Kaybiang Tunnel to Hamilo Coast

This tunnel was only recently opened and has made travel from Cavite to Batangas more interesting. It used to be that those who wanted to go to the now-famous Hamilo coast and Pico de Loro would drive to Nasugbu and go past Punta Fuego. Not anymore.

Start your journey from SLEX and exit in Carmona and drive onwards to Trece Martires via Governor’s Drive. Drive on to Naic and to Maragondon. From Maragondon (where you may want to check out Lolo Claro’s Restaurant and the Bonifacio Trial House, covered in a separate post here), take the road to Caylabne, bypassing Puerto Azul. Follow the signs that say To Batangas/ To Nasugbu, and you will then find your way face to face with Kaybiang Tunnel.

When you exit the tunnel, you will be pleasantly surprised that the view is so beautiful. I didn’t expect such a sight. I just wanted to see the new tunnel but I was rewarded with a view of the Hamilo Coast – – – lots of photo opportunities.

Take this drive one of these days. And these landscape and seascape will be sufficient reward.

Lolo Claro’s Restaurant

I discovered this heavenly restaurant last year when a group of travel photography group I am a member of explored Maragondon last year. This morning, I took my mom to Maragondon just to have lunch in this faraway restaurant – – – driving all the way from Alabang. On the way to Maragondon, I saw a big sign that said Lolo Claro’s, and I skipped this restaurant located in what looked like a mini mall in Naic. Instead, I went all the way to Maragondon where the original restaurant is located.

This restaurant is found a little after the marker that welcomes visitors to Maragondon, on the left side of the national high-way. We got there a little past ten in the morning, intending to have a really early lunch. We found 3 other tables with guests who came even earlier than we did. I ordered the specialty of the house – – –  fried chicken. And a “small” platter of noodles – – – bijon guisado that serves four, as there were four in our party.

I normally take photos before we partake of the food. But my excitement made me forget to take photos earlier, and I just remembered I wanted to write about this restaurant. And so I took photos after we actually started eating. At Lolo Claros. the fried chicken is crispy and the white meat is so tender.

The bijon guisado was so good and we finished it all, even as I earlier thought we could not finish the whole serving.

We also ordered 4 bottles of mineral water. The total bill came to only P550.00.

Here’s what else they have on their menu.

If you happen to be traveling and find yourself in maragondon, do not miss this restaurant. I discovered this last year, and I came back soon. You would, too.

The restaurant is not even airconditioned, but it is clean and spacious.

Maragondon is a beautiful town. Check out their old church, and the Bonifacio Trial House. Or the beaches in nearby Ternate. Or maybe you may want to see the new Kaybiang Tunnel that connects Ternate to Batangas. Many many reasons to go to Maragondon. As for me, Lolo Claro’s is enough reason.

As a travel blogger, I pay for all my meals and accommodations. I do not promote places in exchange for any favor. You can see how I loved their chicken to “advertise” them for free. If you want to read more about Lolo Calro’s, you can go to their facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/loloclaros