I Thought "I Saw Elvis in GRACELAND!": Live the Life of "The King" in the Highlands of Tayabas, Quezon

There had been many reports of sightings of Elvis Presley from around the world and when we learned that an Elvis-inspired Graceland Estate and Country Club was built in the highlands of Tayabas, Quezon,  our curiosity turned into excitement as we packed our bags and headed south to the province of Quezon to find out whether or not "The King" is indeed alive! 

Actually the expression of seeing Elvis is merely an excuse for practically anything.  Since we're here today at Graceland, it's a good excuse to talk about The King today while spending a vacation in an Elvis-inspired dreamland.  

Staying overnight at the Graceland Estate and Country Club is a privilege accorded to members and their guests.  But they have now slowly offered it to the public probably to sustain its operations.  

During the time the resort was exclusive for members and members' guests, we were fortunate to have been invited over by the pollution control officer of the estate and coincided it with a committee meeting of our association, so it's kinda mixing business with pleasure.  Obviously the story that we are going to share with you is all pleasure and fun.

There's this timeless expression, "I thought I saw Elvis!" seems to be suggesting that The King is not dead but just hiding incognito.  Although it's a fact that Elvis is really gone, the legacy that the King of Rock n Roll still lives among us and I think this place was inspired from the legend from which the owner of this estate built Graceland.  

Since we are now finally here, we will check it out if the place really speaks for The King and experience the grandeur of graceful living in Graceland.

The drive to Tayabas from Manila during that day was a a breeze but since we started out late, we arrived in Graceland shortly before noon and proceeded to the Memphis Garden and Cafe, the resort restaurant named after the place in Memphis, Florida where the original Graceland is. It was a bright sunny day and the temperature was slowly rising.  We took the opportunity to explore the place and capture several shots while waiting for our host to arrive.  Just across the Memphis Cafe is a mini zoo with Philippine deers resting under the shade of the trees.  Such a pretty sight to behold.

Graceland Estates and Country Club is a sprawling 11-hectare development inside a 22-hectare property located along the eco-tourism district of Tayabas, Quezon. The developers claim that structures and facilities are designed and planned to complement the natural contours of the land.  In addition, in an effort to preserve the nature of the place, trails and roads are carved with no trees cut or uprooted. 

I was skeptical about the claim because apparently, they have a big artificial lake in the center of the estate making the entire place unnatural but stunningly beautiful, probably in the eyes of an urban dweller.  But to a hardcore environmentalist, the place is probably a nightmare.  

Setting aside the ecology argument, the place was primarily intended for tourists preferring the lifestyle of opulence so mush of the surroundings have been enhanced.  In fact, hardwood and fruit-bearing trees have been planted all over the land thus creating a virtual paradise.

When our beloved host arrived, we were treated with a chef-styled lunch which was named after the former president whose whose hometown where we are now was named after him making the dining experience felt with a little flair of history.

A part of this delightful cuisine is often accompanied by food for long life and in this place popular for "Pancit Habhab", the dish was prepared exquisitely to make it more modest to eat rather than gobble it up as in "hab-habin!". 

Eggplants are often the food for the common Filipino but this time sprucing it with bagoong alamang and pork chop surely will make your lunch a hearty one.

After the sumptuous meal, we strolled around to see the other places in the resort.  We reached this place where there was once a driving range along this stretch of grass field.  I am an avid golfer that would not hesitate to swing my irons in places like this, but our host-friend narrated that the million-peso net that was erected to keep the balls in had to be dismantled because the house at the end of the range was often the target of unruly golfers who would always aimed their shots at the poor innocent house.  So it's bye-bye for the driving range.

On the right side  of the previous driving range is the building where the individual rooms and suites are located.  The interior of each room is elegantly designed with its own toilet and bathroom, cable tv and refrigerator.  But for this vacation, we will be accommodated in the villa on the other side of the estate.

The estate also has a small chapel where we attended an afternoon anticipated mass together with members and families of the Villa Escudero community.

Graceland, Memphis Tennessee (photo from Graceland Museum website)

I had a slight thought of curiosity what the real Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee looks like and how it compares to Graceland here in the Philippines.  Apparently, there is not a slight hint of similarity.  But let's give credit to the owner, because he manifested his genuine fervor for the King of Rock n Roll by naming his estate after his idol.  Rock on!

We were led to our accommodation which is the villa in the background.  It's a two-storey apartment row houses with living room, 2 bathrooms and three bedrooms.  

Every room is air-conditioned with cable TV.  Our group stayed there together and had a wonderful time having a brainstorming meeting and got to know each other better.

Night time fell in Graceland and the harbor lights lit up like magic that illuminated the Tayabas night sky.  The whole countryside was blanketed with serenity that is so peaceful and the silence though nothing can be heard from afar doesn't seem to be deafening because the excitement inside our hearts seem to reverberate throughout the land.

We were again treated with a delightful dinner at the Memphis Cafe and afterwards the nightlife entertainment began to cap the night and relax in unmindful of the time while we digest the evening's feast.

It was an acoustic night and the airwaves in the cafe was filled with folk songs nostalgic of my glory days when I was eternally itchy with the guitar and my voice can always be heard inside the house, in front of the sari-sari store or virtually every nook and cranny in our village.  I didn't skip the opportunity to grab the microphone and sing the night away with my favorite songs while the musician skillfully accompany me in the background.  The genre of the songs that evening made us reminiscent of the King because much of the music that the 60s and 70s generation had learned to sing had a huge influence coming from the King himself - Elvis Presley.  My wife enjoyed every minute of the evening because all the songs I sung was dedicated to her.

