The Girl Behind the Pen

Apart from great food, what makes a dining experience oh-so-perfect is a kick ass view! Wyndell's Al Fresco in Tanay, Rizal gives you just that. 

Before you enter this Tanay restaurant's premises, you will be welcomed by a quaint cafe with a rooftop dining area. If you're coming from a long descent and you just want to take a quick break, there you can sip a hot coffee while enjoying the cool breeze of Tanay.

Wyndell's Al Fresco is not like any other restaurants in Tanay you'd see because it's separated into three sections: cafe, samgyupsal area, and the main dining area. So upon entering the restaurant, you'd see a rustic dining area on your left perfect for a romantic date. Just a few steps down and you'll see their samgyupsal area. But if you want to enjoy a full-blown Wyndell's experience, take the best spot in the main dining area with mountains and trees as your backdrop. Trust me when I say the view is overwhelmingly beautiful, especially during sunset. If you arrive around 5pm, the sun will touch your skin, giving you an instant glow or a warm filter for a photo op. 

This al fresco dining in Tanay, Rizal offers a wide variety of dishes, catering to those who are always on-the-go, Korean BBQ lovers, and for special celebrations. As for us, we tried some of their sandwiches, pasta, and a pizza. 

Philly Cheesestake (PHP 280)

Not the usual Philly Cheesesteak sandwich that will have you give up at 3rd bite. It's good!

BBQ Burger (PHP 350)

It's small but filling. I loved how the sweet and spicy barbecue sauce matches the sourness of the tomatoes and the double quarter pounder patties that taste just right (not too bland, not too salty).

Gamberi Aglia e Olio Pappardelle (PHP 350)

I never thought I'd like an oil-based pasta at first try! 

Basil Honey Pepperoni Pizza (PHP 350)

For the pizza, I think I expected too much though. I like the consistency but it's too sweet for a pizza, for me.

Although it's a bit pricier than other Tanay, Rizal restaurants, overall, I'm completely satisfied with my dining experience at Wyndell's Al Fresco Tanay. I'll be coming back to try their breakfast menu. Hopefully soon!

If you've ever been here or just planning to visit, let me know in the comment box below your thoughts! :)

Wyndell's Al Fresco

Admired for its majestic beauty, Mayon Volcano Natural Park, a famous landmark in the Philippines, never fails to attract travelers across the world. With its beauty and history, one would never dare to miss Mayon when in Bicol. But more than being a beauty that is enough to be admired from afar, you can discover so much more if only you’re brave enough to see beyond the perfect cone-shaped volcano.

About Mayon Volcano

Mayon Volcano is both a stunner and a killer. While it is one of the most beautiful volcanoes in the Philippines, in the world rather, Mount Mayon is also among the most destructive that’s why many people dare to go near it. Its perfect cone shape draws attention all over the world but what lies beyond its beauty is its deadly nature: an enormous chamber, churning with molten rock and toxic gas that could blow anytime.

The Legend of Mayon Volcano

Mayon is the country’s most active volcano and is named after a beautiful princess named Daragang Magayon. She was the daughter of the ruler of Bicol. Darangang Magayon was so beautiful and kind that many young men wanted to marry her. But she was in love with Hadiong. But Hadiong was a warrior of the tribe that was Magayon’s family’s enemy. They were secretly seeing each other and when both of their families found out, they were furious and war between the two tribes started. Hadiong fought in the battle and got killed. When Daragang Magayon heard of Hadiong’s death, it broke her heart. She cried every day until she got sick, and died. Her family and the townspeople buried her with much sadness. But a few months later, the ground where she was buried grew and grew. And after a few hundred years, it became a beautiful volcano now known as Mount Mayon. 

Mayon Volcano History

After knowing the beautiful legend of Mayon Volcano, it’s time to learn more about its history. The Mayon Volcano is located in Albay Province. It stands at 8,077 feet above sea level.

Mayon Volcano has erupted over 51 times in the past four centuries, the most destructive of which is in 1814 where thousands of families were affected. In spite of everything, Mount Mayon has helped in developing a culture of resiliency among the locals who always rebuilt their towns and cultivated their fields after each destructive eruption.

