Up Close with Taal

A scene from Katy Perry's Roar MTV.

It felt great to see this view in a Hollywood MTV. It was launched two days ahead our trek. So when I heard about the video, I tried to capture this scene. 

A previous warning did not really stopped us from going to the second most active volcano located in Talisay and San Nicolas Batangas. The Taal Lake and Volcano were both peaceful when we got there.

I suggest you eat first before you trek.  You'll surely need energy. And don't forget to bring water for hydration.

A view of Taal  from Tagaytay

We were brought to Talisay's Rock Fort Lake Resort from Tagaytay rotonda by a tricycle driver. Surely its an extra income to them. He's one of those who are holding flyers and sign boards along the Tagaytay-Nasugbu Hi-way. And sometimes, annoyingly asks all those who are passing by. A tricycle ride from rotonda and boat ride (round trip) will cost Php 2,000.00. I think this could be maximized to 5 persons.

Upon arrival at resort we were asked to fill up a waiver and then, off to the boat that will take us to the island, which will take 30 minutes. When you reach the destination, they will lead you to another registration area. After a short interview, they sort of forced us to ride a horse up to the peak. Walking would be find with us, however, they were really insistent. And this was an additional expense of Ps 1,000.00 per person (from foot to peak and vise versa). It also includes an assistant who will guide your horse. Sometimes the guide will also ask your permission if they can also ride the horse (They will be sitting behind you), which bothered me a little.

The blue and white view.

Hello Mother Nature...

Going up the peak.

Anyways, the view was so amazing. Hello greens and blues! The sun was up. Good thing I applied sunblock. On our way up, we saw smoke coming out between the rock formations and it felt hot. Also, we have observed the soil on the peak is reddish. As to research this means that the soil contains iron oxide, usual to soil near volcanoes. And sometimes when the wind blows, we also smell an acidic scent of sulfur. Tourists visiting the place were non-stop. Most of the people we came across with were Koreans and Americans. #itsmorefuninthephilippines

Cold drinks i.e. cold soft drinks and fresh buko juice are sold at the top of the trek, which will surely refresh a thirsty throat. Vendors will also ask if you will be giving a drink to your horse assistant/guide. Of course, another additional pay. Maybe considered a tip to them. There they also sell t-shirts and other small things for pasalubong.

You could freshen up back at the resort, they have rest rooms where you could change your sweaty clothes. The tricycle driver also dropped us back Tagaytay rotonda.

Budget for Trip:

Php 2,000.00 - Tricycle and Boat Ride (From Tagaytay to Talisay)

Php 2,000.00 - Horseback Riding (Php 1,000.00 per pax)
Php    600.00 - Transportation Expense (2 pax - round trip from
                      Starmall Shaw Blvd. to Tagaytay Rotonda)
Php4,600.00 - Total Expenses (2 pax - food not included)     

Cronuts Version #1: Donut Croissant at Dunkin Donuts

Sweets have been always a part of our daily lives. Maybe that's why people continuously invent new goodies to eat. A perfect example is a Cronut. It's a hybrid of a croissant and doughnut. Developed by Chef Dominique Ansel in her own bakery in New York City and was launched last May 2013 (Source: Wikipedia). I think it became viral around the world including the Philippines. Doughnut, Coffee, Bakeries and Tea shops created their own versions.

Flavors: Strawberry and Cranberries ; Choco Bavarian 

Strawberry and Cranberries

Choco Almond

They have other flavors in the shop but with limited pieces only. And not all of their shops serve cronuts, so we were lucky they have it in Paseo Center Branch in Makati. Better if you  buy it in the morning! 

It's bigger than their usual doughnut, so it's better to share if you don't really have the sweet tooth. Yummy if combined with Great Taste White (coffee).

Budget for Food  :     Php 75.00 - Donut Croissant

                                          8.00 - Coffee (Great Taste White)

                                 Php 83.00 - Total 

Lunch Trip at Balay Indang

We had a unique experience in Balay Indang, The Red Ginger Farm and Garden, located in San Juan Street, Mahabang Kahoy Cerca, Indang Cavite. It was very peaceful & very relaxing. I can say its a perfect place for thinking, soul searching and communing with nature.

We got there by commuting. From Baclaran, take a bus going to Tagaytay (will take about 2 hours and a half) and get down to Olivares Terminal. Ride a jeep going to Indang (will take almost an hour). You may ask the jeepney driver to drop you there.

Balay's Sign Board. Don't miss it. :)

The Balay's sign is really not that big and its painted on wood so it blends with the trees behind it.

The Steel Framed Wooden Gate: Get in and escape the city's noise

Now where to go...

   Since we were kind of late for lunch, we headed to the Balay first to eat.

Pathway to the Balay...

Hello Balay! Mabuhay!

The staff were friendly and accommodating. They were really watching their guests to be able to attend to their needs. Then hello food, served hot and fresh.

Fresh salad: Ingredients from their own back yard

This is chicken inasal with other stuff in it. haha!

Rice with corn kerrnels

Shrimp Kebab with peaches

Lumpiang tinapa with sweet and sour dip

Graham munchkins with coconut strips for dessert

Note: Some of the food's name were not its original name.

They also gave us a pitcher of orange juice and water for refreshment. For just 2 persons, this lunch is too much! We were so full. Good thing we are still going to walk around to burn what we ate.

Cute little nun figurines.

A great place for a wedding pictorial.

The power of two. Haha!

Plunge in!

They also have a two storey tree house with an open cellar, but I was not able to get a picture of it outside. It is open for visitors. You may take a nap there after a festive lunch. Its made up of wood & walls were made up of net to maintain the cool breeze. It has relaxing couches inside.

Couch on the second floor.

Rocking chair on the first floor.

Where did the horse go? hehe..

This is a sanctuary....

