Published on Feb, 2025
I was back in Manila for a college reunion and decided to go on an all-day tour of places that I have not visited in decades. Chose this tour for sentimental reasons. The last time I was at Taal volcano, we actually managed to ride horses up to the crater. This time, it was very different.
Our guide Seana and driver Dan made the perfect team to take me and my friend on this tour. Seana was a wealth of knowledge, was very patient and was always in good humor. Dan was an excellent driver and seemed to know the best way to go anywhere. Just the absolute best team! When I had a problem using my Wells Fargo ATM card, they helped me check with a local bank who directed me to EuroNet ATM. What a relief!
What I liked about this tour: it interspersed sightseeing with history. Going to Taal Volcano and boating on the lake on a peaceful and clear day was just the right thing to do to escape the hustle and bustle of Manila. We enjoyed the slow boat ride, seeing the fish farms, looking at the lush greenery thriving from the rich volcanic soil. It was very beautiful and calm that day ----- and the very next day, we learned that this active volcano had a minor phreatic eruption!
After a fabulous lunch featuring native sumptuous dishes at a restaurant Seana selected, we headed back to Manila. We went to St Augustine Church which was the only building left intact after the destruction of Intramuros in WWII. Built between 1587 and 1606, thiis Baroque church is the oldest church in the Philippines and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. I've seen several churches in Europe, and this church absolutely merits a visit.
Manila Cathedral is another church worth visiting. The stained glass windows are impressive. The church has its own version of the Rose Window like the one found in Notre Dame in Paris.
Another highlight is Casa Manila. This is where the Filipino history is on display. The Casa Manila or “Manila House” is a living museum that features the lifestyle of an affluent Filipino family during the late Spanish colonial period.
Walking on the cobbled streets of Intramuros and along several buildings of that era, very much like what are found in old cities in Europe, especially in Spain, one feels like being transported back in time.
We are glad to have chosen this wonderful all-day trip to enjoy a scenic spot in Taal as well as a step through time in Intramuros.
Thank you, Seana and Dan!
