Journey to the Treacherous Taal Volcano; The volcano at the center of a Lake, Part1

[Dr_AlwyPaul]

Hi… Friends…

The Philippines is one of the most favorite tourist destinations all over the world. And I see myself lucky that I got to live here for my studies. The Philippines is full of small beautiful islands. It doesn’t matter which side of the country you’re on, massive areas of shining sand and wonderful blue waters will surely attract you.

In this post, I would like to share my travel experience with the naughty Taal Volcano, along with my friends. Taal is a beautiful caldera volcano, in the centre of a lake, which is roughly 15 km wide. Although this is a dangerous volcano, localites know when it is safe to visit. The Volcano is situated on a mountain, which is at the center of an island and is covered by greeneries and hillocks.

Me and my friends have been planning this trip since the time we came to the Philippines. But due to the overlapping of our class and the exams, the trip got postponed many times.

Finally my dream-come-true-day came… We were 5 girls and two boys (all medical students) planned a one day trip to Taal. Our excitement hit the sky while planning itself - in fact, the previous night of our visit, I could not even sleep properly.

Going through those memories once again, makes me emotional, because 3 of them were my seniors and they’ve graduated and went to India last year and I miss them very much now.

We planned to rent a car because it was more convenient and fortunately, one of my friends had a driver’s license too. We set everything ready the previous night itself and anxiously waited for the excitement to begin.

We started our journey early in the morning at 6 am, from our home in Las Pinas. We chose the Alabang-Zapote-Muntinlupa route which we didn’t know very well, so we were following the Google Maps. As we knew it was going to be a long day, we had our breakfast along the way.

The journey was quite amazing after we reached the countryside. The fresh air and nature was really helpful for getting out of exhaustion from work load. The ride itself felt enough.

We reached Tagaytay-Calamba after a drive of 3 hours. From there we had to go in a boat crossing the Taal Lake. It was quite adventurous for us because none of us knew swimming. Anyway we trusted the boat driver Kuya(meaning brother in tagalog) with our life. It was really mesmerizing to see the small islands around the green and calm Taal lake…

Is my narration enjoyable?

Do you have any suggestions for improving my narration?

Your comments & suggestions will be inspiring for me to write more…

@TravellerG @KashifMisidia @Ddimitra

Can I expect your response?

Next was the climax… climbing the Volcano…

If you all support, I shall continue in part 2…………

[Dr_AlwyPaul]

Waiting for your valuable comments and suggestions my friends,

@RosyKohli @Anil6969 @Ewaade_3A @KalyanPal @deepakjhic @Shrut19 @Globe_trotter_Ish @NareshDarji @Erna_LaBeau

[ErmesT]

Thanks for your first “official” post @Dr_AlwyPaul

A good and extremely interesting one. Well done.

So … Welcome as a writer, even if you are not new in the community

Sometimes people travel, for study or work, and in some cases they are lucky, as you were, and I was, because this has given us the opportunity to be in places where others go as tourists.

Great photos too, you are really sharing with us the spirit of the place.

I want to add only a small note: Please, avoid to overtag people. They will reach your post in any case, because the post is beautiful.

For more details about tagging and over tagging: To Tag or Not to Tag? Best practices and rules about tagging people in Connect

[TravellerG]

Hello, dear team member @Dr_AlwyPaul , Congratulations,

Your post has come out well - very happy.

Looks you had a great time… in Taal Lake & Volcano…

Our loving regards to your friends too…

All the best,

Thanks for tagging me

[KalyanPal]

Hello @Dr_AlwyPaul ,

Hope you all enjoyed that moment.

Photos in your post are beautiful.

Thank you for tagging me here. Also, waiting to read your second post too.

Stay safe and happy

[StephenAbraham]

@Dr_AlwyPaul Looks like an amazing exciting journey. And when I see the group of friends, it feels like home. The lake reminds me of strangely, Periyar lake (minus the volcano) . And of course it also reminds of Lake Toba there in Indonesia. @Ddimitra can also write a corresponding post for Danau Toba.

[Tejal]

@Dr_AlwyPaul

Thank you for sharing with us yes one of our friend is from Philippines and he has very deep knowledge about trees so I can imagine about country. And very happy to hear about taal … Hope we all able to make it trip.

Regards Tejal

[Ddimitra]

hi @Dr_AlwyPaul

what a nice memory. specially with your best buddies.

the photos are lovely! Thanks for sharing this dear

[kasunaaa]

@Dr_AlwyPaul welcome as a new writer! Absolutely you have amazing skills of writing. Keep it up. Can’t wait to read your next episode of climbing of Taal.

I would like to tag my LG partner @ravindus who already visited the Taal volcano couple of years ago.

[Austinelewex]

Wonderful post @Dr_AlwyPaul

Beautiful story and this place is so dense and green.

Thank you for sharing such an interesting post with all of us here on connect.

[ravindus]

@Dr_AlwyPaul , it’s great see the pictures again. I get to the live my trip to Taal Volcano . It was activated and erupted few months after my visit. Is it back to normal now and tourists can visit again. I saw photos of the island with everything bing burnt to Ash.

[Ewaade_3A]

I smiled all through reading this. Please put a link to the part 2 in part 1.

I love most the sky. It’s almost like it’s competing with the lake for ‘blueness’.

I love the vibe. I have never thought about renting a car because someone has a driver license, now, I should consider this.

well done, Doc. @Dr_AlwyPaul

[Patriciapraca]

What a Beautiful place! Congratulations for the post. Waiting for for part two.

[Shrut19]

नमस्कार,

** @Dr_AlwyPaul **

Woooo showing lot’s of enjoyment you guys had…

Beautiful capture you shared,

Thanks for tagging & sharing this beautiful volcano at the center of a Lake details with photos…

[TravellerG]

… After all she is our team members…na?

@Shrut19

[KashifMisidia]

Thank you So much Alwy for tagging me in your wonderful post. Very nicely written, as I was traveling with you guys while I was reading story and watching photos of your great & memorable journey.

So now I have two doctors in my Local Guides friends list @Dr_AlwyPaul & @doc_dells , you both are awesome

Keep it up Doc.

[Dr_AlwyPaul]

Thank you so much @ErmesT

So glad that I was able to convey the joy and excitement, me and my friends had during the journey. Your valuable comments means a lot to me. Hope to improve more in the near future. I have tagged my friends only and they’ve asked me to.

Thank you

[Dr_AlwyPaul]

Thanks a lot @TravellerG

Thank you for your guidance and motivations. This travel story means a lot to me and my friends. It was really an amazing experience with delicacy of friendship. Your comments are always valuable for me.

[Dr_AlwyPaul]

Thank you my friend, @KalyanPal

I’m really happy that you liked my story. This is really inspiring me for making part 2. I hope to see you again with the second part soon.

[Dr_AlwyPaul]

Yes it was an amazing trip @StephenAbraham

Philippines has been my second home since I came here. For that I’m really greatful to my friends. And the climate and nature of Philippines, is kind of similar to Kerala, except winter.

Thank you so much @StephenAbraham

Waiting for the post from @Ddimitra ma’am. You are always an inspiration.