Palaya Natural Farm

 

 Palaya Natural Farm is a 68-hectare farmland located at Barangay Cayabu, Tanay Rizal, Philippines. You'll see a lot of dragonfruits here. My friend went here for an overnight and that was probably one of the most unforgettable trips I had last year. 

Due to unforeseen circumstances, we arrived in Tanay at around 7pm, and 2 hrs later at this place. We had no idea that the place is far from the main road. That evening, we had heavy rain and visibility on the road is almost zero. We were behind Kuya Jeepney Driver and we knew he cannot see the road as well. He was using the white line in the road as his guide. His wiper is totally useless. My friend and I were exchanging smiles at that time, smiles with hidden worries and questions of, "are we really doing this?". To add, when we dropped off at Sampaloc, we thought it's going to be a short ride to Palaya but it turned out to be an hour of dark and bumpy roads. It was scary as hell. Imagine being in a tricycle on a place you are not familiar with and the area you are passing does not have a lot of houses. Lots of things were running through my head, all elements point to a horror or crime movie. Add to the hysteria and paranoid, was the feeling of cold. The temperature is really cold, we were drenched inside the trike and the wind was totally not considerate.

Finally arrived in Palaya safe after battling with paranoia for almost an hour. The place was already dark and the other guests were already asleep. Oh, even the receptionist was already in his bed but had to attend to us for check-in. 

Our bahay kubo room is located near a bamboo tree and you could hear the river rushing at the side. It's just enough for two though you can add a bed for the 3rd person for an additional fee. We had a double deck bed, a bedside table all made of bamboo. Even our sliding window was made of bamboo. To our relief, the staff told us that a family is also checked in near our room. My friend and I spent the night talking until 11pm. 

We woke up early but it's still raining so there was no milkyway and sunrise view on the mountain top is not an option as well. We just spent the morning taking pictures and explored the area.

 

                                                              The view from one of the rooms.

This is not our room though. This is the house where the staff stays. We just asked if we can stay and take pictures.

If there was no rain and the weather is fine, I could have taken a dip at the river.

The Dragonfruit plants.

                                                             

      

Put down the map and get wonderfully lost.

Relaxing while waiting for breakfast time.

                                                    

Our Bangsilog Breakfast

Palaya offers a buffet breakfast. We were surprised to see a long line of people even if there were just a handful of checked-in customers.

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And it turned out it's not only breakfast but lunch as well. This pic was taken when we were about to check out

As the weather is not cooperating, our original plan to head to the Windmill Farm and Sunflower Farm were cancelled. We took pictures of the flowers and butterflies instead, and they were just lovely.

Palaya has a market stall where you can buy fresh products from their farm.

They even sell plants too. Plantitos and plantitas here's for you:

Thanks to my friend, Judy who joined me with this unforgettable getaway. Here's one selfie before checking out:

The houses at the back are also accomodation. You'll cross the river using a raft. I guess when the water is low and weather is fine, you can just walk.

Expenses: 

Van (Starmall to Tanay Public Market)  - P 70 Pesos each

Jeep (Tanay Public Market to Sampaloc - P 28 pesos each

Trike from Sampaloc to Palaya - P 400 for two - P 200 pesos each

Overnight room in Palaya - P 1500 pesos (offpeak rate) - P750 each

Trike from Palaya to Highway - P200 Pesos - 100 pesos each

Trike to Palo Alto Terminal - P 50 pesos each

Jeep (Palo Alto to Cogeo ) - P 40 pesos each

UV Express Cogeo to Cubao - P35 pesos each

Total Expenses per person P 1, 273 

(food not included as this will depend on your appetite )

For more info : Please visit their page at https://www.facebook.com/PalayaNaturalFarm/

Intriguing Intramuros

Intramuros, which literally means "within walls" is a historic walled area within Manila City. It is also near to very important and historical buildings like the Manila City Hall, Post Office, National Museum and Colleges. 

 I always see Intramuros in a different way. The brick stone roads, the old churches, old buildings - that smell of history in every corner. Walking to Intramuros is like Maria Clara and Crisostomo Ibarra coming to life. It's history frozen in time.

When commuting to Intramuros from anywhere in the Metro, just find your way to the Manila Post Office then ride a jeep going to the Pier. Drop off at the Manila Cathedral and you can start your way exploring Intramuros.

