Taal Volcano

May 10, 2014

Taal Volcano Crater Lake

This trekking activity was unplanned. Our group of companies had a summer outing at the coast of Taal Lake, the Treasury Department decided to have a side trip during lunch break and visit Taal Volcano's crater lake. Engle and I were invited and we couldn't resist the idea of conquering the small volcano on a lunch break. Haha

Many people think Taal Volcano is the tiny minor volcano (called "Binintiang Malaki" or Big Leg) that can be seen from nearby viewing areas like Tagaytay City. Binintiang Malaki frequently appears in post cards as Taal Volcano and it quite imposes a distinctive shape. The volcano's main crater is at the center of the main island and tourists can either walk or ride a horse to get there.

Here is my account of our quick trip to the crater lake:

• 11:10 Our group left before lunch to take a boat ride going to the island volcano, from Balai Isabel to the coastline we took a tricycle for 8.00 PHP per person. Luckily, the Treasury is notorious for being a seasoned haggler especially Ms. Nanette. So we were able to take a boat for 1,500.00 PHP from 2,500.00 PHP. Be very persistent in haggling with the boats as the locals charge unrealistic prices to their services and goods. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to discourage others to visit the place and the people there were nice. It's just that I don't like it when fellow Filipinos try to take advantage of tourists in general, this has been a major setback to many foreign tourists stating that tourism in the Philippines is costly because of the sky rocketing fees the locals charge. I hope this culture of thinking tourists are rich and must pay more should stop, and I think I should stop my ranting and continue with my story. After borrowing some hats from the boatman who gave in to our pleading to lower his price, we then took the boat ride to the volcano island.

Our boats for the trip to Taal Volcano

The team posing before getting to the boats (Fresh)

• 11:20 The ride was a little under 30 minutes, I enjoyed the ride because I used it as a time to reflect about my life. Well the breeze with sprinkled lake water was good and refreshing, and the soft shakes of the boat was relaxing and it gave a somewhat meditating aura for about 5 minutes. Then we ended up talking about the summer outing, what's going on back at Club Balai Isabel and the hardships we had experienced to wake up early just to arrive late at the venue because many arrived way after the call time. We also had ample time to share with each other funny moments during work in our departments, and we took the opportunity to pair up Engle with Meg.

 The race going to the volcano island was a close fight

Binintiang Malaki (Big Leg)

• 11:50 Touchdown at Taal Volcano Island, after taking a breather at a nearby hut (The heat was too much to handle for some us) we decided to continue our trip to the volcano's crater. At that point half of the group opted to stay at the coast and enjoy the waves and the cool breeze, the heat was overwhelming (I need the emphasis). Only Engle, Ron, Meg, Ms. Shel, Sir Joe, and myself were left in the party of 13 that went all the way to the crater. Actually Ms. Shel gave up after 200 meters and rented a horse.

The boats at the coast of Taal Volcano

One final pose before the assault

• 12:00 Start of our repentance for all of mankind's sins. I think the dusty trail retains the heat it receives and reflects it back to our feet, giving us a feeling of being microwaved. The hike was hotter than mountain trails, this might be because the island doesn't have an abundant supply of trees and shrubs to cover trekkers from the sunshine.

The only station on the dusty trail

Some parts of the trail were manmade

Some parts we experience the immense power of the Sun

Remember to enjoy your surroundings while trekking

• 12:20 Arrival at the first and last resting station, the trail was surprisingly short and from the resting station our group already had a glimpse of the cottages at the tip of the crater. We bought some soda and water to freshen up, took some photos of the "dark side" of Binintiang Malaki before assaulting the summit of the volcano. I wasn't used to seeing the other side of Binintian Malaki, the outer side got stuck in my brain when I visited Tagaytay for a seminar during 4th Grade.

The other side of Binintiang Malaki. (Eh Macarena!!!)

The 2nd half of the trek, The final destination could be seen from this point. 

Other tourists opted to ride donkeys and horses

Fortunately it was cloudy during the 2nd half 

The final assault to the summit

Resting just before the cottages

• 12:40 Touchdown Taal's summit, and it was Awesomazing! After all those sweat I have sprinkled on the trail I have arrived at the promised land! The crater lake was greenish and steams of volcanic gases were visible (Sulfur I think because it has this funny smell). Sad to say no one is allowed to go near the lake because of the hazardous gases, but we still enjoyed our stay at the viewing area (Partly because of an eye candy). 

