{"id":479,"date":"2017-06-18T08:54:24","date_gmt":"2017-06-18T07:54:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lostpaths.com\/?p=479"},"modified":"2017-06-18T08:54:25","modified_gmt":"2017-06-18T07:54:25","slug":"hiking-the-volcano","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lostpaths.com\/index.php\/2017\/06\/18\/hiking-the-volcano\/","title":{"rendered":"Hiking the volcano"},"content":{"rendered":"

Still confused about the lake on an island on a lake on an island? Believe me, this is not some intricate advertising campaign made by the local tourist board. Let’s break it down:<\/p>\n

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  1. First there is the known universe<\/li>\n
  2. Then there is the local cluster of galaxies<\/li>\n
  3. Next we have a galaxy often called the Milky Way (yes, same name as the chocolate bar) – this is a spiral galaxy<\/li>\n
  4. As for a proper galaxy the Milky Way contains stars – one of them is called the Sun (for the astronomy fans: a middle-aged type G main sequence star, which in English means that it is a normal star, similar to millions of other in the galaxy)<\/li>\n
  5. However, the Sun is unique in one way: it has a planetary system (that’s not very unique) and the third planet happens to harbour life (that is unique, again for the astronomy fans: see Drake equation<\/a> for more information). Moreover, some say the life is intelligent…<\/li>\n
  6. The third planet, known as Terra (or Earth) is mostly covered with water, the remaining parts are landmasses that have been a bit arbitrary divided into continents<\/li>\n
  7. One of the continent called Asia has an island country named the Philippines<\/li>\n
  8. The largest island of the Philippines is Luzon<\/li>\n
  9. There is a lake on the island called Taal<\/li>\n
  10. On the lake there is an island called – surprise – Volcano Island<\/li>\n
  11. On the Volcano Island there is another lake – Crater Lake<\/li>\n
  12. To complete the picture Crater Lake also has its island – Vulcan Point Island.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    There you go, all is clear now. So even if you’re heading to Taal from a nearby galaxy, let’s say, Andromeda, you know the way now.<\/p>\n

    I had much closer distance to cover than travelling from Andromeda. Although with the bus speeds in Luzon the travel time may be similar..<\/p>\n

    Your starting point to get to the volcano is Tagaytay – a small city that overlooks Taal Lake. You can get a tricycle or a cab to get to the shores of the lake. There you need to hop on the boat that will get you to the Volcano island. And that’s what I did.<\/p>\n

    Here’s the boat and view from it:<\/p>\n\n\t\t