If there is a beauty under the sea, there is a magic above the mountain. If there is a hidden treasure, there is an unrevealed castle. If there is an undying love, there is an unfinished dream.
People love to go to a happy place to unwind, to relax and free themselves from stress even just for an hour or a day. We want to feel free and away from problems that’s why we always wanted to go somewhere where we can just sit and mesmerize by what we see.
It became my dream to see the “Fantasy World” up close and personal since I saw a video of this place on my news feed. I always wander what’s with this place that makes it a “Fantasy World” if it is not finished at the first place. What makes this place special for its tourists? And I was amazed by what I saw when I personally witnessed the magic of this place.
The Climate
We went there with not-so-good weather condition, and on our way there via Tagaytay Road, the weather is cold which perfectly match the ambiance. For a first timer experiencing this kind of weather with fog all over the place is an exciting trip. We stop somewhere down the road, took a pictures and enjoyed the cold breeze of wind.
About the Entrance Fee
This became quite tricky for us, but I hope I can make it clear to you this time. You will have your ticket at the main gate. For every 10 person there is a P1000.00 pesos entrance fee. If you are solo, couple or group but did not exceed with 10 person, you will still pay P1000.00 pesos. Now, if you are more than 10 in a group you will pay P1000.00 pesos plus the remaining persons which cost 100 pesos each. Another thing, children below 3 years old are free. So just like us, we are 14, we pay P1300.00 pesos because we have a 1y/o and 9months baby with us.
When You Get There
It is around 9:30 in the morning when we arrived at the Fantasy World. I advised that if you’re going there together with your family or friends and you have your private car, it is better to bring food and eat while you are still outside the Fantasy World because food are not allowed inside the castle. Just like what we did, we stayed outside for a while and eat our food before we went inside so that we can enjoy the Fantasy World without feeling hungry. There are some vendors outside the castle and some are selling “espasol”,”suman”, and “nilupak”. They have mini store there but it quite pricey so you better bring food with you and eat it before entering inside. Just be practical, that’s it.
This was taken while we are preparing to eat.
Mesmerize with What is Inside
Upon entering the gate, there are four main towers that you can see around you. First tower is where you can buy food, rent a costume and climb to the top of the main tower wherein you can see the whole Fantasy World and what it looks like from above. Second is where you can find the chapel, it is unfinished but you can still go inside and pray. I’m not sure about the third one, but I think it is just tower with not that much scenery. We did not able to go to there because they are having some photoshoot for a debut I think. The last one is where you can find the comfort room.
There is also a fountain and a great view. There is two huge tree that they turn into a tree house with hanging bridge connecting the two which you can have a lot more photos. You can also see some rides but sadly it is not operating. There is also a mini maze inside which made of grass. Beside the mini maze is a perfect shot if you want to take picture with Taal Volcano. This place is also a peaceful one, you can just sit beside or under the tree. You can take a picture as many as you can and as long as you want since every side of it is “instagramable”. Surely you can have a great photo with the best angle and view you want.
Behind its Magic
Fantasy World is an abandoned castle for a long time. They say it is because of the financial problem of its owner. There are rumors that it has been affected by the politics. But when I research information about it, I found out much clearer detailed that in August 2009 the SEC issued an Order of Suspension against Fantasy World for its “continuing failure to comply with the disclosure requirements of SEC Form 12-1 in relation to Annex C of SRC Rule 12 and SRC Rule 68 … despite considerable lapse of time and several extensions given.” This order gave the Fantasy World a 60-day deadline to comply all the SEC requirements.
It is true that this Castle were built a long time ago. We talked to some tourist there and they say, they’ve been there year 2001 and Fantasy World were already there mesmerizing its tourist. It is really an old abandoned castle but you still can see how beautiful it is.
IMAGE http://www.sec.gov.ph
When you see It
Old buildings, rusty iron, with some rides but not functioning. But when you look behind those flaws and imperfections you can see a beautiful heart of this castle. There are still hope that someday something great will happen and someone will make it work and make it the Philippines’ own version of Disney Land. We just need to appreciate broken things and look behind its brokenness. Just like what Catriona Gray has said “…see situations with a silver lining ”.
I was satisfied with what I saw and experienced inside that castle. It was a relief for me to feel what I have felt there. I had an amazing trip and it was all worth it.
Best Time To To There
If you want to visit this place with less people, I suggest that you go there on weekdays. And to have a perfect photo, for me it is better when you visit this place with a good weather condition so that you can enjoy and see a clear blue sky perfect for pictures. We just that lucky that when we get there, the weather became good although we experienced a cloudy sky while we are heading down there. The place is open at 8:00am to 5pm, Monday to Sunday.
How To Get There
From Cabuyao, Laguna our trip last for almost 2 hours before we get to the Fantasy World. If you are in a private vehicle coming from Laguna, Manila or Cavite you better take the Tagaytay Road. Just be aware of downside in Diokno, Highway because sometimes it is close due to landslide according to a post I’ve read (https://www.thepoortraveler.net/2018/06/fantasy-world-batangas-lemery-itinerary/) but when it is open prepare for some zigzags and exciting trip as you can see a beautiful view of mountains. If you are from Batangas, take the Palico-Balayan-Batangas Road. I better suggest to have a google map or much better if you have waze with you if you are on a private vehicle but still try to ask someone on your way there.
For other information about how to get there, you can visit this site:
https://www.thepoortraveler.net/2018/06/fantasy-world-batangas-lemery-itinerary/
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