The cottages at the tip of the crater

Horses loading and unloading area

Some traffic congestion on the trails busiest road

What a view... (Eye candy)

And the haggard picture by the crater, except for Ms. Shel

Jump Shot!!!

Summit drinking water endorser

Volcanic gases oozing out of fissures

The best viewing deck for the crate 

Sir Joey posing at the red soil 

The tip of the cliff pose

The eye candy

The lush green forest around the crater

View of the coast from the crater, the dots at the right are fish pens

• 13:20 After a few obligatory photo shoots and rest we descended the volcano and went back to our boat. We negotiated to be dropped off the coast at Club Balai Isabel for convenience and our driver was more than happy to accommodate our little request.

Spreading my Qi to nature

The made up love team

Ron taking it easy 

Sir Joey enjoy the descend 

Chocolate looking rock formation 

 He's quite in a hurry

Ms. Shel as the "Haciendera"

• 14:00 Back to Club Balai Isabel, and the end of our quick getaway to one of the most beautiful crater lake in the world. 

Touchdown at Club Balai Isabel's wharf

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Cebu City

April 28, 2014

Top things to do in Cebu and its blow by blow detail.

The Chapel housing Magellan's Cross

The 2nd part of our Cebu - Bohol Tour

This was actually a re-tour of Cebu City, because my saved photos were deleted the night before while I was transferring photos to my father's tablet. Lesson learned: When creating a back-up, play it safe and always use a PC or laptop. I really regretted this event up to this day.

My cousin Len - Len was also disappointed with the deleted files, she had many pictures in that batch that were deleted so she decided to tag along while I explore the city on my own on our way back to Cebu. The gang agreed to let Len - Len come with me since I have a reputation of knowing how to navigate myself on foreign territory.

Cebu City is popularly known as "The Queen City of the South" and is the third most populous metropolitan area of the Philippines after Metro Manila and Davao City. The city was a previous stronghold of the Spaniards, and is therefore filled with centuries old relics of Christendom. The nearby Mactan Island is famous for Lapu - Lapu, the ruler of Mactan that led the battle against Ferdinand Magellan, a renowned navigator who perished in that battle.

Here is my narrative of our short DIY Cebu City Trip.

• 06:00 Len - Len and I had an early breakfast at the resort, the management was kind and entertained our request to have our meal prepared earlier than what was previously agree upon. They even helped us by arranging a "habal - habal" (motorcycle) ride to Tagbilaran City. We took some rest at Rizal Park in front of St. Joseph Cathedral before taking a tricycle to the Tagbilaran Fast Craft Terminal.

St. Joseph Cathedral

Province of Bohol Capitol Building

• 07:10 We were informed by the resort that the earliest boat going back to Cebu was 09:00, but there was actually a 07:00 trip and we missed the boarding time by just a few of minutes. Luckily, there was another boat for the 08:00 trip and I didn't know why but we decided to change our 09:00 trip to the 08:00. We paid a minimal rebooking fee of 20:00 PHP and waited for our boat.

Blind entertainers at the boarding area

• 11:30 We landed at Cebu Pier 1 which was very convenient since several tourist spots were near the pier. The heat of the sun was beyond measure, but better a scorching sun than a torrential rain during adventure time! The nearest landmark was Fort San Pedro, it's just a couple of cartwheels from Pier 1. Braving the heat steaming up from the concrete pavements and the sun's rays striking down we walked from Pier 1 to Fort San Pedro (It's actually just around 300 meters). There's an entrance fee of 10.00 PHP, and anyone can enjoy the whole for this minimal fee. Unfortunately, because of the recent earthquake some parts of the 300 year old fort collapsed. Still despite the recent pounding it took, the fort still stand proud and reminds us of the rich Spanish history in this part of the Cebu's coast.

Fort San Pedro Entrance

A walk - through of the founding of Cebu

Exhibits inside the fortress

The part of the fort facing Plaza Independencia

An outpost of the fort

Stamps during the Spanish Rule

The main building of Fort San Pedro

Battlements of the fort

Resting area for visitors

The landscaping at Fort San Pedro

The expanse of the center of Fort San Pedro

Heavy wooden doors at the entrance

• 12:00 Next we went to Plaza Independencia which is just a stone's throw away from Fort San Pedro. Not much can be seen at the Plaza aside from a few sculptures and the Malacanang sa Sugbo. the official residence of the President in Visayas. The building is currently not used because of the damage it suffered from the earthquake but the local government unit at the time is trying to preserve the building for its history and as a tourist attraction. There's also an underground tunnel below the Plaza

Plaza Independencia

Malacanang Sa Sugbo

The Miguel Lopez de Legazpi Monument

• 12:10 Next stop was the Heritage of Cebu Monument. It's a monument that depicts the rich history of Cebu.

