An Absolute Adventure!

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Yesterday, I took a canadian friend of mine to the crater of the smallest volcano in the world. Which is located only here in the Philippines, the infamous Taal Volcano. Situated in Taal, Batangas, with just about 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hour trip from Manila. Our original plan was just to visit the place looking from afar, from a place called Picnic Grove, just to take video and pictures of it. But my friend got too much intrigued, was not contented by just looking at it. So we went to a resort from the foot of our location, took a motorboat ride for about 1500 pesos. I believe that is less than 40 USD, with all four of us "friends" on-board. The four of us consists of my canadian friend, my friend/best buddy/driver, the canadian's filipina girlfriend and your's truly!;) We also have to pay for the entrance for atleast a dollar per head, 10 dollars for the guide and a very costly expense for the water. Since the volcano is located on an island, the expenses are almost thrice as what it used to cost on the mainland. They were offering us 4 horses to ride way up to the mouth of the volcano, but we declined to the though that we could muster the heat and the steep steps way up. Plus, it'll also cost us another big bucks so to speak. We all don't have any idea of what the trek is all about, as there are ways were only one horse/person can walk though it. We met some Koreans touring there, all of them rode horse from back and forth. I even injured my left foot trying to avoid a passing horse along the way, a little gush of blood after accidentally bumping a jagged rock. I thought that it was just that, but when we came up my left foot swelled and continued walking until we finally reached the top. With the three of us guys, gasping for our breath! We took pictures af ter a 30 minute rest, looking dumbed while staring at those pretty Korean girls wiping dirt on their foreheads!;) Atleast, that took some of our tiredness away!LoL Then continued filming the majestic place, taking pictures and savoring the sulfuric scent of the air!:) It really is very hot, as steams coming from some of the openings in the volcano rises. With the whole crater covered with water, cows grazing on the side and birds flying by. As our good tour guide taught us some informations concerning their appreciation for our government, for not allowing foreign businessmen to take total control of the island. As news a couple of weeks ago reported, the local and national government didn't allow Koreans to put a resort/spa right on the mouth of the volcano. Because many of ur fellow filipino families will lose their only means of livelihood, as we saw life on that part of my country goes on. Well, as we descent I am already having a thought of whether to ride a horse down or walk and then stumble my way down to the village!LoL The smiles on our faces just can't seem to disappear, until we ride our way back to the other side of the island. It really is worth the trek, surely an absolute adventure to experience!;)