The lake is usually calm. The best time to visit the volcano is around 2pm - when the sun's lights are a bit subdued. It is better to experience the volcano on foot. The foot pursuit takes about 40 minutes to reach the top. But one is rewarded with the experience of being at the mercy of nature. There are portions where one could feel the heat coming from underneath the ground. A faint smoke sneaks out of the soil's tiny crevices as if inviting tourists to feel the heat the ground provides.

The soil is reddish, but somehow, indigenous trees are abundant in the first 15 minutes of the trek. As one ascends to the volcano's top, the view offers breathtaking sights. Mount Banahaw, Tagaytay's establishments, Taal's other volcanoes, and Taal's magnificent lake start to appear in one's vision.

Sadly, it is evident that the trees are rapidly diminishing. The volcano's condition when it comes to trees is much similar to male pattern hair loss - thick on the sides and thinning on top. Aggressive logging and continued increase of tourists without counter measures to preserve the area has greatly contributed to the volcano's degradation.

As one closes in to his 45-minute trek, he is rewarded with the beautiful glimpse of the Volcano's crater. The water on the crater is tranquil, faint smokes appear every now and then. The water on the crater offers healing properties; this is supported by the scientific fact that the water is rich in sulfur content.

The top of the crater has barriers that prevent tourists from descending to the crater. But there is a way to go down if one is determined to explore nature's gifts thoroughly. There are guides who talk to those interested discreetly. For about P500, one can get a guide that can help him descend through the bushes and eventually reach the volcano's crater.

It takes 40 minutes to descend to the crater. But the up and down trek provides an intimate relationship with nature. The leaves on the trees clapping, the crickets singing, and the herons conversing with their friends are nature's way of providing an orchestra to entertain its guest.

Taal remains to be an island paradise in the south. It offers a worthwhile experience to nature lovers and weekend warriors.

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