Marikina City Tour

I phoned work today and was told that I don't have to go to work.  My boss moved my day off from Weds to Monday.  Nice huh?  It feels like I went on a long holiday.  I was planning to visit the Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite but unfortunately, the Shrine is closed for viewing on Mondays.  My second option was Pan de Amerika in Katipunan but Ruzelle hate it so much I had to put off the plans for now.  Marikina Shoe Museum came to mind, I did a little research and off I went.

Imelda Marcos brand shoes.

 Marikina Shoe Museum

Marikina Shoe Museum(Museo ng Sapatos) housed 300 of the shoes generously donated by the former first lady Imelda Marcos.  She had shoes from Ungaro, Christian Dior, Chanel, Charles Jourdan, Rustan's Lady and I'm assuming her made to order shoes.  One thing in common though, they're very classic in design and colourful.  I actually saw Imelda years ago shopping in Glorietta for shoes.  I was on the same boutique as her, a filo brand.  I remember her trying on one sandals and buying the same style in 5 different colours.  Very Imeldific.  :)

Here's how I got to Marikina Shoe Museum:

I got off at Santolan LRT Station, took a jeep to Ligaya and another jeep to Marikina.  Take a trike to Marikina Shoe Museum.  It's across the Our Lady of the Abandoned Parish.  Most trike driver's don't know the place so just say OLA. :)

OLA

The bike lane makes me wanna live in the city.

They have bikes and motorbikes parking too.  

The marikenos are very magalang and accommodating.  Really enjoyed my short stay of the city.

-originally written on missailema.blogspot.com-

Antipolo Day Tour

I know, it's only been weeks since I last went on an out of town trip but I'm itching to go out again.  I had enough of Manila, I had enough of shopping centers.  I want something different, go somewhere which I haven't been or revisit a place that I've been.  I just wanna be away...

It was very easy to convince Divine to go on a trip.  I told her my plans and when I wanna go and off we went to Antipolo.  

Crescent Moon Cafe:

I don't know where I found this cafe.  I am assuming that I came across this place whilst looking for review on Moon Garden.  I read lots of positive reviews and I was curious about their pottery sold by the kilos.  To put it lightly, I was disappointed with my whole experience.  Lunch is served from 12-2PM, my friend and I arrived at half past(with confirmed booking) and when we walked in into the cafe, everyone looked at us.  We were uncomfortable from the minute we walked in.  We can't find our seats either no scratch that, there weren't any reserved table for us.  The waiter had to borrow seats from neighbouring table.  Although the staffs were very nice, our whole Crescent Moon Cafe experienced was ruined.  Divine and I can't wait to get away from the place.

Two must do things at Crescent Moon Cafe - Eat Suman With Mango and Feed the Fishes.  I screamed the first time the fish touched my hand.  :P

BTW, going to Crescent Moon Cafe by commuting is difficult.  Most of the tricycle drivers that we asked have not heard of the place.  It is handy to bring a printed map or get yourself familiar with the landmarks.  It only cost 40PHP from Antipolo Church to Crescent Moon.

Callos Resort and Spa:

I had a bad feeling when I asked the driver to take us to Callos Spa and he don't know where it is.  My rationale is, if the place isn't famous then it must not be good.  I was right.  We were supposed to get the affordable massage but Thank God we changed our mind to an hour combination massage instead.  We saved an hour and 250PHP.  My friend and I were completely ripped off.  We were given a 40 minute mediocre massage.  Our attendants left, started chatting and only went back when they heard Divine and I laughing and told us that our time's up.  I can't believe that they had the nerve to gave us their tip envelops.  Divine told me that her massage was so bad she felt like she was gonna die.  Mine's very bitin and minadali. I will not trust the power of DSLR from now on.  :P

Antipolo Cathedral:

How to go to Antipolo?

Going to Antipolo by commuting is easy and cheap.  From North MRT Station, take the MRT to Cubao and change to LRT to Santolan.  From Santolan LRT take the FX or Jeep to Antipolo Cathedral.  Both ways costed less than 100PHP.

Tagaytay City

Because of my tight schedule, Luke and I wasn't able to make plans on his last holiday in the Philippines.  When I as unemployed, Luke and I would always go to different countries for 2 weeks at a time.  It was one of my happiest memories with him as I get to see him every 8 weeks then.

To be honest, Luke and I are running out of places in the Philippines to go.  We've been to most of the popular places.  When I came across a coupon on deal grocer on an accommodation to Tagaytay, I immediately bought it and told Luke that we were staying in Tagaytay.  

Taal Lake and Volcano on the background.  Luke was disappointed with the state of picnic grove.

Olivarez Plaza.

