Tagaytay Weekend - January 30-31, 2010

My baby turned 6 months old in January 30th so we decided to have a family weekend getaway, where it would be baby friendly, and Tagaytay was a perfect pick.


From Manila we looked for a hotel nearest to travel spots, baby friendly and very affordable. We found "The Windy Ridge Hotel"

This picture is actually the back of the hotel. If most hotels have floors going up, this one is the other way around. their floors go down since they are on the cliff. So the lobby is the top floor. We chose the lowest floor where the room is pretty big. You can visit their website at www.thewindyridgehotel.com

We had lunch at Leslie's restaurant where the view of the taal lake and volcano is breath-taking. Famous Filipino cuisine is served. A live cultural band will sing to your table to add entertainment. The view is an add on for family photo shoot.

The same afternoon we drove to Picnic grove. A large area of the place is set for picnic grounds. There is also a playground where your kids can play. Since it was January, the wind was cold. Make sure to bring a jacket with you. There is also an adventure activity such as zipline where I think is 200 pesos per person. There is also horseback riding.

The next day we had free breakfast served by the hotel. Normally they serve different breakfast menus daily. For that day, the set was beans, toast and egg. For kids, they serve hotdogs and pancakes.


After breakfast we headed to Residence Inn Zoo. Entrance Fee is P250 per head. As you enter, there is a tiger cub where you can have your picture taken. Price depends on the package photos you will choose. 

You have to be ready to climb up and down stairs to view all animals. Since Resindence Inn is by the cliff too, some animals are found below and you have to take the stairs going down and go up again to see the rest. it's a good cardio exercise for you. However, since we have brought a baby on a stroller, we were not able to go down and see all. 


But we definitely enjoyed the visit. There is a horse and parrot available for picture taking. You pay P20 pesos if you want photos taken. There is also an official photographer if you don't have a camera with you.

Ark Avilon, Tiendesitas Pasig City - April 18, 2010

Ark Avilon is the smallest zoo we've ever been to. The facade looks like noah's ark and when you go inside, it is a two storey zoo. As you enter, you will see a souvenir shop and the cashier window where you will pay an entrance fee of P350 per head.

As you enter the mini zoo, glass walled cages are on both sides where you will see different wild animals - lions, tigers, leopard, etc.

In the middle you will see a pond of very hungry carp fishes. There are benches around it where you can rest and feed them.



They have a celebrity chimp that goes around. He is Colin. He knows how to entertain people. He rides a skateboard, he smiles when you take pictures, and he even put his hands on your shoulder for a "pal" photoshoot. He is so adorable. This is for free. Aside from the celebrity chimp, they also have an eagle for pictorial. You will wear a glove and the eagle will stand on your arm.

At the end of the ground floor, there is a small bridge. Below it you will we see birds, crocs and a giant fish that looks like tilapia. The surrounding is landcaped like a forrest with water gushing down the wall and plants all over the place.

On the side you will see the stairs going up. When you go up, you will see different types of birds. Chickens are also roaming around the floor uncaged.  If you go further, you will enter the activity area. There are guinea pigs, rabbits, goats that are for petting and feeding. Kids can go inside to interact with them. Beside that is a play area -- swings, playpens, and sandboxes.


Overall, it is a good visit and experince especially for kids. You will be surprised to see wild animals in the heart of metro manila. However, the place is hot. They have mistifiers around but is not enough. You have to go there on a late afternoon or early morning to avoid the heat. And with a very small zoo, i felt  that P350 is too much for an entrance fee.