The Mayon Volcano Natural Park is also among the 17 protected areas in the Bicol Region and home to 156 floral species and 83 species of trees according to UNESCO. It is also a habitat for 104 species of land vertebrates, including 57 species of birds, 10 species of amphibians, 24 species of reptiles, and 13 species of mammals. Of the 13 mammal species, 7 are endemic of which 3 are listed as vulnerable: the  Philippine Brown Deer, Philippine Warty Pig, and Giant Golden-Crowned Flying Fox. The bird fauna includes 37 endemic species with 3 species listed in the IUCN red list: the nearly-threatened Luzon Bleeding Heart, vulnerable Philippine Eagle-Owl, and critically-endangered Philippine Cockatoo. The 10 amphibian fauna are all endemic frog species with 4 listed in the IUCN red list: the nearly-threatened Luzon Fanged Frog, Luzon Forest Ground Frog, and Guenther’s Forest Frog; and the vulnerable Banded Pygmy Tree Frog. Mount Mayon also houses 1 endemic butterfly, 7 endemic stick-insects, and 9 endemic spiders in the registered insect and arachnid fauna.

Mayon Volcano Natural Park offers a variety of ecotourism activities like the ecological tours, camping, trekking, among others.

How to reach Mayon Volcano

There are several ways to get to Albay: by plane, bus, and train. Read below to find out more details on how to get to Mayon Volcano.

By plane

From Manila, you can book direct flights to Legazpi, Albay. The trip would normally last up to one hour. 

By Bus 

If the plane ride is out of your budget on how to reach Mayon Natural Park, consider traveling by bus. From Manila, there are many bus lines that offer routes going to Bicol. But brace yourself for a long hour ride as the travel time takes about at least 12 hours depending on the traffic.

By train

Another convenient way to add in your options on how to reach Mayon Volcano is by train from Manila. Bicol Express operated by the Philippine National Railways (PNR) offered trips daily from Tutuban, Manila to Naga City, and the travel time would usually last up to 12 hours. As of this writing though, the operation of the Bicol Express is still suspended due to ongoing repairs. According to their statement, they are targeting to launch its partial operations by 2021.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mayon Volcano 

Q: What is Mayon Volcano description?

A: Mayon Volcano description came from a legend. It is named after a beautiful princess named Daragang Magayon. In Bicolano, magayon means “beautiful.”

Q: Why is Mayon Volcano a tourist spot?

A: Mayon Volcano is a famous tourist spot because of its perfect cone shape that many travelers across the world admire.

Q: Is Mayon Volcano active, dormant or extinct?

A: Mayon Volcano is active. In fact, it’s the most active volcano in the Philippines and one of the most active in the world.

Q: What is there to do in Mayon Volcano?

A: Visiting Mayon Volcano is more than just sightseeing and picture-taking because the area offers exciting activities perfect for thrill-seekers. Here are the four activities you must try when in Mayon Volcano Natural Park.

1. Ecological Tour

2. Hiking

3. Camping

4. ATV Riding

Q: Can you hike Mayon Volcano?

A: Due to the risk of volcanic activity, the summit of Mt Mayon is off-limits to climbers but generally, it’s a 2-3 day climb. The most difficult part starts at 2.195m and is a 40-degree ascent on loose volcanic cinder and lava sand up to the summit. On the summit, be careful of poisonous fumes emitted by the volcano.

Being home to more than 7,000 beautiful islands, the Philippines surely never disappoints. From the pristine beaches and jaw-dropping lagoons to the breathtaking rolling hills, there's something for every traveler, and that will make you want to come back for more. 

Of all the Philippine destinations I've been to, one of the places that left a mark on me was Batanes. With its lush greenery everywhere that will make you sing the hills are alive and socializing with the kindest people you'd ever meet, how can you not love Batanes?

Must-read: Batanes Through the Eyes of a First-Timer

But did you know that there is a place near Manila that almost looks like Batanes? Read on to find out where this place is.

