Residence Inn mini Zoo at Tagaytay

Residence Inn Mountain Resort and Zoo is small and more of a petting zoo. At the entrance, they sell fresh fruits and other food that the animals eat … the animals that could be fed that is.

Parrots and cockatoos are the first animals you’d see. Some of the birds are actually out of the cage – tied loosely to their perches. Visitors can take pictures with these animals.

Past the grotto, you’ll find the monkeys and apes.

This is one agitated monkey. It screams at you when you stare at it too long.

This zoo actually surrounds Residence Inn. Personally, I wouldn’t choose staying at an inn which is in the middle of a zoo. How much sleep can one get if you could hear the growling of the big cats, chirping of the noisy cockatoos/parrots, and the noise the hyperactive monkeys make? Maybe the air conditioned rooms filter out the sound… maybe.

The last time I visited a zoo was when I was doing a paper for Ecology during my college freshman year and had to go to the Manila zoo. I found the place depressing because I think the big animals do not have enough space to stretch out/roam in their cages.

The animals’ quarters are much smaller in Residence Inn.

The rooster and the peacock roam the place freely – they didn’t need cages.

The hen roamed freely too. The pony was tied and kids can have their picture taken with him.

Seeing the llamas made me think of the Sims2 computer game.

At a lower level were bigger cages. Sam and I were both afraid of the steep hillside stairs that we never got past the owl cage.

Near the entrance is the building where the reptiles and fishes are.

This snake looked bored.

This fish has an odd hump at the back.

A tiger cub is also at the entrance … but visitors must pay to take pictures of the tiger. If you do pay, the handler allows you to have your picture taken holding the cub.

Palace in the Sky in Tagaytay

Palace in the Sky in Tagaytay! It was a mansion built by ex-president Marcos for Ronald Reagan in the 80’s. The ruins of Marcos country mansion atop the highest mountain in the area is now a public area called “People’s Park“, where visitors can enjoy mountain breezes and spectacular views. This park also had a kiddie playground which all of my kids are really enjoyed a lot on this trip! Viewing Taal Volcano is very clear but very far.

Palace in the sky

Palace in the sky

Palace in the sky

Monument at Palace in the sky

Palace in the sky getting dark

View of Taal volcano at Palace in the sky

Fantastic sausages in Tagaytay

Last weekend, we drove by Tagaytay spotting for a perfect place to snack. Amidst the usual chain of the bulalo-serving Filipino cuisine joints and expensive restaurants, a big statue of sausage on a bun caught our attention. What a giant sausage it was! The sign said Toby and Tony’s Fantastic Sausages.

We already missed it by a few hundred meters when we decided to take a turn and check it out. Mr. John Thompson, one of the owners said, “When we brought our first statue in here, a lot of passersby went down to have their pictures taken with the sausage and the place wasn’t even open yet!” The place was indeed like a magnet pulling curious customers. It was an advertisement in itself, even the building’s vibrant colors made me think about ordering a sausage.

Located at Aguinaldo Highway Tagaytay just next to the Shell Station, Toby and Tony’s Fantastic Sausages had its soft opening sometime July of this year, and on their first day they were selling 17 kilos of their signature ultra-gigantic meatyliscious sausage Bambse, 22 kilos of All-Meat hotdogs, and 10 kilos of my personal favorite, Hungarian Sausage, even without advertisement.

Toby and Tony’s Fantastic Sausages allows you to create your own meal according to your budget and taste. They offer first class products to an affordable price. From Bamse Surf and Turf, Bamse TNT (Hot), The MEGA’s: Hungarian, Cabanossi, Kielbasa, Pepperoni, Winerli, Lamb that can be served with either bread, fries, or real mashed potatoes, there’s just a sausage for everybody! They have plates offering Filipino favorites that range only from P58-P60 Tapsilog, Longsilog, Tosilog, Hotsilog to cater the most discriminating Pinoy palette. Also in their menu are three Amazing Burgers, the Hungarian Burger, the Tapa Burger, and Longanisa Burger all can be served with either bread or rice. Whether you plan to dine in or out of the building to enjoy the cool breeze, or have your orders to go for a picnic or as pasalubong for your loved one, you’ll get the same great taste.