A trip to The Marian Hermitage (Marian Orchard)

Come to me all of you who are laden

This photo series of The Marian Hermitage (also known as The Marian Orchard) is my contribution to your Holy Week retreat to the provinces.  In case, you still have no plans this is worth checking out.  However, be warned that the place will be full to the brim during the Holy Week so an exercise in patience is recommended.

The Chapel

The Chapel is quaint and intimate, sitting less than a hundred.  Masses are heard every Sunday or on other Holy occasions.

Chapel Interior

The simple interior is ideal for intimate celebrations.  It is airy but can be a bit suffocating if people will cram inside.  The ceiling is painted with a cloud and sky fresco, adding to the heavenly ambiance.

Mama Mary

St Joseph

God's All Stars

A walk in the garden of Saints

God is my Shepherd

Blessed are the children

Mary's agony

"Son, I forgive you but this ant on my head is bothering me. "
"Thank you father, but something's bugging me as well."

An alternative to a wishing well

Our Potter

Mother Teresa of Calcutta

I wish I never said those hurtful words.

An Impromptu Poem on Renewal

I am a shady character.

Broken by Temptation

Mired in Darkness

Each step, littered as before

Blinding light whispers

"Son, you need not stay in the shade"

BOW

The Marian Hermitage is located in Barangay Malabanan, Balete, Batangas.  There is an entrance fee of P20 and a parking fee of 10.  Overnight stays or personal or group retreats may be arranged.

You can reach it two ways: First and the easiest is via Levitown, around 2 kilometers from the Lipa City Hall.  The route is winding and descending.  Along the way and after you pass by Barangay Bulacnin you will pass by a stretch of road where small backyard businesses sell pure honey.  I suggest you drop by a store named Queen's Honey tended by a nice old lady.  If you're lucky his son Joseph may be around to show you the bee colonies and give you an impromptu lesson on beekeeping.  

The Marian Orchard is about 4 kilometers away from there.

The second access is via Mataas na Kahoy which is longer, much steeper but more scenic, with breathtaking views of Taal Lake and islands.  To get there, you have to turn right after Fernando Air Base, then find your way to Mataas na Kahoy.  Once you reach the town proper, turn left before you reach the Municipal Hall.  Or better yet, ask locals for directions.  You'll never get lost that way.

Once you made the right turn going down Balete town, you will be going down several barangays -- one of which is called Kinalaglagan.  I'll leave it to you to figure that out.  Clue: steep.  But with picture perfect view of Taal Lake.

Once you reach Balete, which is level to Taal Lake and only some 20 meters away from the road.  I suggest you drop by Eva's Eatery,  a roadside store which is a popular pitstop for bikers.  Aling Eva offers suman with latik, pair it with Kapeng Barako -- heavenly!

Turn right after Eva's Eatery then climb a winding road going to Barangay Quilo-quilo.  Again, I leave the name to your imagination.

A third access exists.  If you are in the middle of Lipa City, take the road sandwiched by Shakey's and Starbucks.  The road though is not as wide as the former routes, and you would encounter patches of dirt and rough road.  Simply follow it as it snakes downward, again exiting in the town of Balete, drop by Aling Eva's then climb up to Quilo-quilo.

Choose your mode of transportation.  But preferably one with reliable climbing power and steady breaking strength.  Mine of course is my reliable Fuji bike.

I'd love to hear what you think of this post.  Please leave a comment or a reaction.  Thanks!