It's Fun Being A Mom!: A Road Less Travelled: Top Hidden Places to See in Tanay and Laguna

Some of you are asking for the details of our Christmas Weekend on the Sierra Madre mountains.
But I am so bad in remembering places and directions!

So I let my husband do it for you. I'll just put lots of pictures, plus my thoughts on the places we went to.

Start: Marcos Highway (Cogeo)

Park, Rest, Dine Restaurant (Baras, Rizal)

What’s there: Simple restaurant with some rustic and eccentric decors situated on a roadside on the way up to the mountains. Best for resting and appreciating nature at its simplest.

My thoughts: Very simple food, nothing spectacular. But the "province" feel is very authentic and makes you relaxed after a long drive from Manila. It also preps you on what to expect as you go deeper into Rizal - old houses, province feel, quiet environment, friendly people.

Palo Alto Falls (Baras, Rizal)

What’s there: Enter the subdivision, then a little bit of hike takes one to the falls where the cold clean water in the plunge pool invites guest for a dip. Best for a picnic by the falls.

My thoughts: This is a really good place to go. Just make sure you put on mosquito-repellent lotion because there are lots and really big mosquitoes in the area. To be safe, go for the commercial brands of anti-mosquito. I'm not sure if organic ones will do the trick.

As you can see from the photos, we were even wearing shorts! But I have Off lotion with me.. so.. no bites. We usually use organic anti-mosquito but I think mosquitoes in the forest are more pesky..

Ten Cents to Heaven (Tanay, Rizal)

What’s there: A leisure estate nicely nestled in a wide expanse up in the mountain with rooms for accommodation, zip line and other teambuilding facilities

My thoughts: This was still under construction when we went there. But the view is very good. I am just not sure now when all the rooms had been completed.

Paseo Rizal Restaurant (Brgy Sampaloc, Tanay, Rizal)

What’s there: A small art gallery on the first floor, a cozy Filipino restaurant on the second floor, and some rooms for overnight accommodations in the building’s surroundings. A rest area offers a nice panorama of the area. Right across the street is a lot with rows of pine trees where seedlings are sold. Best for a visit in December/January, when it gets foggy and cool.

My thoughts: Their suman with latik is very good!! There was also a time when there was a small band playing and a group of painters here who would paint your portrait on the spot! It feels like you're having a family reunion in an ancestral home when you're here.

I told you it's a mini forest.. "Munting Gubat"

J.E. Camp (Tanay , Rizal)

What’s there: Former President Joseph Estrada’s estate where he was detained on house arrest years ago. There’s a museum of Estrada’s political show business archives and paraphernalia. For a small fee, a guided tour of the estate allows visitors to stop and enjoy areas with different themes, gardens, play areas. There’s also a huge duck pond, a mini-zoo and a ranch.

My thoughts: Very good for children, especially if you're already tired of Manila/Malabon/Avilon zoo. It's a bit tiring to tour the whole area but the entrance fee is worth it.

Daraitan River (Rizal and Quezon border)

What’s there: A hidden river with a stunning backdrop of white rocks and lush greenery. This is a little tricky to get to since one would have to endure a bumpy ride through rough road that starts shortly off the national highway. Once in Daraitan proper, one must first cross a portion of the river via a raft to be able to access the greater area that is the entry point to the river and the rocks. Best for trekking, exploring and completely escaping the city life. Further afield is Tinipak Rock with caves and huge boulders.

My thoughts: A very good place to enjoy nature in its raw, untouched form. I strongly discourage bringing children below 5. We are just stubborn parents who didn't know better. I, as the mother, endured glares and scolds from the locals for bringing my then 4 and 1 year old! Best to go during summer or when it is less rainy but still cold. The path is muddy and slippery when it's raining.

You have to hire one of these boats to cross the river.

See, how can you make a child walk on these rocks! Much more carry a baby while walking here!

This is the path as you go higher.

We walked this kind of road all the way up... and all the way down...

Daily Beans (Pililia, Rizal)

What’s there: A roadside restaurant/café surrounded by rice fields that offers value-for-money dishes and desserts. Best for relaxing and watching the world slowly go by. The area where the café is located is said to have been an inspiration to Amorsolo’s painting of the countryside in the past.

My thoughts: Feel-good food, perfect to cap your outdoor adventure before heading back to Manila. The servings are big! Their Tuna Panga is good for 4 people, yet priced reasonably. The owners are very friendly. And it is situated in the middle of the highway.