Tagaytay: A Diary

By Kathy M. Villalon

Taal. Considered as the town and lake with a volcano for a heart, it hosts one of the most beautiful works of nature, the Taal Volcano. This is a much sought-after place especially by people from Manila who want to get away from the hustle, bustle and stress of city life.

My vacation to Tagaytay recently is something worth remembering. Sixty kilometers southwest of Manila, Tagaytay Ridge is just an hour and a half bus ride from the city. For the budget traveler, aircon buses are also very reasonable at only P45.00. The bus will bring you to the NBI building from where you can take a tricycle towards Taal Vista Lodge, where the famous volcano can be seen.

Once at Taal Vista Lodge, you can enjoy the sight of this pristine beauty in a balcony filled with a lush and manicured lawn while enjoying the taste of our country's famous coconut juice. From here, the beautiful yet considered to be one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world, looks quiet and is surrounded by calm and serene lake waters. One can also see Taal town which is situated near the foot of the volcano.

For those who are more adventurous, you can hire a boat for P2,000 with minimum of five persons to reach the volcano's foot. There you can trek higher and enjoy certain activities like horseback riding for only P300.00 an hour. You'd be fascinated by how the horse boys call their horses with famous Philippine starlets' names.

Tagaytay is also home to another family getaway, the Picnic Grove Complex. From the Taal Visa Lodge, you can take a tricycle for only P40.00 to reach this destination. It is a hilly location with numerous cottages where a group can eat, converse and have fun while enjoying the breathtaking view of Taal Volcano. Here, the volcano's crater can be partially seen. Horses can be rented from here too for only P120.00 an hour.

Another stop worth noting is the People's Park in the Sky. It can also be called as the Palace in the Sky which is located farther from the Picnic Grove Complex. Another tricycle ride worth P40.00 will bring you to this location. It is situated in the highest peak of Tagaytay and is originally owned by the Marcos family. However, the huge mansion is unfinished but tourists will note that this house is indeed made with grandiose plans. From the entrance where you have to pay a minimum entrance fee of P15.00 per person, you need to hike towards the mansion. A reminder somewhere along the way, "Walking is good for your heart" pushes you to go further even if you feel breathless already.

A tall balcony made of stone slabs greets the tourist upon reaching the mansion. There, a statue of Jesus Christ in white stone stands proudly. From the top of this balcony, one can get a more breathtaking view of Taal Volcano, with most its crater completely seen from this location. A cool breeze makes the experience more relaxing and memorable.

So, for your next vacation plans in Manila, don't fail to give time for Tagaytay and its famous Taal Volcano. It's a sight worth seeing.

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