Arts...Travels...Writing

Tagaytay is probably one of the easiest escapes from the heat and traffic of Metro Manila. Just two hours away, its higher altitude offers literally a different world with greener surroundings and more laid-back atmosphere.  Tagaytay is known for its retreat houses, spas, as well as parks and other recreations. It is also a culinary paradise with unique cafes and world-class restaurants dotting the ridge. Most importantly, one can savour all these in cooler weather, and with a great vista - the scenic Taal Lake and Volcano! One of my favourite places there is Sonya's Secret Garden - a bed and breakfast, with a restaurant, a spa, as well as a wedding venue. Despite its moniker, Sonya's Secret Garden is not a secret anymore, having been around for more than a decade now. But I am pleased to find out that it has retained its charms after all these years. The restaurant remains as it was ten years ago (my last visit before this trip). They still serve almost the same b...

It was a rainy Tuesday when we went to Pinto Art Museum in Antipolo, Philippines. Such a weather would have been ideal for a museum tour, normally an indoor activity. Pinto Art Museum, however, is not just an ordinary museum. It is a cluster of galleries sitting in more than an hectare of landscaped gardens, in the hills of Antipolo, overlooking the huge megalopolis that is Metro Manila. It is a place that begs to be explored, both inside and out. So armed with our umbrellas, we braved the rain, and was rewarded with the many charms around. The cozy cafe by the entrance is perfect for late breakfast... or simply a good cup of coffee - a steaming one was just right for the weather that day. The pouring rain almost stopped us from discovering the charms beyond the gates. Glad that we had "rain or shine" as mantra that day. A small chapel near the entrance. With an umbrella in one hand, and a camera in the other, taking a decent photo was a bit tricky, and so I m...