5D4N Getaway to Manila! 马尼拉首旅
June 26, 2017 (Monday)
Taal Volcano (famous for World's Smallest Active Volcano).
Through our rides with GrabCar service, we were able to make friend with one of the drivers, whom he offered us to be our 1-day tour guide. When we asked him for local tour recommendation, he highly recommend us to visit Taal Volcano along the Tagaytay Ridge.
Here's the catch: "An Island within a Lake on an Island within a Lake on an Island". Does it make any sense to you by the first look? Neither do I.
Surely this is a very unique natural geography.
We set off early in the morning, about 8AM. Little did we know, it is advisable to set off as early as 6AM to avoid traffic and to reach Tagaytay. It was about 10AM when we reached the so-called "picnic grove" in Tagaytay.
Before entering into the picnic grove, they would require you to pay entrance fee per head.
Pay your entrance fee and parking fee here (as below).
There are quite a lot of people at this hour. You can see 5~6 stalls on both sides of the pathway.
If you want something exciting, do try out their zip-line sky rider :D It looks fun just by looking.
And they have pony rides available here too!
From this point, we are able to see the famous Taal Volcano from afar. Such a beauty.
Guess these little cottages are just nice as a shelter for picnic during the hot day.
There will be Banca "special boat" owners promoting their service here. After some discussion, we decided to follow a fellow boat owner where he will bring us to cross the Taal Lake to the volcano. It costs about P1,500 for round trip including rental for a cottage.
So our GrabCar driver/tour guide drove us to Talisay (the shore town of the Taal Lake), together with the boat owner, passing through a narrow zigzag road all the way down.
Before we are all set for departure, they made us to sign an indemnity letter (sounds scary but it's to protect both parties, I guess).
The boat ride takes about 30 minutes. Make sure to wear your life jacket! Sit back and enjoy the scenery.
This is my first time seeing black sands (opss no photo). Due to hot weather, literally the sun is just right above our heads... we decided not to do horse riding. Basically that's just wrong timing (meh) :/
So if you're going to enter the island and do horse-back riding, you have to pay another extra P50 ~ P100 per person.
Due to much misunderstanding and miscommunication, we were very much disappointed on this particular visit. At first, we were told to pay a certain fee to the boat owner, which includes all the expenses with no hidden charges, and yet we were still told to pay extra fee along the way.
Hence, for first-timer, I strongly recommend you to either join a tour or do extra "homework" before coming here (to avoid hassle and disappointment).
All set? Let's return to the mainland.
Jollibee (famous for fried chicken).
Bet all the children (and adults) are smiling now :)
When you think of fried chicken, you will think of Jollibee in Philippines. It is very much popular here. Definitely a must-try!
We ordered their value set meal for P99.
New product - Garlic & Cheese fries for P65! (teehee)
Personally, I think their fried chicken tastes slightly sweeter rather than savory. I enjoy mixing their mushroom gravy with rice, a perfect combination.
Fries and ice-cream float. I'm happy as a kid!
-stay tuned for more!-
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