800-Meter Palawan Over-Water Zip Line Ride - Puerto Princesa Manlipien Beach Jungle Trail Peak

WATCH: 800-meter over-the sea fantastic zip line of Puerto Princesa Palawan!

There are lots to do in Palawan and when in the capital, Puerto Princesa, there's one trip a tourist should not miss - the St. Paul Subterranean (Underground) River tour. Because it's a trip that's world famous, there's a waiting time of a few hours. To while away the time, you will be given the option by your tour guide to either ride the 800-meter long zip line or take a boat and row among the mangroves that grow near the protected Manlipien Beach area. Most of the adventurous ones choose the zip line. It's a long ride and takes you over the waters of the Sulu Sea like the wings of a bird. To get there, you will take a short hike along a primeval beach, then go up the side of a mountain thickly covered by an ancient forest. At the top, there's a zip line platform where you will be treated to an amazing view of the shore, the sea, and distant mountains!

This zip line isn't scary at all, though the thought of hanging by a cable for short of a minute (my estimate) can give you butterflies in your stomach. Once you're there (hike up the mountain in a dense primeval forest) and you soak in the awesome view and see kids as young as seven taking the ride, then whatever apprehension you might have would likely dissipate with the wind. It's not everyday that you get to ride an 800-meter zip line over water, so when you do get the chance to visit the Underground River of Puerto Princesa Palawan in The Philippines, do so. You will feel alive and if you're lucky, have a zen-like experience. Oh, and there's also a treat on the tiny island below, which is your destination. It's a very primordial island with layered rock formations that are probably more than 20 million years old, if you would consider the gelogical history of the area.

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Fantasy World Castle in Lemery Batangas - Diokno Road Landmark

Cars coming to and from Tagaytay City that pass along Diokno Highway in Lemery Batangas can't fail but notice a fantasy Medieval castle standing majestically by the road. Travelers who see it for the first time blink and say, “I didn't know there was a Disneyland in the Philippines!” Well, they are correct! There is no Disneyland in the Philippines, but there is the Fantasy World Castle, which is a kind of exclusive amusement park generally for members and condominium owners within the facility.

Taal Volcano Tagaytay - 42"W x 28"H - Peel and Stick Wall Decal by Wallmonkeys 

 Tourists who aren't members of Fantasy World are said to be able to enter by paying a fee for a minimum of 10 persons. It used to be P1000 but you never know how much the fee is now unless you go there. You can of course, ask a member to accompany you inside for free. It's a common error to say that the Fantasy World Castle is in Tagaytay City. The truth is that it's in Lemery, Batangas.

Philippines, Tagaytay Mouse Pad

The Fantasy World Castle is something of a curiosity for many people since it's not really open to the public, and yet it's a known landmark along Diokno highway. Strangely, it always seems to be empty. Unlike other amusement parks, you will see no rides around the castle (at least not yet as of this writing) and no stores that sell anything. There's just the castle which always seems to have its doors closed. Because of this fact, people - kids mostly - wonder what's inside. Is there a lovely princess in one of the towers waiting to be rescued by a handsome prince? Unlikely, but few people know that the Fantasy World Castle was used before as a set for a local film based on the classic 1904 children's novel, A Little Princess, by Frances Hodgson Burnett. It's also been used for shoots of several fantasy television series, like Majika.

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C2 Restaurant's Traditional Filipino Cuisine

There's a restaurant at the SM Megamall called C2 that serves traditional Filipino cuisine. C2 means Classic Cuisine, so don't confuse it with the iced tea product. Anyway, eating here can be a treat with the friendly waiters and colorful seventies-inspired light fixtures (left). The restaurant is all about Filipino food, and they serve their own jazzed up versions of classic dishes like the Philippine chicken adobo (shown below with the crispy tilapia) and hubad na lumpia (top).

If you eat here, you may be pleasantly surprised at how old-time favorite dishes can give a different experience to the Filipino palate with added ingredients in the preparation and presentation. If you're already familiar with the usual taste of traditional Philippine food, you will find the versions served at the C2 a delight, tickling you with new twists to old tastes. Even familiar drinks offer new tastes for your buds. If you're lucky, you may run into a friendly waiter who knows a lot of trivia on food and history.

The C2 restaurant mentioned here is found at the Atrium section of the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong. It's menu specialties are Ensaladang Prutas at Lato, Guinataang Puso ng Saging, Crispy Squid, Cirspy Tilapia, Prawns in Aligue Sauce, Boneless Crispy Pata, Pork Humba, Tinolang Binakol and Tokwa't Baboy.

UPDATE: This C2 branch at Megamall has closed.

 

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Kubo ni Ka Ipe: A Quaint QC Restaurant with a Creeping Plant Growing on the Nipa Ceiling

There is a quaint and small restaurant in or near Teacher's Village in Quezon City. It's called Kainan sa Kubo ni Ka Ipe. It's near Kalayaan Avenue and Malingap Street - 89 Malumanay st., to be exact, and it's interesting because it's got a creeping vine growing on the ceiling (see pictures on the left and below). It's said that the plant just crept inside and started to grow and it's now the main attraction of the eatery. It's got a nipa roof and wooden furniture which gives it an airy and refreshing nayon ambiance, especially with the wind chimes, seashell chandeliers, and big windows. It definitely has a rustic Filipino charm that's adorable.

The Kubo ni Ka Ipe is run by Nida Najera and was borne from her efforts catering food to her tenants. This led to the establishment, and turned space in her residence into something useful. The standard menu has the usual Filipino toppings like the "silogs" (rice meals with egg), but they also have house specialties like the dinuguan. Lunch "turo-turo" meals are also available. The restaurant caters to nearby offices and bilao pancit orders are popular for corporate events. Once you see the vine on the ceiling (left' below), you will really be impressed. Yes, it's the conversation piece on every table and you'll likely look at it more than the History Channel show on the television set in the corner.

If you're in the area, you might want to check out Kainan sa Kubo ni Ka Ipe with your friends, stay for a while and soak in the Filipino eating experience.You might even be able to identify the plant, if you're into botany or agriculture.

 

Manila Travel Guide (Philippines Insider Guides Book 3)