#greenats

May 7-8, 2016: Tagaytay Overnight Trip (First Solo Getaway)

“I am a princess not because I have a prince, but because my father is the King of Kings.”

I've decided to have my first solo getaway a place just near Manila so my parents would allow me, specially my Mom. Very timely, I found Dreamland Bed & Breakfast.

Dreamland Arts & Café – Bed & Breakfast is a hippie inspired kind of place and it’s a good thing and the best choice that I've decided to have my first solo travel stay at their place. I knew about the place through facebook. As soon as I've seen it, I know that I actually wanna stay there specially with their dreamcatcher theme, who would’ve not love that and since Im also a dreamcatcher lover, it caught my attention and even my heart actually. The place is not hard to find as its just along the way and is beside Cityland. I took Nasugbu DLTB bus from Buendia going to Tagaytay Rotonda-Olivarez. The bus departed at around 8:45 AM and arrived at Tagaytay by 10:45 AM. From Olivarez, I rode a tricycle going to Dreamland not knowing that its just a walking distance from the place Im going to stay and the terminal drop off. I was amazaed as soon as I saw Dreamland from the outside and fell inlove even more when I saw it from the inside, well, most specially my Tiki Dreams room.

Initially, my itinerary upon arrival is to left my things first to their place then explore the city but it changed the moment I saw the place. Hihi. I stayed there and waited for my check-in time instead. I first had my light snack at their café. I arrived at their place by 11:00 AM and asked if there is no earlier check-in, she advised me that their earliest is 1:00 PM. I told her that Ill just have a snack first until I wait for the check-in time. Ma’am Arlene, a staff from Dreamland is the one who assisted me. Really thankful to her that even though check-in time is still 2:00 PM, she allowed me to check-in at 12:00 NN since I think no one stayed there before me. I also appreciate their staff with taking me pictures since Im goin’ solo (Well, yeah, I have my wired monopod, but still, its different when somebody else takes you a picture). I was informed that my room doesn’t have the key to its lock ‘cause the previous one who stayed there didn’t return the key. At first, it made me think on how am I going to secure my stuffs. Good thing I have my important stuffs with me on my small bag every time I go out and yes, happily, though I doesn’t lock my room every time I leave, no one got lost. Ma’am Arlene is right, the place is safe. I was really amazed and inlove with the Tiki Dreams room, well, my dream room. I can’t stop taking pictures and I told myself, “I’ll have something like this with my future house.” I rested for 2 hours then left for Paradizoo adventure. I think it took me 30-45 minutes to go to Paradizoo. Yeah, its kind of far from the place I stayed but worth it. While I was on the tricycle, I kept on praying ‘cause its already raining. As soon as I arrived, the rain stopped. I enjoyed walking around the place, taking pictures of the animals, flowers, gardens, etc. I was amazed by some of the animals since it is my first time to have seen some of them such as the donkeys and camels. I also appreciate their accommodating staff, they taught me how to make the butterfly stay on my finger (for picture taking). Hihi. What a wonderful weather it is. Thank God! After at Paradizoo, I went back to Dreamland and relaxed before having dinner. I had my dinner at Green ATS. Enjoyed the food, cold weather plus the overlooking view. If only Dreamland is just near the restaurant, I would've have stayed longer. Hihi. During the night, before I went back to Dreamland, I walked around the Olivarez area since Im still enjoying and loving their cold weather there. I went back at around 10:00 PM and had my quiet time at their Café. Its really a good place to read or write journal, with its ambiance plus the food, very relaxing. Since I continued my quiet time in my room, I slept at around 2:00 AM already. Though I already slept late, I still woke up early for the reason of maximizing my time to enjoy and take pictures of the place. I even had a talk with Ma'am Arlene while having breakfast. Another reason of waking up early is that Im going to attend 10:00 AM service at CCF at Cityland Tagaytay, which is just beside dreamland. I really didn't know that their place is just near to a Christian church which I can attend to. As soon as Ive seen CCF upon arriving to Dreamland, really felt thankful to God. It is my first time to attend at CCF and I loved the preaching of their Pastor which is about: Growing in love, obeying God's word in love.

God has been with me all throughout my trip, I know. I felt His presence. It may not be through Him personally, but through His angels, His people:

1. Bus Conductor - considering that I should be standing in the bus as there are no seats already, he offered his seat to me. And before that, I was only sitted beside the driver on the aisle. 2. Ma'am Arlene (one of the staff from Dreamland) - for allowing me to check-in earlier than 2:00 PM and for teaching me where and what jeepneys to ride so I can arrive on my destination. 3. Tricycle Driver - for asking me lower than their usual fare and for teaching me how to get back on a cheaper type of commute/transportation (instead of just taking advantage since Im not familiar with the place). 4. Security Guards - for helping me to make "para"of the jeepneys and bus. 5. Staff/Crew - for taking pictures! :D

Single doesn't always mean lonely. Really. I love being single with Jesus and Im really enjoying my season of singleness right now. More time to myself, friends and family.

Not everyone will understand my journey. That's okay. I'm here to live my life, not to make everyone understand. As long as Im not stepping on someone else's life and doesn't do what is not pleasing to the eyes of the Lord, it's okay.

Enjoyed my first solo travel and will definitely be not the last!