This is just a daytrip but it seemed to be exhausting as we woke up before 3:00 A.M. and we left Manila at around 4;30 A.M. near Malacanang Palace boarding Avelina Tan’s 7-seater Avanza. With her were here children: Janina Clare and Leland Robinson. The four of us: Lina Hombrebueno, Judy Aguinaldo, Mona Bayoging and me joined them. The five of us: Avelina, Lina, Mona, Judy and I are batchmates in PNU MA SPED Practicum in P. Burgos Elementary School in Altura, Sta. Mesa, Manila. It was such a very smooth drive early in the morning where we opted to drive thru South Superhighway and an exit in Santa Rosa going to Tagaytay City.
Our first stop was a breakfast in Mushroomburger House in Tagaytay City. Then, we headed down to Taal Lake. It was around 14 kilometers from the Junction. On our way, we had a picture taking in the picturesque view deck in Laeuna de Taal. We proceed to our destination in the majestic and peaceful Casa Balai Isabel just adjacent to the lake shores of Taal Lake. Taal Volcano at this point is very close to our naked eyes. We stayed long on its wharf just adjacent to its poolside for quite a relaxing sunny morning. Then we had a refreshing walk on its vicinity. It was my first time to visit Casa Balai Isabel.
Driving back uphill, we headed to the Picnic Grove to experience the Tagaytay Ridge Zipline. Mona was with me since only the two of us have not experienced yet Zipline. It was not really as exciting as riding a Space Shuttle which is a spine-tingling, eye-popping 11-storey high space shuttle with a roller coaster of a new twist turning us riders upside down six times --- three times forward and three times backward nor as exciting as Anchor’s Away in the Enchanted Kingdom.
We stayed longer in RSM Lutong Bahay Fine Dining Restaurant. It was a sumptuous lunch where a band was serenading us while we were eating. The place was overlooking the hillsides of Tagaytay. After that, we drove to the convent of the Little Souls Sisters, the Order of Little Souls of the Merciful Heart of Jesus located in Little Souls Road, Mahogany Avenue of Tagaytay City for some meditation and prayers. Just opposite to the convent, there was a house selling coconut cream pie and we were attracted to have a free tasting and finally buy some. And the next which followed was to buy fruits in Tagaytay Market.
It was still early and hot in mid afternoon and so we decided to stay in Chateau Royale Sports and Country Club. The rest of us were able to have our nap there. Then, we proceed to scenic Caleruega located in Barangay Kaylaway, Batulao, Nasugbu, Batangas. We were able to see their facilities to include the: Veritas Hall, Gazekubo, Transfiguration Chapel, Catalina Hall, Tomasino Hall, Pahingalayan and Fra Angelico, Kampo Arriba, Tuktok Hall, Plaza de Aza and the majestic church. Indeed, there, I felt I was really in a house of prayer. It was unexpected also that I met there my close friend and fellow member of PNB Mountaineering Club in the name of Connie Vasquez.
We returned back to Tagaytay City and had our road trip there after our dinner. Night life in Tagaytay is as vibrant as Manila. There will be no dull moment for anybody who wishes to stay there. We arrived Manila at around 11:00 P.M.
