Backpacking to Tanay Rizal – 12/29/2013

December was my travel month. 

I went to HongKong for a business Trip, Tanay Rizal for our Christmas Outing, North-bound for our annual family Trip and lastly, back to Rizal for a day’s adventure with friends.

I was busy the entire December, but since I want to narrate and share each and every travel adventure I've been to, I'll be posting them here anyway. I'll start with the most recent. :)

It's an unplanned day tour at Rizal with officemates, Den and Nheri. We were supposed to go to Laguna but since we've been spending a LOT and accommodations will cost much, we decided to go somewhere near.

We decided to have an adventure in Rizal.

Meeting time was 6:30am at Ligaya, Pasig. (I was on time, they were just an hour and a half early). I arrived there almost at sunrise.

Our first stop was the Touch of Glory Prayer Mountain. We took 2 jeeps to Cogeo, then Paenaan. Fare was arounf P20. Entrance fee at the Prayer mountain was P70. Here you can do church service, relfect and pray at the prayer cells, prayer huts, or in the open areas surrounded by plants and trees. It's also a retreat place, they have separate dormitories for girls and boys.

It was a very relaxing and tranquil place for alone time, prayer and simply enjoying nature.

But we only stayed there from 7:30-9:00 because we have a lot to accomplish on our list.

Next, we had a roller coaster ride going to Tanay Rizal. But after 3-4 rides of jeeps and tricycles and lots of asking, we managed to reach Tanay Plaza. For people's information, there are buses in EDSA Shaw going straight to Tanay Rizal.
In the Tanay Plaza, we rented a tricycle to Daranak. Fare was P350 roundtrip for the three of us. 

We stopped over at a bridge in Tanay and manong driver even took our photo. 

The tricycle driver (who seems to be our tour guide as well) suggested that we visit the Calinawan Cave, which was just along the way going to Daranak Falls.

Just some facts : Calinawan Cave was named as such because it used to be a meeting place for soldiers during the World War. Many arguments and pacts have been settled and clarified in this cave, that's why it's called Calinawan. :)). Plus, a "Column" is when a stalactite above and stalagmite below meets to form a post.
Entrance fee to the cave is P20/ head. Tour guide service is P100 + tip.

Afterwards, we climbed a grotto with the 14 stations of the cross (but I didn't have a picture) and trekked until we reach our last destination for the day : the Daranak Falls! 

Entrance fee was only P30 for adults. Cottages and tables are also affordable at P300 and P150 respectively.

Another attraction famous in Daranak was the balanced stones. We ourselves tried to pile stacks for the experience.

The falls is open from 8am-5pm daily and not allowed for overnight stays. There's no corkage in food so bring as many as you want. Alcohol is banned inside though.

After the swim till afternoon, we went back to Tanay / Plaza and there were already shuttles and buses back to EDSA Shaw. Bus tickets cost P60-P70.

So, if you want a cheap day adventure near the city, Tanay is a good place for you and friends!

Indeed, it was a tiring day but definitely a one of a kind and sulit trip with the Crazy Eggs! 

<3 Shaine