PICNIC GROVE (TAGAYTAY CITY)

I have been to Tagaytay City for a number of times since 1993 for leisure tours and seminars/retreats but it was only this time that I spent the whole day at the Picnic Grove just to unwind together with a friend. In my previous tour to this majestic destination, I used to hop from one point to another and compressed my time for a day tour or two to include: Palace in the Sky or People's Park, the Pink Sisters Convent, Tagaytay Highlands, Club Balai Isabel, Picnic Grove and some other parts of this cool city. But this time, I just stayed in one place for the whole day, that is, at the Picnic Grove.



You may wonder, how I spent the whole day in this park. Of course, there are so many activities that one can engage with in the park like: the Eco-Trail, Hanging Bridge, Zipline and Cable car, horse back riding, fish spa and the viewdeck itself offers an amazing scenery.



Of course, I did not ride in the zipline and cable car nor engaged myself in horseback riding. I find it less exciting. I stayed more time at the viewdeck and took with us some food while I was at one of the picnic huts which we rented. If one intends to stay overnight in the park, there is a hostel to accommodate guests at affordable rates.

The following information may help you to budget your visit to this cool place:

Park Entrance Fee - P50 per head (4 years old and above)

Parking Fees:

P50 - cars/jeepney/van/coaster
P100 - bus

Horseback riding is at P200 for one hour

Zipline and Cable Car rates:

One-way

P200 - Weekdays
P300 - Weekends

Two-way

P300 - Weekdays
P400 - Weekends

Cottage Rentals:

Tables - P100
Picnic Huts - P150
Family Sheds - P300
Pavilion - P500

The viewdeck can be rented for P2,500 for any function.

The park is maintained by the Local Government of Tagaytay and for more information, you may contact them at their telefax (046) 4830346.

TAGAYTAY-CALERUEGA TOUR

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.