Taal Volcano

After working a 9 hour day, my friends and I decided it would be totally fun to go hike a volcano. Whatever. It's cool. Easiest thing I've ever done. NOT! I almost died! I kid. But it was hard. I swear I almost blacked out at one point towards the top though. 

After the driver picked us up, we set off on our adventure to Tagatay; a trip I'd been dreaming about since I got here as I promised Steve I wouldn't go without him. Almost two hours later, we arrived at this beautiful little view of Taal Volcano. We shared some lunch and hopped on a boat to climb that giant rock. 

The view from the top. Looking at these pictures now, I think I appreciate them more than I did when I was standing there. I can't lie to you. I was sitting. I was exhausted. I repeat. I almost died. 

 Seriously, if you're going to hike 5.5 kilometers up a volcano take my useful tips:

1. Drink LOTS OF WATER

2. Train.

3. Don't do it after working 9 hours.

4. Repeat number 1.

 Some smoking rock in the crater.

Taal Volcano Fun Facts!

-The volcano is full of water which makes it a crater lake, in a volcano, in a crater lake, on an island, in a giant body of water. Read it again. Slowly. Lake, within a lake, within an ocean. It's okay. It took me a minute too.

-It's the 2nd most active volcano in the Philippines with 33 historical eruptions.

-The Volcano's death toll is estimated at 5000-6000.

-The island is a high-risk area and a permanent danger zone.

-The Crater lake on Volcano Island is the largest lake on an island in a lake on and island in the world. This lake also contains and island: Vulcan Island. (you can see it to the left of my head)

-The volcano's greatest recorded eruption was in 1754. It began erupting on May 15th and didn't stop until December 1st!