foot prints: Canyon Cove: A travel worth it…but

Summer is past officially here and I’ve made a promise to visit a Philippine beach each year. Last year, we hit the road to Pahiyas Beach Resort in Laiya, Batangas . This year, with the suggestion of my sister-in-law Loraine, we went to Canyon Cove in Nasugbu, Batangas.

Lorraine and her husband, Paolo, frequently visit this place as they’ve signed-up as members of this residential beach resort. They have good and positive words about the place and I’m excited to see it for myself.

April 18, 2010. It was still dark and just a few quarters of hours before dawn, I and my extended family left Los Banos, Laguna on a rented van. Our driver took the route via Sta. Rosa City and Tagaytay City. By sunrise, we were in Tagaytay, had a glimpse of the renowned Taal volcano and experienced the cool morning breeze that we don’t get to experience in the city.

We arrived at half hour past seven in the morning where we were greeted with a tight security. Upon arrival, we can’t help but admire the beauty of this well-developed place. Immediately, you will notice the condominium units that border the mountain slope which, as I imagined it, would have given you good scenery of the resort and the sea from a top view. We entered the building and did an initial ocular inspection. From the first impressions, this place isn’t cheap and I felt a rush because it’s all going to be worth it.

We initially planned an overnight stay, but due to schedule constraints, since most of us have work on Saturdays, we opted for a day tour on a Sunday. As Paolo and Loraine said, there are fewer visitors on Sundays, but I doubted, its summer time, children are off school and the sun is hot.

After officially settling business at the reception area, we chose a cabana near the infinity pool. We settled our things and had a buffet breakfast at the restaurant. Once done with our hearty meal, it was time to apply sun block lotion and readily set to explore the area.

My wife and I took a walk by the beach. Holding her hand, I fell in love with Canyon Cove. But more than the sea, sand the sun, I was more in love with this woman who said, “She’d always dreamt of walking by the beach with me, our hands together”. I was happy for the feeling was mutual, we had the same dream, and we fulfilled it together, by the Canyon Cove beach. Forget the headache-causing heat, forget the people around, it was just me and her and she’s beautiful.

I can’t resist the call of the water. It was clean and clear and cold. The sea was a soothing bath that drenched the excruciating high temperature. The sand is creamy and close-to-being-white, but isn’t smooth because of the stones and shells. It is picture perfect for shell and dead coral picking, but not for barefoot swimmers. 

Time is up for the dip. The heat was giving us headache. So we hit the pool next. It was supposed to be an infinity pool. But I didn’t get the feel of it. It was a spacious pool; tourists have started to populate the water. But it was still fun. Lifeguards are visible, and they ask the ladies out off the water if they are not complying with the dress code: strictly swimwear.

The trip was not cheap for someone on a budget. Entrance fees run at Php 800.00 per person. Bringing of food is strictly prohibited and corkage fees are applicable. Thus, if you’re hungry and want to eat, the restaurant offers buffet meals at Php 600.00 and rates may change without prior notice. The only good thing about it is that you get a rebate off your entrance fee which you can use to partially cover for your buffet breakfast or lunch.

We decided to leave early, at around 2PM, we hit the road back home and planned to have lunch on the way. Along the Nasugbu-Tagaytay City national road, we had a pit stop at Perfect View Bulalohan, where we indulged on a savory bulalo dish.

  Canyon Cove is a treasure for leisure, a commercial paradise open for exploration by tourists and bakasyonistas as well. Paolo and Loraine had positive feedback about the place. I wanted to try it. I did. And I say they were right. I knew it was not cheap. Indeed it was. But it was all worth it and we’re planning of going back again..soon.

 

Finding your money's worth with a Bulalo indulgence

Lately, I’ve been hearing much about the bulalos (Beef Bone Marrow Soup) served in Tagaytay City, but I never had the chance to taste one. So when we got off from our summer outing at Canyon Cove, Nasugbu, Batangas, we took the chance to drop by Perfect View Bulalohan located along the Nasugbu-Tagaytay national road. And just by the name of the restaurant, you know that this dish is a specialty.

The place is decently clean and small (approximately 60 square meter floor area). It has the look and feel of a carinderia. But not like an ordinary carinderia, you are served with a menu list  instead of choosing from readily cooked food from cooking pots.  Located at 2,500 feet above sea level, you get the feel of fresh air while indulging in a sinfully good bulalo. No need for artificial ventilation, the restaurant is open air and you could enjoy your food with the satisfying and cooling effect of the wind.

Aside from the bulalo, we also tried fried tawilis and grilled liempo. The liempo is half cooked and I like my meat well-done. But the fried tawilis is a delicacy, its a fish found only on the waters of Taal Lake . It also taste good and a must try for local and foreign tourist as well. No need to debone, you can eat the fish whole and feel its crunchy texture and soft, and somewhat milky, meat in just a few bites.

As for the bulalo, it does taste good. Its very flavorful and delicious and tasted better when served hot. Just like any soup dish, its best combined with condiments, I prefer having patis (fish sauce) with calamansi and siling labuyo (hot pepper).

After the fulfilling lunch, our driver was generous enough to take us on a side trip to the People’s Park in the Sky. And long after were done eating and on our way home, we just couldn’t help but still talk of the bulalo. The restaurant’s service is quick; our food was served in less than 15 minutes after placing our order. Also, as the name implies and aside from bulalo, it also serves a perfect view of the Taal volcano.

I’ll rate the restaurant with 4 stars with regards to the food and the service. But more than the rating, the experience is certainly priceless.