Ternate - Nasugbu Traverse of Pico de Loro

AKAC team and I had summited Mt. Palay Palay last 02 Dec. 2011 here, but we were not able to climb its famous monolith named Pico de Loro or Parrot's Beak, due to the absence of a rope. Since then, I knew that I would return to the same mountain to scale that monolith, to settle that unfinished business.

Last 24 March 2013 with Peninsula Mountaineers, we were presented with that opportunity not only to climb the Parrot's Beak, but also try the Ternate-Nasugbu traverse trails. I brought my eldest son (Daniel) with me thru public transportation from Carmona to Ternate, Cavite. 

Bulalo of MerBen Canteen in Tagaytay

After our climb in Mt. Talamitam, we decided to have a late lunch in Tagaytay, despite the quite heavy traffic from Alfonso to Mendez crossing. Having tried more than 10 bulalo specialties in the area, I still like to explore other options, so we stopped at MerBen Canteen after a friend recommended it.

MerBen Canteen is beside Bulalo Point, and has more individual dining huts for privacy. Parking is not a problem, with a blue guard assisting their customers on their open space at the right side. Its signage has a large "Tapsilog" written on it, but I haven't seen other customers ordering it. Perhaps their tapsilog is more popular in early mornings, while bulalo is their bestseller on lunch onwards.

Climbing Mt. Palay Palay in Cavite

Last Saturday, my climbing buddies and I embarked on our third day hike together at Mt. Pico de Loro in Maragondon, Cavite. After paying Php 20 each in DENR's Ternate office at around 7:30 am, we started our relaxed 4-hour ascent to the famous mountain summit of Cavite.

Compared to our 2 recent climbs (Maculot Rockies and Mt. Batulao), Pico de Loro is no easy feat. Although the trail is mostly covered by trees, the trail is long like in Batulao, plus it has its own version of assault areas. The intimidating parrot's beak, its signature rocky plateau near the summit, provides a challenge to rock climbers. Below are its technical specs from Pinoy Mountaineer website:

Bulalo Point in Tagaytay

I took the family to Tagaytay last Sunday, as usual in Pink Sisters first. After hearing the pink sisters' nice singing voices, we bought fresh pinipig to be mixed with coconut milk for nice dessert at home. Then, we went to Sto. Roberto's carpark with overlooking view of Taal lake. 

The weather was uncooperative with threat of rain, so the kids are reluctant to avail of expensive horseback rides. We just enjoyed our "baon" of Doritos, Boy Bawang, Piattos, and iced lemon tea on a cooler, while people watching and admiring the view of the lake. We also sampled Manong Vendor's balut (P13/pc) and penoy (P11/pc), those boiled duck embryos on their shell featured in Fear Factor.

After much deliberation on where to go for dinner, it was agreed to try this bulalo place referred by a family friend. We were instructed to drive after the Mushroom Burger, past the road that leads to Mahogany Market, then to the native huts' restaurant  on the left side in front of Traveler's Inn.

Rowena's Buko Pie and Sylvannas

On our way down to Nuvali along Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay road, we stopped at Rowena's store to buy buko (coconut) pie. I have tried their buko tarts before, but I'm not fond of tarts, so I like to try their buko pie instead and compare it with other buko pie brands.

Their buko pie is thick but with smaller diameter. The color of the top crust is just right. Aside from the mainly coconut taste, the filling has its distinct flavor, probably due to a yellowish ingredient that they use, which I cannot identify. The pie does not dry out and still tastes good, even when we ate the leftover the following day. At Php 170/box, its too expensive compared with my favorite Orient buko pie at Php 130-140 per box.

Green ATS Bulalohan in Tagaytay

I took my family to Tagaytay last Sunday. As usual, we visited first the Pink Sisters' church, before going around the cool city. Afterwards, we bought burgers and lomi soup from Mushroom Burger as morning snack at Roberto's parking area along the ridge, where the kids rode the horses and bicycles for rent.

Late lunch was in Green ATS Bulalohan, after the Bag of Beans along the way to Residence Inn. We just want to try it after receiving good reviews from friends and from internet. The restaurant provides a very nice view of Taal lake and volcano from their dining tables.

Caylabne Bay Resort, Cavite

Its been more than 5 years since I set foot again in Caylabne. During those previous visits, its  exclusive for members only, and it was also managed by an international hotel chain. This time as its now open to the public, I noticed a drop in quality of dining equipment used as well as in maintenance of facilities. But at Php 900/person for use of facilities plus buffet lunch and 2 snacks, I think our company paid reasonable fee for our teambuilding last weekend.

Leaving Makati at 7 am thru Coastal Road route then traversing the Maragondon mountains, we reached Caylabne's gate on a hill after 2 hours. The resort's security guard checked our group's name against his arrival list, noted our bus' plate number, number of guests, as well as the food and drinks we are bringing in. Prior to reaching the resort, we also passed the magnetic road portion, as our bus crept thru a semi-level straight road. The bus was using its 3rd gear, but we experienced a crawling speed like we are just a notch above first gear. 

Tagaytay on a Sunday

We've been to Tagaytay for countless of times, but its only now that I will write a blog post about our Tagaytay trip this afternoon.

From our home in Binan near Carmona Cavite border, we usually take the route in Governor's Drive leading to GMA, then turning left at Shell station thru a road that pass barangay Maguyam in Silang, Cavite.Upon reaching Seaoil station at the end, another left turn then right turn on following street will lead us near Riviera Golf in Aguinaldo Highway. This shorter but becoming-more-popular route cuts at least 15 minutes of our travel time than if we take Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay road or if we pass thru Dasmarinas.

Our first stop was the Pink Sisters Church at around 4 pm, with usual volume of people on a weekend. After saying our prayers and some photo ops, we transferred to Mushroom Burger for snack. This time, I tried their tapa rice meal with adobo egg, from the usual cheese or royal burger. As our usual practice whenever we go to Tagaytay, we brought our own iced tea drink on a cooler, plus plastic cups, so we don't have to buy any expensive drink.