📍 Manila Cathedral

Manila Cathedral with parked Bambikes.

Many couples wed here and usually you'll spot a bride when you visit the church especially on Saturdays and Sundays.

📍 Ayuntamiento De Manila

This was the seat of the Manila City Council, which consisted of two alcaldes (city leaders), eight oidores (judges), a clerk, and a chief constable.[2] Destroyed in World War II and reconstructed thereafter, the building now houses the offices of the Bureau of the Treasury.

📍 Palacio Del Gobernador

The site of the present building was where the former residence of the Governor-General during the Spanish Colonial Era was located until an earthquake destroyed it on June 3, 1863. The Malacañang Palace then became the Governor-General's official residence.

At present, the building houses the Intramuros Administration, the Commission on Elections and the Home Development Mutual Fund National Capital Region Office. It also previously housed the Bureau of the Treasury until it relocated across Plaza de Roma to the Ayuntamiento de Manila.

📍 Plaza De Sta. Isabel / Memorare Manila 1945 Monument

The monument commemorates the lives lost during the battle for the liberation of Manila, waged by Filipino and American forces against Imperial Japanese troops from February 3, 1945, to March 3, 1945.

Address: General Luna St, Intramuros, 658 Zone 70, Manila

📍 Baluarte de San Diego

Baluarte is one of the oldest stone fortifications in Intramuros. This was destroyed in the Battle of Manila in 1945, resstoration began in 1979  and was completed in 1992. 

    Address: Sta. Lucia St, Intramuros, Manila, 1002 Metro Manila

    Hours of Operation : Mon-Sun 8am - 5pm
    Entrance Fee: 75 Pesos

My winning photo (10th Place) in the Intramuros Balik Tanaw sa Kasaysayan Smartphone Contest

Baluarte en blanco y negro

We are never defined by just the blacks or whites of our past; we are the combination of both our triumphs and failures, penciled by the crevices of our roots. 

                                                Glimpse of the Past and the Present

The contrasting view of Baluarte over the urban Manila nightscape reminds us how the past still entertwines our present- who we were, who we are and who we will be.

Baluarte at night. Pic taken during the Intramuros Open house. 

📍 Intramuros Golf Course

📍 Silahis Center

 

This is the main showroom of the  Silahis Arts and Artifacts. They are engaged in designing, producing, wholesaling, retailing and exporting the finest of handmade Philippine products.This a great place to go shopping for locally-made products. It is also one of the best places to visit to look around and learn about the local culture. 

Address: 744 Gen Luna St Intramuros, 658 Zone 70, Manila, 1002

Hours of Operation : Mon-Sun 10AM-7PM

Entrance Fee: FREE

📍 Casa Manila 

Casa Manila is a museum in Intramuros depicting colonial lifestyle during Spanish colonization of the Philippines. The musem has 3 floors full of antiques. No taking of pictures allowed inside, but the guide allowed me one during the Intramuros Open House.

Address: Plaza San Luis Complex, General Luna St, Intramuros, Manila, 1002 Metro Manila

Hours of Operation : Tues-Sun 9am-6pm

Entrance Fee: 75 Pesos

The garden at Casa Manila. This is one of the fave spot for prenups and predebut shoots.

 

                                              Straight ahead is the San Agustin Church.

Isn't this cute?

📍 San Agustin Museum

The museum is housed in the Augustinians' former monastery, right beside the famed San Agustin Church. The display rooms are huge and some artifacts were found right at the ground of the area. 

Address: General Luna St, Manila, 1002 Metro Manila

Hours of Operation : 8am-11.30am & 1-5pm

Entrance Fee: 200 Pesos (Adults) , 160 Pesos (Senior, Students and Kids)

📍 La Cathedral Cafe

Address: 398 Cabildo St, Intramuros, Manila, 1002 Metro Manila

Hour of Operation : Mon-Sun 8am-10pm

After the day strolling the Intramuros, head to La Cathedral Cafe for your dinner. Place is packed at night, so bring your patience with you especially on weekends. 

View of Manila Cathedral from the La Cathedral Cafe.

📍 Aduana Building

Address: Magallanes Dr, Intramuros, Manila, 1002 Metro Manila

📍 Plaza de España

It is a triangular "square" which features a monument to King Philip II of Spain after whom the Philippines was named. 

