2012 Family Getaway #1: Isdaan Floating Restaurant

New Year’s Day at my mother’s place came and went without a hitch. Now that’s discounting the road mishap my husband unfortunately got himself into. Except for being hit and the culprit running away without so much as a backward glance, he sustained no life-altering injuries. The expenses he later incurred for vehicle repair was not something he was happy about though. 

But really, all was well that ended well. What was more important was he was okay, and not in a hospital or morgue somewhere.

God, indeed, is good.

The following day, the family agreed to meet again, this time to eat out and do a little sight-seeing. As some of my other siblings had already gone to the place – the Isdaan Floating Restaurant and Park in the town of Gerona, also in Tarlac – in prior events, it was decided we went in the afternoon or just before dusk.

It wasn’t something that happened everyday, so really, the mere fact that we were traveling together – an aunt, a cousin and his family also were with us – was already an experience worth chronicling.

As it was my first time to visit Isdaan, I was simply awed by the sight that welcomed me. The place was a pretty thing to behold at night. My digicam adored it – the overall ambiance, the fish, the huts floating on water, the flurry of activities, the lights, the kids running everywhere, the magicians, the trio that serenaded guests while eating, the face painting the kids so loved. I was clicking here and there until I ran out of batteries. And that’s not to mention the food. The food was well worth the price.

Probably the only thing that didn't sit well with me was the fact that orders took a long while to be served. Customer service was a little lacking as well.

The Tacsiyapo Wall was an interesting thing, especially as soon as guests started lining up to smash plates, cups, saucers, porcelain bowls, even wall clocks. I still am not sold to the idea of managing anger by smashing stuff on walls, but hey, it’s some people’s idea of fun. Live and let live, indeed.

The kids were indefatigable the whole time. As a result, the adults had to alternately run after them, making sure they didn’t end up hurting themselves, getting lost or swimming with the fish in the water.

All in all, despite the customer service not being excellent, the experience was a fun one – an event worth keeping a journal about.