Casita del Rose: Tagaytay

Showing posts with label Tagaytay. Show all posts

Reptiland Adventure is located at Alfonso, Cavite--a town near the hills of Tagaytay. Driving to Reptiland takes about 30mins from rotunda with moderate traffic. We saw the signage while on our way to Gingerbread house and decided that it could be a fun place to visit; what with dinosaur statues dotting the area. My boys love dinosaur, especially France. He’ll like it.

So, after our time at Gingerbread house—read all about it here, we turn the car around and headed to Reptiland Adventure. It was late in the afternoon then. About 4PM and I was hesitant if they would allow us inside the park.

Entrance fee posted is P300 per head, which is high considering that we would only have a few hours inside the park and we’re a party of four. The attendant saw my hesitation and decided to offer me a discount--P1000 for us four. Money exchanged hands and I saw her going on radio and advising whoever is inside the park that guests are coming.

Props at the entrance look well-made and that got me a bit excited. Plus, we’re hearing jungle noises, ala Jurassic Park.

So we ventured inside, walk the winding path and trek down the hill to look for reptiles.

Sadly, the only reptile they have that might still be alive is a phython. Curled on itself and looking dead or at least very annoyed. Not even a house lizard on site! Just that one python!

But they do have this impressive life-size props of famous Disney characters and super heroes.

They also have cool animatronics. The sound, movement and how it was made was on point.

They look like props on a movie set. Selfie time.

We wonder around some more looking for other exhibit they might have and came across this hanging bridge.

There’s a horseback ride, using a single dour looking pony. Price of which is not included on the entrance fee.

This giant bike is nice.

There's also a butterfly sanctuary, but we can’t find the entrance too it, nor do we see any butterfly from the outside.

Lastly, we saw this huge playground with faux-grass carpeting.

There’s a very nice mural of popular anime characters on the side that got our attention.

This is where the kids had a blast, literally rolling down the hill, running around and just being a kid.

Dean tried to do the same stunt, cause why not?

Travel Date: December 2017

Gingerbread House, located at Alfonso, Cavite is a side trip that you can add to your Tagaytay itinerary. The place is about 30mins away from the rotunda and can be reached thru the Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway. Just make a right turn at Alilio drive and follow the signage that dotted the roads. Here’s a reference shot taken from Google Streetview.

If you are commuting from Manila, take either the Tagaytay-Nasugbu or Tagaytay-Balayan bus and alight at Barangay Upli. Then, take a trike all the way to Gingerbread House.

Jeepneys going to Balayan are also available from the rotunda.

Entrance fee is P50 per head, while babies and toddlers are free. Parking space is also available for those bringing their car.

Kids and kids at heart would be delighted to roam around the place and take pictures at various settings.

Tiny house

Swings

Make sure your photos are properly framed.

There’s a fish spa for tired feet at P50 for 15minutes.

The big house is actually a restaurant where they serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. We didn’t try to eat since the place is packed and we just had a late lunch.

A colleague mentioned that they also sell breads and cookies at the place; however, when we arrived there’s nothing on the glass shelves. Maybe they’re that good, that people already bought them all?

The place is open daily from 8:00AM to 6:00PM. So if you’re looking for a different place to have breakfast or snack, try the Gingerbread House.

Travel Date: December 2017

On a sunny Saturday afternoon I’ve brought the family to Nuvali Park at Sta. Rosa, Laguna after checking in our guest at Casita del Rose Tagaytay. The day started pretty early.

First agenda was lunch at Mahogany Market—the best place for that Tagaytay Bulalo experience. An order of Bulalo is about P350 and is good for 4-5 persons. They're priced the same on all eateries, so sit anywhere you fancy. We always go to Kristal's stall. Try their Sizzling Sisig--yummy! Surprisingly, the kids loved the fried Tawilis. They're small fishes caught from Taal Lake, sun-dried and fried. Unlike tuyo, tawilis are smaller and aren't salty.

Then, straight to Casita del Rose for re-stock and to check in a guest. It was jam-packed. Plenty of guests staying since it’s a weekend and temperature is starting to rise. After the check-in, we drive straight for Nuvali Park in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

Nuvali is a mix-community developed by Ayala, that boast as the country’s first and largest eco-city development. There are shops and leisure activities to be had, that doesn’t bust your wallet.

We let the kids feed the hundreds of Koi all clamoring to get a morsel. I never saw these many Koi in my life. Fish feeds are available at the booth near the boardwalk for P20 a pack.

We also did the boat tour or Water Taxi as they are called; because why not? It’s P40 per pax and lasted for less than 5minutes, but totally enjoyable for the kids. The boat laps around the lake, which serves as a catchment for storm water run-off and a reservoir.

We’re hoping to do biking but sadly, it’s on the other end of the lake and it’s late. Maybe next time.

Nuvali is fairly easy to reach. From Tagaytay, take the Tagaytay-Sta. Rosa road. It’s a straight path to Nuvali. You know you’re in Sta. Rosa when you see the big S&R warehouse mall. Turn right on the intersection and the park and lake will be on your left.

If you’re coming from the metro, take the SLEX and exit at Sta Rosa. Make a right turn to head to Nuvali. It’s just a few meters after Paseo de Sta. Rosa.

There are plenty of parking spots and they are free. There’s also no entrance fee going to the boardwalk area. The booth for the fish feed and Water Taxi is in front of Starbucks. I would suggest buying a ticket for the Water Taxi as soon as you arrive, since there’s a line especially on weekends. You’ll be given a number and will be called once it’s your parties turn to ride. Feed the fish while waiting. It’s relaxing.

