How to get to Tagaytay

Getting to Tagaytay via public transportation is easy. Here's the commuting route we took when we went to Tagaytay for our Taal Volcano trekking adventure:

• ride a bus to Araneta Center Bus Terminal, behind Shopwise, in Cubao, Quezon City (tell the conductor/driver to drop you off at Farmer's Market)
• at the terminal, look for the San Agustin bus with Mendez-Tagaytay signboard (the fare is Php114 - we asked the conductor to drop us off at Mendez Crossing/Junction, near the place we stayed at)

The Mendez-Tagaytay bus traverses Coastal Road and Aguinaldo Highway so we had to endure a 3-hour bus ride. It's better to ride  a bus to Nasugbu or Balayan to Tagaytay because travel time only takes 1.5 hours on the average. 

Before hopping on any bus, always check with the driver/conductor if it will pass by your desired destination.

Taal Volcano trekking - not horseback riding!

The Taal Volcano Crater Lake and the tiny island of Vulcan Point.

The weekend getaway plan to travel 10 hours via the Bicol Express train to Naga  and explore the city was replaced with a three hour bus ride to one of the nearest (to Manila) and most favorite escape place of city dwellers - Tagaytay City. We were not going to Tagaytay just to admire the beauty of the Taal Volcano in a distance, our mind was set on seeing the world's "largest island in a lake on an island in a lake" and the "largest lake on an island in a lake on an island".

The plan changed just a day before the actual trip when I learned that train tickets to Naga should be reserved at least two weeks in advance (what were we thinking?!? Getting a train ticket to Naga is not like taking an MRT or LRT ride).

Moving on, we were lucky to get a room in a nice old house overlooking Taal Lake. One of my friends who joined this trip have stayed there about a year ago and recommended the place. The room was big enough for the four of us; it has a queen sized bed, an extra mattress, bathroom (no hot showers) and a great view of Taal Volcano and Lake. For Php1500 a night, it was a bargain considering that we stayed there during a long weekend.

The view from our room as the sun rises.

Backpacking in Coron: the town and Maquinit Hot Springs (Day 1)

After weeks of itinerary planning, PinayOnFoot and her family finally set foot in Busuanga Airport.

Actual Itinerary - Day 1, Coron town and Maquinit Hot Springs

1410H – arrived in Busuanga Airport

1420H – left the airport

1455H – arrived in Seadive Resort, coffee break, sightseeing and town tour

1645H – left the harbour

1710H – arrived in Maquinit Hot Springs

1805H – left the hot springs

1830H – arrived in Harbour Center

At the arrival area, guests are asked to fill out a short survey form about
their visit in Coron. The tourism information desk has plenty of brochures
and maps. Make sure to get copies especially if you haven’t made
any arrangements prior to your arrival.

Commuting from the airport to Coron town is easy since shuttle service (van) is available at the parking lot of the airport. Travel time takes an average of 30 minutes (I should know because we took that road not only twice but six times!). The fare is Php150 per person per way.

The view on the way to Coron town. Cows are often seen feeding in
these green pastures. (According to our driver, the grass in this
area is from New Zealand).

Airport transfers can also be arranged by your chosen accommodation. We didn't plan on having it arranged since we knew that commuting to Coron town requires very little effort but the helpful receptionist from Busuanga Seadive Resort, the place where we stayed, offered to arrange our airport transfers at the same rate. =) 

First time flyer

Stiff neck. It is one of the consequences of flying for the first time, in addition to countless aerial photos (and videos) of the land, sea, and of course, the clouds.

I think all first time flyers, especially those who are not seated by the window, suffer from stiff neck after the flight due to excessive cranking of their necks to get a better of view of the world below. Can you blame us for being fascinated with these views?

My first airplane ride took me to Busuanga Island, Palawan,
the gateway to the enchanting islands of the Calamianes.

Regional trade fair showcases the pride and beauty of Bicol

PinayOnFoot is preparing an itinerary for her Albay trip on November; yesterday's visit (for business) to SM Megamall proved to be a perfect timing when she saw this...

OKB-Gayon Bicol 2011 Trade Fair

OKB-Gayon Bicol 2011, a regional trade fair now on its fifteenth year, features Bicol's the tourist destinations, arts, crafts, cuisine and culture. OKB or Orgulyop Kan Bicol means pride of Bicol, while Gayon is short for magayon which means beautiful.