Behold, Tanay in Rizal Province, just one to two hours away from the metro. We just saw this accidentally when we decided to pass by the Marilaque Road. Marilaque stands for Marikina (Ma), Rizal (Ri), Laguna (La), and Quezon Province (Que). It's a famous road for riders who are coming from Manila and traveling to Rizal or Quezon provinces. 

The moment I saw it, I already thought it's really like Batanes. Wherever you look (at least in the part of Tanay in Marilaque) is a mountain range and rolling hills. But it was almost dark so we didn't stop. I told myself, I have to come back and see it again. And when we did, my jaw dropped just like when I saw this road in South of Batan Island in Batanes.

Sure, it's not really 100% look-a-like but there is a resemblance. My point is, in Batanes, hills and mountains are the usual sights on the road. And in Rizal lies a somehow similar spot where you can see beautiful landscapes as you drive along the road.

And just like taking a photo in Batanes' road, it's also not easy playing patintero with the cars passing by so, in case you're planning to take a photo, be extra careful because vehicles there are fast and they wouldn't stop for your photoshoot. Luckily, the cars passing by that time were only a few.

Being a Rizal resident, I was really surprised that there is actually a place like this in our province. Even restaurants have overlooking views of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range. It's pure, divine, and breathtaking.

How to get to Marilaque Highway

Ricardo's Vista del Cielo

To travel to new destinations is to absorb the beauty and history of a place, but some places truly take us back in time and allow us to get a glimpse of another world in a different era—Sulyap Gallery Cafe, Boutique Hotels and Restaurant is one proof.

Our tour guide said the property was originally named as Sulyap sa Pamana because the owner inherited the land (if I remember correctly) from his father. However, since there are lots of establishments named Pamana, they decided to rename it to Sulyap instead. Sulyap is a Filipino word meaning to glance, to see something just for a moment. 

As we set our feet on its ground, we were greeted by old traditional Filipino houses-turned-hotel and restaurant. The traditional Filipino homes may have dwindled but echoes of its presence can be seen and experienced at Sulyap Gallery Cafe in San Pablo, Laguna. 

These houses were brought from various provinces in the Philippines. The owner rebuilt the old houses and worked hard to maintain each house's original materials. He said he didn't really change much of it and about 90% of the houses have their original parts. 

Photos from Sulyap Gallery Cafe, Boutique Hotels & Restaurant

There's also a museum across the restaurant where you can see a whole floor full of the owner's antique collection. 

And as for the food, I really can't say much except that it was undeniably good. All the dishes we ordered were fit to any person's taste. I love their sinigang na liempo (PHP 430), bistek tagalog (PHP 450), lechong kawali (PHP 430), and my favorite, the sizzling mixed seafoods (PHP 495). Best of all, it won't let you break the bank as its prices are reasonable. The crew also deserves a credit because everyone was very accommodating — giving you a complete Filipino experience because of their good traits.

More than being a restaurant and boutique hotel, Sulyap Gallery Cafe is a bridge to the past letting us in to an old world charm to experience the Filipino culture in all its glory.

Sulyap Gallery Cafe, Boutique Hotels & Restaurant

Address: Brgy. Del Remedio, Cocoland Compound 4000 San Pablo City, Laguna, Philippines

Operation hours: 10am to 6pm

Budget for meals: PHP 1,000 for two

Sulyap Gallery Cafe Room Rates:

With Breakfast

• 4 guests in a room - PHP 5,800
• 5 guests in a room - PHP 7,000
• 6 guests in a room - PHP 8,100

Extra Bed - PHP 1,000

Without Breakfast

• 4 guests in a room - PHP 5,100
• 5 guests in a room - PHP 6,125
• 6 guests in a room - PHP 7,050

Extra Bed - PHP 825

1. Chocolate-Coated Strawberries

2. Odeng (Eomuk Tang)

3. Tteokbokki, Breaded Prawns

4. 32cm Ice Cream

5. Gyeran-ppang (Egg Bread)

6. Gimbap, Corndog, Mandu

7. Sundae (Blood Sausage), Steamed Octopus Legs

8. Seafood Pancake

9. Sausages

10. Korean Fried Chicken

BONUS!
Binggrae Milk