A 3-hour drive from Manila, Taal, Batangas is a wonderful place to have a field trip with your camera-loving friends. On June 2012, Shutter Revolution decided to go visit it for an out-of-town trip, which was full of fun and enjoyment, which comes with nature, architecture, religion, and history.
We took a bus from Buendia to Lemery, Batangas and rode a tricycle to Basilica of St. Martin de Tours Church. Basilica of St. Martin de Tours is identified as the largest church in Asia which stands at 96 meters tall and 45 meters wide on a plateau in the heart of the town of Taal.
It was a Sunday, which meant mass was being held. Lucky that it was also a day when wedding bells were ringing.
This church might be as old as it looks but you will be overwhelmed by how great the view is when you climb up its roof. With courage, your fear of heights might be masked after seeing the view of the whole city from the top.
Just across the church is the Municipal Hall of Taal.
Walking on the streets of the town, we saw Heritage Houses.
Photo by hans12
Our next stop was Galleria Taal, a Camera Museum by Mr. Joey. If you’re a camera lover or collector, you surely wouldn’t forget to visit this place. It has his collection of analogue cameras.
Photo by boredbone
For lunch, we went to Don Juan BBQ. Being adventurous, we tried Taal’s specialties like Tapang Taal (thinly sliced dried beef), Adobo sa Dilaw (usually Adobo is cooked in soy sauce and vinegar), and Sinaing sa Tulingan. Near Don Juan BBQ, there are souvenir shops for ‘pasalubongs’.
Photo by hans12
After a sumptuous lunch, some of us went home while some went to some more tourist spots. We walked down to San Lorenzo Ruiz steps which have 125 steps; it is said to be dedicated in the memory of a Filipino saint, San Lorenzo Ruiz (hence the name).
Below was the home of the miraculous Virgin, Our Lady of Casaysay Shrine. Near the shrine is the Sta Lucia Well, in which it was said that someone saw the reflection of the Virgin of Casaysay and the water has miraculous healing powers.
We ended our tour at the Basilica of St. Martin de Tours Church to wait for the sunset.
I didn’t think that this trip would be enjoyable especially with my friends. So where have you spent your weekend lately?
2 comments
hans12
thank you for the photos @boredbone and @walasiteodito :)
boredbone
nice:-) balik na sa taal!