CASE # 010: Holy Week at Tagaytay Part 6

It was my second time to wake up in Tagaytay. The temperature was much chillier than the day before and there was a light drizzle outside. The little volcano was hiding behind the clouds. It seemed a bit sad that day maybe because we were off to say goodbye.

We were on our third day and nearly concluding our 3 days 2 nights trip. We were all a bit slow and hazy for the day. I checked my phone to see any updates from Ms. Julie about the swimming pool. But there was none. We then finally decided to permanently strike out swimming in our To Do List. The weather is so cold, and the kids are feeling feverish anyways.

We stayed in bed a little longer savoring what was left of that wonderful weather. We cooked what was left of our breakfast food and drank our coffee. The kids have their milk. Then we sat down the balcony again looking at the lake. We all wanted to mesmerize the moment. In a matter of hours, we would be going back to reality. Back to the busy and horrible rush hour traffic of congested Metro Manila. If only we could afford to live this life every waking day.

As we took turns showering and packing our things, we realized we have so much leftover groceries. Ayaw ko na sana iuwi kasi dagdag pa sa bitbitin pero nanghihinayang si Hubby. Baka naman kasi itapon lang din ng susunod na guest.

We took advantage of the free and fast internet connection as we watched YouTube and Netflix videos, and updated our social network accounts with pictures from the trip. Ate Rona, the caretaker, called me and told us to wait a few minutes as she was also checking out some guests from Tower 3. She would be dropping by the unit for check out.

While waiting for her, we brought out the trash and put it in the garbage room for the whole floor. Good thing that our unit was just adjacent to it so there was no need to drag the garbage bag all through the hallway. When Ate Rona arrived, I paid her the additional charge for the extra blankets and surrendered the keys. We also told her there was cooked rice in the rice cooker. Hindi kasi namin naubos iyong sinaing nung umaga. Sabi niya ibibigay na lang niya sa mga cleaner niya.

And off we went to the elevator. My steps were a bit slow and heavy. Ayaw ko pa talagang umalis. When the elevator reached the lobby, I surrendered the card that the receptionist gave me during check in so I can claim my ID. We said our goodbyes and thanks to Ate Rona for a wonderful stay. We walked out to the building towards the highway. Tumawid kami sa kabila para mag-abang ng masasakyan.

Nagsisimula na ring bumagal ang takbo ng mga sasakyan. Ibig sabihin, nagsisimula na ang trapik. Kailangang masigurong makasakay na kami agad ng bus. Unfortunately, the first public vehicle that passed by was a jeepney. Kaya nag-jeep na lang kami papuntang Olivarez Plaza. May bus stop doon at marami ring bumababang pasahero so mas may chance na makasakay kami.

True enough, I saw a couple of buses whizzed passed us when we got off Olivarez Plaza. Iyon nga lang napaaga ang pagpara ko kasi bandang unahan pa pala ang bus stop. We walked a few more meters trying to catch the bus before it leaves. Buti naman at naghihintay pa talaga ng pasahero iyong bus. It was bound to Ayala.

I think our fare was Php76.00 each. That is from Olivarez Plaza to Buendia-Chino Roces Ave. Once settled, nakatulog din kami habang biyahe. I woke up from time to time to check our location. Parang mas matagal ang biyahe namin pauwi compared sa papunta. I think iba yata ang dinaanang route nitong bus line na ito compared dun sa nasakyan namin papunta. Panay rin ang pick-up ng pasahero kaya nakadagdag din sa haba ng biyahe.

We reached Baclaran at around 2:00pm. Hindi pa kami nagla-lunch kaya gutom na gutom na kami. Sa Roxas Boulevard dumaan iyong bus so we opted na bumaba na lang sa may Harrison. Then we flagged down a taxi cab to take us to Makchang Restaurant at the back of Robinsons Place. Makchang is our go-to Korean Restaurant ni Hubby. Gusto namin pa-experience kay sis-in-law ang Korean Barbecue.

Medyo hindi ata alam ni Kuya Driver ang daan so I opened my Waize to guide him. Minsan hindi ko ma-gets itong mga taxi driver. Alam na nga nila talo na sila ng mga TNVS hindi pa rin sila mag-improve ng service. Hindi mo naman kailangan ng Grab or Uber para gumamit ng Waize. Kailangan lang nila mag-level up ng kaunti to learn how to use Waize as an independent app. Nakita ko naman na naka-smartphone si Kuya. I’m sure kaya nung mag-download ng Waize.

When we reached Makchang, I was about to get off when I realized, taxi nga pala ito. Kailangan magbayad. Good thing si Hubby na nagbayad kasi siya nakaupo sa harap. Nagtaka lang ako kasi natagalan pa sila sa diskusyon ni Kuya. Iyon pala hindi nagbaba ng metro si Kuya Driver at prinesyuhan kami ng Php150.00. Ayaw na lang namin pahabain ang usapan kaya binayaran na lang namin. Pero grabe talaga. Sana man lang nagbaba ng metro atsaka na lang humingi ng dagdag. Kaya nga ba ayaw ko na talagang mag-taxi.

Lunch at Makchang

Wala masyadong tao kasi nga Black Saturday pa. May dalawang table na occupied ng mga Koreano sa may bandang bungad ng restaurant. Namili na lang kami ng table na komportable kami sa pwesto. 

We ordered our usual favorites: pork galbi, rice, and Korean ramen. As usual, the hot soup warmed our hungry bellies and the hot off-the-grill slices of pork was mouthwatering. Napawi ang kagutuman!

After eating, we booked a Grab car pauwi ng Pasig. It took us another hour to get home. Pagdating sa bahay, plakda ang lahat sa sobrang pagod lalo na ang mga kids. It was definitely a wonderful trip and I am glad that the kids were able to enjoy every bit of it. Sana sa susunod naming trips masama namin ulit sila.

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