First Roadtrip for the Year — Tagaytay!

{Feb-March 2009} My first trip for the year was spent in Tagaytay. It wasn’t my first-time there, as I’ve been in this part of Cavite a couple of times while growing-up. My frequent trips then were mostly spent with my family. Although on some occasions, I would get to spend a few days in Tagaytay when I would go out with friends from school. 

Anyhow, this trip, which I went on with my boyfriend was made out of impulse. We both wanted to just get away for the weekend, and thought of Tagaytay as the nearest place to visit. After his Saturday duty, we left Manila for some fresh air and for some sumptuous bulalo! It took us about 2 hours to get there since we left at a rush hour. Traffic was horrendous, particularly in the Cavite boundary.


DAY 1

Our Tagaytay road trip cost us about PHP150 each, for a one-way travel. We took the 5 PM Jam Transit bus at Taft Avenue, which left 15 minutes later. We arrived at Tagaytay past 8 in the evening. Eventhough traffic was dreadful, we still managed to get to our destination just in time for dinner. As soon as we got off of the bus, we immediately asked around for an affordable and available accommodation nearby. Since this trip was ‘a spur of the moment’ thing, reservations weren’t arranged. So after a good 45 minutes of inquiries and long walks (and three tricycle rides!), we finally found a place that allowed transient lodging.


Yes, we did find a place. But we had no time to complain anymore, as there were no other open places that we could stay in given our tight budget (at a walk-in rate of PHP1500/night). Anyway, as soon as we settled in this big room that lacked furniture, we left and hailed another tricycle (usually costs PHP30/way) bound for Maharlika.

NOTE: If you plan to drop-by the famous food strip, ask the bus driver/conductor that you be dropped off at the Maharlika Road.

DINNER IS SERVED!

Our night in Tagaytay officially started at LESLIE'S with a late order of Special Bulalo, Inihaw na Liempo, Garlic Rice and Ensaladang Mangga. And as our stomachs got stuffed with these tasty Filipino dishes, our wallets got robbed off of its essentials too (by paying out our tab of PHP1000!). Nonetheless, Leslie’s was a great and worthy experience.


As soon as we finished clearing our plates, we took off and walked around the area. We took a few snapshots of us around the vicinity even though the resolutions from our phones didn’t quite capture the pictures that we wanted (since some areas weren't that well-lit). So, we ended the night by going back to our lodging.

Our ranting of this creepy looking place began as soon as we thought of bathing arrangements. Since we assumed that we were going to sleep in a nice place that provided fresh towels, soap and all that, we opted not to bring any of our own stuff. Unfortunate for us, this transient place offered none of the essentials! 

 

There were no towels nor toiletries for us to use. We were provided with just a toilet, a sink with big mirrors, and a big ceramic tub that serves as a shower area. It surely had the usual TV, air-con and dresser. Then again, we were expecting to be provided with at least a set each of fresh towels! Plus, the bed area was another issue for us, as the bed was really squeaky creepy! *sigh* It was hard sleeping on this bed. And yes there were pillows but no blanket! 

Also, water was a bit scarce, so you could just imagine how our night turned out. It was a good thing that we only stayed there for one night. Although the nice view of the hills the next morning made up for our lousy overnight stay. But we still weren’t satisfied with what we’ve paid for. We felt ripped off actually. Then again, walk-ins are really risk. 

NOTE: Learn from our mistake. Make it a point to book your future trips, if you don’t want these crazy things happening to you!

DAY 2

Day 2 turned out to be okay. We checked-out from our transient accommodation and immediately went around Tagaytay. For jeepney rides around the area, we would usually pay PHP10-15 each for longer trips, and PHP7 for shorter destinations. 

PICNIC GROVE

We first visited the Picnic Grove. The entrance fee here was about PHP50/person. The place was packed by the time we got into the premises. The visitors already had their own picnics and grilling activities happening at the time, while other guests enjoyed the Adventure Trail, as well as the scary looking Zip-line and Cable-car rides.


PEOPLE'S PARK IN THE SKY

Our second Stop (take any jeep that passes-by Picnic Grove) was the famous People’s Park in the Sky. We did a long walk up this scenic spot of Tagaytay; and then went around to take photos from different angles – in spite of the few raindrops from above! Entrance fee was about PHP20/person. And since the weather was getting all nasty with us, we decided to ride our last jeep down to the city proper. We went down by jeep to where the Rotonda was (where you’ll see a nearby Jollibee and Colette’s stall), to catch a bus bound for Manila.


