Escala Hotel

Escala Hotel

Are you looking for a nice hotel in Tagaytay City to spend two or three days with your special someone once everything is back to normal?

Then Escala Hotel is the right place for you.

Viewed from a far distance and seen at different angles, Escala Hotel appears to be precariously perched on top of a ridge.

The structure itself is an engineering feat as the 60-room luxury hotel projects stability and physical soundness. Seen from the lobby, it has a U shape.

From the Escala Hotel, you get a stunning view of Taal Lake and Taal Volcano as you breathe cool mountain air. The towns below and the singing hills can also be seen.

A special feature is the infinity pool where you can dip and refresh your body as you enjoy the sights as well. If you need to work out, there is a gym.

Each room has a balcony where you can read a good book, listen to good music or take pictures of the lush greens unfolding before you.

And using the hotel as your base, you may proceed to other tourist destinations like Caleruega Chapel, Sonya's Garden,  Taal Vista Lodge, Bag of Beans, Josephine's and The Pink Sisters Chapel.

While in Tagaytay, while at Escala Hotel, simply enjoy the moment and let the rest of the world go by.   🎉🎉🎉

KONTED

Escala Tagaytay

Purok102, Poblete Street, Barangay Maharlika West, Tagaytay City (from Aguinaldo Highway, turn left before the exit of Sky Ranch)

Escala is a much-talked about luxury hotel in Tagaytay City.

Breath-taking view of Taal Lake and Taal Volcano

Perched on top of Tagaytay Ridge

Infinity pool is a special feature at Escala Tagaytay.

Escala Tagaytay has 60 rooms with each room having a balcony.

Relax in the comfort of a well-furnished room.

Rooms are classified into Executive, Premiere and De Luxe.

                                                                      Escala's lobby

                                                                         Escala's restaurant

Lunch at HillCreek

Escala Hotel is certainly one of the finest in Tagaytay.

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Kimchi: Back In The Day

Kimchi:  Back In The Day

Back in the day, notably in the 70s, 80s and even in the 90s, there was one food station that stood out at SM Cubao Food Court. 

Kimchi was a big hit with its Korean Beef Stew and Chicken BBQ. There was always a long queue that you had to endure to be able to place your order.

Super Sarap talaga sila. The Beef Stew, with sesame seeds and spring onions, was a little bit spicy and with a taste of sweetness. The Chicken Barbeque was incomparable.

I remember that before watching PBA games at the Big Dome, where the Crispa Redmanizers and the Toyota Tamaraws were battling it out for supremacy, and with the Utex Wranglers as dark horse, we would have a bowl of Beef Stew and Chicken Barbeque at Kimchi.

But with a sudden turn of events, Araneta Center suffered losses in terms of patronage of business establishments. We lost track of Kimchi. It wasn't there anymore. It sank into oblivion, so we thought.

But, wait, there is one Kimchi outlet that has opened at Ayala Malls Feliz. And it claims to be the original. We now have the chance to try again what we have been missing for years. What are we waiting for?

Incidentally, if you are on a road trip, and in the vicinity of Tagaytay City, you may want to savor Kimchi's delights at Ayala Malls Serin near the Tagaytay Rotunda. It is owned and managed by Parokya ni Edgar's Chito Miranda and wife Neri Naig.

Happy eating !!!

KONTED

Kimchi's Beef Stew is unbeatable

Chicken Barbeque is served with rice and bean sprouts.

Beef Stew and Chicken Barbeque: A good combination

Beef Stew, Pork Barbeque and Chicken Barbeque

Kimchi has a huge following and they swear by its goodness.

You see, the lady is back at Kimchi. It is getting to be a habit.

Kimchi is so good you keep coming back for more.

Kimchi is at the 4th floor of Ayala Malls Feliz along Marcos Highway in Santolan, Pasig.

Prices are affordable at Kimchi.

Parokya Ni Edgar's Chito Miranda has a Kimchi outlet at Ayala Malls Serin in Tagaytay City. (ayalaserinpic; caption is mine.)

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Marvelous Melbourne

Marvelous Melbourne

** Late posting

Written in January, 2020, before pandemic days...

I was standing at the corner of Elizabeth St. and Bourke St., looking at the old General Post Office (GPO). I was impressed with its Neo Classical design and started taking photos. As I was about to make the first click, trams blocked my view. I had to do it again, and this time, it was successful.

The General Post Office, the Melbourne Town Hall on Swanston St. and the Parliament House on Spring St., like other old buildings in the city proper, were built at the height of the Gold Rush. With it were the tram network and the train linkages.

The discovery of gold in the goldfields region of Victoria in the 19th century catapulted Melbourne City to the top, making it the world's richest city. It held on to the title for quite some time. And it was aptly called Marvelous Melbourne. One can imagine the grandeur that was Melbourne which is still evident to this day.

It is not surprising that I am always mesmerized, continuously taking pictures as I go around the city. As I have said before, my interest has not waned. Not even a bit.

And as I explore, I learn.

- KONTED

The former General Post Office was built in 1867. It stands at the corner of Elizabeth and Bourke streets at Melbourne's Central Business District. It is the reference point when measuring the distance of a particular town or place.

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The old General Post Office building now houses H & M retail store.

Starting its operation in 1885, Melbourne's tramway network consists of 493 trams servicing 24 routes.

Melbourne boasts of having the largest and most efficient tram network in the whole world.

Elizabeth St. at Melbourne's Central Business District

An Alfa Romeo catches the fancy of passersby.

I can't find the keys.

Lamborghini Aventador parked near Elizabeth St.

Built in the 19th century, the St. Paul's Anglican Cathedral is on Flinders and Swanston streets.

The St. Paul's Anglican Cathedral is diagonally across Flinders Train Station.

The St. Paul's Anglican Cathedral is a famous architectural landmark of Melbourne. It is the seat of the Archbishop of Melbourne.

Built in 1884, Hotel Windsor is historic as the Constitution of Australia was drafted here in 1898.

Melbourne Royal Exhibition Building on Carlton Gardens. Built in 1880, it was the first building in Australia to be awarded UNESCO world heritage status.

The House of Parliament on Spring St. It is the seat of power of the State of Victoria.

Melbourne Town Hall on Swanston St. and Collins St.

Queen Victoria Market

Queen Victoria Market opened in 1878.

Boomerangs sold at Queen Victoria Market

Didgeridoo is a wind instrument. It is sold at Queen Victoria Market and at other souvenir shops.

This old van has been selling American Doughnuts at the Queen Victoria Market since 1950.

The Australian Open is the first of four (4) Grand Slam tournaments to be played every year. 

Located at Melbourne Park, the Rod Laver Arena is the main venue of the Australian Open. 

I.

Near the Rod Laver Arena is the Margaret Court Arena where exciting tennis matches are held during the Australian Open.

Shown here is the legendary Roger Federer practicing at the Margaret Court Arena during the 2020 Australian Open in Melbourne.

Closer shot of Roger Federer practicing with his back hand at the Margaret Court Arena

Crowd  watching Roger Federer practicing at the Margaret Court Arena during the 2020 Australian Open. He is well loved by Australians.

As always , Roger Federer is darling of the crowd.

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