⌛ Taal Volcano

Taal Volcano is about a 2 hour drive from Manila along the Southern Luzon Expressway, hang a right in Tagaytay and you're almost there. Matter of fact, we made a day trip out of it while visiting Manila. I cannot speak for mass transportation, as we took a car and driver from the Manila hotel to make the journey. This was by far the easiest portion of the trip as he knew places to stop for c/r, to eat, sightsee etc along the route.

Upon arrival on the northwestern edge of the lake, we had lunch at one of many lake side cafe's that primarily catered to filipinos. we ate outside on the patio along with the dogs and flies, but it was tolerable for this Kano. Meals weren't over priced but all filipino cuisine consisting of chicken, rice, fish...the normal stuff. Honeyko was at home and seemed to be excited about the adventure.

We departed the cafe in a rented banca boat that the driver arranged for us to take us out to a small village on the island surrounding Taal Volcano. This village was the jumping off point to climb the volcano which you could do by foot/hiking or by small pony. I had no illusions that honeyko was going to walk this volcano so we hired the ponies along with most of the other adventurers in our party that had clustered there awaiting the guided ascent. Somehow, I drew a small pony led by an 11 year old girl. Of course, i didn't really need a guide, but it was a package deal with the horse.

Off we go thru the mud up the side of the volcano in single file column reaching the top within about 45 minutes. As someone who had ridden before, I was still terrified with the thought this horse was going to have a heart attack before it reached the summit. Upon reaching the top, we were suprised to find a snack bar errrr, well at least they sold snacks of soda, chips, etc. There we met another couple including some American missionaries visiting for the first time as well. The trip down was the most interesting as it had started to rain. the trail became slick and served to carry the rain water down the mountain. Needless to say, the footing was terrible and the pony ended up on his @ss a number of times including running over the guide who jumped back up and smacked the sh*t outta this horse. (including the loss of her sandal)

We made it down none the worse for wear including a decent tip to pay my guide who now needed some new sandals....poor girl. Honeyko and I were soaked but it was truly something to remember in the annuals of "I can't believe we just did that.....and lived to tell about".

There is so much to see and do in the Phils if you're up for the adventure.

 

Heres a couple more

 

Nice pics Ronin. Thank you for sharing.....