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Taj of Tagaytay - Andanita Hotel

I've often mention how much I love relaxing at Tagaytay after a heavy stressful week. And so here's another entry on one of my escapades in my favorite out of town place. To start my "spa weekend" we had lunch at Gbar just along the Aguinaldo Hi-way on our way to Taj of Tagaytay since check-in time at the hotel is 2 PM. Initially, we were looking to spend night at Moongarden , Antonio's or Sonya's. Nurture Spa was out of the lost since we already had one of our Tagaytay Spa escapades there so we wanted to try something else. Due to limited time planning and budget, we decided to stay at Taj of Tagaytay. One, it's the cheapest, second, it's one of the newest hotel in the area. Just in time for summer, they have a package for only Php 3500 which includes 2 breakfast and massage for two ( 30 mins each. For additional Php 600 each you can upgrade to an hour massage of your choice ). As name sounds, this is an Indian-inspired hotel so it's kinda new to us.

Hotel lounge area

Scenic view at from the lounge/restaurant area

This is the "free" continetal breakfast included in the package. Really really sad...

Look at out faces as we eat breakfast.. I sugest you just order a meal and not rely on the free breakfast

Pork tocino - Indian style. TOcino with a bit of curry taste

Massage bed at the Spa

G bar - Smorgasborg lunch at Tagaytay

Driving from Manila to Tagaytay isn't always fun. You have to bear the weekend traffic and the uneven roads. Good thing, upon reaching Tagaytay and feeling it's cool summer breeze, makes the trip worthwhile. On our way to Andanita Hotel- Taj of Tagyatay, a sign board on the road caught our attention. EAT-ALL-YOU- CAN regular rate is Php 695.00 and is now on promo for only Php165.00! Who could resist such offer? definitely not the ones who haven't eaten breakfast all day. We went it the place at around 10:30 am but the buffet wouldn't start until 11 am so we have to wait for a few minutes. We saw the waiters bring out and arrange the food on the buffet table which just added to our agony of waiting until the buffet is ready.
It's the longest 30 minutes of our lives... Tick -tock! tick- tock! Alas, it's chow time!

Vieux Chalet

I love food, no doubt about it... I don't mind traveling to get a tasteful meal. This is one of the vices I think I won't ever give up.

One Saturday morning, my friends and I decided to do some catching up and of course, what better way to do it but over a good meal. Amalie, suggested to visit Vieux Chalet- an authentic Swiss restaurant located in Antipolo city. It's an exclusive restaurant inside the Villa Christina Subdivision. Hidden in the series of private vacation houses and residential houses lies this one of a kind restaurant that we don't usually see in the metro (or a little bit outside the metro.) Unfortunately, there is no public transport going to the place so one must bring a car or ride a cab. The place accommodates only a small group of people so it's best to get reservation first before you visit the place.

I found this link in the website that will give you directions to the place. Click below:

http://vieuxchalet.tripod.com/howtoget.html

(Thank you to the writer of this article at tripod.com. I could have not explained the " how-to- get-there " part at all. I'm just glad some people are really good in giving out directions! )

The facade of the place looks homey.

Vieux Chalet also offers overnight accomodation packages. A mini pool beside the room is also available for the guests.

Here's some of the menu they offer. Just zoom in to see the price! hehe..

My friend Amalie "tries" to play the piano as we wait for our food to arrive.




Sausage pizza- One of the house specialties. I find it yummy, but really nothing special ;b

Reg, shows off the sausage festival platter ( I think that's what they call it ).

You can never go wrong wiht this sausage pasta. Hmm... isn't it too obvious we're sausage lovers?

Zola Resto Cafe , Baguio City

Here's another food place to try in Baguio - The Zola Cafe. This place is also located along Session road, it is a bit more commercialized and got more food options than Oh my Gulay! ( see previous entry ) but I say food is also satisfactory. Big servings, especially their rice meals and reasonable price. Be careful on their spicy entree though, it might be too much for you! ( You can always let the waiter know to lessen the spices if you want to ) Good news to internet addicts, this place offers free Wi-fi too!

Thai Rice - yummy dish but too spicy for my taste. This rice meal is complete in itself, got bits of pork, shrimp paste, veggies and

Mango cake is good but i find it dry, they can improve more on this.. ( I hope )


Omellete for the Veggetarian


This is their version of Adodo rice with tinapa flakes! ( Smoked fished flakes with bits of pork adobo )


The palce offer, pastas, pizza and a lot more goodies for a fairly reasonable price.

Oh my Gulay!

With or Without the Panagbenga Festival, Baguio will always be one of the best places to visit if you want to get some relaxation and good food. Let me share some of the places I found during my palatial stay in the city of Pines. Here is one of the best Resto's in the city.

Oh My Gulay! Restaurant is located on the fifth floor of the La Azotea Building along Session road. It's amazing that it has an outdoor feel despite it's location. The place is full of great and interesting art pieces. It's interior is very stylish and lots of photo opportunity for those who love taking pictures. The restaurant only serve vegetarian meal so it's a haven for all those who love veggies.












Club house sandwich with vegetable salad - Yummy!!!

Kabute Pasta - Garlic sauteed mushroom in cheese sauce pasta for only Php100
The house special Oh my gulay salad!




It's our lucky day! One of the locals agreed to teach us how to prepare and eat a "NGA NGA" - native cigar-like delicacie from fresh leaves and fruit seed, said to have some healing and relaxing effect ( NOT offered in the restaurant )

The leaves and fruit seed ingredients for NGA NGA

PANAGBENGA FESTIVAL 2009

Baguio city is called the Summer capital of the Philippines - cool climate, explicit natural beauty and rich cultural heritage makes it the favorite out of town hangout of both local and foreign tourists alike. Every year, the residents of Baguio celebrates the Panagbenga Festival (formerly known as the Flower Festival) which literary means the "season of blooming." It usually lasts for a month with highlights every weekend. The Grand Float parade and the Street dance parade, usually done at the last week of the celebration showcases beautiful flowers found in the region.

HOW TO GET THERE: From Manila go to Cubao or Pasay and ride the Victory Bus Liner. This bus line caters land transfer from Manila to Baguio daily. ( Rate : Php 440 - one way for standard aircon bus, Php 670 Deluxe bus without CR and Php 700++ for Deluxe bus with CR )

Vacant transient houses, dorms, hotel and houses for rent are extremely hard to find during the Festival season so I suggest you book ahead of time if you wish to visit Baguio at this time.Hotel rates varies from Php 1500- 5500 per night depending on the location and the facilities of the place. Transit houses and dorms are for those traveling on budget. We got ours for only Php 250 per head per night, 2 people share a room and has a common lavatory ( 2 rooms, 1 toilet ) It is a newly constructed building so the place is clean and nice for the price.

Here are some photo's from the PANAGBENGA 2009 Grand Float Parade.


Street dancers wearing colorful costumes

SM Flower float first showed up wow-ing the crowd

TV celebrities participated in the parade - Kim Chui And Gerald Anderson

Marching Band dancing while playing lively music as they walk the streets

Sponsoring a float is a good way of advertisement for these products

Salute to these Police officers who wera proud their culture. PNP cops wearing "bahag"