Smart Backpacker: Taal

Showing posts with label Taal. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Kaybiang Tunnel Motorbike Tour

We were supposed to go to Mt. Pinatubo. But the the trip was cancelled.

So, I had to find an alternative and the option was to go to Kaybiang Tunnel.

Kaybiang Tunnel is the longest road tunnel in the Philippines which links Ternate, Cavite and Nasugbu, Batangas. A hole was blasted using technology in Mt. Palay-Palay.

This 300-meter tunnel is part of the new 6-kilometer Tourism Road in Cavite that cuts travel time from Manila to Nasugbu and Calatagan, Batangas from the usual 4 hours via Tagaytay to just a little over 1 hour.

The tunnel was conceptualized in 1994 but it was completed on July 2013. It took 4 years to be completed.

scenic view of Taal Volcano along the Sungay route

So from Tanauan City, Alvin Mendoza and I, boarded our respective bikes past 6 am and drove towards Talisay and used the route popularly called "Sungay" route.

How to get there

From SLEX Toll Road 3/Sto. Tomas, Batangas via STAR Tollway in going to Lipa City, take Sambat exit and follow the national road to Talisay then go up Ligaya Drive, the zigzag road to Tagaytay (sometimes called Bitukang Manok).

It took us only 50 minutes and we reached Tagaytay City.

From Tagaytay City, we zoomed our way towards Nasugbu, Batangas. Our approximate speed was in between 80-90 kilometers per hour.

Entering Nasugbu, Batangas, we drove and passed several well-known resorts like Hamilo Coast. Munting Buhangin and Canyon Cove. After passing the town proper, we were traveling at the speed of 90-100 kilometers per hour of open space long roads.

The road towards Kaybiang Tunnel offered a very scenic view.

Unfortunately, I did not bring any DSLR and I had only my iphone.

Finally, past nearly 2 hours of travel, we reached the Nasugbu entrance of the Kaybiang Tunnel.

They say it is the longest subterranean tunnel in the Philippines.

The other side of the 300-meter tunnel. The Ternate entrance leading to Nasugbu, Batangas. As usual, the tunnel was filled with so many bikers.

We stayed only for less than 30 minutes, took our souvenir pictures and fled.

Using his Yamaha S16, Alvin led the way to the tunnel and back to Nasugbu.

Alvin strikes a pose in Burot Beach

We decided to head to Calatagan and use the Balayan-Lemery route going back to Tanauan City. In Calatagan, we stopped at Burot Beach.

We stayed only for 20 minutes and decided to head back to Tanauan City.

From Calatagan, we drove and passed the town of Balayan, Calaca, Lemery, Taal, Alitagtag, Sta. Teresita, Cuenca, Lipa City and finally, we reached our hometown - Tanauan City.

270 Kilometers

7 hours of motorbike ride

2 motorbikes

1 destination

Friday, April 26, 2013

Top 5 Heritage Houses in the Philippines for Tourists

A heritage site is a location designated by the governing body of a township, county, province, state or country as important to the cultural heritage of a community (from Wikepedia).

These are the heritage houses that I have visited in the Philippines.

1. Vigan Heritage Houses, Ilocos Sur

from pagudpud.olx.com.ph

The City of Vigan was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 due mostly to the fact that the place has been carefully preserved.

At present, Old Asian and Spanish architecture and the famous cobblestoned street of Calle Crisologo are well preserved.

Related link - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/01/ilocos-sur-experience.html

2. Heritage City of Silay, Negros Occidental

Hofilena Heritage House

The Hofileña Heritage House was the first ancestral house in Silay City, Negros Occidental to open its doors to the public in 1962.

Visits to the Hofileña house is by appointment, Tel. no. (034) 495 4561.

I was able to talk to the owner of the house (Mr. Ramon Hofilena) while he was throwing garbage early in the morning and he allowed me to tour the house.

Related link -
http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/03/heritage-houses-in-silay-city.html
http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/12/exploring-negros-oriental-and-negros.html

3. The Ancestral Houses in Sabtang, Batanes

Related link - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-captivating-and-stunning-beauty-of.html

4. Heritage Town of Taal, Batangas

I simply love my home province!

picture was taken in Batad, Banaue Rice Terraces

The Banaue Rice Terraces is a product of the Ifugao's agricultural engineering. It was proclaimed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993, and cited as the “priceless contribution of Philippine ancestors to humanity.”

Worthy of mention are the heritage houses in Intramuros in Manila and the heritage houses in Marinduque and Mauban, Quezon.

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Address: 938 Brgy. Darasa, Tanauan City, Batangas 4232

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Sunday, March 17, 2013

Heritage Town of Taal, Batangas

It was a lazy Saturday afternoon in Tanauan City, Batangas.

Just finished having a fight with my girlfriend. How I wish our misunderstandings and arguments would soon end! But that is one thing that I have to live with, I love her so much that I could not afford to lose her.

Anyway, instead of emoting at home, I decided to go to one of the premiere tourist spots in Batangas.

I boarded my motorbike and off I went to Taal, Batangas.

From Manila, the travel time is good for 2 and half hours. There are plenty of bus stations either at Cubao or in Buendia Taft. You have to ride a bus with the signage "Lemery." Fare is around P160.00 (aircon).

But today is different, I am not using public transport. I'm onboard my bike! While traversing the road to Taal, there were intermittent episodes of our fight. I simply cannot go over with it..

"I should have chosen shopping or eating instead," I told myself.

After 35 minutes, I arrived at San Nicolas, Batangas. San Nicolas used to be a part of Taal, Batangas. And that's the reason why I went to this place, I had to see for myself the Ruins of the Old Taal Church.

The first Taal Church was built in 1575 under the direction of the Augustinian Friar, Fr. Diego Espina. It was made out of coral block stones. The church crumbled down and was left into ruins when Taal Volcano erupted in 1754.