Address: Andrés Soriano Avenue, Muralla and Solana Streets, Intramuros

Manila, Philippines

📍 Fort Santiago

Fort Santiago is one of the main attractions in the walled city of Intramuros. It is a citadel built by Spanish navigator and governor Miguel López de Legazpi for the new established city of Manila in the Philippines. 

This is also where Dr. Jose Rizal, one of our national heroes was imprisoned before his execution.

Address: General Luna St, Manila, 1002 Metro Manila

Hours of Operation : Mon- Sun 8am-9pm 

Entrance Fee: 75 Pesos (Adults) , 50 Pesos (Senior, Students and Kids)

Fort Santiago at Night

The walls amidst Urban development. 

Depiction of Rizal's footsteps from Fort Santiago to Bagumbayan (now called Rizal Park)

Getting lost in Intramuros is full of surprises. We made a wrong turn once and saw this building with Tomb Raider Feels.

Tanay Day Trip

Tanay is a 1st class province of Rizal known for its mountains, cool weather and a lot of outdoor activities to offer. Here you can take a dip in waterfalls, climb a mountain, go camping, spelunking and enjoy all of it in just a few hours ride. You don't even need to book a flight.

Getting there:

Getting to Tanay is easier than I thought. We took the UV express to Tanay from Shaw Starmall and paide 70 pesos. Because we want to make it early, we left Shaw at 6am and arrived in Tanay Public Market after 2 hours. Took our breakfast in the nearest fastfood and hired a tricycle.

At the fastfood chain, we were told by one of the crew to take the jeep going to Sampaloc and drop off at a point near the falls and there we can take the trike to the falls at a cheaper rate. But because the driver was persistent and has been following us since we alighted the van, we took the bait. The initial price was set to 700 and that he' ll take us to Daranak Falls, Batlag Falls, Calinawan Cave and Pililla Wind farm. It was a good find since we have no idea of the place and based on what I've read the price is around 1000-1200 pesos.

To tell you the truth, we have no idea on what to do prior to going there. It was an impulsive decision and we just had the list of the places we want to visit and that the gameplan is to hire a trike- which we eventually did.

    Daranak Falls

It was around past 9am when we arrived here. Entrance is 50 pesos and the walk to the falls is a breeze. I did not expect it to be like that. We passed by a hanging bridge with dogs that are annoying cause they kept on playing and running at the bridge. And they almost block our way, it feels like they don't want us to pass. lol

When we arrived at the falls, it was simply breathtaking. It was like the way I see it in pictures, or it was even way better. Surreal is the apt word for it. Simple and yet so amazing. 

Batlag Falls

A walk uphill would take you to another falls in Tanay, the Batlag Falls. This one has a different entrance fee of 100 pesos. The place is poorly managed given the big entrance fee (big because I have been to other falls in different regions and the entrance do not cost like this). Some are just 20pesos and you have a decent wash room or changing room. But in here, you find yourself in what seemed like an abandoned area. The falls offers you a different view, though. It is shallower and that you can go under the drop. I think we stayed here longer than Daranak simply because we enjoyed the water and we can get near to the falls itself. Daranak is deeper and you need to swim to get to the falls itself.

Calinawan Cave

A short ride from Daranak is the Calinawan cave. It was my first stab at Spelunking as well as my friends. A good activity when you are mending a broken heart as you will bump your head many times.  I probably am the most clumsy being the shortest in the group yet this cave gave me a lot of bumps. Good thing they have protective gears, they require visitors to wear a helmet. Entrance fee is 20pesos and a guide fee of 200pesos. We left our things in the tricycle as the spelunking would require us to crawl, geez I was not even aware it could get dirty.

Tip: Visit the cave before going to the falls as you will get dirty after. A plunge in the falls ain't bad than having to clean up again after all the mud crawl (ooops!!spoiler alert)

Waiting for him to complete my heart..Chos!

Crawl ala Tyra Banks.. this is not the part where we crawled. The real crawl was like literally kissing the mud if you are not that cautious.

I now see the light.

                                                                 

Getting out and about.

Finally done with Calinawan Cave and excuse the muds on our legs.

Last stop, Pililla Windmill Farm. This is the farthest and the last stop in our itinerary. As my blouse was already with mud, I changed to spaghetti strap blouse and Kuya Driver told me "Malamig po dun Maam sa Windmill."  This he said while he was putting on his sweatshirt. And I had no idea it was going to be freaking cold.