A Weekend Visit in Manila Zoo

When I was a kid, some of my playmates were talking about the places that they visited. Most of them are proud that they visited Manila Zoo because they saw a lot of animals and they spent time with their family and relatives there. As a matter of fact, this is the first time that I visited the said tourist attraction.

The Manila Zoological and Botanical Gardens is a 5.5 hectare zoo that is located at Quirino Highway, Malate, Manila which was opened on July 25, 1959. The Manila Zoo receives millions of visitors every year especially it is popular with the tourists and visitors who spend their time during weekends.

The entrance to Manila Zoo

Historical marker of Manila Zoo.

This is the first time that I will visit this popular zoo in the Metro. I had seen a lot of birds from different species in different aviaries. It is also the first time that I saw a zebronkey (a hybrid of zebra and donkey), hippopotamus, and deer. Therefore, I was overwhelmed when I had a chance to look at Mali, the Asian elephant which is the popular attraction at the zoo. In addition, there are exciting activities in the zoo such as riding a boat, picture taking with colorful birds and visiting the Kinder Zoo.

Hippopotamus

Philippine Deer

Zebronkey

The Asian Elephant, Mali, the major attraction in the zoo.

The Asian Elephant, Mali came from Sri Lanka.

Eagles

Ostrich 

Macaw

An exotic bird which came out of the aviary.

Philippine Hornbill

Peacock

It was one year ago when I visited this zoo. I hope that the management will take care of the cleanliness and safety of this zoo because animals want to feel that this is not just an animal sanctuary but a habitat to live for the rest of their lives. Therefore, Manila Zoo is a place which is rich in vegetation in an urban area and the tourists can see variety of animals in this place.

Date of Travel: March 2013

A Healing Journey in Kamay ni Hesus

The Kamay ni Hesus (Hands of Jesus) Healing Center is one of the interesting places located in the sleepy town of Lucban. It is a hilltop shrine where thousands flock in order to visit to pray for wishes, hope and healing. It was built under Father Joey Faller, a gifted and well-known healing priest.

Noah's Ark

The shrine features religious images that depict different events taken from the Bible. From the entrance of the grotto, you can see the events from The Creation where you can see The Garden of Eden and Adam and Eve. Within that place also is Noah's Ark where you can see different images of animals and the huge ship where Noah used to save the animals during the Great Flood.

Kamay ni Hesus Shrine Hill

The crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

The Ascending Christ statue in the hilltop.

The panoramic view of Lucban, Quezon from Kamay ni Hesus.

The highlight of the visit in Kamay ni Hesus is climbing the approximately three hundred steps to the hilltop where the 50-foot Ascending Christ statue was located. In addition, as you go up to the hill, you will see the events in the life of Jesus Christ particularly the Last Supper, the fourteen Stations of the Cross up to the Resurrection of Christ. In the hilltop, there are several people who pray at the Ascending Christ statue for hope and healing. Overlooking the hill, you can see the panoramic view of the town of Lucban.

The Kamay ni Hesus Healing Chapel

After the climb, we visited the Kamay ni Hesus Healing Chapel. There is a mass during weekdays at 9:00 am , Saturdays for anticipated mass and Sundays. On the other hand, healing mass was held during Wednesdays and Sundays at 9:30 am.

People are praying for their hopes, wishes and healing which prove that Filipinos are religious and having a strong faith in God.

The Kamay ni Hesus Shrine is one of the most visited tourist destinations where students having their field trip as well with groups of people such as families, office mates and companies visit here for the commemoration of Stations of the Cross during Holy Week.

Therefore, the visit in Kamay ni Hesus Healing Center is such a journey where you can recollect your experiences in life as well with the fact that you can have a strong faith in God by saying our prayers and climbing the hilltop shrine in order to express our hope and healing. In addition, this shrine is one of the most memorable religious journeys in my travel experience because I appreciated the fact that Filipinos are religious and having a strong faith in God and the people know the events in the Bible by different images in the hill.

