Tagaytay : Solace at the Heart of Nature
Are you a dynamic, young professional who has dreams of a life full of leisure, excitement and thrill – but finds those dreams impossible fantasies given your monthly earnings? Do you stop for a quick second and find yourself tired of commuting to and from your workplace, desperately needing even just a short break from having to brave the gruelling traffic of the metro? Have you had enough of paying exorbitant rates just to get yourself away from your hole of a living quarter?
If you answered yes to one – or better yet, all of my questions - then hear ye! Hear ye! Deliverance from your dilemmas is at hand as I bring you this solution: TRY TAGAYTAY.
Tagaytay City, one of the best places to be in Southern Luzon, does not let Agro-Tourism be permanently edged out by the generous proliferation of air-conditioned malls all over the country and the overwhelming technology advancement fad that comes with it. The city boasts of its maintained agricultural ambience with a few urban touches here and there – enough to make your mind wander off in awe of the glorious landscape, but at the same time giving you the same luxury feel of a five-star tourist spot – all at the comfort of your pocket.
Tagaytay City offers the perfect break from city life for the urban professional who is always on the go. Accessibility is an understatement, as it is just a P100 van ride away from the metro (The van terminal is located at Star Mall, just across SM Megamall). Convenience, the thing most people (myself included!) today consider the most vital in determining their plans, is definitely not a problem, as the tourist spots in Tagaytay have a P15-30 admission charge. Transportation along the city is relatively easy, for there are only two routes that jeepneys take. In addition to that, travel costs are just on the minimum. Convenience AND comfort!
Should you wish to just marvel at God’s magnificence, People’s Park in the Sky (formerly Palace in the Sky during the Marcos regime) is definitely a must-see. Situated right at the highest point of the city, People’s Park in the Sky offers the best view of the cityscape. During mornings, however, as thick layers of fog shroud the city, it would be quite difficult to see the view. I would recommend going to People’s Park in the Sky early morning to revel in the literal park among the skies, and then staying there just until the cloak of fog start to thin. This way, you will see the splendid scenery as it is unveiled in front of you.
The city landscape is welcoming with its combination of shades of the serene and subdued blue Taal Lake, lush green trees enveloping the entire city from all sides, and the occasional white fog that comes every morning. The latest addition to its roster of must-try activities is the recently installed Zip Line at Tagaytay Picnic Grove that traverses through the city, overlooking the abundance of trees and at the same time giving a magnificent peripheral view of Taal Lake. Tagaytay City really is the perfect place for relaxing activities like horseback riding, picnics and sightseeing. Another thing worth mentioning is that during holidays and special occasions, the city police wear their gala uniform and go on patrolling the city – on horseback!
The city people are as friendly as they come, as the city also calls itself the City of Character. One can be assured that anyone he approaches for directions would be more than glad to help.
A short jeepney ride will also lead you to a restaurant chain comprising a variety of cuisines that would suit whatever your taste and mood is. What I would suggest for a first time visitor to the city is to try eating at the famous Mushroomburger (also along the restaurant chain). Find out for yourself why this small restaurant has that big a name!
Come night time, stylish and elegant street furnishings are revealed, giving the rather new transients a plethora of colored street lights, as well as a different view of the world-acclaimed lake, in the color of deep night purple generously sprinkled with sparkling night lights.
With vacation costs that suit the budget of even the young working class, Tagaytay is indeed the best place for one to visit, as the city becomes your solace at the heart of nature – even for just a day.
Posts
