Cold, Rainy, Lazy Saturday in Tagaytay

Went to Tagaytay yesterday with the clan to eat lunch and basically to just do nothing but relax. We like going there -- it's near, the food is good, the scenery is breathtaking, and the weather is pleasant. But it was a bit just too cold for me there yesterday (and as usual, I forgot to bring a jacket).

The buffet at Josephine's restaurant is good and affordable, and there's a nice view of Taal lake and volcano. The garden there is also very pretty, very relaxing. Everything's always so green in Tagaytay because of the terrific climate (it's always a few degrees lower there than it is in Manila); that's why it's a haven for gardeners and other plant lovers -- everything grows well. My little ones love it there.

Stomachs full, we headed up to the Palace in the Sky (which looks nothing at all like a palace -- it's rapidly becoming a rundown and seedy location). But there's plenty of space for the kids to play and for the kids-at-heart to sit down, talk, and laugh. The view of Taal volcano and lake from up there is beautiful. However, if you turn your head just a few degrees to the left, you'll see one of the saddening effects of real estate development in Tagaytay. I think that at the rate they're going, the view of the area from up there in a few years will mostly be of houses and the lake instead of untouched greenery and the lake. What a sad thought.

The rain clouds started to look ominous while we were there -- and besides, it really was getting to be too fucking cold -- so we headed to this little, out-of-the-way coffee shop (the name of which escapes me at the moment). It's in a place called Buho in Tagaytay; and you wouldn't know it was a coffee shop from the way it looks outside. The coffee, tea, and hot chocolate are terrific at this place (and a bargain! strong, great-tasting bottomless coffee for only P30 or so). You can also admire their biiiiig fish that's on display, crank out a tune or two on their guitar, or take a micro-nap if you like.

It was a very good Saturday.

Enough of R&R now. It's time to get this fat ass back to work! (sound of whip cracking)