South Luzon Loop – Day 3: The Journey Continues from Bicol to Tagaytay

After another fun-filled day in Bicol from our Day 2, it was finally time to continue our journey back home—or so we thought. 😂 My husband’s birthday was coming up on January 4, and I had already booked a hotel in Pasay for January 3 as part of our birthday celebration. So I think the timeline of this trip was perfectly aligned with my plan for his birthday.

Since we were already making our way back to Manila, we kept persuading my mom to hold off on going home and join us for a little longer so we could celebrate my husband’s birthday together. Thankfully, she agreed—yet again! 😂 So, this is what actually happened during an entire day being spent on the road from Bicol to Tagaytay..

After checking out of Bernese Resort Hotel at around 11 AM, we hit the road from Bicol and continued our journey toward Tagaytay, adding yet another destination to our unexpected and ever-growing South Luzon Loop adventure.

One of our first stops was Bastian Food Garden. It was around 2 or 3 PM when we felt the urge to stop for a late lunch. We were still pretty full from the silog meals we had for breakfast at Bernese Resort Hotel, so we weren’t really in a hurry to eat.

Lunch at Bastian Food Garden in Polangui, Albay

The restaurant was wide and spacious, with plenty of room to accommodate large groups. It’s the perfect stopover for people who have been on the road for hours, just like us. 😅

The open-air space gave the place a refreshing and laid-back atmosphere. Their food was affordable and delicious, and to top it all off, there were cute quotes hanging on the walls. Just like during our stay at PROXY by The Oriental Albay, simple quotes and sayings somehow always manage to stick in my mind.

But this time, the quote that caught my attention was one I only noticed after taking our photo: “When you love what you have, you have everything you need.”

And honestly, it totally makes sense.

It reminded me of being part of a family. There’s something beautiful about being content with what you have in the life you’re living. We have to learn to appreciate the things we already have and love the fruits of what we’ve worked hard for. When we do, we begin to see the beauty in our lives instead of constantly looking at what we lack.

I’m not sure if I’m explaining it correctly, but you get me, right? Right? HAHA. 😅

As we continued the long drive on our way home, I didn’t even get a glimpse of sleep. Instead, I simply appreciated the roads and the beauty of nature around us. It was my first time traveling this far south of Luzon, and I wanted to indulge my senses and keep this core memory clear in my mind.

I’m 33 years old now, and I can’t help but wish that I had started writing sooner. Well, I actually did during my high school years, but as a mom, I wish I had started again as soon as my babies were born. I wish I could recall every little detail—the feeling of holding them in my arms for the first time, their first smile, their first steps, and everything in between.

I can’t go back and document those moments now, but I can make sure to write about all the experiences we’ll have together in the future. Maybe someday, when I look back at these stories, I’ll be grateful that I took the time to preserve them—not just for myself, but for my children, too.

More photos along the way

It was already nighttime when we finally had a chance to stop for dinner at Lolo Ompo Restaurant in Calauag, Quezon. The resto had a wide parking area, which made it another perfect stop for a group of travelers like us.

The place looked like a giant nipa hut, or kubo, nestled inside a lush green forest. It has a rustic charm and at night, it looked almost magical—like an enchanted setting straight out of a Filipino folklore story or a mythological book. Too bad I didn’t get to take many photos of it at night, but you can probably imagine it from my POV anyway. HAHA. 😅

Dinner at Lolo Ompo Restaurant in Calauag, Quezon

Bahay ni Lolo Ompo is known for its organic rice, locally sourced from the Bondoc Peninsula, and its selection of Filipino comfort food. It’s also a popular stopover for travelers passing through Quezon, especially those traveling to and from Bicol.

Since I was still full from the sandwich and iced coffee we had from a McDonald’s drive-thru earlier, I wasn’t able to taste Lolo Ompo’s signature organic brown rice. My hubby and mom were able to enjoy their meal, though, and I swear, I’m definitely having a proper meal here the next time we pass through this resto again.

As the night grew deeper and we were only a few hours away from Tagaytay, we initially wanted to book a hotel through a booking app. But since it was already 1 AM, it didn’t seem practical to pay for a full night at a hotel when we would simply check out after waking up and getting ready for another day. So instead, we decided to inquire at the lodges we passed by along the Santa Rosa–Tagaytay Road.

Our first choice was Little Falls Inn because it was on the side of the road facing Taal Volcano and was located right across from 5R Rooms for Rent. Unfortunately, it was already fully booked at that hour. We then decided to check out 5R Rooms for Rent and, luckily, they had only one room left that could accommodate a family like ours. We grabbed the opportunity, as it simply felt like the room was actually meant for us. 😅

Lodging at 5R Rooms for Rent in Tagaytay City, Cavite

The room we stayed in was located on the third floor of 5R Rooms for Rent. There was no elevator, so getting up there was quite a challenge, especially for my dad, who almost fainted from the struggle of climbing the stairs. 🥹 Thankfully, we made it up safely and were able to get by.

It felt a bit like we were staying in an attic, and the only thing that made me a little uncomfortable were the marks on the ceiling. But other than that, it was okay. There were three beds inside, along with a toilet and bath equipped with a water heater.

It was very cold in Tagaytay, and the wind never seemed to stop whistling and knocking against our windows throughout the night. The whole experience was honestly a little scary before going to sleep, especially with the constant sounds outside. But the next morning was the complete opposite.

The view from where we stayed may not have included Taal Volcano, but it was still beautiful.

We got ready around 9 AM, had our breakfast inside the room, and checked out at 11 AM. And just like that, our unexpected Day 3 of the South Luzon Loop came to an end. It was time to hit the road again and continue our journey into Day 4. 🚗💨