Roadtrip: Tarlac Daytrip! (3.25.2016)

We were told by our relatives (mother side) that our Mamang (Grandma) wanted to see us. So just in time for the Holy Week, we decided to visit her at Tarlac. Our final ETD is evening of Thursday and will be coming home by Sunday morning. With that in mind, we have two days to go to roam around the city... if there was anywhere to go.

Upon our research we found out that there isn't much that Tarlac has to offer. Maybe because of their neighboring Clark that they decided to nothing about it. Or maybe Hacienda Luisita is just too large there is not much land left for recreation. Speaking of Hacienda, they do have a museum but it's not open for the holidays so that's already out of our IT.

+ Monasterio de Tarlac +

We woke up a bit a late the next day (Friday) that the sun was already up when we started to drive to Monasterio de Tarlac. We passed by Tarlac TechnoPark but didn't bother to go since half of us are seniors and would probably not enjoy the activities they have there. It's also really far, I wonder how without a private vehicle will others be able to visit?

Anyway, we aren't Catholics BUT as mentioned this is probably the most tame attraction we can go to so we went there anyway. Most of the trip is a racer's dream, but there's a buildup near the top of the mountain were some people can already leave their cars at the makeshift parking on both sides of the road. We parked there too initially but left as soon as we realized the walk is just too far. On our next parking attempt we we're closer to the actual Monasterio and the famous Christ statue.

It's scorching hot but people still abound just to get a selfie with the Christ attraction. I was expecting bigger than life size but it's just alright. There's actually two levels but I decided to not go up on the first level where the statue is since it's the same view anyway.

A good tip is to try not to wear a skirt when you want to go near the Christ since everyone from the 2nd level will be able to see your undergarments. It's also annoying how some will loiter there for a long time. The photo I took was actually after a group of umbrellas left and since the skin of my feet are getting baked by the heat, I didn't bother wait the area to be vacant anymore.

+ Isdaan +

I forgot how long it took us back but we went straight to Isdaan, one of the restaurants that was recommended by past Tarlac visitors. We arrived there being the 5th on queue. Later on we were told we were the 11th on the list and was able to argue with the girl who assisted us that there is no possible reason why we are bumped off that high. A few minutes later we finally got good seats, a floating kubo near the stage. We ordered a boodle good for 4, pinakbet, additional rice and 2 pitchers of juice (buko and mango which came ridiculously late, cost 3k++, no SC).

Everything was good, except for the tacsiyapo veggies which tasted like as if it's spoiled. No one touched it.

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The food came a bit late too but to distract us, we were entertained by exhibitions, slapsticks and magicians. I didn't like a lot of it, I felt sad really. The sounds are awful, the hitting of the old guy's head makes me wince, the costumes are depressing. They also look like as if they're not having fun anymore probably because they do this every day worse more than once a day.

The grounds are a joy to walk around, kids would definitely enjoy. What I don't understand though is how some displays don't make sense with each other. Look at this good example below:

I have no idea why there's a Spiderman there. Maybe they need editing on what is OK to keep? The intention for some decors are really good to the point that some parts looked like as if you're not in another country but some just ruins it. Those types of additions are borderline kitschy and I hope they remove it someday.

Later that night, my father already gave up protesting from my sister's request. Instead of staying here for another day at Tarlac the next day, we are up for riding 5 hours off to my mom's province, Nueva Vizcaya. I slept thinking I hope we'd be safe on the way up.