Spending a Relaxing Afternoon -- highly recommended

On the last friday of the previous month, I took a one day work leave. I went to Tagaytay with my 5 year old son. We had a simple lunch in Max's (because my son likes the fried chicken). I requested the waiter if we can have a table near the viewdeck. I told him we frequently go to Max's but i want a better view of the volcano. He accommodated my request. We had a spacious table and had an al fresco sumptous lunch. It was nice. I had our Olympus C740 that allowed me to take some photos. My son started to work on his Dexter Lab activity book.

After a lazy lunch, we decided to go to Starbucks. We spent 3 hours in Starbucks. I read a book and had a good cup of coffee. My son finished one activity book with his crayons, pencils, doodles, a cream-based rhumba frappucino and banana bread. We had a good view of Taal Volcano with a cloudy sky and felt a not so chilly but relaxing wind. It was a fine weather. More so, the atmosphere was so peaceful..

It was a simple way to spend an afternoon but it meant a lot to me physically and probably spiritually. I can also tell my son enjoyed the afternoon. He mentioned "Mama, I like it here". He did finish his books without any push from me. I also felt it was a good time spent with my son..

Nice Products from Cavite

Fresh, ground Coffee beans. There's the Pahimis blend (combination of four flavors) coming from the highlands of Amadeo. The festival takes place in the month of February. There are also good coffee beans coming from Silang, Mendez and Tagaytay.

Fresh beef meat and bulalo. This is always available in Tagaytay and Mendez public markets.

Lechon Manok. It's freshly roasted, affordable and smells appettite-raising. You can select among Baliwag, Pagtakhan and San Pedro store outlets.

Mango, Pineapple, Señorita Banana and Buko. Señorita bananas are finger-length, sweet multiple bananas commonly around a thick trunk. The bananas & the coconuts are available all year round and very cheap in price. The mangoes and the pineapples are sweeter, plentier during the summer.

Corn. Inihaw na mais or nilagang mais are commonly available along the roadside on your way to Laguna via Carmona or going to Tagaytay via Aguinaldo h-way.

Malagkit na bibingka with latik toppings, puto bumbong and flour-based bibingka with salted eggs. These native delicacies are available in the inner skirts of Imus and Kawit.

Fresh Lettuce. The lettuce are commonly available in most of the farms in Silang and Tagaytay. The cold climate allows the people to grow some of the best lettuce in the country.

Tawilis. These are dried fish that you can easily buy from the Tagaytay market on weekends. The best way to cook this is to deep-fry it and the best way to eat this is to simply eat the whole thing--including the head and tail. The best tawilis will not cause any throat-itch upon eating it.

Mussel and crabs. The fresh and most affordable can be bought right after passing Coastal Road-- along the Talaba and Niog areas.

Fresh salt fishes. Tuna, yellow fin, blue marlin, tilapia and the big ones, the plapla-- they can be bought fresh at the Dasmariñas and Imus public market.

I think I feel hungry now.. Let's eat at Josephine's Tagaytay.. :)

Other than volcano-watching

Here are things you can do in Tagaytay other than the usual volcano observance that you do.

Family picnic. There are so many cheap huts you can rent to have a good view of the Taal Volcano. Bring a mattress, a simple tent, and lots of food like--- adobo, inihaw na tilapia, pancit canton (don’t bring bihon it gets spoiled easily) and the bottles of coke. Don’t forget the banana and the watermelon for dessert.

During this occasion, bring a frisbee, a chess board and/or a volleyball for the kids.

Kite flying. This is the place where you can do a lot of kite flying even for the inexperienced and the 3-year olds.

Trek. Go down to Talisay. Ride a boat and cross the lake. Afterwards, trek to the volcano. Don’t hire the donkey to bring you there. It’s too expensive to hire a donkey and you will still sweat. Walking is good for your heart.

Star gazing. The best time to do this is during December, February to April. You can bring some binoculars or telescope or a star map if you have them. But these are optional. As long as you’re in Tagaytay, you can do the stargazing anywhere.

Church pilgrim. For the religious and the architecture enthusiasts, discover the beauty of the churches of Cavite as you navigate to reach Tagaytay. Most of the churches have a separate or outside prayer garden for holding the Way of the Cross.

Our Lady of Fatima – has an open roof altar. Either you see the altar with starry sky or cloudy sky. The church has a beautiful garden and prayer area.
**St. Mary Magdalene Church, Kawit –old, made of limestone and has a beautiful altar. It has a secret passage going to Pres. Emilio Aguinaldo’s residential house.
**Imus Cathedral—classic, big, within the town plaza.
**Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral, Dasmariñas-- classic, big, within the town plaza.
**Silang Church—classic, beautiful altar, life-size statues, within the town plaza.
Angel Hills Chapel—small, contemporary, solemn, beautiful.
Pink Sisters Convent Chapel—small, simple.
Our Lady of Lourdes—newly built replacing the old, small, church. This is a product of the hardships of the people in the nearby communities.
Calaruega—a Spanish-style retreat house with a small chapel on top of a hill with a giant crucifix. The place is very solemn. One of the best assets of Calaruega is its variety of flowers surrounding the area.

** National shrine/historical site

Interesting Places to Visit (other than the casino..)

Here’s a short list of what to do or where to go if you want to get out of Manila but your gasoline can reach a shorter mileage.

Places to Visit

Ilog ni Maria Honey Bee Farm. This is where you can get some of the best honey int he province of Cavite. Honey cider, very sensual massage oil, organic soap and shampoo are also available here. You cannot find these items in your regular supermarkets.

Little Angels Home. You might be interested to know that there is a small orphanage here (almost across Starbucks). This is a home built by a couple out of their retirement. Pass by and see they have wonderful children here. And if it is not too much, it will help to give some donations to their cause.

Viewpoint Restaurant. This is where you can have a sumptuous lunch—Tagaytay’s famous bulalo and crispy pata and a nice view of the mountainside. Sip your soup right away or it gets thick with the cold wind.

Nurture Spa. The spa experience is unique here. Instead of paintings, you have a view of the mountains. Instead of square rooms, you have a hut. Instead of a bathrobe to cover your body, you have a tapis. Exciting, isn’t it? You can choose among four different oils for your massage depending on your mood. The masseurs are all young female therapists. The place also offers yoga sessions.

Gourmet Café. They serve the best merienda – the classic suman ( a real “malagkit”) with mango and thick hot chocolate from fresh tablea. They also have home-grown, quality coffee and sinful cake desserts.

They also grow engineered lettuce of three different kinds. Lettuce and various salad dressings are also for sale.

Aguinaldo Shrine, Kawit, Cavite. Visit the house of the first president of the republic. It has so many antique furniture, a classic personalized bowling lane and swimming pool (really something only for the rich people in those days), and a big garden. The shrine has the signature of all those who participated in the declaration of independence. My great grandfather’s name is in the list. How about yours?