Made for TV: An Amazing Race Episode – Philippines

Today, a mundane sort of day, and we aren’t complaining about that, has been filled with a Day At Sea list of activities including shipboard talks about Taiwan, a Test Kitchen Live show, some time in the hot tub/sauna and, of course, time to do our civic duty and watch the State of the Union Address. And that’s all, on that topic Yesterday is the story!

MJ, George and I disembarked to see what we could find. Poor John, or lucky John, depending on your point of view stayed behind with a cold. Taxi drivers were jostling for our business. Our first bit of luck is that we ended up with a husband/wife team who owned a very nice van and really wanted to show us their wonderful country. We had done our homework and decided we wanted to go to Tagaytay, a small mountain town 2 hours out of the city. Off we went.

Oh, we happen to be visiting on Chinese New Year but our family, Jerwin Janolo and Georgianna, doesn’t celebrate, being Catholic, so they whisked us out of town and into the countryside. Manila, a huge, modern city was soon a sight in the rearview mirror and we began to see pineapple farms, rice paddies, lots of coconuts, fruit stands, small homes and businesses and beautiful mountains in the distance We arrived at Lake Taal and Volcano Taal in about two hours. What a view! Little did we know what awaited us.

Ok, back at port we negotiated a nice price for a trip to the volcano. Really nice, actually. The cruise price was $215 per person and we paid $60. Anyway, we didn’t quite understand that a horse ride and a boat ride were part of the deal. We arrive and walk the plank to this long boat with outriggers to take us across the volcanic crater to the otherside. The views are breathtaking but we are a bit worried about tipping over. Lots of water in our faces as we traverse the crater. ok, it reminded me a little of my first trip to Zancudo for those of you who can relate to that. The biggest surprise of all awaits us on the other side I’m sure there must have been hidden cameras from the Amazing Race Crew to watch our reactions. This time, we really did walk the plank, the six inch bamboo plank, to get from the boat to the dry ground. We look around and see lots of tourist stalls, lots of tired horses, and a steep, yep, STEEP mountain. That’s our transportation to the top to see the small crater and panoramic view. I balked! It didn’t work. I found myself on a very large horse riding up a trail made for mountain goats. We each had our personal guide to help us along that hopped on the back of our animal BTW, I did inquire about the horses and am told they work only two days a week. I’m really not proud of riding this animal to a place where no animal should go, but I”m proud I MADE IT! It was thirty minutes of holding my breath and holding on for dear life. My poor guide was 4 mos pregnant and acted like it was nothing. My legs were shaking when I dismounted at the top. The views were spectacular. Again, I’m sure you’ll see the views on the next episode. There was just one snag. I couldn’t find a taxi down so Rappa, my horse, was my way down. She did bounce my foot on the side the mountain and scraped up my toes once just to remind me to wear proper shoes next time but we made it! Dear Lord, I can imagine my legs tomorrow. My guide pointed out her home, a quite simple abode next to the horse ranch. I am amazed and awed. I’m sure we were being filmed as we walked the final plank to our boatride back to the mainland. Look for me on the next episode! Ha!

Buco pie and great views were the highlights of the trip home. Buco pie, as I bet Rey knows, is coconut pie and the best I’ve ever had! Don’t miss it when you have the chance.

If you ever visit the Philippines, let me give you the names of our great guides for the day! They can show you the town, the dark side, the tourist side, even their own home and they are dedicated, loving people trying to make their way. Seriously, contact me. They can connect you with great apts. for long term rentals in the area for about $500/month. I hope to be back!