Caleruega - A Breath of Fresh Air

               Who would have thought that there's  a beautiful haven a few miles from Tagaytay? My boss told us that Caleruega is a must-see place to visit. She was right about that! It was a three-hour drive from Manila using a private transportation. When we got there, we were so enthralled by the vast expanse of lush greenery. Caleruega is indeed a place for solitude and reflection. It truly depicts its motto " Closer to Nature; Closer to God. " .

Captivated by the wonderful view

                       

Having brunch as soon as we arrived

                                                     

                The compound has tents for rent for P250 (half-day) and P500 (whole day) -perfect place to rest after strolling the huge compound. In our case, we first had our brunch knowing that we are about to tour a vast greenery.

Man-made pond with koi fishes
(Photo by MMU)

                                                             

Iron-made bridges over the pond

                After the pond, we were led to a hanging bridge with wood planks. Though the bridge looks sturdy enough, it sent me a nerve-racking feeling as my friends tried to shook it. It was a good thing that the roadway was all covered with wood planks! Otherwise, clumsy as I am, I would have stepped on the spaces between the planks.

                                                            

                 Our next stop was the Cross which lies on top a hill. It was a long climb on a not-so-steep hill. We were exhausted but it was worth all the effort. The feeling of being closer to God and of being one with His creations is simply priceless!

                 

Way to the top

The Holy Cross is what awaits on the hill top

                                                     

Image of Christ in stained glasses

                                                         
               Our last stop was the famous Caleruega Chapel which is also known as the Transfiguration Chapel. It is also nested on top of the hill. The chapel is made of orange bricks designed to give an aura of oldness. The inside is neither grand nor magnificent; but rather simple and solemn. No wonder the chapel is already fully booked for weddings the whole year! The way up the chapel was also wonderful experience as exquisite flowers and other plants lined up along the way.

Transfiguration Chapel

Inside the Chapel (Photo by MMU)

                      The visit to Calereuga was truly a memorable one. Being close to nature brought out a positive feeling within me. I felt refreshed and revived. Sounds cliché, but we have to stop and smell the roses once in a while and appreciate the beauty that God has bestowed upon us.