A Sip of Coffee at Café de Lipa

the ceiling at Cafe de Lipa

After having a heavy dinner, I asked my sister if she wanted to have coffee. She said “No”. So we walked along the streets of Market Market in Taguig. As we passed the Old Spaghetti House, I turned to my sister and said” Hey there’s the coffee house where me and my friend had coffee the last time”. And my sister said “Is it hot coffee?” And I said yes. Without thinking twice my sister said “let’s have coffee”. Thus this started my second to visit Café de Lipa.

Café de Lipa offers the Batangueños Kapeng Barako and other hot and cold coffee as well. They also have frappes, and teas. And of course, coffee would not be complete without a slice of cakes and patries. Compared to their popular competitor, prices at Café de Lipa are more affordable. A grande of their coffee is only Php 100.00 and a brownie or revel bar is less than php 50.00. Another thing about Café de Lipa, is that the place is not crowded as the other coffee shops.

the cakes & pastries

Café De Lipa main store is at 32 San Carlos Drive, Mataas na Lupa, Lipa City, Batangas. They also have branches in Km 80 along Star Tollway Brgy. Tibig Lipa City, Batangas and in SM Lipa. But for Manileños, there is no need for us to go to Batangas to enjoy the kapeng barako at Café de Lipa as they have a store at the Ground Floor of Market! Market! in Taguig.

a nice quote on a cup of coffee

the flower at the top of the froth

Be Puzzled at Puzzle Mansion

While browsing for a place to visit in Tagaytay, I stumble to a post of TV host Drew Arellano on his visit to Tagaytay. That is where I came to know the Puzzle Mansion. As I remembered, Puzzle Mansion owner was also featured in Hero TV; I’ve seen her being interviewed while browsing for something to watch. Ann, my friend also stumbled on the post made by Drew Arellano and also became curious about Puzzle Mansion. So without second thoughts, Puzzle Mansion was part of our itinerary.

The Puzzle Mansion is located at Cuadra in Brgy. Asisan, Tagaytay City. From the Pink Sisters Chapel and Convent we ride a bus going to Mendez Junction; from there we will be riding a tricycle that will bring us to the entrance of the Puzzle Mansion. You will not get lost as there is lots of signage of the Puzzle Mansion. I forgot about the fare of the bus but it is around twenty pesos, and the tricycle is twenty pesos per person.

From the gate, you will be greeted by one of the Mansion’s employee and will assist you for the shuttle services. The shuttle service is Php 5.00 per ride. You can choose to walk or ride the shuttle, but it is recommended to take the shuttle on your way out of the mansion since there is a very steep road. Entrance fee for the Mansion is Php 100.00

the steep road going the mansion

When you enter the first floor of the house you will be surprised to see a gallery of framed puzzles hanging on walls, ceiling beams and being displayed in glass cases. The puzzles range from the size of a small notebook to big paintings. From Mickey Mouse, to Spongebob, Eiffel Tower, Taj Mahal, Walt Disney Characters, pictures of Elvis Presley, Coca Cola Advertisement, Marilyn Monroe, Sistine Chapel, Mona Lisa, 3D puzzles and many more, your eyes will never get tired in being amazed on how the puzzles were made.

puzzles everywhere

puzzles of famous landmarks

After exploring the 1^st floor, we went to the 2^nd floor where the biggest puzzle was located. The 2^nd floor is also the gift shop, where you can buy t-shirts, handicrafts, mugs, key chains and even the puzzles that are featured in the museum.

the largest puzzle

souvenir puzzle, shirt & handicrafts

If you are lucky, you can also meet the owner of the house that has the largest collections of jigsaw puzzles - Ms Gina Gil Lacuna. As of this date, the puzzle collection of Ms Lacuna is the holder of Guinness World Record of having the world’s largest jigsaw puzzle collection.

Aside from the puzzles, Puzzle Mansion Bed and Breakfast also offers one of the best “pasalubong” that any traveller can buy – the Buko Cream Pie. Buko Cream Pie is sold at Php 50 per slice and Php 350 per box that has 8 slices of pie.

the yummy buko cream pie