Editor’s Note: This post is part of my Throwback Travel Series, where I dust off old drafts and diary entries that never quite made it to the light of day. This particular entry dates back to January 2015. Reading it now, it feels like a fever dream—but a beautiful one.
Whenever I head to Laguna for a weekend trip, I find myself staring out the window as the bus rolls by one particular spot. For the longest time, curiosity ate me alive. I’d ask myself: What is back there? What is it about that place that keeps calling to me?
As part of my weekend escape this January, I finally decided to stop wondering. With no more hesitation, I made my way to Isdaan Floating Restaurant in Calauan, Laguna. At the time, I wasn’t even sure how to pronounce it, but the moment I stepped inside, I felt transported. It opened my senses to a foreign land I never expected to find in the province.
For a moment, I was in Thailand—minus the passport, the skyrocketing airfare, the long Immigration queues, and the jet lag. For just Php 121.00, I felt worlds away.
Giant Buddhas and… The Obamas?
Mermaid fountains welcomed me at the entrance after the bus dropped me off. Inside, giant Buddhas were everywhere, eyes closed in meditation. It made me wonder: Are they truly sleeping, or just pretending? They came in every hue—white, red, and brilliant gold.
The grounds were a surreal mix of the sacred and the whimsical. Statues of monks with serene eyes stood near giant monkeys, elephants, and alligators. Everywhere I looked, floating nipa huts dotted the water. And who would have thought that in this corner of Laguna, I’d run into statues of the Obamas?
The best feature of Isdaan isn’t just the floating huts or the food, but these odd, themed figures I’d previously only seen in books. While the atmosphere is Thai-inspired, the heart remains Filipino. As you dine, local serenaders play for the guests; it’s that perfect blend of feeling like you’re abroad without actually missing home.
Getting There: The Cubao to Calauan Route
This trip started while I was planning my January travel diary, looking for spots just 2–3 hours away from Manila. I happened to see a short feature on Isdaan in a magazine and knew I had to go.
On a fine, sunny morning, I headed to the HM Bus Terminal in Cubao, caught a bus bound for Sta. Cruz, and paid my Php 121.00 fare. Since it’s right along the highway, commuting was a breeze.
Even though I didn’t stay to dine in the floating restaurant this time, I left feeling “full” just from the views. Isdaan clearly hasn’t forgotten the kids (or the kids at heart), either. You’ll spot Mickey and Minnie Mouse along the pathways, alongside giant dinosaurs and eggs straight out of Jurassic Park—there’s even a robot!
The Tacsiyapo Wall: Therapy by Destruction
I also passed by the famous Tacsiyapo wall. For those who don’t know, it’s a “shouting wall” where you can buy ceramic plates or even old televisions to smash against the wall while yelling out your frustrations—be it “Traffic!” or “Ex-boyfriend!” I didn’t feel the need to break anything that day—I was far too relaxed by the view—but watching the flying shards from a distance was a spectacle in itself. Not everyone wants to spend their peaceful “Thailand” getaway smashing plates, but it’s definitely the loudest part of the whole experience.
When I finally stepped back out onto the highway to wait for the bus to Manila, reality hit me again. But the experience was priceless. I may not have actually been to Thailand yet, but for a few hours, Thailand came to the Philippines.
2026 Reflections
Looking back at this entry from nearly a decade ago, I can’t help but smile at how much has changed. In 2015, all it took was a small bus fare and a bit of curiosity to feel like I’d traveled across the sea.
While I’ve grown as a traveler since then (and finally got that passport stamped!), that sense of wonder I felt seeing those giant Buddhas in Calauan is something I never want to lose. Moving this post to my blog today is a reminder that you don’t always need a plane ticket to find an adventure—sometimes, you just need to get off at the right bus stop.
It’s been years since this trip, but I hear Isdaan is still standing tall. Have any of you been there recently? Does the Obama statue still look the same? Let me know in the comments!
