Tagaytay: Taal Lake and Volcano

Tagaytay is located south of Manila just about 2 to 3 hours drive. This city is famous not only for Taal Lake and Volcano but also for sweet tropical fruits. Taal volcano is one of the smallest volcanoes in the world. However, this volcano is different because it sits in a lake and there is also a small body of water in the crater which looks like a small lake too. Further, everyone seems to appreciate the view and beauty of Taal because the city of Tagaytay is located just above it which is like a huge viewing deck. I've visited this city many years ago and I am very excited to see it once again. First stop was Taal Vista Hotel. This hotel is famous not only for its accommodations but also for its viewing deck. Although we do not intend to check-in, they allow non-hotel guests to get inside the viewing deck as long as you pay their parking fee. I've noticed some major changes in the hotel amenities and it is now more spacious and guest friendly. The view of Taal lake and volcano from this hotel deck is breathtaking. This is one of the best spots for a painter if he wishes to paint the spectacular scenery of Taal. We took snapshots and souvenir photos here. Then we just enjoy and appreciate the view. We then went to the Park in the Sky. This park on the other side of the city was once very famous because it was built by Imelda Marcos to entertain her guests. It has a very nice view of the lake and volcano as well although it is more elevated. Just under the mountain park, I noticed that there are new subdivisions and villages built sorrounded with lots of trees. There are also several souvenir shops. It is noticeable though that the park is less maintained and needs more work.

For lunch, we drove back to the touristy area where lots of restaurants, cafes, and bars are located. We found a nice japanese restaurant with a nice view of Taal. After the meal, we all agreed we went to the right place. We had good food and great view. Just a few steps away is Starbucks where we had our coffee.

We had wanted to cross the lake and go to the volcano. However, we were told we need more
time to do that. Instead, we drove down to the lake side town of Talisay, a 45 minute drive from Tagaytay to see the lake up close. As we got closer to the lake side, lots of people met our car showing their rates for a boat ride to the volcano. Although we have not visited the volcano itself, getting into the lake side and seeing the volcano closer was worth it.


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I love tagaytay! The weather is cold, the sceneries are the best, you'll feel very relax. Most Filipinos go to Tagaytay when they wanted to relieve stress after working and to bond with their families, because Tagaytay is very near in Manila and you can go there in the morning and leave on the afternoon. Very accessible. I just love looking at the lake and the volcano. It's so beautiful. Philippines is truly Asia's Pearl of the Orient!

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Palawan Underground River - Philippines

The Palawan Underground River National Park (one day on foot and a half-day if you go by banca). The National Park covers 5,000 hectares of well-preserved forest. The underground river is about eight kilometers long beneath the cliffs, four kilometers of which can be covered by banca with a guide, equipped with a kerosene touch so you can admire the stalactites and stalagmites. The river can be reached from Sabang Palawan by banca (one hour), but if you have the time, the walk across the National Park is quite pleasant and relatively easy.
The Palawan Underground River is believe to be one of the longest navigable underground rivers in the world which features cathedral-like caverns and domes. The stalactites and stalagmites formation resembles like religious images, fruits and birds. Truly, an admirable underworld that project the omnipotence of the Creator over human hands. The Palawan Underground River is home to other cove dwelling fauna.

Puerto Princesa Palawan Subterranean River National Park was declared by Proclamation No. 835 on March 26, 1971. It is located in the West Coast of Palawan, 81 km north of Puerto Princesa City Palawan. The land form in the park are associated with rocky mountains (of marble and limestone) running from north to south. Two-thirds of the area is covered by lush tropical rainforest from the shoreline to the highest peak, and one-third is thinly vegetated karst limestone. The vegetation types include lowland forest (often with 35 m. canopy), coastal forest and karst forest.

This Philippines National Park is currently a popular destination for visiting bird-watchers, and most of the threatened and restricted range birds of the Palawan Endemic Bird Area have been recorded here. Several threatened species are regularly seen in the extensive lowland forests and substantial number of Palawan Peacock Pheasant and Philippine Cockatoo are found in the park.

