A few months ago, I took a trip to the Philippines and since I've finally had time to sort through the photos I took, I thought I'd start posting some as well as my recollections of some of the places visited.
I met up with a friend from China in Manila and we decided to take a day trip to Taal Volcano, about 50 km south of Manila. We took a taxi from Makati to Tagaytay, from which you have to take a small boat, known as a banca to Volcano Island.
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| We ate a quick lunch (chicken adobo) here before taking our banca across the lake |
When you arrive on Volcano Island, you have a choice of either walking to the top to see the crater lake or renting horses and riding up and down. We considered the horse rental, but decided against it since it seemed a bit pricey and the horse renters weren't willing to negotiate; plus walking seemed like good exercise to me. As it turned out, the walk was very easy with the only discomfort being the volcanic dust and dirt in the air. However, our young guide was well-prepared, providing us with face masks (see many more photos, including a masked me here).
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| View of crater lake on Volcano Island |
Taal's biggest known eruption lasted for 200 days in 1754 (glad I wasn't around for that one!). A written account by locally-stationed priest Miguel Sadera Masostates: On May 15, 1754, at about 9 or 10 o'clock in the night, the volcano quite unexpectedly commenced to roar and emit, sky-high, burning flames intermixed with glowing rocks which, falling back upon the island and rolling down the slopes of the mountain, created the impression of a large river of fire . . . We left the town, fleeing this living picture of Sodom, with incessant fear lest the raging waters of the lake overtake us, which were at the moment invading the main part of the town, sweeping away everything they encountered."
After returning to Taal, the priest wrote: "Soon afterward I resolved to visit my town of Taal; nothing was left of it except the walls of the church and convento. All the rest, the government house, the walks of the rope factory, the warehouse, everything was buried beneath a layer of stones, mud, and ashes more than 10 spans [2.20 m] thick; only here and there could be seen an upright post, the only remnant of a comfortable dwelling. I went down to the river and found it completely filled up, with a boat belonging to the alcalde and many of private persons buried in the mud. After incredible efforts I finally succeeded in unearthing in what had once been the church and sacristy, the chests which contained the sacred vestments and vessels. Nearly all of them were demolished by the rocks and beams which had fallen upon them, and filled with foul-smelling mud that had ruined or disfigured their contents. Thus the beautiful town of Taal remains a deserted wilderness and reduced to the utmost misery, while once it was one of the richest and most flourishing places . . ."
If you're in Manila, taking a trip to Taal Volcano Island is definitely worthwhile although you'll need a whole day since you'll have to drive there and back (about 2 hours or so each way), take a banca across the lake, then climb and descend the mountain (less than an hour each way).
Many more photos from my trip to Taal can be found here or check out the slideshow below
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