Market (1:30PM to 2:30PM)

Since we missed our breakfast, just imagine how hungry we were by this time. Mama wanted to buy meats and I wanted her also to try their special bulalohan. Mahogany Market was famous for its bulalohan. We chose an eatery and ordered bulalo good for 4 persons. It costs PHP350 with unlimited bananas. We devoured 2 cups of rice each while enduring the strong winds that brought an icy chill. The bulalo soup got cold quickly; it was really a freezing day for me (blaming my shorts and light top garb).

How to go here: From Evercrest in Nasugbu, we rode a bus bound to Pasay. We were dropped off at the Mahogany Market. Fare is PHP25.

People’s Park/Palace in the Sky (3:15PM-4:30PM)

It used to be called “Palace in the Sky”. We paid an entrance fee of PHP30/head. We were warned that it was super cold up there and for the first time that day I had goose bumps – real goose bumps. As we walked up there I’ve considered backing out. It was deadly cold! The view up there was beautiful, a consoling reward. You'd have a glimpse of the Taal Lake and of the scenic views of Tagaytay and Batangas plains. There was a horse parked there named Alden. Just like in Baguio you could ride Alden for a picture taking. It costs PHP20. Before we reached the topmost part of the park, we saw the mists slowly creeping like a smoke. 








The clouds were getting upon us, surrounding us. In just few minutes we were covered by the white backdrops. When we got on the topmost part, the strong wind lapped on us with drizzles of rain. When we were about to go down, there was a sudden clearing so we stayed a bit longer to take photos.

How to go here: From Mahogany Market, we rode a jeep going to Olivarez. Fare is PHP13/head. From Olivarez Terminal we rode a jeep bound to People’s Park. Fare is PHp17/head.

Sky Ranch (5:15PM-6:15PM)

By this time we were already feeling a bit under the weather – perhaps due to the colds. As we went down, the chill was lessened. The afternoon sun showed but it was nearing to set off. We were planning to ride the bus bound to Pasay but as we traveled our way back to Olivarez terminal, we felt better again. So we pushed with the plan to visit Sky Ranch. I was really looking forward to this place because I wanted to take a photo of the Sky Eye. I wanted to try it but my two companions didn’t want to. Anyway, we paid an entrance fee of PHP50/head for the Sky Ranch (it was PHP80 on weekends).  









We just stayed in the covered hall because it was drizzling in the open area. I loved the carnival feels of the Sky Ranch, the rides were just few but they were a colorful sights to behold. It was nice seeing the sunset while hearing the screams of the people from the Drop Tower ride. Kids would surely enjoy this place while the adults would treat this as a dreamland of their inner child.

How to go here: From People’s Park we rode a jeep bound to Olivarez Terminal. We got off at Olivarez Plaza and rode a jeep bound to Mahogany. Before reaching the market you will see Sky Ranch (I suggest you go to Sky Ranch first before you go to People’s Park).

Sky Ranch was our last stop. From there we rode a jeep bound to Olivarez terminal, then got off at the plaza. You'd see a bus lined up there, near 7 eleven. We rode the one bound to Pasay Baclaran. There were still other places to go to but we were out of time. You could add to your list the Picnic Grove and Starbucks Twin Lake (the view there are said to be breathtaking).

Tagaytay Day Trip Itinerary & Summary Expenses:

6:30AM – MRT Taft Bus Terminal, ETD – bus bound to Nasugbu via Tagaytay, Fare                             PHP86/head

9AM – ETA Olivarez Terminal, Walked to Pink Sisters

10AM – Rode jeep bound to Nasugbu, Fare PHP25,

10:45AM – ETA Ever Crest, rode Tricycle to Caleruega, Fare PHP20/head

11AM – Caleruega Church, Entrance Fee PHP30

12:30AM – rode tricycle bound to Evercrest, Fare PHP20

12:45AM – Evercrest, rode Bus to Mahogany Market, Fare PHP25/head

1:30PM – Mahogany Market, Lunch Budget: PHP200/head

2:30PM – rode jeep to Olivarez Terminal, Fare PHP13/head

2:45PM – Olivarez Terminal, rode jeep to People’s Park, Fare PHP17/head

3:15PM- People’s Park, Entrance Fee PHP30

4:30PM – rode jeep back to Olivarez terminal, Fare PHP17/head

5PM – Olivarez Terminal, rode Jeep to Sky Ranch, Fare PHP8/head

5:15PM – Sky Ranch, Entrance Fee PHP50

6:15PM – rode jeep to Olivarez Terminal, Fare PHP8/head

6:30PM – Olivarez Plaza, rode Bus bound to Pasay, Fare PHP86/head

TOTAL: PHP635/head

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