"Rizal? Sure, Why Not! (And Other Cousin-Induced Adventures)"
It all started with a casual Sunday chat.
My cousin Myla, struggling to keep her 5-year-old from running around, drops the bomb: "Let's go to Rizal next Saturday!" Now, when Myla says "Rizal," she means š Tanay, Rizal, the land of twisty roads and mountain vibes, practically a stone's throw from Metro Manila (not really, but you get the gist).
Camping? Sure, why not! Especially since my other cousins promised a free ride. (Free is my favorite word.) Of course, I knew there would be "hidden charges" somewhere, but come on, this has got to be fun, right?
Plus, my last camping adventure with friends at work was surprisingly enjoyable (story for another day, promise!). So, with a mental shrug and a "YOLO" attitude, I said yes. And just like that, two months of 2025 vanished, and it was suddenly March 1st.
Road Trip Vibes: Mountain Edition
The drive to Tanay? If cars were to take a rollercoaster ride, that would be it. Think winding roads, sharp turns, and views that make you wanna yell "I'm the king/queen of the mountain!" But in a good way, of course. Mountains everywhere, the perfect temperature ā it was like Mother Nature turned up the saturation and tinkered around with hues on everything.
An hour and a half, maybe two, later (traffic in Quezon City is a fickle beast), we rolled into our destination:
š Viewscape Nature Park.
This place has it all: huts, cottages, car camping, tent pitching --- basically, a camping buffet. Up to your preference, capacity, and experience, really. My cousins, the pros (or not, because it's really their neighbor), brought their own (their neighbor's) tents.
Me? I opted for a cozy two-person tent (Php 400.00 / USD 6.99). They said no mattresses or pillows were left, but after some very persuasive negotiation (aka, I flashed my dimpled smiles), they magically found some "extras." Negotiation win! Don't forget the Php 300.00 (USD 5.24) entrance fee --- a small price to pay for mountain magic.
Early Bird Gets the... Slightly Less Crowded View?
It was only 10 AM, but the place was already buzzing with campers. Prime view spots were disappearing faster than lumpiang shanghai in every Filipino household's birthday parties. So, while my cousins were settling the bill, I went on a mission to snag us a somewhat good spot. (But really, my cousin Leah insisted that I --- her very introverted cousin --- run up the hill and glare at anyone who would so much as consider taking some of the very few good spots left.
And I'm a literal angel. How can I ever glare at people? (I did. š¤·āāļø)
The view was... decent. Okay, maybe a little crowded, but hey, it's the weekend, and everyone needs a break from the chaos everywhere in Metro Manila seems to bring. We managed to get a spot on the edge of the hill, with a decent mountain panorama and a bit of privacy.
Kids rule today!
Look, I love kids. In theory.
In practice, I have a five-minute period reserved for patience in handling kids. These little adventurers were having a blast on the lettered sculpture, which meant no one else could get their Insta-worthy shots. Oops. (Sorry, fellow campers!)
I was itching to try the adventure trail --- caving, trekking, the whole shebang --- but oh well, no one could join because of the tiny humans. Guess I'll have to come back with my adventure buddies --- everyone else of my unmarried friends (well, all 100% of them š).
Sunset Vibes, Starry Night, and Sunrise Smiles
You know that feeling when the air just tingles with the promise of rain? Yeah, that was what sunset that day was serving. It wasn't just a sunset; it was a full-blown color explosion! Yellows, blues, oranges, greens, and those sneaky pinks ā it was like the sky decided to throw a party, and everyone was invited. And we were glowing!
But, let's be real, the air was also saying, "Hey, I'm gonna get chilly and maybe a little wet later!" And boy, was it right. My gut was right.
Then came the stars! They were playing peek-a-boo with the clouds that were zooming by, so I had to be quick to snap a pic with my phone. It didn't do the scene enough justice, trust me. You had to be there!
And then... the rain came down like it was waiting to do so before the sun set. Scary? A little. Exciting? Absolutely! It was like camping got an adrenaline shot.
Even with the nighttime action drama, the sunrise was a masterpiece. We watched as the clouds poured over the mountains, like smoke from a very energetic volcano. We were hoping for that famous Tanay sea of clouds, but Mother Nature decided to keep it a secret this time.
There'll be a next time. I hope.
It was still a beautiful morning, regardless. The grass was wet. Sniffing the air felt like sniffing a little more of the Earth. And it felt like Tanay was saying, "I somewhat rained on your parade, but look at this!"
They got some real good coffee up there!
Our tiny humans were envious of whoever flew this kite.
Strong winds last night? Come on, not enough! On to the windmills!
So, the wind last night thought it could scare us with a little nighttime tantrum? Please. We've faced worse (like credit card due dates, come on).
Besides, we were already in Tanay, the land of scenic detours! And what's a Rizal adventure without chasing some giant fans in the sky?
š Pililla Wind Farm. The project consists of 27 wind turbine generators grouped into three clusters with an aggregate capacity of 54 megawatts (MW)!
Soul Fuel Before Stomach Fuel: Regina RICA's Peaceful Pause
Honestly, by the time we were back in our cars, were running on fumes. But before we tackled lunch (because priorities!), we decided to nourish our souls at š Regina RICA. And wow, just wow.
It's like a breath of fresh air. Literally, with all the trees! But also, metaphorically. The serenity was palpable. Even with the crowds of faithful visitors, there was a quiet beauty, a sense of peace that just settled over you. It was the perfect pause before we dived into the deliciousness Tanay had to offer.
And finally, before we bid adieu to beautiful Rizal, we made a crucial pit stop: š Pico de Pino Cafe and Restaurant. Because what's a road trip without a satisfying feast to cap it off?
We were all hangry (hungry+angry, if you don't get it), even the tiny humans were, but the promise of good food can resurrect even the weariest traveler. And Pico de Pino? It delivered. We had pork sinigang and special bulalo to warm our stomachs, sizzling pork sisig and liempo to satisfy our tastebuds, a whole fried chicken to quell the hangriness of the little adventurers with us, and a platter of pancit canton to top it all off. It was the perfect ending to our cousin-filled, adventure-packed, and utterly memorable Rizal escapade.
I Shall Return!
With my unmarried, children-less, friends next time. š