Tagaytay Picnic Grove

The drive to Tagaytay is one to two hours by bus. We took a bus from Taft MRT station at the front of Metro Mall via the Coastal Road going to Nasugbu but we dropped off at Olivares Terminal then took a jeep going to Tagaytay Picnic Grove.




It is located in Brgy. Sungay in the east end of Tagaytay City where families can get together to fly kites, kids can run around the green terrain or simply have picnic on the soft grass while watching the panoramic view of the Taal Volcano.





The Picnic Grove is known for its camping sites, eco-adventure trail and horseback riding adventures.







Inside the Picnic Grove, there are a lot of cottages available for rent depending on the size and overlooking the magnificent Taal Volcano, Taal Lake and the coastal towns of Batangas.






You can have a good view of the Taal Volcano at the view deck while enjoying the breeze and taking pictures.







To challenge your stamina, you can proceed to the Tagaytay Picnic Grove Eco-Adventure Trail which takes you to a more exciting view of the Taal Volcano, via a more rigid pathway.






The Eco-Adventure Trail








To the entrance of the Eco-Trail is a hanging bridge made of long connected boardwalks which hangs on top of shrubs and trees.










A new attraction in the Picnic Grove is the Tagaytay Ridge Zip line and the 5 minute Cable Car which is a breathtaking ride of 60km/hr as you fly high on a zip line up to 300 feet off the ground.






Zip lining involves gliding along a suspended steel cable, using a pulley and climbing harness atop a tropical temperate forest. Duration of the ride is approximately 20-30 seconds.






View of the Taal Volcano and Taal Lake from the plane. Taken during my flight from Cebu to Manila.








We also stopped by the souvenir area at the left side of the main entrance where we bought Tagaytay shirts at amazing haggled prices. There were also a lot of other pasalubong stuff at super low prices especially if the saleslady knows that you're a Bisaya too :) . We went back to Manila at around 6pm and the bumper-to-bumper traffic in Cavite was unbelievable. Good thing we were just snoozing in the air conditioned bus.

Olango Island Bird Sanctuary

Olango Bird Sanctuary is so far the largest home to migratory birds found in the Philippines. These birds came from Siberia, Northern China and Japan.






Olango Island is directly in front of Mactan Island, Cebu crossing the Hilutungan Channel. We took a pump boat ride beside Hilton Hotel in Punta Engaño going to Barangay Santa Rosa.






In Santa Rosa port, we took a 'habal-habal' ride going to the marine sanctuary. You can also hire tricycles if you have a big group.






I forgot how much exactly was the entrance fee but it was below P100. A tour guide will then take you around with a state of the art telescope so you can view the birds in long distances.






This is a walkway going to the observatory cottage. It was fun hopping in the stones. The water was also inviting but we were not able to bring any swimwear.






It was high tide when we went there so we were not able to see a lot of birds. This bird has been confiscated by DENR from a local resident. They are not allowed to capture any birds from this protected area.





The birds use Olango as a major refueling station as well as a wintering ground. At Olango, the birds can replenish their fat reserves by feeding on rich supply of marine life in mudflats.






Actually, Olango Island is just their 'transit' station going to their winter vacation destination from Siberia or China to New Zealand and Australia, then back again.






Olango is blessed with marine life - corals, fishes, mangroves.








This is the observatory cottage where we viewed the birds from afar. Also notable is the V-formation of the birds while they are flying.

Malabuyoc, Cebu

The Municipality of Malabuyoc is located 126 kms southwest of Cebu City which is 3 hours away by bus.






It is a 5th class municipality. The place is so rural, it doesn't have any banks, colleges, gasoline stations, pawnshops. The main source of living is farming and fishing. The place is so peaceful.








There are no pension houses or inns in Malabuyoc. But courtesy of our office mate, Christine Creus, we stayed in this mansion, referred to by local people as the 'White House', owned by the most prominent family in Malabuyoc, the Creus clan.






When we arrived, everything was already prepared. From our spacious rooms to the sumptuous meals.







We go around town by riding 'habal-habal' or motorcycles. Other transport means were 'trisikad' and 'tricycle'.







Our first stop was the 'mainit' cold spring.








'Mainit' means hot - i don't know why they gave such name since the water was so cold.







The deepest level was only 4 feet and the water was flowing.







Next stop was the hidden falls known as the 'aransana' falls. We were warned by local people not to make too much noise coz we might disturb the fairies and 'the others' living here. But we can't contain our excitement. I'm sure they will understand that we were just mesmerized by the place.





We trekked the stony path going here. Along the way, there were rock formations and of course, lush greens. The path was kinda hard but it was worth it.






The depth directly below the falls was about 6 feet. The falling water was so therapeutic to the body.







Going back to the 'White House'.. There was a hanging bridge going to a small cottage at the middle of the sea.







The mountains at the background is Negros. Malabuyoc is directly in front of Negros crossing Tañon Strait.







There is also a fish sanctuary nearby. Cruising in the fish sanctuary - the corals and fishes are so visible in the clear waters. This is protected by the local government and absolutely no fishing allowed.

Bantayan Island

We departed at 4am to Santa Fe port since it is 2 hours away from Cebu City. During rush hours, travel time may take up to 4 hours because of the heavy traffic at the Mandaue - Consolacion area.










The ferry ride going to Bantayan Island is only 30 minutes but it may take up to an hour depending on the waiting of other passengers to board the ferry.










Bantayan Island port













Our cottage in Kota Beach Resort













Sugar Palm Beach













Kota Beach Resort - white sands, green waters, blue skies... what more?












Kota Beach resort - the view to the right side of the cottage












Romantic getaway













Green waters, warm climate, sexy ladies :0


















Kayaks for rent at Kota Beach













A vine, covered walk leading to the other side of the plaza












St Peter and Paul Church - Constructed in 1839 and completed in 1893, it is considered as one of the oldest church in the country with walls made of coral stones. It has probably the thickest walls of all the churches in Cebu.















Jesus Christ grotto erected directly in front of the church's entrance

















An old house in town













Rizal monument in the town plaza