But before finally heading home, we had lunch at Jollibee and took home with us some Buko Pie’s from Colette’s. After our purchases, we rode the Erjohn and Almark bus and went off at the Lawton area (where we rode the jeep bound for Quezon Avenue).

All in all, I had fun with the bf, despite the mishaps in our overnight trip. LESSON LEARNED: plan your trip well and book ahead of time! It minimizes those 'bumps on the road' that might happen along the way.

And as always, another Travel Expense Sheet for sharing. =) Hope it helps in one of your future vacations in the area! Until then…

Explore & Be Free!
Mai

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24 comments

  1. aww di ninyo napuntahan yung mushroom burger... masarap pa naman yun.,,
    namiss ko tuloy tagaytay trip ko..
    tama.. dapat talaga plan.. lalo na ng gastos hahaha..

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  2. sounds cool! i wanna have my own road trip too!

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  3. Why not, Carizza? Summer na.. try going to Tagaytay for the cool breeze! =)

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  4. Naku AXL, no need na. May Mushroom Burger malapit samin, at talagang nakakasawa na.. hehehe! =)

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  5. It's been a while na rin since last ko napuntahan ang Tagaytay. Sana makapag road trip din kami pa-Tagaytay. Need to convince the bf! hahaha.. :D

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  6. Here's to your convincing powers, Sumi! Sarap pa man din bumalik ng Tagaytay ngayon, lalo pa't ang init na..

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  7. was just confused with the 2009 date on top...was this done in 2009 or 2011? i'm planning to go there this April so i wanted to confirm the prices ;)

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  8. Hey Yuuki! I transferred my blogposts kasi from wordpress to blogger, thus the confusion on dates. That's why I noted on top of the post TAGAYTAY: Feb-March 2009, in hopes that my readers will know that the trip was done during this time. =D So, this was back in 2009 pa. =D Thanks for asking about this. =)

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  9.  We always go out of town with the whole family and it's always planned, kundi kawawa mga kids.. :D
    Wish ko din to visit Tagatay again, I think it was in 2005 when we last went there. I'm sure there are a lot of changes since then.

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  10. Hi Josie! Marami na pong changes. =) There's lots of places to visit na.. and oo nga po, kawawa ang mga bata talaga pag di concrete ang plans.

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  11. Tagaytay is one of my hubby's favorite road trip places. Super sarap dito. Thanks for sharing! 

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  12. Now, I miss home. I have to agree that there have been a lot of changes in Tagaytay(per your comment reply to Josie)...it's not as foggy as it was 25 years ago, not as cold that one should wear a windbreaker and there are surely a lot of restaurants and other developed lands than before...still it is as charming as it was then though...would never tire going back....because I live 15 minutes from there. :)

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  13. Surely Ness! =)

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  14. The changes are of a good thing naman as it helps attract more visitors to Tagaytay. It has become the hip 'n happening place as well for yuppies at night, since it already hosts a strip of food/bar establishments. It's still really cold especially at night, so it hasn't lost it's charm for the windbreakers yet. =D I actually missed it too bigla because of your reply, Chan. =)

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  15. I have been there I think 10 years ago ant it was still chilly. I am curious to see the changes that has happened here

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  16. Where are you from, Jade? Why not go on a road trip soon? =)

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  17. di p ako nakapuntang Tagaytay.. ;(

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  18. Taga-saan ka ba Gagay? =)

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  19. very nice post., detalyado.  I want to try the Mushroom Burger in Tagaytay, if makabalik kami don ulit 

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  20. go Levy! Although I'm really not a fan of Mushroom Burger. But if you're nearby, there's a branch in west avenue, quezon city. =)

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  21. would love to experience cable car ride...cool..
    hayss...

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  22. Hey! I didn't try this ride in Tagaytay. It didn't look secure kasi.

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  23. Taal Volcano tour package for as low as php 1,100/ person (minimun of 6 person and above only )

    PACKAGE INCLUSION:
    1.motorized out trigger boat ( round trip )
    2.horse back riding with personal assistant ( round trip )
    3.free use of life vest
    4.local tour guide
    5.tourism entrance fee
    6.face mask
    7.buli hat
    8.parking fee
    9.mineral water
    10. fresh buko juice

    NOTE: CAR TRANSFER FROM HOTEL TO TAAL VOLCANO ARE NOT INCLUDED..

    Php 6,000 ................. 10 hrs CAR Rental (MANILA TO TAAL)
    inclusion of the ff:
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    plus a side trip to tagaytay tourist spots ( personal accnt )

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  24. Good info. Lucky me I found your site by accident (stumbleupon).
    I have saved as a favorite for later!

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