Fantasy World: Still Remains a Fantasy

We passed by Fantasy World on our way to Tagaytay from Lemery, Batangas after the Feedmix medical mission in San Nicolas, Batangas. Upon seeing this unique structure, we did not let the opportunity to take its picture pass us by. We parked along the highway and were welcomed by a throng of vendors lined along the road coaxing tourists to buy their goods. 

Kid Activity: Swimming at Tagaytay Haven Hotel

The main reason we chose to stay at Tagaytay Haven Hotel Mendez was because of their covered pool. One of the purpose of our out-of-town trip was for the kids to go swimming before summer officially ended, hence the planned beach getaway.

The hotel's covered swimming pool is located at the basement, the same level as the carpark, and is accessible from the lobby/reception area via a staircase. There is an entrance fee of Php100 per head paid at the reception area, which is already good for the whole day. A door is separating the swimming pool from the carpark, which opens at 9am and closes at 10pm. Sometimes, if the lifeguard is still available, they extend the swimming hours up until 12 midnight, mostly during weekends.

Eway's Grill: Tagaytay Restaurants

For our last night in Tagaytay, we decided to try out the restaurant Eway's Grill, located very near the Tagaytay Haven Hotel. According to the locals, this is a relatively new restaurant that had just opened a few months back.

Sky Eye of Sky Fun at Sky Ranch Tagaytay

After our buffet breakfast, courtesy of the Tagaytay Haven Hotel, we went to Sky Ranch to try out the Sky Eye of Sky Fun Amusement Park. Now that's a lot of skies that it's quite confusing, I know. Sky Fun is the name of the amusement park located inside Sky Ranch Tagaytay, which is a leisure park located beside Taal Vista. The Sky Eye is currently claimed to be the country's tallest ferris wheel at 207 feet, surpassing MOA Eye's 180 feet height. It has 32 air-conditioned gondolas presenting guests with a breathtaking view of Taal at over 2,000 feet.

Dinner at Diner's Café: Tagaytay Restaurants

It started raining as soon as we left the hotel to have our dinner at Diner's Café. For us, this is the best place to try bulalo in Tagaytay. It's been more than 5 years the last time we've been here that the place looked quite different from what I remember (the old place looked carinderia-like, but this one looked like an improved canteen). I'm not sure whether they actually transferred to a new location or they just had the restaurant renovated.

Gumbo - A Taste of New Orleans: Gateway Restaurants

For our fifth year wedding anniversary, hubby surprised me with a lunch reservation at Gumbo Gateway Mall. It's my first time to dine here and I honestly didn't know what to expect. We were greeted at the entrance by waitresses wearing fancy headdresses, more like fascinators actually.

Lunch at Mahogany Market: Tagaytay Budget Eats

From the Picnic Grove, we then went to Mahogany Market for a budget lunch. Mahogany Market is actually famous for the numerous food stalls to the side across the main market, serving beef bone marrow soup or bulalo at a more affordable price compared to the restaurants located along the highway. Here, you are assured that the meat and ingredients used are fresh since they are located just right across the market. They also serve exotic dishes such bull testicles, tripe and intestines as local delicacies.

The Picnic Grove: Budget Place to Hang Out in Tagaytay

The Picnic Grove Tour

From Maryridge Good Shepherd, we next went to the nearby Picnic Grove. This is a very famous place in Tagaytay that boasts of spectacular view of Taal, with minimal entrance fee. We initially planned to have our packed breakfast here, but since we already did, we just roamed around the picnic grounds.

Breakfast at Maryridge Good Shepherd Sisters' Bahay Pastulan

Day 1: Tagaytay 

For the first day of our 3 days, 2 nights Tagaytay-Nasugbu vacation, hubby and the kids fetched me from the office so we can head directly to Tagaytay City. We reached Tagaytay at around 7am, and thinking it was too early to enter Picnic Grove, we decided to drive around and chanced upon the Good Shepherd signage. Hubby said he wanted to buy his favorite ube jam, so we decided to have our breakfast there as well.

Tagaytay Weekend Getaway: Summary of Expenses

Here's a summary of the expenses we incurred during our technically 2 days/2 nights stay in Tagaytay. I have included all items here, since we were not able to purchase pasalubongs to bring home to our loved ones. Hope this helps you in planning your own Tagaytay trip!

Tagaytay-Nasugbu Weekend Getaway: Itinerary

For our wedding anniversary celebration, hubby and I planned on taking the whole family off, with yayas included, to an out-of-town trip. We initially planned for a weekend in Baguio, but with the two kids clamoring to be taken to a beach, we discarded the idea and opted to go instead to Tagaytay and the nearby beaches of Nasugbu, Batangas. Here was our original itinerary:

Visita Iglesia: Immaculate Conception Cathedral

From Christ the King Seminary Chapel, we then went to Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Cubao. I've always wanted to go inside this church whenever we would pass by Lantana St. It was kind of funny that it was my first time to enter this church, considering the fact that we just live within Cubao area.