Add Mahogany Market and Nuvali to your Tagaytay weekend trip. For more activities in Nuvali, check out these blogs.

Photo courtesy of Nuvali

On our way back from Eagle's Point Resort, Batangas, we chose to take the Taal-Lemery road via Papaya Road (Diokno Highway) which pass by Fantasy World, to go up to Tagaytay. We didn't know that the bridge leading to Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway was closed for repair due to typhoon Glenda which hit the Philippines back in 2014. Yes, 3 years later, it's still on-going repair.

We had to double back and take Laurel Road, which was a 24km highway along Taal Lake. The view was gorgeous, plus, road trip!

We're all over the map!

On our way to Tagaytay via the twisting and turning road of Ligaya Drive, we saw this new development by Filinvest. It's named Laeuna de Taal. I'm not interested in buying a lot on this property, cause I'm pretty sure it would be 'bongga' in price.

What I would share was the grand view of Taal Lake and volcano offered by Laeuna's lay-by. Like all private vehicles going up to Tagaytay, we parked our vehicle on the shoulder road and jogged to the other side.

Here's the kids backed by Taal Lake and volcano. Laeuna even had a guard posted on the area to keep the tourists safe, man the traffic and the gate of the development.

Then, there's a sorbetes vendor here. Dirty ice cream! A bit pricey, since a cone costs P20. But, given the steep road that Mr. Sorbetes had to navigate to ply his ware. Sulit!

So, on your next Tagaytay trip. Drop by Ligaya drive and have an ice cream at the Laeuna de Taal Lay-by.

Read part 1 here.
Read part 2 here.

Travel Date: August 2017

Photo Courtesy of:
Laeuna de Taal by Filinvest

Recently I've been racking my brains on what to write.
Writer's block! Alert! Alert! Alert!

I want it to be meaningful and something that had to do with either Airbnb or Tagaytay. And so, I've been busy joining Facebook groups and chat rooms about Airbnb hosting; and boy was it fun.

I've learned so much both from newbie and expert host from all over the world. Most of them are from the other side of the globe, and did I notice the lovely similarities between us hosts. As for the guests? They're another creature entirely different. As different as where each came from.

But enough about that. The things I've learned and still learning from them are for another entry.

For today, I'm sharing something that I should have done, but too lazy to do. Good thing there's Tagaytay Tourism Council and the awesome website they've recently launched. I'm talking about the Where to go in Tagaytay website! I has what you need to know about where to go and what to do in Tagaytay, with awesome pictures and little snippets of the story behind the place.

It has everything Tagaytay! Well, maybe not everything, since I didn't see the list of beautiful condo's dotting Tagaytay's skyline on the Where to Invest page.

They called Tagaytay as the wedding capital of the Philippines and I guess it does fit the bill. There are so many places in Tagaytay with stunning view of nature, plus with the cool breeze, it would make any wedding seem magical. See here for their list of wedding venues.

Then there's also tour packages of the Taal Lake and volcano trek that can be availed right on the site. Isn't that awesome?

There are different type of tours offered depending on the level of your adventurism and deepness of your pocket; with tour price starting at P1,499 per person, for a minimum of 6 persons or $30! Now, that's some deal.

For the complete packages and inclusions, visit their Tours page.

Photo Credit: Where to go in Tagaytay

I'm not sure if I'm lucky, or maybe the system is rigged?! Because, just after a few hours of listing my site at Airbnb, I already had two inquiries for a one-night weekend stay. But I'm not complaining.

Maybe it's the place?

Taal Lake

Tagaytay is a known tourist spot and it tends to draw the crowds during the love-month. Not only to celebrate Valentines day, but to also feel the cold Northeast wind (Amihan). Considering that Tagaytay is only an hour or two drive from the Metro--and that's already including the traffic.

So there I am, on a Saturday, driving my way to Tagaytay to meet Casita del Rose' first guests, feeling both excited and apprehensive.

Will they find the place up to their standards? Will the pictures do it justice?

More importantly, will my place still be intact after the first night?

Luckily, I arrived at the place an hour before my stated check in time of 3PM. So, I did some last minute sprucing and checking. Making sure that the place looks and smells nice.

By 2:30pm, I'm already at the lobby waiting for my guests.

We did a friendly--albeit shy--meeting and key exchange. Then I bid them a nice vacation, which I'm sure they will have.

After 4 months of planning and execution, we’ve finally listed our very first condo unit in Airbnb. We’re noob on this venture. Learning from other people’s post in the internet and hoping for the best.

I and my husband am seasoned traveler, if you count that we travel out-of-town or out-of-the-country at least once a year. And no, it’s not to a new country per year. We’re limited to the country of his work host. But we at least have a good sense and idea of what a cozy room should like and what level of service are expected.

So without further words and commentaries, we’re giving you a glimpse – and an invite to try Casita del Rose in the lovely city of Tagaytay.

Casita del Rose - double bed

Take the time to unwind in a place a few hours’ drive from the Metro. Feel the cold February weather. Relax at the shabby chic inspired room. Be a romantic and treat your wife or girlfriend to a weekend get-away with wine.

Casita del Rose is located at the 17^th floor of the Cityland Tagaytay Prime Residences building, near Olivarez College. Just before the Tagaytay Rotunda. It's a ~25sq-m one-bedroom unit with a double bed and lounge sofa that can accommodate four persons. There's air conditioning (for summer nights), a heated over-head rain shower, a mini two-door ref, microwave oven and induction cooker.