Trek to the Top of Taal: following the dusty horseshit path

Now here's a good way to escape the Valentinian cold spell; go someplace warm, like say, the top of an active volcano. That's exactly what we did yesterday. The freshmen ES block's Geo class had a field trip and an invitation was extended to the rest of ESS. And of course yours truly, the ever adventurous environmentalist, just had to tag along. The fee was worth it.

We went at dawn and after a pretty uneventful trip we arrived in the Philvocs building along the shore of Taal lake. Soon enough we started boarding the boats that will take us to the island. There were four boats, 7 or 8 people to one, so that puts our number at 30 something. The boat ride was fun. I was chatting with our boatman-driver/person while fixing my cheap life vest, enjoying the wind while we sped at 40-something kph across the lake. Every so often the waves will break against the banca that resulted in a water spray that we tried our best to avoid. well, except Kuya Lemarc.

After that fun commute we landed on the island, strolled across a surprising black sand seashell beach speckled with horse crap and entered a sort of tourism base camp. Now the horse crap on the beach made sense,because the camp is where tourist who want to have a more convenient ride to the top of Taal could take a horse ride up the trail for a fee. Being the more adventurous trekkers, not to mention maybe cheap, we decided to take the road on foot. We laughed our way up the steep trail, through whatever tiredness we were experiencing, watching as foreigners comfortable on horseback overtook us. The hike was fine,enjoyable even. its just the trail that things inconvenient. The path was made of fine dirt, like volcanic ash that is easily stirred into the air and create a cloud of dust given the slightest disturbance. Now add the horses that trot past us every so often, the tourists on foot not to mention ourselves, and a steady wind, and you get a dust cloud that blinds, chokes and clings to your sandals(or shoes) and to the sweat and oil on your face. The other thing about that trail is the unbelievable amount of horse crap on the road. Maybe you'll thing I'm exaggerating if I try to describe it, so I'll just leave it at that. You'll have to step on it for yourself.

We stopped at the crater rim camp to rest while the Geo class did their thing collecting samples and stuff. The view of the crater was cool. We followed another path and walked along the edge of the crater rim, a sheer drop to the crater on one side and a somewhat bushy fall on the other(note, no railings). 30 minutes hasn't gone by yet before we started back down(nice, wasn't it?) but the trip down the same dirt and horseshit ridden path was easier cuz it was downhill.

The boat ride back was the best part of the Taal experience in my biased opinion. it was noon and a steady lake breeze was blowing and the waves were starting to gain height. Without regard for speed, safety and apparently his passengers desire to be dry our boat driver/man sped across the lake with perhaps the best speed our little banca can do. We crashed against wave after wave, at first thinking the random splashes were manageable until we realized the driver was serious in letting us feel the whole Taal experience. Soon we gave up as we realized there was nothing we could do as the random splashes became a continuous shower that soaked us through. We just gave up and made the 20 minute journey a water park ride of our own.

We arrived back in the Philvocs building dripping wet and regretting we didn't pack extra shorts and underwear(for the most of us at least, including me). We attempted
to get dry as best we can, even sunbathing while eating our lunches. My shorts and underwear didn't get dry, remaining uncomfortably damp and cold on my crotch and legs throughout the same uneventful trip home.

That's how fun it is to be in the ESS. Visit my multiply to see the pics. Hehe