Visita Iglesia: Garden and Shrine of Jesus, the Divine Word (formerly Christ the King Seminary Chapel)

Christ the King Seminary Chapel

After visiting Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Shrine, we proceeded to the next church on our Visita Iglesia list, Christ the King Seminary Chapel, now known as Shrine of Jesus, the Divine Word.

Visita Iglesia: Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Shrine

Early morning of Good Friday, March 29, 2013, we piled inside Tara (our nickname for the Suzuki Vitara) and drove to our first church for the Visita Iglesia, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Shrine. As what can be expected during Holy Week, there were lots of people visiting churches around the metro and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Shrine is no exception.

Visita Iglesia: 3 out of 7 Churches for the 2013 Holy Week

Yes, I know it's 2 weeks late, but I've been awfully busy with work hence the delayed post. But as the saying goes, it's better late than never. So here's our experience going around the nearest churches in our part of Quezon City for the 2013 Holy Week.

Day Trip: Corregidor Island tour

The Island of Corregidor

Corregidor, also called the Rock, is a rocky, tadpole-shaped island located at the mouth of Manila Bay. Fort Mills, as it was called by the Americans, is the largest of the four fortified islands forming the harbor defense of Manila Bay. The other three islands that make up the defense are: Caballo, or Fort Hughes; El Fraile, or Fort Drum; and Carabao, or Fort Frank.

Monasterio de Santa Clara: Order of Poor Clares

People go to Monasterio de Santa Clara to pray for good weather and clear skies whenever they have a big event coming up. Think of weddings, birthdays, debuts, school events, you name it, chances are, the celebrants or their representative would come knocking at the monastery's door to offer eggs in petition of fair weather. Not only that, but students who are bound to take their examinations, be it a quarterly one, finals or board exams, also offer a tray of eggs for a clear mind and guidance while answering test questions.

The Gathering Cafe and Tanay Hills Coffee Beanery: Tanay Restaurants

The Gathering Cafe: Tanay Hills Coffee Beanery and Grill House

One early morning, while on our way to visit Our Lady on the Hills at Regina RICA, we passed by this signage that says The Gathering Cafe. With hubby having to fetch me early straight from work, we were quite hungry so we became curious and decided to check it out.

Kid Activity: Morning Jog at Camp Aguinaldo

Physical activity is always good for all ages, especially for children. It offers heaps of benefits such as boosting the immune system, strengthening bones and muscles and enhancing overall physical development. It also helps in improving their psychological well-being such as gaining higher self-esteem and self-confidence.

420 out of 863 Passed the Philippine Physician Licensure Examination for February 2013

 

After three working days from the last day of examination, the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced the results of the Physician (Complete) Licensure Examination last Thursday, February 21, 2013. There were 420 successful examinees out of 863 total takers. The Physician Licensure Examination was given by the Board of Medicine this February 10, 11, 17 and 18 in the cities of Manila and Cebu.

Puerto Princesa Adventures: Summary of Expenses

Here's a table summary of the expenses hubby and I incurred during our 4 days/3 nights Puerto Princesa adventure. I excluded from here items that I thought were not relevant, namely airfare and the stuff we bought for our loved ones at home as pasalubongs. Hope this helps you in planning your own Puerto Princesa adventure!

Honda Bay Tour: Island Hopping and Snorkeling

Day 3: Honda Bay Island Hopping

We were fetched by the van early in the morning for our Honda Bay tour. This was part of the tour that was offered to us by the 3B's agency, which we got for Php1150 each. Standard Honda Bay Island hopping tour currently costs Php1300.

Puerto Princesa City Tour Part 2: Baywalk Park

Day 3: City Tour Part 2

Baywalk Park

After having our merienda of chaolong at Sweet Ambet's, we then walked towards the Baywalk Park. This is Palawan's version of Manila's Baywalk along Roxas Blvd., sans the noise and pollution. This promenade stretches parallel to Malvar St., beside the port area. It has several benches where people can pass their time, peacock-like lamposts with colorful lights and several fish-figure accents lining the bay.

Sweet Ambet's: Puerto Princesa Restaurants

Day 3:  Merienda at Sweet Ambet's

After dropping by Immaculate Conception Cathedral and Plaza Cuartel, we walked around in search for a place where we can eat merienda. We passed by Sweet Ambet's signage and we went in to have a taste of its chaolong.

Puerto Princesa Underground River: Touring Our New7Wonders of Nature



Day 2: Underground River Tour



Stalactite formations, Underground River, Palawan



 

As the Baywalk is just a 5- to 10-minute walk from Aniceto's Pension House, we decided to go jogging at 6am. There, we saw a manong selling taho so we bought some. It was my first time to eat taho with condensed milk on top. It started to rain shortly after so we had to go back, have our breakfast and prepare for our Underground River (UR) tour.



