December 15, 2010

V is for Volcano

One of our favorite places to take overseas visitors is the town of Tagaytay sitting on a ridge at 640 m / 2,100 ft above sea level. It's palpably cooler there, it's close to home - only about an hour's drive through pretty countryside - and it offers a picturesque view of one of the smallest and lowest volcanoes in the world.  This panorama of the volcano in the middle of the lake is better viewed enlarged.

Tagaytay, 2008

Taal Volcano is also one of the world's most dangerous and most active volcanoes, having erupted at least 33 recorded times since 1572, the latest in 1977. Seismic activity continues to be reported, and as recently as this past June, the alert level went up to two (on a scale of 0-5). It is forbidden to live on the island; nonetheless you can see the fish farms in the lake and people still risk their lives by fishing and farming nearby.

This is a different angle to see the volcano.


It's time for ABC Wednesday and the letter is V.

21 comments:

Dina said...

I've never seen a volcano. This one is very impressive. I'm sort of glad it is in the sea.

Lowell said...

So very beautiful, Francisca. I did embiggen both photos and was greatly impressed. When we come visit, will you take us there?

Sounds a bit dangerous, though.

So glad you had a chance to get out and have some fun. I like to snorkel, also, but haven't done much of it.

Re your comment on Colorado...you have a sharp eye. I think that's the back door of the barn...maybe whatever the barn is used for might go in and out through the front door. Or maybe the barn is just there for photographers to take pictures?

Sylvia K said...

Great post for the V Day as always, Francisca! Here in the northwest we're somewhat surrounded by volcanoes and active ones at that. We were living in Montana when Mt. St. Helen here in Washington erupted and in spite of the distance our town in Montana was covered with nearly three inches of ashes. They are awesome and frightening at the same time! Love your photos, as always! Enjoy the rest of your week!

Sylvia

EG CameraGirl said...

I can't imagine living near a volcano, sounds very scary. But I guess people can used to anything. It's very beautiful, though!

mrsnesbitt said...

If you had not told me it was a volcano I would never have guessed. It looks so peaceful and tranquil! How wrong is that eh?
Thanks for sharing - a great post.
Denise
ABC Team

photowannabe said...

Amazing and powerful. I love how peaceful it looks now. Postcard quality.

Roger Owen Green said...

I've never seen a volcano in person. VERY interesting stuff.

ROG, ABC Wednesday team

VioletSky said...

and yet your photos make it look such a peaceful spot.

Andrea said...

Hi Francisca, you are lucky to have been there when there are no clouds enshrouding the peak, normally it is not as good for a photo. By the way, do you know that the lake where the island is located is also the crater of the big volcano? That is the reason it is called "Volcano within a volcano"! I am from Batangas also.

Pat Tillett said...

Beautiful!
the second one looks 3D...

tapirgal said...

That's wonderfully picturesque. I thought at first it was the ocean. What an interesting volcano, so low, as you say.

Kaori said...

The panaromic photo is fantastic! What a view! We still have a few active volcanoes in Japan, too. It must be very scary to live on the island, not knowing when it'll erupt!

fredamans said...

Very beautiful shots!

http://fredamans.blogspot.com/2010/12/abc-wednesday-v-is-for.html

Frostbite and Sunburn said...

Great photos - thanks for the informative post

Nanka said...

Lovely pictures and very interesting too!!

Unknown said...

Such a beautiful scene with so much activity awaiting its release underneath the surface. Volcanoes are fascinating (that is both the teacher and student in me, talking). :-)

Tonya said...

HOW BEAUTIFUL!!! LOVE the vibrant colors. I am following you because your life looks very interesting...and I never go anywhere. Farming does that to a person. So I will enjoy seeing the world through your lense. Thank you.

Cezar and Léia said...

Your pictures are wonderful and so interesting information!
Great post dear Francisca!
Léia

jabblog said...

A volcano within a volcano sounds too exciting to live near. It looks so benign. Beautiful shots!

VP said...

Impressive images, I'm quite happy to live far from any active volcano.

jennyfreckles said...

Wow, stunning - both images look even better made bigger.