One of the most popular tourist spots in the Philippines is the view of the Taal Volcano located in Tagaytay City. This was the last hotel that we visited this year. On the roof deck, you can feel free again even for just a moment. The wide-open space and the cool breeze from the lake will make you forget the fear that surrounds us.
Being up here reminds us of all the adventures we had in the past years. Roaming around the city, visiting churches, eating local food, horseback riding is just a few of the fun things to do in Tagaytay. This time around we are stuck at a hotel but this is a refreshing change of ambiance from being locked up at home.
Up here the town near the lake looks so peaceful as if it seems that there is no pandemic.
Up here the wind whispers to me that life goes on and we will survive.
The sun is setting and reminds me that another day is almost over. But tomorrow will be a new day, hoping that life will go back to normal soon.
This is the Taal Volcano and you could hire a guide that can take you to the mouth of the volcano. Four years ago we visited Taal which was a very difficult trek going up.
If you would like to see what the volcano looks like. Feel free to check the link below.
2020 was a year that was full of despair that started in January. On January 12 while the New Year events and celebrations were still fresh from our minds. While people visiting Tagaytay were enjoying their meals, enjoying the view and some were even on a trek in Taal. The volcano erupted, awaking from a 43-year deep slumber, it spews ash and lava. The ash reached neighboring towns and cities. I recall seeing ash in our car when I woke up. The volcano is 69km away from our home and you can see the gloom of the skies because of the eruption.
On the photo above it is always mistaken that the cone-shaped island is the volcano. But a lot of people don't know that the actual volcano is the island behind it.
This placed use to be covered in lush greenery. Filled with trees and local wildlife. Now it has turned into a barren wasteland.
Life goes on and after a year you could see plants and trees growing back on the island. A sign that no matter how hard we are hit, no matter how hopeless it may look. There is always hope and life always finds a way.
On the rooftop at first, I thought these were real flowers. I realized that it was too good to be true. I guess the plastic flowers would do to remind us that beauty is always around us.
I have never seen the kids so energized again. Being up here was like an escape from reality for us.
These are just some of the things that we missed. Seeing smiles on their faces and forgetting what is happening around us even for a while is something that we need. These simple things remind us that we are alive and life goes on. But we must not be too complacent and always protect ourselves.
Thanks for joining me today and hope you have a blessed Sunday.
All photos are original and taken with
Panasonic Lumix GX85
Olympus 45mm f1.8 and Olympus 40-150mm