Hike to Taal Volcano, Tagaytay

2 hours drive from Manila, and you can reach some really beautiful places! This visit was to Taal volcano.

Known as one of the smallest volcanoes in the world, and the only one which is an island in an island in an island.

Luzon in Philippines is an island, Taal volcanic hill is an island itself in Luzon in between Taal lake, and inside the volcanic hill crater is now a lake with a very tiny island :) 

The boat ride to Taal volcano is beautiful, the water mirrors the sky.

Boat to Taal Volcano

      The hike uphill is easy.. just pray it's not too sunny. We went on a really hot day! 

There are horse rides also available when you enter the hill, but I personally did not like how they keep the horses.. And the hike is fun! Reach uphill, and treat yourself to a Buko (coconut) :)

The view from the top, is beautiful! You could also play some golf there and try to hit the ball into the lake ;) 

To get to Taal, you can take a shared FX from Star Mall (Ortigas) or a bus from Cubao. Stay overnight at Tagaytay and a boat to Taal in the morning.

Kalinga - Hike to the Tribal Village of Buscalan to Meet the Last Mambabatok

Around 20 hours away from Manila, I visited the Butbut tribe of Buscalan to see the oldest and last tribal tattoo artist (Mamababatok) in Philippines. She is the only one left from the native tribes now. I wasn't sure if I will get a tattoo, but when you're there, you ought to get one in the traditional way! And that is now the story of my first tattoo for life! :-) THAT is the way to get inked! 

Fang-Od's grand daughter, Grace,helped with drawing the design, and is now picking up the art.. 

Getting my first tattoo from the 'last' and the oldest tribal tattoo artist from Kalinga.. tattoo by Whang-Od.

Tattoo by Whang-Od, the 95 year old last Mambabatok in Philippines..

Started off solo from Manila, requested guide Francis Pa-In (who is quite famous in the area) and it's always good to hire a guide because there are lot of rides you need to take to get to Buscalan. On the way met some wonderful people from different ethnicity and finally it was 5 travelers who went to Buscalan. 

Getting to Buscalan, Kalinga was an adventure! Rode a bus to Banaue, jeepney to Bontoc. And from Bontoc when we took a Jeepney to reach Kalinga (where we started the hike) we rode on top of a Jeepney. and your trip isn't complete if you haven't done that! (but keep some a bag or cloth under your ass, or it'll hurt real bad later ;) )

on top of Jeepney...

Hike to the Buscalan village is not a difficult one! Just about 2 hours, and it's green, fresh, and scenic!

Reaching Buscalan Village: 450 PHP from Sto. Tomas university bus terminal to Banaue, 150 PHP from Banaue to Bontoc, 150 PHP from Bontoc. And then the hike to Buscalan.

How to get there:

Manila (Sto. Tomas University) to Banaue bus - 450 PHP, Overnight 8-10 hrs

Banaue to Bontoc Jeepney - 150 PHP 1.5 - 2 hours (can find one close to the registration office, but have to wait till it's full)

Bontoc to Buscalan village drop off point - 150 PHP

And then hike to the village. 

When covering Kalinga, and if there is time in hand one can do Baguio -> Kabayen -> Sagada -> Kalinga -> Banaue -> Manila. Can do Vigan as well, but it's slightly further north.

For Sagada hanging coffins: 

http://travellingexploringphilippines.blogspot.com/2015/01/sagada-mt-province-hanging-coffins-and.html

For Kabayen mummies caves:
http://travellingexploringphilippines.blogspot.com/2015/01/kabayen-mummies-caves-mt-timbak-aka-mt.html