Jigs had some weekend errands to run in Lipa, and although I still had work to be done, he asked me to come with him. Of course, I (excitedly) conceded. I mean, when was the last time I actually went past the house gate? More importantly, when was the last time I even brushed my hair? Don’t ask me, ask the brush. Haha.
We learned that drivers can now cross directly from the Star Tollway directly to Tambo Exit. Compared to the old, heavily-trafficked, circuitous route via the city/former Lipa exit (after Star Tollway), this new road merger shortens travels to Lipa, or even Laiya, through a multi-vehicle bypass. From Tambo it would only take approximately 25 kilometres to reach Laiya! Yay! (Note: Take Ibaan Exit to Laiya)
Road towards the Star Tollway
A big weathered rock in Calamba (it’s called Rock Point, I think).
It actually looks a lot bigger and stranger up close.
Now this one I’m not sure. It rests near Laguna, though.
Could be Mt. Makiling. Hehe.
Manong Driver
‘Twas a spectacular drive to Lipa. (Ya, I could say that because I’m not the one driving for three hours straight, but that is why I am not so antsy to learn driving! Ang sarap kaya maging pasahero lang. Hehe.) We passed by varied refreshing landscapes along the way: green paddy fields, colossal weathered red rock formations, forested mountains, greenlands with towering coconut trees…I could go on and on here, but you get the gist, eh?
Nice miniscule clock tower in Lipa City
(Sorry if it looks cropped; the car was moving)
We passed by this mid-sized hotel in Lipa’s city centre called Hotel ni Mang Jose. It was kind of an odd name for a modern hotel with a stone facade. I would have imagined it for, say, a small nipa or bamboo hotel resort. Jigs said maybe the owner, Mang Jose, who used to be a farmer or an old town guy, won the lottery or something. Hmm.
Next up: Tagaytay! It was my husband’s idea to drop by Tagaytay on the way home, because I “never get to have a day-off”. Which is kind of true, actually. I don’t need to look at the mirror to know how losyang I am these days. People tell me all the time (shall I say thank for the validation?).
It started to rain a few miles before Nuvali, plus construction is currently ongoing in the Tagaytay-Sta. Rosa Road, so just a heads up to drivers plying that route: it might take a little longer to reach Tagaytay these days.
Tagaytay-Sta. Rosa Road
Tagaytay-Sta. Rosa junction. Heavy traffic on weekends.
Tagaytay Rotonda
We decided to have lunch at Mushroomburger (as always), ’cause that’s where cheap good burgers are. Jigs decided to try their Hongkong Dish, comprised of rice, a choice of main dish, adobo egg and mushroom delight (just some shiitake and button mushrooms with sweet brown sauce – P96). I ordered the Rice Bowl Dish, which is basically the same as the Hongkong Dish, minus mushroom delight (P80).
Hongkong Dish
Unfortunately, the burger steak patty didn’t taste as good as the patties they used to have in their burgers. I’d give the patties a B-, the mushroom delight, the same or lower (you wouldn’t really be missing alot if you’d take the Rice Bowl Dish instead) and the adobo egg, well, it ‘s an egg. With a bit of soy sauce. Hehe.
Mushroomburger’s children’s play area
It was kind of early to go home, and we really didn’t travel an additional hour just to eat at Mushroomburger. We decided to have a round of San Mig at Dencio’s to soak up the view a little more.
Taal Volcano
The weird thing about Tagaytay today was that it was extremely foggy and it was raining, but the weather felt like hell. Humid, arid, atypical of Tagaytay – not even on a summer day. It almost felt like Manila when it’s 32 degrees. Super init.
Calamares and Strong Ice. Good Pair.
We ordered Dencio’s Calamares. Wasn’t that crispy, but the squid itself was fresh and crunchy. And the tartar sauce was to die for! Just the right amount of tang and sweet-sour flavor.
Foggy Tagaytay
…This was thirty seconds after that shot
…Then another thirty (and you don’t get to see anything anymore)
Dencio’s mini, mini garden
The one thing Tagaytay always guarantees, though, is a splendid backdrop, no matter what the temp is.
We dropped by Starbucks in the NLEX Petron Station before finally heading home, and shared a Java Chip Frap (tall: usually P155, but this time, free courtesy of HSBC charges) and a Belgian Waffle (P75). Don’t have photos though, ’cause I don’t like my husband teasing me that I’m one of those cono yuppies who takes a photo of every Starbucks drink he’s had and immediately uploads it to Facebook (If I ever cross someone, sorry. But that’s particularly true of most Filipinos, and we don’t really get the deal. I mean, nine out of ten Filipinos had already tasted a Starbucks coffee, and it’s not really an unusual practice, especially if you share a Venti with four of your friends. Haha.).
But anyway, what I am just trying to say is, SB’s Belgian Waffle – delicioso. Pairs well with frappucinos, particularly Mocha and Java Chip Fraps. Try their caramel flavored Belgian Waffle, big enough a snack for two. The caramel has just enough sweetness to it, and the waffle crust is delicious.
Next stop: Home!
Total distance from Sta. Maria, Bulacan – Lipa – Tagaytay – Sta.Maria = 295.4 kilometres
Thanks Jigaloo! It was a really nice retreat 🙂