Various joint endeavors have been done so far between and among government and non-government organizations including the community surrounding the Park to improve the services to visitors who frequent to the Palawan Underground River when they are in Puerto Princesa Palawan.

After having bought your ticket at the park's office, at the one and only village street just before the jetty, take the path directly across that runs along the beach. At its end is a sign indicating the entrance to the National Park. You the take the "Monkey Trail." The climb is rather steep, but a makeshift wooden railing has been installed. The path, always perfectly  indicated , crosses the jungle, affording, beautiful views of the cliffs and the sea. You cross a marvelous beach before arriving at the rangers' station. From there, you can go deeper into the jungle through a less maintained path, or continue along a beach. Arriving at the cave's entrance, you simply rent one of the bancas awaiting visitors.


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It's very wonderful! Philippines is so blessed to have such a beautiful river that the whole world can be proud of. Visit the longest river in the world and be amazed on it's beauty and nature reserves.

Other Link: Palawan Underground River

ABOUT THE PHILIPPINES

The Philippine archipelago consist of 7,107 islands with a total land area of 300,000 square kilometers or 115,830.60 square miles (about the same size as Italy). The 11 largest islands contain 94% of the total land area. The largest of these islands is Luzon at about 105,000 km². It is where the capital city of Manila is located. The next largest island is Mindanao at about 94,600 km². The Philippines is around 800 km from the Asian mainland and is located between Taiwan and Borneo.

The Philippine islands are divided into three groups: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The Luzon islands include Luzon itself, Mindoro, Palawan, Masbate, and other smaller islands. The Visayas is a group of several small islands, the largest of which are: Panay, Bohol, Negros, Cebu, Leyte, and Samar. Mindanao island includes Mindanao island itself and the Sulu Archipelago, composed of Tawi-Tawi, Basilan and Sulu. Each island group has a Philippine destination worth visiting.

Climate in the Philippines is hot, humid, and tropical. The average yearly temperature is around 26.5° Celsius. Filipinos generally recognize three seasons:

Summer: March to May
Rainy Season: June to November
Cold Season: December to February (moderate to folks from temperate countries)
Philippine Population: 86,000,000 / Per Capita Income: $4,700
Literacy: 93%
HIV-AIDS Prevalence: >0.1%
Electricity: 220V (110V is available, mostly in major hotels)

The islands of the Philippine archipelago are volcanic in origin and are mountainous. The islands are part of the Pacific Ring of Fire. Mt. Apo (2,954 meters above sea level) in Mindanao is the highest peak, while the second highest peak is Mt. Pulog in Luzon. It rises 2,842 meters above sea level. The Philippines have numerous rivers, volcanoes, streams, narrow coastal plains and beautiful sandy beaches which foreign and local tourist enjoy. The country has a total of 36,289 kilometers of coastline.


Philippine Jeepney

Travel within the Philippines not difficult, if you don't mind riding the sometimes rickety public transportation. There are all kinds of vehicles available to tourist and locals: Ferries for inter-island transfers, buses & taxis ply in major cities all over the Philippines and the ubiquitous jeepney can be found everywhere. In Metro Manila, light rail transit is available on main roads. In tertiary roads & small rural towns the tricycle is the transport of choice.

The official languages in the Philippines are Filipino and English. Filipino which is based on the Tagalog dialect (the dialect of national capital region), is the national language. English is also widely used and is the medium of instruction in higher education in the Philippines. There are also 76 major local languages and more than 500 different minor dialects throughout the archipelago. 83% of Filipinos are Roman Catholic. The rest are made up of smaller Christian denominations, Moslems and Buddhist.

This guide previews the more popular tourist spots in the Philippines beginning with the City of Manila, then Baguio City, Banaue Rice Terraces, Batanes Group of Islands, Batangas, Boracay Island, Cebu City, Corregidor, Davao City, Iloilo, Palawan Island, Pangasinan's Hundred Islands, Puerto Galera Beach, Bohol Islands and the World Heritage City of Vigan in Ilocos Sur. Mabuhay!

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I really love riding the jeepney, hope you'll try it! It's fun! This travel blog will help you learn more about the island Philippines.

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