Joyride

Stumbled out of bed early on a Thursday (well, earlier than usual hehe) for a daytrip round town and country with the HB. I love long rides, and I squealed (squeal gid ya, daw pig!) when I found out Mang Gil would be driving. He’s this nice man who drove us – the naughty crowd – on an office trip to Pagudpod last summer (the one who didn’t quite manage to get the “welcome to Pagudpod” archway onto our pics, spoiling the cheesy campy effect :D).

So away we went to Microtel hotel at Gen. Trias, Cavite. Cavite always reminds me of an old flame (the one that always blew out but kept being reignited.) It was once no-man’s land to me, area of he-who-shall-not-be-named, now back to being just Cavite at the far side of the world. We checked out Microtel for a seminar we’re having soon.

MICROTEL marks: Great coffee!!!! (as roomie did say repeatedly). Spacious rooms. Newish and that counts. But the thing that got my attention were two seagrass lounge chairs that are so comfy, once you sink into it, you never want to get up.



Off we went to Tagaytay. There’s this nice traffic-less road that takes you directly from Microtel to Tagaytay in less than an hour. It made M. Gil very happy! We went to Residence Inn.

RESIDENCE Inn: It ain’t gonna work for our purposes. Since Tagaytay was the epicenter of one of two quakes that happened recently, the venue has to be earthquake-proof (as if). It didn’t pass my earthquake test because it has a zoo in it full of pythons and snakes and in the event of earthquakes those babies could break out of their glass cages and swallow me whole. Hehe, me who still has loads of plans cooking in the oven.


But I love driving around Tagaytay. There’s the great view, one can hop restaurants and go on a fruit-buying spree. Bag of Beans coffee shop and restaurant is such a sweet lil place. I fancy a boisterous and cozy brunch there with good friends galore on my birthday. Come, let’s squeeze into a van, and go! I hope to pick at everyone’s choice of dessert, and sit there, simply beaming. [Tita Eds, let’s go?! Say yes or you’ll break my heart!]


ESTANCIA Resort had this small pool bubbling invitingly when we drove in. It has a bigger pool that looks simply divine (I am always attracted to swimming pools and have been known to pick a place on the beauty of its swimming pool); you can swim around and around it without ever stopping. Its restaurant though looks like just the kind of place to go to if you’re having an affair (hehe HB and I both thought this at almost the same time). The de luxe rooms look ok – great view, and spacious. Overall though, the air is that of a place that once was new but isn’t anymore. What’s with old musty resorts that don’t sit quite right? How can hotels and resorts age gracefully, or are we too fixated with newness and shiny paint?


A longish nap thru roads strewn with wooden furniture stalls (hehe) and we were in Binangonan, Rizal. We drove into LAKE ISLAND RESORT, and it was heaven. I immediately felt rested, so peaceful is its atmosphere. Am not normally drawn to places made of all-native materials but this place, it’s like there’s not a hair out of place. We drove in at sunset, my least favorite time of day and it was just idyllic, didn’t feel depressing. You can fish, sing, swim, run, sing, kayak, eat, and seminar (hehe, new verb) at Lake Island. The food’s said to be great too!




HB and I started sweet-talking the Lake Island person to allow us to book a wedding there (they don’t do weddings anymore). It’s such a cozy-cozy family gathering kind of place, I can just picture relatives from all over the islands congregating for an exchange of vows (HB’s and her Lovey’s ceremony, silly :-P).

Last stop, we went up the hills again, this time to SEVEN SUITES at Antipolo, near Valley Golf and Bali Gulp resto (hehe, nice humor there). This place has loads of potential. It’s also great for a romantic dusk wedding (HB’s and her Lovey’s!!!!!!). They seem to be in the process of fixing themselves (lots of repainting, renovating, reconceptualizing going on) so I truly hope they do it right because they have a great little spot.

Up on the third floor, they have this balcony where they regularly book romantic dinners for two overlooking Metro Manila (yes, you can order privacy to go with your dinner.) It’s so perfect for when HB proposes!!!!!!!! Hehehehe!!!! Even though, they ARE already married!!!! Who cares!!!!! It’s still perfect for a proposal, and when he says yes HB, you both can step into the jacuzzi. Hehehehe!!!


Tita Eds, you can cap your anniversary at the Seven Suites!!!!!! (you should know, you’ve been there!!). “Cap”, because as you know, in the morning and noontime of that day, you will be in Tagaytay. Hehehehe!

They have a pool too. Ms. Comfy Capricorn that I am though, I think they need to update their rooms some more.

But the best thing about the joyride is quality time with the HB. The woman whose personal motto/ rejoinder and favorite line is and has got to be “But why?????” HB, no one else has your all-abiding curiosity and need to know exactly why or why not simply because your intelligent mind requires consistency between ideas and action, and your big heart requires unity of mind and heart.




Hehe, I always learn a lot from you, kulit. :D