Feeling sleepy...

The Rocky Road.

Balay Indang also has an overnight package which includes three full meals, two snacks, air-conditioned room and free usage of the swimming pool, billiard table and other board games available.

*plus 3% service charge on top of the bill

For inquiries you may contact the Red Ginger Farm & Garden at 09178374261, 09178665825 or (02)775-6886.

Budget for Trip:

Php  1,442.00 - Balay Indang Day Tour Package (2 pax plus SC)
Php     500.00 - Transportation Expense (2 pax - round trip)
Php 1,942.00 - Total Expenses

Truly a Treasure of Bolinao

It was our company's annual summer outing that brought us to this place. Though it was a tiring six hour drive from Manila, it was worth to see and experience this part of the West Philippine Sea.

A rock seemingly shaped as a crocodile

Welcome to Treasures of Bolinao folks! Resort was clean and spacious. Good for a big group. They have a billards table, kayaks, videoke machine, and different lounges where you could stay. The food was okay. Just be sure you will not arrive late during eating time. Also remembered the boss of the catering was sort of irate to her staff. She's scary alright. 

House keepers were very hospitable. They are timid yet friendly to guests. We can't forget that girl who showed us the Wi-Fi area while we were waiting for the check in time. We were the only guests who were bought there. And we did enjoyed the Wi-Fi, electric fan and the sofa bed.

Scenes from the Wi-Fi Area

Area has it's own fire place.

Rooms were simple, air conditioned and has its own bathroom.  Guests could ask for extra towels, blankets and bedding without an additional charge. Also, it has a 24 inch television with a DVD player. That time the cable was out. We just borrowed DVDs in the hotel's office. No renting fees, just leave your identification card.

We were not on the beach side, so we have to pass by the kiddie pool and the infinity pool before we could hit the beach.

Meet the waves and infinity pool.

Free foot spa! The sand is very white and very fine. Tough to walk on but it's fun! Waves were never ending. Sometimes small and always big.

Now that's what you call Babewatch :)

People of all ages enjoyed playing and staying in the water while waiting for the waves, even if it was super salty and will really hurt your eyes if it gets in. Pockets will surely be full of sand as the current pushes and pulls you. Surfers were also visible. Caution on the rocks if you don't want to get bruised.

JeJoMonRock!

Cape Bolinao Lighthouse is near the vicinity so you could also visit it. You may also visit the Enchanted Cave. I think its a 20 minute rocky drive going there. Sign boards could lead you to it. We went there with a guide from the resort.

Entering the enchanted cave

Giant clams aged 2 to 3 million years.

A mountain of corals

Sunset hid from the clouds, but I'm sure it would have been a great view.

I can't share how much was the budget for this trip because the company financed it, but I could share the resort's website at http://treasuresofbolinao.com/.

The Walking Dead Spoiler (Season 3 Episode 16: Welcome to the Tombs)

Just the hi-lights of the final episode of the season:

Governor's pep talk before the war.

Tyrese and his sister stood for what they believe is right, and that is to fight the biters and not human.

To the prison they went and attacked.

People got mad to the Governor because many were killed during their attack to the prison. Again the  leader got crazy and started shooting his whining people.

With Tyrese, Michonne, Darryl and Ric got in Woodburry and he led them to where Andrea was.

Andrea was bitten by the Zombie-Milton while inside the room where The Governor tied her up.

The three got back to prison with a school bus loaded with people from the village.

Welcome to the club villagers.

No other updates search regarding the next season. :(

The Walking Dead Spoiler (Season 3, Episode 15: This Sorrowful Life)

It is the day scheduled for the meet up of the Governor and Ric. The day to give up one of the members of the prison group to the Woodberry group to prevent war. Ric had a hard time to think about it. But he managed to convince Darryl and Merle to give up Michonne. Hershel still thought they could be another way. Only the four of them knew about this plan.

Merle went inside another wing of the prison with Michonne as part of their plan. Zombies started to attack the two of them, and they started killing them. Then in a blink, Merle stabbed Michonne. Next scene, they were walking toward the previous meeting place with Governor.

Back to the prison, Glenn was looking at the pocket watch Hershel gave him and he figured out something he wanted to do. After talking to the father of Maggie, he went out, cut a zombie's finger with a ring and gave the ring to Maggie. Sweet.

Alone and thinking outside of the prison wing, Ric saw Lorie again. He took it as a sign.  And after a second, he knew, he had to call off their plan to give up Michonne. He looked for Merle to try and stop him but he was too late. The two already left the premises. He told Darryl, and Darryl volunteered to find them.

While in the car they took from an abandoned apartel, Michonne tried to convinced Merle in going back to the prison. After a while of talking, he told her to go down the car and go back to the prison. Their plan to give her up did not materialized and Merle thought of another plan on his own.  On Michonne's way back to the prison, he saw Darryl looking for his brother.

Merle drank alcohol inside the car and turned it's music aloud. He made the zombies follow him to the meeting place. His plan made the people of Philip busy shooting walkers. And while they were busy, Merle tried to shoot all of them. He also tried to shoot Philip but Randall blocked him unexpectedly and died. Martinez saw where the bullet was coming and immediately went to the abandoned cottage. Because Merle was attacked by a zombie inside his hiding place, he ran out of it and they saw him.

Philip dragged him. Kicked, spanked, bit his fingers out of his hand and shoot him in the heart.

Darryl reached the meeting place. Just in time seeing his brother eat human flesh. Merle turned in to a zombie. A zombie who even tried to eat Darryl. But he stabbed him several times until he finally dies. Darryl was mad, shocked and hurt.

Zombie Merle =(

Michonne got back to the prison safely. Ric and the others started packing. It seemed that they getting ready to leave.

Next week is the last episode for this season and I can't wait to watch it...