On the recommendation of a friend, we braved Monday traffic and headed down to Hacienda Escudero, just past San Pablo City. It took almost 2 hours to get there, but only about 90 minutes on the way home. A day visit includes a tour of the museum, a carabao ride, lunch at the waterfalls and a bamboo raft tour (I think).
The museum was not air conditioned and lots of the artifacts - religious, stuffed animals, old clothes and weapons - were looking a little rough. One chimp was degrading so badly that his foot was all bones (they did not allow pictures or this part would have been well photo documented). The carabao ride was fun. A guitar player and singer serenaded us for the 3 minute ride to the resort. We checked out the swimming pools, but they were not clean, so we headed to lunch.
At the awesome waterfall restaurant.
It had been described to me as a "floating restaurant," but turned out to be tables in a river. We started out sitting at the table, then Toto wanted to dip her toes in, then we peeled her down to her undies and she was full out swimming in a couple feet of water.
San Pablo City, Philippines
(632) 521-0830
(632) 523-0392
(632) 523-2944
E-mail: info@villaescudero.com
Take the South superhighway and exit at 50A (Lucena, Legaspi, Batangas exit). Turn left at the Sto. Tomas junction. Head straight down, by-passing the town of Alaminos and San Pablo City proper. Slow down upon seeing Quezon arch and turn left immediately after.