Heritage of Cebu Monument

A close - up of the detailed statues

Heritage of Cebu Monument

• 12:13 A short walk from the monument we arrived at Sandiego - Yap Ancestral House. This was my favorite part of our quick tour of the city. There's an entrance fee of 35.00 PHP, I don't know if this is regulated by Department of Tourism haha. The most notable aspect of this House is that it allows its visitors to touch the artifacts or sit on the chairs, the private collection of the family is literally open to the general public. It was really fantastic touching the hundred year old stuffs inside the house, but take extra caution in doing so as the items are irreplaceable. Be very careful in maneuvering yourself inside the house, the area is crowded with the family's personal effects and the items are very fragile. Some family members still sleep at the 2nd floor of the house every weekends, and yes visitors can enter their bedrooms. Just remember to leave your foot gears on the 1st floor so as to avoid sprinkling dirt to the pristine wooden floors.

Sandiego - Yap Ancestral House

The wooden signage in front of the house

A tarsier curiously looking at native hats

Painting of the Sandiego - Yap Family

Christian Artifacts

Relics are crowded at the 1st floor

Painted sliding windows

Going up to the 2nd floor (SHOES OFF!!!)

The "spacious" 2nd floor living room

Dining area

Master's Bedroom

This was Len - Len's reason to come back to the house

• 12:30 After touring the ancestral house, we proceeded to visit the oldest mementos of the Spanish occupancy. We passed thru Colon Street, the oldest street in the Philippines, the Cathedral Museum of Cebu and Plaza Humabon before arriving at the oldest Roman Catholic church in the country, Basilica Menor del Santo Nino. There was also a Shamrock Pasalubong Center along the way, they are famous for their delicacies.

Colon Street Obelisk

Shamrock, a famous "pasalubong" center

The Cathedral Museum of Cebu

Rajah Humabon, one of the first who converted to Christianity

Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral 

Facilities in front of Basilica del Santo Nino

Basilica del Santo Nino

• 12:40 Near the church is the most iconic cross in the Philippines, Magellan's Cross. It is told that this was the cross that Magellan ordered to be planted on site after successfully landing on Cebu. There are many speculations that the original cross disappeared and what is encased in a tindalo wood is just a replica that the Spaniards planted later after successfully colonizing most of the Philippines. The cross was supported by wooden beams when we visited because of the earthquake.

A marker we passed by going to Magellan's Cross at Islands Souvenir

Cebu City Capitol

Magellan's Cross

• 13:40 We decided to visit the Taoist Temple before taking our lunch. At least we won't have any difficulty climbing the steep steps of the temple and we can take our time eating our well deserved lunch. I have to say the Taoist Temple in Cebu is more elaborate than the Bell Church in Baguio, there were also many devotees praying and tourists are prohibited from taking photos of the temple's interior. There's also a free green tea at the function hall at the side of the temple. We quickly explored the temple because bad clouds were forming above us and we're afraid to get caught with the heavy rain at Beverly Hills Cebu because there's no public transportation readily available nearby.

Cebu Taoist Temple

Intricate design on the ceiling's beams

A bell used in ceremony, much like in churches

The hall were devotees pray, taking photos is prohibited

The view of Cebu from the temple

A Replica of The Great Wall of China 

The wishing well at the topmost part of the temple (This will test your endurance a little)

The dragons are mythical creatures in Chinese folklore

I love the "gardenscape" at Taoist Temple

Taoist Temple from the distance 

Len - Len exploring the clean road of Beverly Hills, at the distance is the Taoist Temple

• 14:20 We took a taxi to Ayala Center Cebu since it's going to rain and Len - Len was exhausted because of the walk around the city. I toured her around the mall, Ayala Malls are well known for constructing malls with beautiful landscapes and I just felt that I was obligated to share Ayala Center's beauty to my companion. Afterwards we took a taxi to the airport to catch our flight.

Ayala Center Cebu

• 15:30 Touchdown at Mactan International Airport, we were pretty early for our 19:00 flight but it was raining hard and we decided not to visit the Lapu - Lapu Shrine and the Alegre Guitars in Mactan Island. Len - Len was contented taking pictures at the temple and the ancestral house and her legs can't take any further punishment so we called it a day.

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