Kalayaan Travel Guide

4 more images

Not to be missed is the Exotic Restaurant which has put Kalayaan in the tourism map. It prides itself with the honor of being a hall of famer in the category of cleanest and most beautifully landscaped restaurant.

Exotic Restaurant is not only sought for its exotic foods, but also for the magnificent surroundings that energize the tired and hungry travelers. There is also a mini-zoo, video-karaoke bar, and swimming pool. The owners of the restaurant are very hospitable to diners, and the service staff are very efficient.

There is a guarded parking space infront of the restaurant, and a bigger parking lot at the side was opened to meet the demands of its growing customers.

(You may see more pictures in my Laguna Travel Page)

Favorite Dish: We didn't dare eat snakes or wild pig meat. We liked their frog adobo sa gata, sinigang, grilled liempo, halo-halo

1 more image

The Souvenir Shop of Exotic Restaurant has a wide display of A-1 quality wood carvings from nearby town of Paete, and souvenir items from other parts of the Philippines. It also sells native delicacies like uraro from Liliw, broas from Quezon, etc.

What to buy: You can buy any souvenir or delicacy you fancy. What caught my attention are the export quallity one-of-a-kind bags made from wood, which were surprisingly light. I had the impression that being made of wood, they would be heavy to carry. Quite expensive though.

What to pay: Expect a higher price for the souvenir items and delicacies, compared to other roadside stalls. The wooden bags cost from P1,800 to P3,000 each.

2 more images

The way up to the Kalayaan Twin Falls is not totally concrete steps; most of the steps are carved mountain soil which can be slippery, especially when wet. Not all the stairs have railings, so it is difficult to go up. In fact, I slipped, but fortunately I held on to the railings in time. I didn't dare go up anymore to the 2nd falls where the stairs had no railings. Those planning to go there can find some help in a walking stick. It's also important to wear the porper footwear with good traction.

Luggage and bags: Beltbag and/or small backpack

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: light and absorbent fabric clothing

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Your maintenance medicines, including antihistamine if prone to allergy; sunblock; insect repellant (if going to the forest/falls); wet towellettes or wipes and talcum powder to freshen up sweaty body

Photo Equipment: point & shoot or DLSR/videocam, tripod, lenses & filters

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: picnic mat, portable griller

Miscellaneous: Spare footwear: I didn't realize how important this was until my signature rubber shoes' soles "gave up" on me. I forgot to put my trekking/traveling sandals on the car so my husband lent me his spare sandals. I knew I'd look like Goofy or Ronal McDonald with the oversized footwear, but I had no choice because I wanted to go to the waterfalls area (lol)

A shrine with the pilgrim image or replica of the statue of the Our Lady of Manaoag in Pangasinan can be found in Brgy. San Antonio, Kalayaan. Many devotees visit the shrine because it is much easier to go to Laguna than go directly to Pangasinan... Unfortunately, we didn't have time to search for it because we had other things in our schedule, but I'm posting this tip so other devotees would know about it. I will definitely go there on our next Kalayaan trip. Who knows, you might go ther ahead of me.