Christmas vacation was going to end soon, and although I didn’t have it since I was self-employed, I still pushed through my plans of going to Fantasy World and Bearseum, in Batangas and Cavite, respectively. There aren’t many activities to do inside, but you can unleash the child inside you and take pictures.
Sample Itinerary
8:45 a.m. Departure from Taft
12:15 p.m. Arrival at Boundary
12:35 p.m. Arrival at Tricycle Terminal to Fantasy World
12:45 p.m. Arrival at Fantasy World
3:00 p.m. Departure from Fantasy World
3:30 p.m. Arrival at Boundary
4:50 p.m. Arrival at Olivarez Plaza to Bearseum
5:15 p.m. Arrival at Bearseum
6:30 p.m. Dinner at Bearseum Kitchen
7:30 p.m. Departure at Bearseum
Expenses
Transportation: Php 800
Food: Php 500
Entrance Fees: Php 350
Total transportation is the maximum rounded-up computation, which comprises the following: MRT train ticket from North Avenue to Taft (~Php 30), Nasugbu bus ticket (Php 210), tricycle fees (~Php 400), bus tickets to Olivarez (~Php 30), and jeepney rides (~Php 70).
Fantasy World
Our country should have owned a Disneyland-like park, but unfortunately, the businessman who was supposed to handle this project had financial dilemmas, causing the abandonment of Fantasy World. It now serves as one of the tourist destinations in Lemery, Batangas, operating from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
How to Go to Fantasy World
- Ride the MRT line 3 going to Taft, and then walk toward the area where a McDonald’s restaurant, an RCBC bank, and a SOGO hotel are next to one another.
- Enter the narrow pathway beside McDonald’s where buses are mostly likely exiting.
- Ride the bus going to Nasugbu and tell the driver to drop you off at Boundary (ticket is Php 110).
- There are jeepneys from Boundary going to a street that leads to Fantasy World (remind the driver). The cost should not exceed Php 20 per head.
- You need to ride another tricycle going to Fantasy World, which costs Php 60 per ride.
What to Expect in Fantasy World
No wonder that Majika, starring Angel Locsin, was filmed here. Fantasy World featured red-bricked castles that looked like the ones in London and Germany. Tourists were allowed to take pictures on the higher floors before, but it was under renovation during our visit.
It also features a tree house, some nonworking rides, and an unmaintained bamboo maze. If you get hungry, they have a small cafeteria that serves chips, canned soda, bottled drinks, hot dogs, and fries.
Bearseum
For all teddy bear lovers out there, you may want to check out Bearseum in Tagaytay, which operates from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Not only do they have instagrammable spots that spotlight cute, fluffy teddy bears, but they also offer delicious, healthy food in their Bearseum Kitchen (reminds me of Goldilocks) and a place to stay at Bearseum suites. For booking and more information, check out their website.
How to Go to Bearseum
- From Fantasy World, ride a tricycle going to Boundary. I suggest you wait for company, as one ride costs Php 200.
- There are buses going to Manila along the highway. Tell the driver to drop you off at Olivarez Plaza (fare is Php 28).
- You can either ride a jeep to Tagaytay Market or, if you are in a hurry, you can hire a yellow tricycle that will directly accompany you to the museum (Php 120).
What to Expect in Bearseum
You will be welcomed by a polka-dotted building upon entering the compound. This is their Bearseum Suites, which you may consider staying in if you want to tour around Tagaytay more.
Their entrance fee costs Php 240 during weekends, Php 190 on weekdays, but don’t let the “you can roam around the whole museum for 15 minutes” rule worry you, as we were there for more than the allotted time. Besides, the museum is just small, and you can take pictures at every corner within that range. I guess this fifteen-minute rule only applies during the days where many visitors are in line to go in.
There are eight small areas and one large room to see. Motivating words are written on walls, but the teddy bears that come in different colors and sizes are, of course, the center of attention.
They also have a gift shop located at the back of the museum, in front of their Bearseum Kitchen.
What to Eat in Bearseum
During the time we were done taking pictures in the museum, we were already hungry since we only had snacks in Fantasy World. Luckily, Bearseum Kitchen offers a variety of healthy, organic food, which was perfect for my diet.
The dishes in their menu are all made from fresh, organic ingredients. The basil pesto pasta (Php 230) that I ordered had corn and quinoa gluten-free spaghetti, while their chocolate smoothie (Php 195) contained protein-rich ingredients. I wish I had taken pictures of their rice meals, which are served with red or brown rice (it looked really delicious).
Favorite Pictures
Love Letters of Peach 