Trip Lang #15 - Valkyrie in Mt. Balagbag Resort

It's been a long time since the last team building and everyone was waiting for the team building budget. We've planned so many trips hoping that the money we're waiting for would be enough to cover majority of our team building expenses.

When the time came, everyone was a bit sad. Php 2,800 for eleven people was the money given to us. I know! Not even close to what we were hoping for.

Nevertheless, we have to come up with a plan, a great plan. We have to. We need to. So... Thinking... Thinking... Thinking... And there it was. Mt.Balagbag Resort. I've been to this place many times that I already lost count. With the budget we have, this is the only place I know would be favorable for everyone.

The players:

December 5, 2014 - start of our team's Friday-Saturday off. Everyone agreed to meet at Jollibee, Farmer's Plaza, Cubao by 3:30AM and start the trip by 4AM. Since everyone is a pure blooded Filipino, we left Cubao around 30 minutes after 4AM.

It only took us an hour to reach Tungko versus the usual travel time of two hours. We head straight to the terminal and bought our food for lunch from the market nearby.

Another hour of jeepney travel and we finally arrived at the jump off point. We purchased a container of water and ice before we continued our journey to the resort. Most of us took a tricycle to the terminal and the boys and MC walked all the way to the top.

The tricycle ride was comparable to mind-shaking and body-bumping roller coaster ride, literally. It was the definition of "rough road". All people going up should now drop by the Licao-Licao Barangay Hall to register and pay a registration fee of Php10. 

Upon reaching the trike terminal, we asked for some kids to be our porters as we were having hard time carrying the ice box and other stuffs we have bought from the market.

Everyone was catching their breath upon reaching the resort. We took a breather, took some selfies and groupies then we started preparing our food.

After all the food that needs to be cooked have been cooked, we ate our sumptuous lunch. A little bit of rest then we started our team activities. Some jumped right in to the swimming pool and others just lazily rested and soaked in the view.

The epic pool race!!!

The rest of the day were devoted to drinking, playing, chatting and picture taking and eating some more.

It was almost dusk when we left the resort and dark has taken over while we were on the road. It was tiring. With a limited budget, we can only go so far. But as long as you're with the right people, a little goes a long way... Always. To the best team ever! Cheers Team Valkyrie!

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Credits to Mikael Valbuena for most of the pictures.

Trip Lang #14 - Tagaytay Solo Trip

Talking about spontaneity... I've been wanting to travel for so many weeks but could not bring myself to because of the busy schedule at work and at school. One Saturday shift, I badly felt the need for fresh air so I scanned the internet for a nice place to do a solo trip. I found myself reading blogs on how to commute from Cubao to Tagaytay.

Two hours or so before my work ended, I was already decided to travel alone. I've written the places that I want to visit when I get in Tagaytay. I then called home to and asked my partner to bring me my monopod. I decided not to bring him so I can have time to myself alone, "Me-Time".

I hop on to a jeepney going to Cubao then rode the MRT from Cubao to Taft. When I got there, I followed the flow of people towards McDonald's. At the back of McDonald's building, I found the terminal of buses that was mentioned on the blogs. I easily spotted St.Agustin bus and know that their buses passes by Tagaytay on its way to Batangas. A few minutes more and I was boarded and seated on the window side, perfect for "me moments". =)

Tara! Byahe Tayo

I paid my fare, put my headset on and turn up the music loud. It took three hours before the bus finally reached Olivarez Plaza. It was about noon time so I decided to eat first before continuing my journey. KFC was the fast food store of choice. I bought a set meal and head up the second floor to eat. (BTW, they don't give out straw even if you take your food out because of the city plastic ordinance.) Enjoying the view from the window, it took me about 30 minutes to finish all.

When I got out of the store, I halt for a few moment to observe the jeepneys that passes by. I asked the cigarette vendor which jeepney should I take to Sky Ranch and he pointed me to the right one. The fare was Php8.50. It was about 15 minutes ride when the driver shouted "oh yung mga bababa dyan ng Sky Ranch".

Finally, I reached my destination. First thing I wanted to do was to strike a pose and take a selfie with the name Sky Ranch as my background.

There were people passing by and I was a bit shy to ask someone to take my picture so I took out my ever reliable monopod and started taking selfies. Many many selfies. Hahaha!

When I was finally satisfied with the photos I took, I looked for the entrance and paid the entrance fee of Php80. At the entrance you can see posters where the fees are shown and others with the park's rules.

After getting my ticket I entered the park and find the booth where I can buy my ticket for riding the ferries wheel or what they call Sky Eye. I paid Php150 for a five minutes or so ride.

I enjoyed the short time I was on top. The view of Taal lake was and still is spectacularly-breath-taking. I would have loved for the Sky Eye to stop for a few minutes so I can indulge more in the moment and just continue admiring the beauty of the place. However, that was not possible so I suit myself with taking pictures and video.

After the ride I took the time to roam around and see other attractions of the place. There's not much to do in the park since I was not really interested in trying out all the kiddie rides. Later, I found myself lounging on a bench facing the lake. I watched people walking around, having fun and some that were enjoying the zipline.

After indulging my self and taking in the beautiful surrounding, I decided to head over to Starbucks Tagaytay. I bought iced tea and fresh fruits then head up on the second floor to look for a vacant seat. Same view was offered before me. Great time to get my pen and paper out and write my thoughts down.

You can do a lot of things and visit other places in Tagaytay but for me, all I needed that time was a quick getaway from the hustle and bustle of my busy life and this trip fulfilled it.