T House Tagaytay:

The Room:


We were placed in the Water Room.  To be honest, Luke and I are disappointed with the size of the room.  The size of the bed is just enough for me and Luke bearing in mind that my boyfriend is 6 feet in height.  The toilet is tastefully done in proportion to its size.  Yummy smelling Ilog Maria toiletries.  I love the strong shower.  There is no safe but there is cable TV and telephone in the room.  


On our stay, we found spider crawling in the wall. 

The Spa:


The spa is simple.  Each massage table is separated with curtains.  There is nothing special with the massage.  I can get that massage in any salons in Manila.  I think it's expensive for what it is.  There is a "quiet zone" policy but that will still depend on the group of people in the spa.  We didn't get our quiet time.  


The Food:


You can never go wrong with their food.  The turon(banana fritters) is to die for.  Luke and I wanted to order turon for breakfast the next day.  It was that good.


How to go to T-House Tagaytay commuting?


From Manila, take the Tagaytay bus from the bus station near EDSA Taft MRT Station.  Ask the driver to drop you at Rotonda.  Get into a tricycle and ask the driver to take you to T-House Tagaytay.  Not all drivers know T-House though so just say, it's beside of Ina ng Laging Saklolo Church.

If you are booking a trip to T House Tagaytay please go to this link - http://thousetagaytay.com/

Moon Garden Tagaytay:

Cost:  


2990PHP per casitas per night for 2 with free breakfast.  Definitely money's worth.


The Room:

If you like modern, then don't consider staying at Moon Garden.  The room has a good shabby feel to it.  The bed is massive so is the shower and toilet.  The toilet is behind the bed.  There is no door separating the toilet and the room though, just two curtains on each side.  I don't recommend this to people who just start dating.  To put it lightly, you can hear what your partner is doing in the toilet.

The photo below hopefully will explain "the toilet behind the bed and the curtains on each side".

It is very peaceful at night with symphony of insect sounds.  If you hate insect sound then scratch this place from your list.  I have to admit, it's a little creepy but it adds authentic feel to the theme of the place.

There are no safes or telephones in the room.  You have to text the caretaker on whatever needs you have.  The last food order is 7PM.  

The Food:

I would shy away from ordering burger from the menu.  Luke was very much disappointed with the size.  The free breakfast was not to be missed though.  Everything tasted fresh and nice.  It was truly special.

Dinner at the room.  Please ask ate to clear the table to avoid ant infestation. 

The Staff:

The staff is very helpful and courteous.  They leave you in peace once they do what needed to be done.  :)

Final Note:

If you want to go on a mini holiday away from people, definitely this is the place to go.  It is very quiet.  The downside though, there are no restaurants in the area so you have to either eat out or order in.  There is a bit difficulty in finding tricycle though. 

How to go to Moon Garden Tagaytay?


From Tagaytay Rotonda, take the trike and ask the driver to take you to Moon Garden Tagaytay.  If the driver doesn't know where it is, tell him to turn left from Estancia Hotel then straight to the SVD Road.  You'll see signs pointing to Moon Garden Tagaytay.

How to go to Tagaytay:

Exit EDSA LRT or Taft MRT Station.  Go to the bus station beside Mc Donald's.  Fare from EDSA LRT to Tagaytay Rotonda costs PHP 78.  Tagaytay Rotonda to EDSA LRT costs between PHP 78 - PHP 82(in our case) depends on the bus company.  

For people wanting to travel to Picnic Grove:

I suggest you take a tricycle.  There are abundance of tricycle in the city so finding one won't be a problem.

We paid PHP 60 and PHP 50 each for entrance.  So I assume that travelling from Tagaytay Rotonda to Picnic Grove won't cost more than that.  You can also take a jeep from Rotonda.  It's 8PHP each.

An extra PHP 200-300 is needed for people who wants to try the Zip line.  It wasn't thrilling as Go Ape but I think it is still worth the experience especially for people who are very scared of dying and heights.

For people wanting to travel to People's Park in the Sky:

We paid another PHP 60 from Picnic Grove to People's Park in the Sky and PHP 15 each for the entrance.  We took the tricycle.

For people who can't be bothered to walk up the park, there is a jeepney for rent for PHP 40 as I remember.  This isn't necessary unless you are terribly unfit.  The view on top is unbelievable.  

From People's Park in the Sky to Tagaytay Rotonda:

It just make sense that we have to pay PHP 120 for the trip via tricycle as we paid that much on our way there.  

FOOD:

There are a lot of restaurants in Tagaytay Rotonda.  If you are travelling on a budget, I suggest you buy food there.    BTW,  Cottages don't come free but if you sit under the tree(just like we did), noone will obliged you to pay.  I repeat, NOONE.  :-P  

NB:

It will cost you PHP 700 for the day if you ride the Zipline.  We didn't.