As promised, my next post is going to be about Isdaan Floating Restaurant in Calauan, Laguna.
This is my second time that I've been to this place. The last time I've been here was way back September 2012.
And, yes, I'm definitely back!
Much like my first visit to the place, I got drenched in rain (haha, blessings!) and I've been met by heavy traffic while travelling from SM Calamba all the way to an area near U.P. Los Baños.
I've noticed a few changes, here and there, from when I've last visited the floating restaurant. They now have a juggler on unicycle, stilt walkers, and street performers, who then ignoured the pouring rain and proved to me that the show, really, must go on.
In addtion to that, you also get to find life-size statues that of Batman, Superman, Spiderman, Incredible Hulk, Angry Birds characters, even Asion Salonga, and a whole lot more!
Before anything else, let me share you how did I went to Isdaan in Calauan Laguna.
It started in Market! Market! in Taguig.
After my shift (8pm to 5am), I went to my aparment near SM Aura to prepare my things, then went back to Market! Market! and took my breakfast at Fiesta Market.
After eating lugar at Lugaw Republic, I started my Vhino's Trail from Market! Market! to Isdaan, Floating Restaurant in Calauan Laguna.
I rode a BGC Bus and it conveyed me to Ayala Station, the bus fare is only 12 pesos. (TIP: if you want a much cheaper fare, you can ride a Jeepney and it will only cost you 8 pesos, or you can also wait to the bus that has a route from Market! Market! to Alabang, Muntinlupa, but buses are only available from 3pm on wards)
From Ayala MRT Station, I rode another bus going to Alabang. (TIP: be careful to those buses offering 25 or 30 peso fare, SOME of them will ask you to pay 35-36 peso fare)
From Alabang, you need to go to the Alabang Bus Terminal near Jollibee Alabang (don't be confused with the bus terminal in South Station and at Starmall, look for Alabang Bus Terminal, check the photo below)
I was lucky that time because the bus going to Sta. Cruz Laguna is almost full, so I don't need to wait for a long time before it's departure, the fare was 82 pesos.
The travel was so smooth until I reached SM Calamba, I experienced heavy traffic all the way to an area near U.P Los Baños, traffic became smooth again after that area.
0700 breakfast at Market! Market! in Taguig
0720 rode bus going to Ayala MRT Station
0735 arrived at Ayala station
0745 rode bus going to Alabang
0803 arrived in Alabang
0815 bus left Alabang
0845 arrived in Canlubang bus stop
0858 arrived in Walter Mart Calamba
0900 bus stopped at SM Calamba
0926 arrived in Olivarez Mall
0947 UP Los Baños
0955 arrived at Isdaan Floating Restaurant in Calauan Laguna
Yay! After of almost 2 hours of travel, I reached Isdaan, Floating Restaurant again!
After I got off the bus, I immediately proceed to the restaurant, aside from being hungry, it also look like that the rain will start to fall that time.
The crew immediately assisted me and conveyed me to my table, it is a small bamboo style hut that is good for 2-4 person, which is located near to a man made like river where the bancas passing by.
For those who are interested in bancas, according to their signage, riding boats are for free but you need to give tips to the drivers of the boat and you need to put life vest as well.
Going back to my table, one of the waiter gave me the list for their menu, and there's a lot to choose from.
I ordered plain bulalo, a rice in a small cauldron pot and a mango shake.
After I ordered, that's the only time that the waiter suggested that they have menu for "byaheros."
Overall, service still great, in a way that from time to time there were waiters kept on coming back in my table asking if I already done ordering or telling me that the food is coming.
While I'm eating, there were entertainers passing by to entertain (of course) the customers. This is something new to me since I didn't see this during my first visit.
They still have singers going around and offers a song for you.
Going back to my food, wow I'm satisfied especially to the mango shake, there are some shakes that if its almost done or the ice already melt for a period of time its getting tasteless, compare to their mango shake, it awesome! It is still tasty, you can taste the mango till the last drop!
After I ate, I spent some time to rest, since I cant go out to take pictures because rain started to fall.
One of the first statue that i'd visited was the statue of Asiong Salongga.
Then I started wander around and enjoy taking pictures of life size and gigantic statues.
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| Combination of pictures (1st and 2nd visit) |
"IN A FAR AWAY REMOTE PLACE IN CHINA, THERE'S A LEGEND OF A GIFTED YOUNG MONK WHO COULD PINPOINT AN OPENING IN THE SKY THAT LEADS TO HEAVEN. IT WAS SAID THAT IF YOU SHOUT YOUR WISH OUT LOUD WITH YOUR HEART TOWARDS THAT OPENING, YOUR WISH WILL BE GRANTED."
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| first and 2nd visit |
I also didn't forget to check Tacsiyapo. It is an area at Isdaan where you can express your anger by throwing plates to the wall.
After Isdaan, I crossed the hi-way to ride a bus that will convey me back to Alabang, and there's a little boy who is dumb, that kept on pointing me because he still remembers me. He was the boy helping me to get a bus going back to Alabang during my first visit. It made me feel great knowing someone can still remember you after a long time. ^_^
I used Cherrymobile phone with 8 megapixel camera for the photos, and used Evernote application for documenting, and Dropbox for uploading the pictures.
I support local brands, like Cherrymobile – for my tabphone – used for documenting and taking pictures, Highly Succeed Limited – for my website, still currently under construction, my website still not yet done, Sandugo – for my camping equipment and gears.
Thank you for your time reading my post!
