Taal-Phillipine Volcano in The News Again - 481

              TAAL VOLCANO IN NEWS  AGAIN 



Taal Volcano in the Philippines is in the news again . It appears to have become active and spewing a lot of Debris all around . I might be one among the very few to have visited and seen this Volcano in its more calmer times from this part of the World which in itself a unique event . 

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Following is a Newspaper Clip about the Eruption of the Taal Volcanoe in the Philippines in today s THE HINDU .

             

Mount Taal is located some 100 kms from Makati. the Financial Capital of The Philippines . My Daughter and Son In Law Kamesh and Daughter Anoobala  were then   staying and working in The Philippines . 

This news of the eruption of the Volcano brings back memories of my own visit to this  place in 2005 along with my Daughter and Kamesh  as also  a couple of their friends Vikram Lulla and Rakesh . I am probably one among the very few from this part of Tamilnadu to visit this place . 


We arrived at The Laguna after a 2 hour travel from Makati by a long and winding road . We hired a BANCA  (Local for a  Boat ) to cross the Taal Lake from there . As we arrived in the island where the Volcano and its crater are actually situated , we were met by many locals and other tourists to the famed location . The top of the crater is  up a steep gradient and could be reached only on a Horseback !  I remember paying some 500 Pesos in their Currency per Head for the ride  which included  a  Guide  .
   Horse Ride for taking you to the actual Crater is I must admit not a simple task . 

As one who has never been on the back of anything with four Legs other than ofcourse  the Motorized Versions , the ride up the steep climb was  pretty scarry . If you add the Buxom lady sitting on your back trying her very best to prevent you from being thrown off the horse into the deep ravines on either side the ride was anything but enjoyable 

The nail biting stunts of our film folks came to mind and all the troubles and  risks taken by them to provide us with the thrills while watching the movie come to mind   . The memory of the  recent BAHUBALI Stunts come in  a flash .
 Riding a Horse ,  I quickly learnt was a no mean achievement . The need to hold your balance while being precariously perched on it's back and holding on to the reins for dear life while making the steep climb on a pathway which was no road but a pathway created by the many many footfalls and  trips these very same Horses had made over the years  . The deep gorge on both sides was enough to scare even a more accomplished rider , leave alone a first timer like me  . As I had indicated earlier the Lady Guide at the back was a true Godsend. 

As we arrived at the top of the volcano, we saw streams and a plume of smoke  coming out of the holes on the ground . The familiar smell of Crackers being let off during The Diwali Festival was all pervading   . It was a sure sign that the volcano was active and could  erupt at anytime .

Then we saw the Crater itself of  THE TALL  . The deep greenish tinge of the entire bottom of the crater  and the unmistakable flavour of burning Sulphur was all around us . We spent around one hour exploring the place and taking in what would surely  be a once in a lifetime experience in the hot and scorching Sun . The sunglasses though were a great  help .







NICE TO KNOW THAT YOU ONCE VISITED  A RARE PLACE WHICH IS IN THE  NEWS NOW .

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