A Trip Years in the Making

A few years ago, a ragtag group of college students frequented the Jollibee branch at the fourth floor of Robinson's Place Manila. It's the branch way up the mall with a bird's eye view of the whole area (that was before the Midtown Area in the picture below was built). Up there, they planned an ultimate road trip to somewhere far. Actually, it all started as a joke about going to tagaytay and eating no less than Jollibee there. Yet we never realized that we could be there a few years later for our first ultimate road trip.

The real plan was laid out during mike and len's birthday blowout (where else but at Robinson's Place Manila!). A week from that day was independence day. It was the perfect day for the working class to go on an all out vacation. So right then and there, amidst the strong wind and rains, we decided to go on with our plan.

A week later, those who were working elsewhere decided to meet up at SM Mall of Asia since we figured it would be easier for everyone to go there. Len brought her vehicle with consent from her mom. From there we stayed at Mike's place. It was our first night out together and all the old and new antics were out. Mike's ninja photographer skills went on a rampage. Shots were everywhere (pictures are here) scandals, butt shots even bedroom shots. I guess it was a mistake letting him loose anywhere with a fully charged digital camera, but oh well.

We woke up for an early start. We were actually a little behind schedule but that's why we're all friends. At 7 am we were on the road. With JM and Mike as guides and Len as the driver our ragtag bunch journeyed across the crisscross straights and curves of Las Pinas and Cavite to get to our destination. Finally we went into a crossroad with signs pointing the way to our destination.

Of course it wouldn't be a road trip without the antics and the joke times. It was a whole day joke time and fun time package and we were laughing and teasing each other along the way. Well, actually, most of the time, I would be their target. But I don't really mind. After more than five years of friendship, who wouldn't be immune?

The fun escalated when an amazing sight greeted us. We were already driving in Cavite when something wizzed by which was followed by another and another and still another. They were at least a score or more men and probably women on strange apparel. They were all riding big bikes taking up almost half of the lane. I thought they were the Power Rangers or even the Biker Mice From Mars. It turned out they were humans and annoying ones at that. Let's just call them Biker Men from Cavite? Well, Len tried to beat them but they were too many and they tend to blow their horns whenever we tried to break their lines. Maybe they're off to war on mars or something, who knows?

A little further, when the Biker Men from Cavite sped away leaving us a few vehicles behind, the fun never stopped. We saw the markers of our destination. The cameras were out as we sped on and the talk of excitement never stopped.  We were near. We could feel the air. The wind had this cool effect. The sound was that of a bustling city full of vehicles and tourists. The houses seemed smaller and only the roofs were peeking out of the roads. We were near. We could feel its presence. Jollibee-Tagaytay loomed ahead. We couldn't wait!


Finally at around 10 in the morning, we reached our destination. The moment of truth has arrived. After years of failed plans we finally reached the place we all dreamed of. It was somewhat surreal to be there (yeah right! :-p).  We had our first formal meal of the day amidst the cheers. We were surprised by the number of people inside the store. It was just like the Jollibee stores in Robinsons 4th floor (as if there'd be any difference!) Actually, I really wondered that now we have set foot and eaten at Jollibee Tagaytay, what now? The excitement never wore off after every much of the food. We had to get proofs that we have been there. If this isn't proof enough, you tell me.
Well, actually the picture could be a Jollibee store in any part of the country. So maybe this should prove it all.
As well as this one...
But the fun never actually stopped there. We may be clueless after the satisfying meal at Jollibee but that's where the road trip really began. From the crossing junction, we went to the edge of Tagaytay, just a few meters from the Tagaytay Zoo. It was where Tagaytay ended and Batangas would start. So technically speaking we went as far as Batangas (Whoa! Amazing? yeah right!). We got a good spot to park near the edge of the arc as well as a weird funny look from the man who lived near the area. I guess he had all the right to be surprised and intrigued as a bunch of people would park in the middle of nowhere and take pictures. But who cares? We were very happy to do it.

The next stop was Shy's suggestion. She wanted to see Sonya's Garden, an all vegetable restaurant she saw on TV. This was really funny considering she hates vegetables. We detoured from the main road to a side street. We were clueless at first what this Sonya's Garden really was. Until we followed the signs...