How to Get There:

From Lucban town proper, you can ride a jeepney which takes you to Brgy. Tinamnan, where the Kamay ni Hesus Healing Center is located. Also, you can take a bus bound to Lucena and from there, you can ride a jeepney to Lucban which will take you to Kamay ni Hesus.

Date of Travel: May 15, 2013

Not Just An Ordinary Picnic in the Highland Park: Picnic Grove, Tagaytay City

When I was young, Tagaytay City is one of the favorite places that my family and I always visit. We enjoyed the cool climate, the delicious products such as tropical fruits and native delicacies and the panoramic view of the smallest active volcano in the world, Taal Volcano surrounded by the turquoise waters of Taal Lake and the towering verdant, lush mountains dotted with small houses in the lakeshore towns of Batangas. That is why, there are many investors who establish their business in this highland city as well with the local and foreign tourists who spend their weekend getaway and vacation. In other words, Tagaytay City got its moniker as "The Summer Capital of Southern Luzon" and "Little Baguio of Cavite".

Welcome marker of Picnic Grove

Map of Picnic Grove

Children are playing and flying kites in the verdant slopes of Picnic Grove.

One of the interesting places in Tagaytay City is Picnic Grove. There are many things that you can accomplish in this place. First, you can spend your family bonding moments in this place by staying at cozy cottages in the rolling hills which is the trademark of the highland park. You can make your picnic in this park through renting a cottage. You can play in this park by flying kites and at the same time, you can buy souvenirs such as t-shirts and clothes.

Cozy cottages with concrete benches is the trademark of Picnic Grove.

You can spend time with your family and friends in this cottage plus the panoramic view of Taal Volcano.

Aside from having a picnic and flying kites, you can tour the whole park park via ecotrail.  First, you are going to have a stroll in the park and you will pass the hanging bridge and visit the clubhouse through ecotrail where you are going to pass the stairs and enjoy the ambiance of lush trees. You can have an adventure trail also through horseback riding where you are going to have a tour in the hills and see the Taal Volcano. You can do horseback riding from Picnic Grove in order to have a trek to Taal Lake and crossing the lake to hike the Taal Volcano.

Hanging bridge, part of the ecotrail in Picnic Grove

You can experience adventure trail through horseback riding in the rolling hills of Tagaytay City.

Zipline at Picnic Grove

You can experience the thrill to see the stunning highlands through riding a cable car with your family and friends. If you want more challenge to overcome your fear of heights, you can try the zipline plus you will experience to see the bird's eye view of Taal Volcano and Taal Lake as well with the verdant rolling mountains of Batangas.

Fish Spa plus Free Foot Spa

Another interesting and new activity in the place is the Fish Spa. You will soak your feet in a pool of water with doctor fish.  These fish will remove dead skin in your feet by sucking and biting and after that, you can have your free foot massage via cleaning and washing the feet.

The view of Taal Volcano surrounded by Taal Lake and the verdant mountains of Batangas.

Overlooking the town of Talisay, Batangas from Tagaytay City.

I hope that there are few areas in Picnic Grove should improve such as putting a welcome arc in the entrance of the park. Therefore, this park is an ideal venue for weekend getaway for your family and friends because you can accomplish many activities and enjoy the panoramic view of Taal Volcano and Taal Lake from the highland city. Visiting Tagaytay City is such a wonderful experience as well with the fact that it is a refreshing moment away from the hustles of city living.

Fees:

• Entrance Fee                      -   P50.00
• Cottage Rental                   -   P100.00 - P200.00
• Cable Car                          -   P200.00 / person
• Zipline                               -    P400.00
• Fish Spa                            -   P199.00

How to Get There:
You can ride a bus from Manila to Tagaytay City. From Tagaytay Rotonda, you can ride a jeepney which takes you to Brgy. Sungay East where Picnic Grove was located.

Watch out for my personal entries about the activities that I accomplished in Picnic Grove. Thanks.

Date of Travel: November 30, 2011 and April 4, 2013