Published: July 26th 2006July 23rd 2006
Not Mount Taal
This is Mount Balantoc, which is on the same island as Mount Taal, but is not Mount Taal. Confused? So was I, but it became clear later when I got to the island and we did not walk up this crater.
Trip across the lake to the island was by a motorised outrigger canoe. Basically a fibreglass hull with bamboo trunk outriggers on both sides. Was raining, but not badly, and it stopped by the time we reached the island.
As we walked up to the track to the volcano, there was a yard full of horses and jockeys waiting to provide transport up to the top. They were disappointed, and kept pestering me to use a horse. Even when we had cleared this area, every time a horse came down without a paying pax, they would try to get me to ride. Eventually one became so annoying that I asked my guide to get rid of him. Did not have
The Lake Taal Ferry Service
This was one of dozens of similar boats ferrying people across to the island. If they were a traditional shape, nothing much else was. They were moulded fibreglass and powered by a small petrol engine. The only traditional materials were the bamboo outriggers.
View from the top was magnificent, given the cloud, etc, and will put up photos in due course.
The walk was pretty soft, but I was pleased to have done it.
There are more photos below
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GOM. Only partially domesticated. Married to Elaine. Seperately they have five kids, all now adults - or at least maintaining the pretence. Doug hopes to tread lightly on at least a little bit of every continent, and only has one left to visit. Elaine wants to shop in every major shopping centre in the world, and is still well short of the mark.
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The Philippine Islands became a Spanish colony during the 16th century; they were ceded to the US in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. In 1935 the Philippines became a self-governing commonwealth. Manuel QUEZON was elected President and was ta...more info
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2002 European Tour
April 16th 2002 -» May 11th 2002
2003 Fiji
October 1st 2003 -» October 12th 2003
2005 Solo South America for Doug
March 18th 2005 -» April 17th 2005
Reunion Days OCS 25th
June 10th 2005 -» June 12th 2005
2005 White Xmas
December 1st 2005 -» January 10th 2006
A Manila Folder to Work With
July 21st 2006 -» July 29th 2006
Building up to Kili
November 4th 2006 -» December 24th 2006
2008 South West USA
August 31st 2008 -» September 30th 2008
Doug's First Camino - a Camino Frances
March 8th 2010 -» May 2nd 2010
Cruising the Mediterranean
June 15th 2011 -» August 14th 2011
St Olav's Way
June 23rd 2012 -» ongoing
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Mount Balantoc - again
View of Mount Balantoc during the crossing. Mount Taal is the land to the left of the picture.
Mount Taal - Crater Rim
Locals have built a strip of shelters at the crater rim and sell refreshments such as coconuts, fruit and bottled water. Its not the prettiest sight, but I suppose most people come up to look at the crater, and don't look too closely at how unsightly this is. On the way up, most of the rubbish was within about 100m of here, starting at about the same time as the 'please don't litter' signs!
Mount Taal crater
This is the island in the lake in the island in the lake in the island. The driver made this statement several times on the way up, so it appeared to be a local catchcry. I didn't plan to make this point, but it was nice that you could see all these in at least one photo.
Crater Lake
You might just be able to make out the yellowish water near the lakes edge. This was one time the naked eye seemed to do better than the camera.
Tricycle in Southern Luzon
I took plenty of pictures today that did not have any tricycles when I thought that they should have, and only this one where I did finally get everything right.
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mike
planning trip to the islands in sept. avidly reading blogs. waiting for more info/blogs from you. and pics too. tx!
From Blog: Taal Volcano - Soft Walk