The next morning as a bright new day greeted us, we took a morning stroll and got a nice view of the morning sky with an aurora-effect on the sky.  On the far background is the condominium complex where more accommodations are available for the resort's guest.  It would nice to be up there because it provides a good view but we're not sure if there is an elevator there especially since we're both physically handicapped people.  We would prefer more to be land-based rather that scraping the sky.

There are many attractions around the resort and the experience was fun!  A few places even show markers related to the King himself, such as this street sign. The very place where the Hound Dog grew up.

At the center of the artificial lake of Graceland is an artificial island but whatever it is it's a great view and attraction to the resort.  

There are several cottages for picnic and a pavilion harbor where one can go on boating with family, friends and most especially your dear love.  The island can easily be reached via a connecting bridge here.  The moment was very peaceful but fun because there were no people yet early in the morning to photobomb the moment.

Several jet skis were parked along the banks of the lake and much as I would really love to try it out but unfortunately, it was too early in the morning and the staff assigned to these recreational rides have not arrived yet.  So here I am just getting the feel of its reigns and posing for a dream ride. Maybe next time, I'll jet ski in Boracay where the action is!

Strolling along the lake is already enough for us to be awed  by the beauty of the place.  It was so worth the early rise to gaze at Mt. Banahaw's shrouded peak, ever mysterious to the avid adventurer, as if warning anyone who dares climb it faces an unspeakable fate in the hands of its enchanted beings.  The majestic view of the mountain is further complemented by the still waters of the lake and that is more than enough for us to get rejuvenated in mind and spirit as we return back to our urban setting lives and continue with the daily grind but with renewed strength. If the King is alive, he would probably be sharing the same sentimental thought with us.

The resort also have facilities for team building and whenever I see one, I could not help but always try out every one of them , because there will always be a child in me up and ready to relive my days of youth when whenever this kind of moments presents itself.

For the outdoor type guys, there's a campsite where you can pitch your tent and sleep nature style but absent the rugged terrain of the actual outdoor because you will be pitching on manicured lawn complete with all the amenities of a toilet and bath with meals served al fresco or just walk to the cafe and order your favorite short order food.  What an outdoor bummer!  If you realize outdoor camping is not your type of recreation for the moment, you can merely pack up and return to the luxury of your suite.  Such is the convenience of spending your outdoor vacation in Graceland!

We spent the remaining time before breakfast taking more picture of the birds and the trees and the flowers and the lake until we were hungry  enough to break the fast and eat the firs and most important meal of the day so we proceeded back to Memphis Cafe and had breakfast there.

 From a critique's perspective of this place, Graceland here in Tayabas created an atmosphere with a scene typical of what you will see in a Texas or Tennessee ranch with the white picket fences and manicured lawns minus the horses and American cowboys so to speak.  But it still has the touch of the Philippine landscape as fields of rice still dominates some areas around the resort creating a fusion of east meets west to satisfy the eyes of visitors - local and foreign alike.

Graceland indeed designed the entire resort for the convenience of its guests and make them feel like you're still in the safety of your suburban dwellings yet so far from the city but still enjoy the perks of country life.  This is the scene behind our villa where each room has a balcony with a view of the ricefields.  Such is the life of the King!

For every place we've visited, it is customary for me to express my thumb of approval with a jump of joy so I executed my traditional jump shot with Malen as my trusted and reliable shooter who knows the perfect time to snap the shot despite my size and weight.  What can you say? Perfect huh?

After an  exhaustive tour of the entire estate and a hearty breakfast, we really built up a sweat that it was time to hit the swimming pool.  We rested a bit and took pictures around the pool and I'm sure that the better model for a swimming pool photoshoot is no other than my beautiful wife over here.  I'll be joining her in the water later. Ha ha ha!

So here we are, enjoying the minipool overlooking the big pool and the coolest thing is that we had the pool for ourselved since it's early in the morning and probably the other guests are just arising from their beds, eating breakfast and just whiling the time away.  But for us who don't have the luxury of time or else waste the chance to capture every moment in digital data of these wonderful place, every minute and every second count or else we'll wind up taking pictures with all the photobombers around eager to be part of our memorable moments.

Moments in the jacuzzi together with my loving wife in blissful peace and privacy is what I meant when rising up early to avoid the crowd.  The early birds do catch the worm but in this case it's the lovebirds that catch the first swim, while the water is still fresh and clean and the ambiance is just simply perfect.

Graceland has indeed lived up to its name as the sanctuary of our beloved King of Rock an Roll.  He may not be with us to enjoy the beauty of this place, but the memory of his grandeur and royalty still lives on and Malen gives her thumbs up for this place for giving us an awesome vacation in this awesome estate.

The King may be dead but when you visit Graceland, and no one will surely see him here but having stayed and experience the royal life here definitely shows that the King lives in every one of us during our stay in Graceland.  Of course, for my wife on the other hand she can well be Priscilla Presley, the Queen of Graceland. Ha ha ha!

Wow! so much had happened here despite the short vacation but every moment was truly worthwhile.  Well, some good things never last but at least we captured every good thing on camera and is now part of our indelible memories to cherish for the rest of our lives.  As we packed our bags and get ready to go, I got one last shot of the room overlooking the grassy prairie and beyond that is the swimming pool where my queen and had a great time together!

We are highly grateful to my colleague in the pollution control profession Engr. Bernadette for the wonderful time and opportunity to stay in this beautiful resort.  It might be sometime before we visit this place again and though we never saw Elvis here, our pollution control friend here made us feel like King and Queens in Graceland, Tayabas, Quezon!

This is probably one of the stories where I had so much to say about the beauty of  Graceland. Much as we hate happy endings because we prefer to be happy without ending and though the King is dead and we never saw Elvis at all but having stayed in the royal estate of Graceland made us the "King and Queen of Hearts!"