Okay, so those were not really the signs we looked out for. But the road to the esteemed restaurant really was far. We went deeper into a residential area and went way past it. Finally we reached the place. It was nice to look at, but I guess with the anti-shy food, we didn't decide to go in and check the place out. Actually the facade looks nice and really have that "veggie-inspired" feeling with all the various plants and vegetables seen along its walls. Inside, it really wasn't bad. The road for the parking space alone gives it a real rural feeling. It wasn't cemented but it sure was organized. From the parking space I could see the green houses where they probably grow the vegetables for their menu. It was nice to see. It was also worth the drive, if you were really set to eat there. We never made it even to the front door of the restaurant.

We went in the parking area of Sonya's Garden but we just zipped out. Besides we just ate and it would be embarrassing to enter a restaurant just to gaze inside. We went the same route we came in, via the long winding street leading to the main road. Along the way, we noticed the car in front of us. We never really realized that we would see this and of all places, we saw it in Tagaytay. To set the facts straight, who said that the ZTE scandal was a Telecommunications company? They were dead wrong. It was actually a car. Shock! Yeah, we too were surprised to know that and we saw not only one that day but a lot more along the road. This was the only closest documentation we ever had. (I said that it was a road trip didn't I?)

That was the end of the Sonya's Garden adventure. We had a lot of other plans in mind including the zip line (too bad we didn't go for it!), the palace in the sky and many other curiousities in Tagaytay. We just passed through the area for the zipline (sorry forgot the name), and never made it to the palace in the sky. Instead, we decided to go further and visit the Taal lake. Len, still manning the steering wheels, knew the way and we consented to go. It was another long road but this time it was a steep downhill zigzag drive. Several times we stopped, not because of an accident or anything, but because of the people offering boat rides to visitors. From the mouth of the road leading to the lake to the foot of the downhill spiral road to the lake, we were stopped and followed by several desperate men. Apparently they were working for some resort along the lake that offered tours to the famed volcano in its center. We just inquired and they offered us a free inspection of the site. We never planned for any boat rides so we just went on our way. We arrived at a junction where there were more people offering boat rides. They were knocking on windows and showing their sign boards and their persistence were very awe inspiring despite the number of "no's" that we gave them. However, their persistence led us to take a wrong turn (they were following us on a scooter). So eventually we consented to check out the place.

The resort (I also forgot the name) was actually neat. There were cottages for those who wanted to have their picnics beside the lake and fishing boats were also ready for people who wanted to take a trip to the volcano. All of these for a price. Apparently, the trip would require a hike or a horseback ride upon reaching the other shore. The view was actually stunning. It offered a grayish perspective on the famed volcano in the middle of the lake. I have never been this close to the Taal volcano before and I noticed how gray and dull it looked like up close across the lake. I guess it was better to look at it from the top. We just took pictures. We didn't plan for any strenuous physical effort on our road trip and it wouldn't be wise if we went on a hike in the middle of the day. We might find ourselves back in Manila by midnight if that was the case. So to the great dismay of the man with the amazing persistence, we left and went straight back up to the city proper to have lunch.

We had lunch at Dencio's. Nothing eventful happened. I just noticed that most of the restaurants had an extra balcony at the back which would stand as a viewing deck to see the Taal volcano at its finest. We relished the view and some of the food. I actually stumbled upon some close friend from church who were also having their family holiday cruise. The food was great. I had an extra full stomach.

After lunch, we immediately went to another dream destination that also took the same years of planning as Jollibee. Although the amazement was not akin to the Jollibee escapade, Startbucks-Tagaytay was one of the places on our list. Actually there were only two places on our list, the other destinations in Tagaytay were visited at the spur of the moment (Call us the Spurs). The place was like all the other Starbucks in Manila (what a wonder!). It was jam packed with people. It could not accomodate the swarming crowds who visited their place not to mention the regular transients and residents there. We were lucky to get a seat and it wasn't the most ideal location in the store. It didn't have that breath taking view of the Taal volcano as all of those seats were taken (probably permanently). We chanced a spot under the stairs. It was cramped but we were able to manage. Most of us were probably tired by that time that we didn't mind at all. What we really wanted at that time was a place to stay and rest from the long drive we've had the whole day.

We went straight home by 4pm after Starbucks. We figured that if we leave early we might be able to avoid the traffic and still pick up some pasalubong to take home. We were able to buy some take homes but we were not able to avoid the friday afternoon traffic. We were able to return to mike's place nearly 6pm. We lounged there for a while. Tired feet and butts needed rest from the cramped positions in the vehicle, but sleep was still far from our minds (their minds - actually, I was about to doze off then and there).

Over-all, it was a memorable road trip and laugh trip. And hopefully, we'd see more of these trips in the days to come. So where next? EK!!!