Semi Retired Foamer: TAGAYTAY PICNIC GROVE

Sunday 20 September 2020

TAGAYTAY PICNIC GROVE

Tagaytay is a popular tourist spot, being located close to Manila and normally somewhat cooler than the capital.
One of it's biggest claims to fame is the Taal Volcano, which made the news recently when it had a wobbly and chundered ash over places as far away as the national capital.

We will be covering much more of Tagaytay in future posts, so here we will concentrate on one of the more popular locations for families to spend time.

All the following photos were taken at the 'Tagaytay Picnic Grove', a lovely location with lots for the family (picnic areas, horse rides, zipline rides and much more).

Picnic Grove on TripAdvisor.

If my old brain remembers correctly, it was P50 per head to enter, along with a further P30 if you wished to part you vehicle.
Between the carpark and the areas of interest, there were a number of shops selling souveniers, local fruits and sundry other guff that, I admit, I took little notice of.
The Guyabano fruit was absolutely awesome though.

The view of the Taal Volcano is unbeatable from here.

You could only imagine the spectacle during the recent eruption, assuming you were game enough to be standing there.

The zipline is available for people seeking far more excitement than I will ever need.

The picnic huts are fantastic for a family lunch, and come with a wonderful view.
But be careful of some of the local web spinning creatures that hang around there as well (see below).

Some of the many relos that joined us for the day.

Some more relos soon after arrival at Picnic Grove.
For some reason they are deeply engrossed in the wife's $20 point and shoot camera.

With a sister-in-law and a couple of cousins.
L to R: Bolinday, Zeny, myself and Anabelle.

A bridge that I had as much confidence using as

I did that zipline :-)

Since none of the family wanted to risk their lives on the zipline, a couple of random strangers demonstrate it here for you.

A couple of the earlier mentioned locals that lurk

around the picnic huts.
These are the 'Batik Golden Web Spider', known to exist in the Philippines and numerous other countries, including Australia.
The big ones seen here are females, the males are a fraction of the size and far less fearsome. Something most of us guys could probably relate too.
Apparently, mating can take up to 15 hours, which makes me more than a little jealous.