Tagaytay, a Chilling Retreat

After visiting the Bamboo Organ in Las Piñas, I proceeded to Tagaytay, a city 55 km South of Metro Manila. Sitting on the plateau of 634 meters above sea level, Tagaytay is famous destination for a chilling retreat from the heat in Metro Manila. 

First, I came to this place Tierra de Maria, which we could see the 50-feet tall image of Virgin Mary, Mother of God standing in the middle of garden with well-trimmed shrubbery and flowers. 

This sacred place is run by Mama Mary's Movement Foundation Inc and it opens daily from 8 a.m till 6 p.m. This place also serves as the inner peace healing center, for the Catholics to pray and reflect.

There were also drawings of stories of Christianity next to the shrine of Mother Mary.

Next I headed to 1 of the main attractions of Tagaytay, which was the People's Park, or also known as Palace in the Sky. This place was intended to become the presidential guest house of former president Ferdinand Marcos, however the project did not complete and the structure of the mansion remained intact which turns the location into tourist attraction. 

Firstly, the visitors could ride on the jeepney to the top of the Mount Gonzales. The jeepney would take us through the long winding road to the top of the mountain which spectacular views await. Visitors may also choose to hike the Mount Gonzales.

Now this palace is open to the public as a viewpoint for the Taal Volcano, one of the most special volcanoes in Philippines.

The visitors were so crowded on the day I visited, as people came here not only for the view of Taal Volcano, but also to relax and to have picnic within the People's Park.

Another attraction within the People's Park would be the big statue of Jesus Christ, standing next to the chapel on the highest point of the Mount Gonzales, overlooking the city of Tagaytay. This image resembles the big Jesus statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil but this is a much smaller scaled statue.

As the storm approaching, the People's Park got chiller by the cloud blowing through the park.

After visiting the People's Park, I had my lunch at Leslie's Restaurant which is famous for their sisig, a local dish of minced pork. This restaurant is also famous for the atmosphere and the view of Taal Volcano as it sits on the cliff side of the Tagaytay city.

From Leslie's Restaurant, we would be able to view the Taal Volcano at a much closer distance compared to the People's Park.

Last destination of the day was the Taal Lake. This was supposed to be a trip to the Taal Volcano, but due to the approaching storm, the boatmen were not willing to bring visitors across the volcano crater to Taal Volcano due to safety reason. This was such a waste, because the Taal Volcano hike was the main objective of the whole trip!

Regretfully, one of my main objectives to be here in Tagaytay was not achieved. Don't worry readers, I revisited this place, and the hiking trip of Taal Volcano will be covered next time!

Stay tuned for more exciting stories in Philippines!