Taal volcano has quite a reputation as we learned from our Elementary years. Just an hour away from Manila, this geological wonder may be small the smallest active volcano in the world, but just so you know, with at least 33 eruptions in recorded history, some were even destructive, it is the second most active volcano (Mayon being the first) in the whole Philippine archipelago.
My friends and I were in Picnic Grove in Tagaytay when we saw (for the first time) the breathtaking view of Taal Volcano.
We made arrangements with locals and paid Php1500 (~$30) for 4 people. They offered us a lift towards the boat station in Talisay, about half an hour away from where we were. The road was long and winding but definitely scenic. The boat ride took us around 20 minutes, across the lake to a small village on the volcano.
Taal Volcano is an easy 45-minute hike, and one doesn’t need to be an experienced hiker to trek it. The best time to climb is early in the morning at around 6 am to avoid the extreme heat. But if your trip is unplanned just like ours, it’s totally ok. Just remember to walk on your phase and hydrate yourself. Along the way to the top, there are few rock formations which emit odor and steam.
A few moments later, and we made it! It was a bit exhausting but seeing the crater lake was definitely worth the hike.
The famous line “island on a lake in an island on a lake in an island” refers to that island in the middle of the caldera lake, called Vulcan Point. The island (Vulcan Point) on a lake (crater lake) in an island (Taal Volcano Island) on a lake (Taal Lake) on an island (Island of Luzon).
Travelosio 
Beautiful, as always. My bride told me her parents used to teach near there so she would go to Taal for day trips when she was little. She is still helping me with pronunciations! Tog-AHH-tie!
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Awesome! You are probably having a laugh. Tagalog is quite funny for foreigners 😀 Your bride must be very patient with you 🙂
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It takes a while to get the emphasis on the second syllable ( usually). She corrects me and laughs, and then adds that she says English words wrong all the time. Which she does, but hearing her way is much cuter!
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Looks amazing. I’d be nervous walking around there though. If I felt, or even thought I felt, one little rumble you wouldn’t see me for dust! Haha. Great article, Sarah.
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Ha! It’s no sweat Justin! I’m sure you’ll love it. It’s totally safe (but it’s active so, hmmmm)! Anyways, they won’t let you go up without a guide so you will feel more relax and just enjoy the view while trekking up 🙂
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Oh, I’d definitely do it. The view from up there looks breath-taking . . . but I would have scenes from Dante’s Peak running through my head the whole time! Haha
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Haha it’s nothing like Dante’s Peak 🙂
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Yeah . . . They said stuff like that in Dante’s Peak, too.
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As luck would have it, I’ll be in Manila at the end of next month so I’m going to try and do a trip to Tagaytay and see this for myself. Hope you are well and enjoying the States.
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Hope you can drop by Cebu! Im doing good thank you very much 🙂
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Won’t be in Cebu this time round as I’m only there for one week, but I’ll probably be back early next year for a longer trip and will definitely visit Cebu then. Glad you are well. I’ll keep in touch. Take care 🙂
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Have fun on your trip!
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Thanks, I’m really looking forward to it. When do you leave the States?
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Next month 🙂
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Safe travels. If you are in Cebu around March next year I’ll have to catch up with you for a coffee. All the best.
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Awesome, see you then!
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