Tagaytay Trippin' (on a budget...or not!)

Being just 20-25 minutes to Tagaytay, we frequent this area pretty often. And with the temperatures climbing fast again, the cooler climate Tagaytay offers is a welcome respite. In fact, we will be heading there tomorrow to show some friends around.

So, if you ever plan to go to Tagaytay, here are some highly recommended establishments to visit:

Ming's Garden (pictured above right) is a favorite place and is usually our first stop en route to the cool city. My Aunt who came to visit from the US, marveled at the abundance and variety of flowering plants in the garden. I began to see what I took for granted as something beautiful and inspiring. Do order their chicken adobo flakes, tapsilog and suman sa lihiya. The suman comes in a pair lavishly slathered with macapuno and panucha syrup. Yum! It goes well with their brewed coffee. Their choco banana walnut is also scrumptious! I hope they keep this up because some people may not agree with my views! These goodies don't come cheap, though, so be ready to fork out at least P200 per person (without any drinks), or just have suman and coffee for around P150, which we have many times.

Another stop is Ponderosa Leisure Farms. There is no entrance fee but you do need to be accompanied, though, by an accredited sales agent or broker, like our friends Tony and Tess Santilan from Maritone Realty (Tess is in the photo with me above, left). While we haven't bought property there, we like to daydream that we have and simply enjoy resting in their gardens or taking another look at their model homes. Be ready, though, for the harsh reality check



afterwards: "God, ba't mo kami ginawang mahirap?!"(God, why did you create us poor?!)

If you end up not buying property there (because you simply can't make enough money in your lifetime to afford even a pot of land here), at least take lots of photos, like we did on the left and below. It's all part of the fun!


Once you reach Tagaytay, heading toward the restaurant rows, you may want to stop and spend one night in Discovery Country Suites. It's a 7-room mini-hotel with significantly more than the comforts of home. Each room has a unique theme and comes with welcome cookies and milk (watch the calories!). Though their rates are upscale (it's a budget buster to the nth degree), the whole place is worth it and they are filled to capacity even on weekdays. So be sure to book early -- and save even earlier!

There is also Boutique Hotel and you may get more info on this by clicking on the link. I must admit that hubby and I haven't stayed in either hotel, but we love to check out new hotels, camp/conference sites and restaurants along with our broker friend Tess. I like the fact that you get to choose the type of pillow you want (goose down pillows!!!) as well as the organic toiletries you prefer. Of course, they also offer in-room WiFi access, wall-mounted LCD TVs, IPod -ready docks, king-sized beds and breakfast for two. Watch me salivate...pant..pant...

Another favorite eating place is Antonio's Grill and since we need to watch our budget (or "budjet" with a silent "t" a la French) we usually order their chicken inasal with sinigang na gulay. The sinigang comes in a huge bowl (more than enough for four people), piping hot and super asim (sour)! It's great for a bad cold and it won't bust your ever decreasing budget! I always order the pakpak (wing), which I love, and is the cheapest in the menu at less than P100.