Lake Taal from Tagaytay
	On the 'banca' to Taal
	The crater lake from the rim

"An island on a lake within a volcano on a lake within a volcano." This is how my good friend and Manila resident, Melwynn, described Taal Volcano and its surroundings to me on my most recent visit to the Philippines. Needless to say, curiosity got the better of me, so the next day we found ourselves on our way to the volcano and the picturesque neighbouring town of Tagaytay.   
 
Considered the world’s smallest active volcano, Taal is located just 60 kilometres south of Metro Manila, so is an easy day trip from the capital. Though not as large as Mount Pinatubo, or as dramatic as Mount Mayon, Taal does offer something its more well known ‘siblings’ do not – a view from above the volcano (mountain) itself, courtesy of the high-altitude resort town of Tagaytay.
 
In fact, many visitors to the region come just for the views from Tagaytay, which overlooks Manila Bay to the north, Laguna Bay to the east and Taal Volcano and Lake to the south. Overwhelmed was how I felt when I first laid eyes upon the spectacular panorama.

Thanks to its location on top of the Tagaytay Ridge (part of the massive and prehistoric outer volcano), the resort town offers a cooler climate than nearby Manila, thus attracting visitors from afar to its fine selection of holiday spots and restaurants.

The People’s Park in the Sky, a blend of natural and man-made attractions commissioned by Imelda Marcos, is arguably the biggest drawcard to the area. But much more appealing are the tucked away Sonya’s Gardens and the scenic Tagaytay Picnic Grove.     

Following an appetising meal at Leslie’s Restaurant, overlooking Taal Volcano, we negotiate (literally) our way down to Lake Taal’s edge before crossing the caldera lake on a ‘banca’ (traditional Filipino boat). During the pleasant 15-minute ride, one can take the opportunity to cool down in the lake’s warm fresh water, as we did.

If you’re fit, you’ll find the 30-minute trek up to the crater rim adequately challenging. If you’re not, a ‘pare’ (friend) will be on hand to lead you up on horseback or ‘donkeyback’ (for a small fee). However you make the ascent, you’ll be swept away by the views from its peak. Rewarding those who reach the top is an uninterrupted vista of the volcano and its inner lake, as well as views of the outer lake and surrounding countryside. With the sight of fractured volcanic rock and gushing steam before us, not even the scent of sulphur is enough to dull our feelings of euphoria.

Intrepid hikers can venture further still down to the crater lake, which itself is swimmable, albeit slightly sulphurous and a little smelly. But having finally seen enough, we turn around and make the much easier hike down the outside of the volcano.

Heading home, we drop in on the famous Mushroom Burger restaurant in Tagaytay.

‘We have no mushrooms,’ they tell us.

But we don’t care. We know we’ll be back this way again soon.  

Download the Philippines OBrochure Experience Guide here.