Christmas Vacation

These are some of our pics taken when we had a 2 days/1 night Christmas vacation in Tagaytay. It was absolutely a memorable one, the very first time we celebrated Christmas away from Manila and I would say that it was the most grandiose Christmas celebration we have ever had in our entire lives.

By the way, I want to share the story behind the name "Tagaytay".
This is the exact story that I read, here goes... a soldier approached a boy and his father asking about the name of the place, the frightened son shouted to his father, "Taga, Itay!" which meant "strike, father!"; the foreigner, misunderstanding the words, thought that this was what the area was called.

Taal Lake

Back shot picture... even in life vest I was incredibly frightened while riding the boat; I couldn't move, not even a slight turn of the head to pose for pic. We rented a boat going to town of Talisay, Batangas, the most popular jump-off point on the way to Taal Volcano Crater.

Taal Lake

This is the Taal Lake and the cone-shaped volcano that you see is an extinct volcano, the one shown on postcards as Taal Volcano yet it's not the real thing.

Town of Talisay, Batangas (with Brian, my grand-niece)

We were onshore after quite a long boat ride. Sitting while waiting for the horses that we rented and for the tour guides who will show us the way up to the top of the hill where we can view up close the mouth of Taal Volcano.

Hilltop

This is the improvised stairway to reach the highest point of the mountain where you can see down below the Taal Volcano Crater Lake.

Mouth of Taal Volcano
This is the real Taal volcano, it's far different from what the postcards show. The Crater Lake has sulfur content and they say when you swim there, it will instantly bleach your clothes.

Mouth of Taal Volcano... What makes Taal Volcano more unique is the fact that the volcano itself has a lake of its own inside its crater which is called the "Crater Lake". Here's the hilltop view of the beautiful crater, with its placid blue-greenish pool at the center, you could trek down to the Crater Lake but that's another story.

Caleruega Chapel (stands atop a small hill)

Out of luck ... I was not able to see the whole inside of the chapel because there was a private wedding going on at the time we arrived. We waited patiently but got bored after a while, it took so long to finish it all the way to the end of the wedding ceremony itself and add to that the hours they would be spending taking pictures; so I finally decided to say a little prayer even outside the chapel, and afterwards I posed for pic just right before the chapel entrance where part of the inside can be viewed.

Caleruega
Posing here is Gian, Brian's older brother; the one behind this wonderful Christmas in Tagaytay, all expenses paid by him. It was our most memorable Christmas and the overwhelming joy we experienced will certainly leave a mark in our hearts.

Pagcor Casino Tagaytay

It's me! Posing in front of Pagcor, right across Taal Vista. It's a wishing well... I wish I were a millionaire--hahaha! Dreaming, I'm always dreaming--hahaha!

Taal Vista Hotel
Brian posed for pic with me in front of Taal Vista Hotel.

Room 122 of Taal Vista Hotel (with Gian and Brian)
We got the Superior Room for 2 days/1 night stay and the room comes with 1 single bed and 1 queen-sized bed, flat screen TV with cable, telephone, mini ref, hairdryer and in room safe. My looks at age 51--wizened old lady. (lol) Don't look deep focus, I might disappear--hahaha!