Start the Year Right! (All Roads leads to Taal Volcano’s Crater)

Plan your year right and Travel!

January 01, 2014 with Vryan, Vivian, Camille and Robbie we commute going to Taal’s Crater.

Taal Volcano is a complex volcano located on the island of Luzon in the Philippines.^[1] It is the second most active volcano in the Philippines with 33 historical eruptions. All of these eruptions are concentrated on Volcano Island, an island near the middle of Taal Lake. The lake partially fills Taal Caldera, which was formed by prehistoric eruptions between 140,000 to 5,380 BP.^[2] Viewed from Tagaytay Ridge, Taal Volcano and Lake presents one of the most picturesque and attractive views in the Philippines.^[3] It is located about 50 km (31 mi) south of the capital of the country, the city of Manila.

The volcano had several violent eruptions in the past causing loss of life in the island and the populated areas surrounding the lake, with the death toll estimated at around 5,000 to 6,000. Because of its proximity to populated areas and its eruptive history, the volcano was designated a Decade Volcano, worthy of close study to prevent future natural disasters. All volcanoes of the Philippines are part of the Pacific Ring of Fire.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Volcano

boat ride: P1500 good for 6 people

Horse back ride : P450: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Meals: a cup of rice and any viand P65

What to expect: Rugged terrain so prepare to be covered by dust. a liter of water could do wonders as a bottle of soft drinks at the crater would cost you P50. the terrain going up the volcano is cinematic and was like your shooting for the next installment of Indiana Jones partIV. lol. Get tips from the guides on how to better ride a horse to prevent butt injuries like what I have experience. I guess it brings good luck riding a horse on this YEAR2014. lol

the trip is highly exhausting but very rewarding when you see the magnificent crater.

Trip Up North: Sumaguing Cave, Sagada Mt. Province

 

 

It was like entering a different and enchanting world as we step forward and enter the mystical Sumaguing Cave in SAGADA. Armed with just a pair of slippers, traversing the steep and slippery rock formations gives quite a challenge and stress on your legs as you try not to fall on its slippery rocks. Everythin’ is color Mustard I must say, thanks to our guide kuya Marc of SaGGas (Sagada Genuine Guides Association)

They call this the King’s Curtain. For me it was like a stage lol

Sumaguing Cave has the largest chamber of all connecting caves in town (there are more than 60 known caves underneath Sagada). One needs to trek down a slippery trail from its mouth to see the magnificent formations of stalactites and stalagmites that took thousands of years to shape. These formations were carefully sculpted by nature itself to form contours that were given fancy names such as king and queen’s curtains, giant fudge, pregnant woman, mickey mouse, alligator, dancing hall and rice terraces.

Look in the center: Go Figure! Click on the link for a table of their service fees. 😀 http://www.saggas.org/2007/07/sagada-guide-and-vehicle-rates.html