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As the heading says.. I climbed a volcano. It is called the Taal volcano, one of the lowest volcanoes in the world. Even though considered lowest, for me it was such a tiring but fun journey, because you know, after walking in the flatlands of the urban jungle, I want to try something different.

I had this opportunity to climb a volcano because of one of the courses I am taking is about Geology. Taal volcano is just about two and a half hours away from the capital of the Philippines, which is Manila. I woke up early and just decided to sleep in the bus, but no!!! those noisy classmates didn't help at all.

Anyway, we arrived at the PHIVOLCS (Philippine Volcanology and Seismology)station safely. We are told of some things about the volcano and how are trek is going to be. We are going there by the boat (the volcano is in the middle of a lake) and then start the REAL journey.

We are told to bring lots of water so that we will not get thirsty or dehydrated. But then again, being the rule breaking me, I didn't. good thing I wasn't the person who easily get thirsty. Anyway, you'll get shocked that in the middle of the trek there were locals who sell mountain dew. MOUNTAIN DEW!!! haha. Ironic.

After a while, yes a while (because we were climbing faster than the usual), we arrived at the Crater Lake. We can took a bath, but it is acidic so I'd rather not. I opened my book, find a place to read and appreciate the ambiance.

Only one of my classmates actually swam in the acidic lake it is because it is his birthday. well, nothing happened to him. (I was expecting him to mutate).

We ate lunch and do more camwhoring. As we were going to go descend back to the foot of the volcano, it rained. While the sun is shining (what a weather!!). we tried another way because it is much safer and easier to go down that way. We have a little discussion about the basaltic sands, the fumaroles (steam coming out of the holes in the ground) and the igneous rocks formed around the area.

We enjoyed taking more pictures in the black sands and then more trekking. I met a cute guy who is one of the organizers of the field trip. He turned out to be a friend of a friend.

We rode again a boat when we were in the village in the foot of the volcano. I am kinda sleepy, maybe because we were exhausted. After that, we arrived again at the PHIVOLCS station and then wash ourselves a little (we're muddy and sweaty and all) then rode again the bus.

on the bus we just ate a little and watched Mr. Deeds. After being stuck in the traffic, we arrived safely back to school with a sunburn to brag.

to see some pics of my journey, check jillianaira.multiply.com, then click the taal volcano pictures.