From the ruins, I passed by the town of San Nicolas and cruised around the town for a while. Along the way, I passed by the Pansipit River. This spot could be develop as a a river cruise for a half-hour boat ride to the volcano island, where tourists can trek or ride horses to the 1965 and 1911 craters, and a bird sanctuary.

Pansipit River is a natural outlet that drains Taal Lake and Balayan Bay. It is important for its fishery resource and historical significance for the Tagalog Heritage. It is the home of the delicious Maliputo fish.

Then, off I went to Taal town proper.

But before going to the Taal town proper, I went to Our Lady of Caysasay Church where Juan Maningcad found the ever-dearest statuette of the Virgen de Caysasay.

Then, after wishing in the well (that my girlfriend and I would eventually patch-up things and that she would no longer be grouchy and mean to me..), I zoomed my way to my main spot for the day.

Basilica de San Martin de Tours is a Minor Basilica in the town of Taal, Batangas, Philippines. It is considered to be the largest church in the Philippines and in Asia, standing 96 metres (315 ft) long and 45 metres (148 ft) wide. St. Martin of Tours is the patron saint of Taal, whose fiesta is celebrated every November 11 (from Wikepedia).

The interior of the Taal Minor Basilica is just fascinating and breathtaking!

Another important feature of Taal Basilica is its bell which is considered as one of the largest bell in the country. This massive instrument is 19 feet (5.8 m) in circumference at the lip, 9.33 feet (2.84 m) around the crown and 6.42 feet (1.96 m) in height. During the earthquake of 1942, the belfry collapsed and the bell fell from its location damaging and silencing it (from Wikipedia).

After staying inside the church, I decided to roam around the city and see the town's park and the heritage houses in Taal.

Town's park

Heritage houses

After the city tour, I sped off back to Tanauan City. But along the way I decided to buy some souvenir. The famous "Balisong!"

Balisong or the Butterfly knife is a popular weapon in Batangas.

First created in Barangay Balisong, Taal, Batangas, it is product of Filipino craftmanship and ingenuity.

It symbolizes the Batangueno's chivalry and courage.

It took me only 45 minutes back to Tanauan City with my souvenir item and fun-filled memories! =)

Sunday, November 18, 2012

The Neophyte Trekker

I have to admit that I am not a professional mountaineer!

In fact, I have never had the opportunity of doing a 2-3 day trekked in the mountain.

I even hate ascending in the mountain because of my weight. I have difficulty holding on to the rocks using my left hand due to a shoulder injury.

And I easily get tired trekking...

But these shortcomings never stopped me from still enjoying some of the mountains in the Philippines.

The first mountain that I trekked was way back when I was still a teenager. During the holy week. My friends and I were in the habit of going to Dolores, Quezon and spend our holy week in Dolores. During those days, there were thousands of pilgrims spending their time in the so-called "holy place."

After so many years, I ended up climbing mountains anew but for a different purpose. I want to climb Mt. Pulag and Mt. Apo. These are the spots I want to trek!

Here follows the mountains I have trekked -

Mt. Banahaw (2,109 meters) has many
features like waterfalls, caves, and springs.

The jump-off point is at Brgy. Kinabuhayan, Dolores, Quezon and other jump-off points
are Lucban and Tayabas, Quezon.

The actual climb can be classified from moderate to strenuous.

It will take you 2-3 days to reach the summit.

I climbed it three times when I was still young.

Banaue Rice Terraces (2,702 meters) is known as the 8th wonder of the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The jump-off point is in Ifugao Province. The hike is easy and the duration varies depending on the trekker's pace.

I climbed it once.

Mt. Kanlaon (2,438 meters)

The jump-off point is in Kanlaon City, 102 km from Bacolod, Negros Occidental and 167 km from Dumaguete. It has twin craters, one active and the other extinct.

I made only a partial ascent.

Mt. Samat in Bataan

Heroic place where the last stand was made during World War II.

I climbed it once only.

Mt. Maculot (947 meters) is located in Cuenca, Batangas and can be trekked in one day.

The climb was made last August, 2012.

Mt. Makiling (1,147 meters) in Los Banos, Laguna. The climb is easy to moderate.

-
I climbed it three times already.

Mt. Pinatubo (1,740 meters before eruption) is trekked using the Capas, Tarlac trail. You need only one day to reach the crater.

I climbed it once and I want to trek it again.

Taal Volcano (311 meters) in Talisay, Batangas. The trek is easy and can be done in one day.

It is the lowest active volcano in the world.

But first you to ride a boat to reach the jump-off point.

Then, reaching the jump-off point, you can either trek it by foot or ride a horse.

I tried to ride horse this time.

Then, after the 20-30 minute horse ride, you will reach the crater.

Mt. Tapias Viewdeck, Coron, Palawan

Climbing a mountain has its memorable moments.

When you are at the top of the mountain, the sight is simply breathtaking.. =)

Sagada, Mountain Province

Related links -
Adventure

Trekking - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-neophyte-trekker.html

Spelunking - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/caves-in-philippines-spelunkers-dream.html

Skywalk/Edge Coaster - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/adventures-in-cebu-city.html

Trekking - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/two-mountains-in-one-day-mt-maculot-and.html

Mt. Pinatubo - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/mt-pinatubo-trek-capas-tarlac-trail.html

Top Ten adventures - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/12-of-my-best-adventures-in-philippines.html

River Rafting - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/white-river-rafting-in-davao.html

Sagada - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/my-adventures-in-sagada-plus-itinerary.html

Mt. Makiling - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/mt-makiling-trek-and-itinerary.html

Pagsanjan - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-thrill-of-rapids-in-pagsanjan-and.html

Beach

Boracay - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/boracay.html