This trip had been planned even before we arrived Manila, though
originally, we just wanted to visit the Grotto and have lunch at
Palaisdaan, with the whole family. When our housemates came to know
about it, they were excited to go too. And that Sunday morning, while
we were still getting ready to leave, I got a call from them informing
they were on their way to Quezon.
First stop: Grotto-Lucban, Quezon.
It was around mid-noon when we arrived at the well-known sanctuary of Kamay ni Hesus. We were greeted by our housemates who had just descended from the top of the Grotto. Soon it was time for us to start going up the steps, my knees kept shaking the whole time and I was always reminding myself not to look down. When we reached the peak, that was the only time I felt relieved. Going down was not as bad as I thought it would be.
Second stop: Kamayan sa Palaisdaan, Tayabas, Quezon
http://www.kamayansapalaisdaan.com.ph/
It took us less than an hour from Lucban to Tayabas, where the popular Palaisdaan restaurant can be found. The place was very relaxing, very rustic and it has the serenity of nature that not many restaurants in the city can offer. We had such a wonderful time exploring almost every place around while waiting for our meals to be served. We had to wait for our turn, quite understandably, but as soon as they were served, every dish was worth every single minute that elapsed - truly satisfying and delectable dining experience.
Third stop: Exotik Restaurant, Kalayaan, Laguna
I didn't really think we could still get on time to our third stop after traveling a long and literally winding road, from Quezon to Laguna. For a second, I thought we were somewhere in Baguio seeing those inclined cliff and sharp curved roads that we passed through. But we were only in Laguna to check out the huge python snake named "Samantha". After a long drive, we reached the place, Exotik Restaurant. In all fairness, the whole of it was fantastic. A nice restaurant in a garden setting nestled on the slopes of the Sierra Madre mountain range. It has quaint Filipiniana-themed huts and wooden ornaments that are works of Paete town. We didn't try dining in, apparently because we were running out of time and secondly, pretty sure none of us would want to eat exotic dishes such as bayawak (monitor lizard), baboy damo (wild boar), sawa (python) or frog. In spite of their not-so-appetizing menu, (I can only speak for some of us), the place has a world-class appeal and I must say, I'm proud to have had visited such unique venue showcasing Filipino's ingenuity.
Fourth stop: Benoks Lomi House, Marawoy, Lipa City
It was nearly 10 in the evening when we got back to Lipa. We haven't had any light meals in between, after lunch, which made us all starving. So, instead of going straight home with empty stomachs, we decided to have dinner at Benoks. Hubby and I had been there once before with our housemates Winnie and Bunso, pardon me for saying this, but I didn't like the food. And for the second time, I wanted to give it a try. We finished our meals, only because we all had to eat but if asked about the quality of food and service, I will never come back again.
Overall it was one of the longest days I've ever had. More than 12 hours of fun, beautiful sights and places, experiences, great food, memories, practically all the good stuff rolled in one. A day worth remembering for a lifetime.
First stop: Grotto-Lucban, Quezon.
It was around mid-noon when we arrived at the well-known sanctuary of Kamay ni Hesus. We were greeted by our housemates who had just descended from the top of the Grotto. Soon it was time for us to start going up the steps, my knees kept shaking the whole time and I was always reminding myself not to look down. When we reached the peak, that was the only time I felt relieved. Going down was not as bad as I thought it would be.
Second stop: Kamayan sa Palaisdaan, Tayabas, Quezon
http://www.kamayansapalaisdaan.com.ph/
It took us less than an hour from Lucban to Tayabas, where the popular Palaisdaan restaurant can be found. The place was very relaxing, very rustic and it has the serenity of nature that not many restaurants in the city can offer. We had such a wonderful time exploring almost every place around while waiting for our meals to be served. We had to wait for our turn, quite understandably, but as soon as they were served, every dish was worth every single minute that elapsed - truly satisfying and delectable dining experience.
Third stop: Exotik Restaurant, Kalayaan, Laguna
I didn't really think we could still get on time to our third stop after traveling a long and literally winding road, from Quezon to Laguna. For a second, I thought we were somewhere in Baguio seeing those inclined cliff and sharp curved roads that we passed through. But we were only in Laguna to check out the huge python snake named "Samantha". After a long drive, we reached the place, Exotik Restaurant. In all fairness, the whole of it was fantastic. A nice restaurant in a garden setting nestled on the slopes of the Sierra Madre mountain range. It has quaint Filipiniana-themed huts and wooden ornaments that are works of Paete town. We didn't try dining in, apparently because we were running out of time and secondly, pretty sure none of us would want to eat exotic dishes such as bayawak (monitor lizard), baboy damo (wild boar), sawa (python) or frog. In spite of their not-so-appetizing menu, (I can only speak for some of us), the place has a world-class appeal and I must say, I'm proud to have had visited such unique venue showcasing Filipino's ingenuity.
Fourth stop: Benoks Lomi House, Marawoy, Lipa City
It was nearly 10 in the evening when we got back to Lipa. We haven't had any light meals in between, after lunch, which made us all starving. So, instead of going straight home with empty stomachs, we decided to have dinner at Benoks. Hubby and I had been there once before with our housemates Winnie and Bunso, pardon me for saying this, but I didn't like the food. And for the second time, I wanted to give it a try. We finished our meals, only because we all had to eat but if asked about the quality of food and service, I will never come back again.
Overall it was one of the longest days I've ever had. More than 12 hours of fun, beautiful sights and places, experiences, great food, memories, practically all the good stuff rolled in one. A day worth remembering for a lifetime.
Click link for photos:
0 comments:
Post a Comment