Tagaytay and Taal - a day trip from Manila

Tagaytay is 2 hours from Manila and makes for an excellent day trip or a weekend getaway. It is the gateway to Taal Lake and Volcano. The city is a popular summer tourist destination because of its cool climate due to its high altitude.

Tagaytay also offers a view of Taal Lake - a lake within an island within a lake.

So we drove from Manila to Tagaytay, We then took a boat across the lake to the Island where the volcano is located. Once we got into the tiny boat, we were asked to cover ourselves with a plastic sheet. I was wondering why..............only to find out in a bit. The water was choppy and as our boat zipped through it, the spray was all over us. Luckily, I had followed their instructions and had covered myself. Not that it mattered as it was quite hot and we would have been dried up in no time.

Taal Lake is a freshwater lake in the province of Batangas, on the island of Luzon, Philippines. The lake is situated within a caldera formed by very large eruptions between 500,000 and 100,000 years ago. It is the country's third largest lake (the largest being Laguna de Bay). Volcano Island, the location of Taal Volcano's historical eruptions and responsible for the lake's sulfuric content, lies near the center of the lake. There is a crater lake on Volcano Island, which is in Lake Taal, which is located on Luzon Island. That crater lake is the world's largest lake on an island in a lake on an island, and it in turn contains its own small island, Vulcan Point.

Source: Wikipedia

  

The Taal Volcano

You can either walk or take a pony!

The Caldera with mineral deposits.

The view from the top. 

Back to Tagaytay

The pretty local boats

Manila - a Spanish outpost in Asia?!

I didn't really know what to expect when I went to Manila. Had heard a lot of stories about it from friends - good and bad. So will try and give you a brief of my brief visit there.

• Manila is the capital city of the Phillipines. The Phillipines has 1000s of islands and is a treasure waiting to be discovered.
• Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay. The sunsets are priceless and not to be missed.
• It is a very crowded city and reminds one of Bombay. However, unlike Bombay, it is quite clean.
• It is a melting pot of many cultures as the Phillipines were "settled" by various other nations - China, Spain, British and of course America.
• You can see the foreign influences in the people, their food and of course the architecture.
• Intramuros is the ancient walled city. Very Spanish and historical.
• 90% of the population is Catholic and they are very religious. Reminded me of Goa.
• The people are quite docile, friendly and accommodating and every ready to help you. I was warned about pickpockets but during the time I was there, I did not have a single bad experience.
• The society is very matriarchal and women play a very important role. I was told so many times by strangers that I was beautiful and could pass as a Filipina. Did wonders for my ego!
• The women are gorgeous. I guess Western men prefer to marry them and on some websites you even have a section - Dating a Filipina!!
• There are plenty of malls for shopping and food. Some of the better known ones are - The Mall of Asia (which is huge), the Green Belt Park, the Powerplant.
• The best part is that the rupee is equivalent to the Peso. So you can shop till you drop! Furniture, furnishings and decorative items are what I would recommend one buys.
• Taxis are pretty cheap in Manila. I didn't get the opportunity to travel by their metro. In the suburbs you can also travel by tricycles.
• However the ubiquitous jeepneys are the most interesting form of transport. They are brightly coloured and painted with biblical scenes and packed with at least 20 locals. I have to go back to Manila just to ride in one of them.
• The official language is Tagalog.
• Remember, this is one of the few countries that still have departure tax. So keep some money for the airport. 

San Agustine Church

I love these altars. Reminds me of Goa.

Ornate chariots for religious processions.

The inner courtyard which is so typical of Spanish Monastries.

The Parliament Building.

Manila Cathedral

The beautiful carved doors with biblical scenes

The beautiful stained glass.


Imelda Marcos took an interest in preserving the old buildings.

Best way to view Intramuros. My guide/driver wants to be a policeman someday.
Currently already married with 2 children!

The colourful Jeepney.

Fort Santiago

The arch at the entrance to the fort.

View of Manila city skyline from Fort Santiago.

At the museum of culture, a replica of a traditional house.

The clock tower.

The National Museum

The calming view of the sea.

Another view of the Manila skyline

Interesting!