Puerto Princesa City Tour Part 2: Plaza Cuartel

Day 3: City Tour Part 2

Plaza Cuartel


Just across the Immaculate Conception Cathedral is Plaza Cuartel, a very historic place not only for Filipinos, but for Americans as well.

Plaza Cuartel entrance

Puerto Princesa City Tour Part 2: Immaculate Conception Cathedral

Day 3: City Tour Part 2 

Immaculate Conception Cathedral

Since we were not able to finish our City Tour on our first day, we decided to visit the remaining stops ourselves after our Honda Bay Island Hopping tour. Being near Aniceto's Pension House, we started off by walking towards the Immaculate Conception Cathedral. 

KaLui Restaurant: Puerto Princesa Restaurants

 

 Day 3: Dinner at KaLui Restaurant



Behind the gates of KaLui



After our long day of having the Honda Bay Island Hopping tour and Part 2 of the City tour, it was time for dinner. We already called KaLui Restaurant the day before for our 8 pm reservations, their second batch of serving dinner. Their first batch was at 6pm, and we found it too early since we planned on doing the remaining stops of the City tour we had missed that afternoon.

Kinabuchs Grill and Bar: Puerto Princesa Restaurants

Day 2: Dinner at Kinabuchs Grill and Bar

Kinabuchs Bar

We decided to have dinner at Kinabuchs Grill and Bar after our Underground River Tour. This is one of the most famous restaurants in Puerto Princesa, being one of the few restaurants serving crocodile meat and tamilok, a local delicacy. Its name was derived from 2 words: kina (at) and Butch (the name of the owner), literally meaning at Butch's place.

Puerto Princesa City Tour: Mitra's Ranch and the rest

Day 1: Puerto Princesa City Tour

Mitra's Ranch

By the time we were done with the zipline activities at Irawan Eco-Park, it was raining quite heavily so we just breezed through the remaining stops of the City Tour. Our next stop was at the Rancho Sta. Monica or Mitra's Ranch, as it is commonly called. Basically, it's a ranch owned by former Senator Ramon Mitra in the uphill area of Sta. Monica.

Puerto Princessa City Tour: Irawan Eco-Park, Asia's Longest Canopy Zipline

Day 1: Puerto Princesa City Tour

Irawan Eco-Park

  

From Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center, we proceeded to our next stop, the Irawan Eco-Park, home of Asia's Longest Canopy Zipline. The location of the Irawan Eco-Park is not that far from the Crocodile Farm. We first stopped by Hacienda Breboneria, which houses the Irawan Art Cafe and Gallery and also doubles as the ticketing office. Here, we registered and paid Php800 each for the 1.3km Forest Canopy Zipline ride.

Puerto Princesa City Tour: Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center

Day 1: Puerto Princesa City Tour

Kuya Abet, the trike driver who drove us to Aniceto's Pension House, offered to take us around the city for just Php500. The standard City Tour package costs Php600 per trike, good for 3 to 4 people. While with an agency, it's Php600 per person with a van being the mode of transportation. If we were to do a DIY City Tour, we would have to spend Php200 to Php250 each. And since there's only 2 of us doing the City Tour, it's just about the same price so we took his offer.

Aniceto's Pension House: Puerto Princesa Budget Accommodation

After getting our Visitors Entry Permit for the Underground River tour, we then proceeded to our Puerto Princesa budget accommodation of choice, Aniceto's Pension House.

A month before the trip, I already reserved a room here (through email) because of its good feedback as a budget accommodation in Puerto Princesa. As it turned out, Ms. Tess, the proprietress, wasn't able to take note of the reservation because of a PC/email malfunction. They ended up giving us a room reserved by a guest that was to check in the following day.

Securing Visitors Entry Permit at the Underground River Booking Office

Upon our arrival at the Puerto Princesa Airport, we immediately set out to find a trike that would take us to the Underground River Booking Office to obtain Visitors Entry Permit for our Underground River (UR) tour. We followed the tips I read from bloggers and walked a few meters to exit the airport premises before hailing a trike, as this is cheaper, for the regular fare of Php8. We were stopped by a manong while on our way to the exit gate and he offered to take us to our destination for just Php20, saving us Php30 if we were to ride trikes waiting for passengers just outside the airport.

Puerto Princesa Adventures: Itinerary

This post has long been overdue (we did our trip September 2012), but I've been meaning to keep my New Year's resolution of finally starting this blog so here it goes...

I've long been planning a trip to Palawan with my hubby since purchasing 2 round trip tickets bound for Puerto Princesa via Cebu Pacific, courtesy of their Piso Fare promo last January 2012. It's for a 4D/3N stay with must-do activities such as taking the Underground River (UR) tour, Honda Bay island hopping and taking a tour of the city.