Taal Volcano, a Unique Crater

After months of tender process, finally it has come to an end. I am here again to share my travel experience in the Philippines. This time, we come to Taal Volcano! 

Taal Volcano, the second most active volcano in the Philippines, is a unique volcano. It is located about 50 km from Metro Manila. This time, we traveled like locals to Taal Volcano, located at Batangas city. Why it is unique? This is due to Taal Volcano forms an island in the crater of a bigger volcano, thus creating a view of crater in a crater.

First we headed to the Cubao bus station using the MRT, and looked for the bus heading to Tagaytay. We rode on the air-conditioned bus with small amount of money, and the journey started. Not sure what happened but the bus dropped us at a jeepney depot and the passengers were required to switch to a jeepney. We followed what the other locals were doing, and hiked on the jeepney as instructed. The jeepney then took us to our destination at the Tagaytay. Upon reaching, you will be able to spot a statue in the middle of the road, with multiple fast food chain nearby the statue, which means you have reached the destination - Olivarez Square!

From the Olivarez Square, we negotiated for a tricycle ride as well as boat ride package to Taal Volcano. Taking boat to the Taal Volcano, you would be amazed by the creation of God, by making the volcano islands within the crater, which Taal Volcano is one of the islands. The boat ride took about 15-20 minutes, and we were already there at the bottom of Taal Volcano, and the hiking journey began!

According to Lonely Planet, there are 2 ways to hike the volcano. First, go for horseback riding (costs about 500 Pesos) or second, hike by your own feet for 45 minutes. We chose the latter, and amazingly, we took only 20 minutes to reach the top! The climb was not too tough (definitely not as tough as Pinatubo!) and the trail was clear enough discover by yourself without getting lost. Another way of keeping yourself in the correct direction, is to follow the poops of the horses, which proves to be an effective solution!

Watch out for the poops along the trail people!

Climbing to the top of the Taal Volcano, there was a platform overlooking the sulfurous crater. It was a magnificent view to see panoramic view of crater in a bigger crater, which would lead you to feel like it is just a lake in the middle of the sea!

Apart from some stalls selling souvenirs and T-shirts, there were nothing else on the viewing deck. So we just spent about 10-15 minutes on the top to rejuvenate ourselves, and we proceeded to walk down the trail.

I suggest you readers to bundle the Taal Volcano hiking with Tagaytay city tour as a day trip, otherwise Taal Volcano hiking alone could be too dull for some visitors. Basically you can do nothing on the top, except resting yourself and overlooking the crater. I was supposed to make it a day trip with Tagaytay city tour earlier, but due to the storm during the first visit, we had to cancel the Taal Volcano trip. So for now, mission accomplished for visiting Tagaytay & Taal Volcano!

This post marks the end of my first business trip to the Philippines, which lasted for 2 months, and I will continue my stories in other countries before coming back to this beautiful country the next time!

Tagaytay, a Chilling Retreat

After visiting the Bamboo Organ in Las Piñas, I proceeded to Tagaytay, a city 55 km South of Metro Manila. Sitting on the plateau of 634 meters above sea level, Tagaytay is famous destination for a chilling retreat from the heat in Metro Manila. 

First, I came to this place Tierra de Maria, which we could see the 50-feet tall image of Virgin Mary, Mother of God standing in the middle of garden with well-trimmed shrubbery and flowers. 

This sacred place is run by Mama Mary's Movement Foundation Inc and it opens daily from 8 a.m till 6 p.m. This place also serves as the inner peace healing center, for the Catholics to pray and reflect.

There were also drawings of stories of Christianity next to the shrine of Mother Mary.

Next I headed to 1 of the main attractions of Tagaytay, which was the People's Park, or also known as Palace in the Sky. This place was intended to become the presidential guest house of former president Ferdinand Marcos, however the project did not complete and the structure of the mansion remained intact which turns the location into tourist attraction. 

Firstly, the visitors could ride on the jeepney to the top of the Mount Gonzales. The jeepney would take us through the long winding road to the top of the mountain which spectacular views await. Visitors may also choose to hike the Mount Gonzales.

Now this palace is open to the public as a viewpoint for the Taal Volcano, one of the most special volcanoes in Philippines.

The visitors were so crowded on the day I visited, as people came here not only for the view of Taal Volcano, but also to relax and to have picnic within the People's Park.

Another attraction within the People's Park would be the big statue of Jesus Christ, standing next to the chapel on the highest point of the Mount Gonzales, overlooking the city of Tagaytay. This image resembles the big Jesus statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil but this is a much smaller scaled statue.

As the storm approaching, the People's Park got chiller by the cloud blowing through the park.

After visiting the People's Park, I had my lunch at Leslie's Restaurant which is famous for their sisig, a local dish of minced pork. This restaurant is also famous for the atmosphere and the view of Taal Volcano as it sits on the cliff side of the Tagaytay city.

From Leslie's Restaurant, we would be able to view the Taal Volcano at a much closer distance compared to the People's Park.

Last destination of the day was the Taal Lake. This was supposed to be a trip to the Taal Volcano, but due to the approaching storm, the boatmen were not willing to bring visitors across the volcano crater to Taal Volcano due to safety reason. This was such a waste, because the Taal Volcano hike was the main objective of the whole trip!

Regretfully, one of my main objectives to be here in Tagaytay was not achieved. Don't worry readers, I revisited this place, and the hiking trip of Taal Volcano will be covered next time!

Stay tuned for more exciting stories in Philippines!