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Batangas Travel Guide
Endowed with a staggering number of beaches along its vast shoreline and the towering peaks of its mountains, Batangas merits the label "Land of the Rolling Hills and Wide Shore Lands." Being the prime tourist lure in the Tagalog region, Batangas is more than proud to have it all: from premier dive sites to the world's smallest volcano, from the dazzling beaches to subterranean caves, from the dreamy coves to well-preserved heritage. Its appointed place in history is certain. Poetically called "Kumintang," Batangas is also proud of its roots as the "Heartland of the Tagalog Language."
At present, hardcore divers (even the novice) keep coming back to Batangas for its famous dives sites such as those in Anilao (Maricaban and Sombrero points), Punta Fuego in Nasugbu, Matabungkay, Laiya and Calatagan. Apart from the sheer pleasure of observing the marine line, one of the reasons why they are popular is because of the prospect of macro photography. Divers explore the multi-hued sea lilies and feather-stars which amid the wide-array of nudibranchs or soft bodied mollusks commonly known as sea slugs. Aside from the gastropods, the area also brims with bizarre marine creatures such as ghost pipe fishes, sea hares and goblins and the blue-ringed octopuses.
Next to water adventures, it's also worthwhile to be lost in the labyrinth of the small islets of Taal Lake and its volcano, some of the most culturally preserved sites in the country dating back as far as the Spanish colonial era. Organized tours on the lake and a boat ride to its islets are offered by eager boatmen.
Heading to the rocky terrain of Mt. Manabo (the lowest peak) entails a trail which is fit for beginners because of its easy climb compared to the daunting path leading to the peak of Mt. Maculot which caters only to experienced climbers. On the way up to the summit, climbers will be awestruck to see tuko (chameleon) on the way amid the other wildlife basking on the small brooks on the mountain.
After trekking, it's best to laze around the many falls in the province just waiting to be explored such as the Bulalacao, Tingga, Calicon and Ilijan. For a therapeutic dip, visitors can head to the Mainit Hot Springs, an off-the beaten path location.
The nostalgic soul may want to go to Punta de Santiago Lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse in the province nestled in Calatagan. The religious can have a pilgrimage to the century-old church of the Immaculate Conception of Bauan or to the baroque-inspired Basilica of San Martin de Tours, noted as one of the biggest churches in Asia.
A visit to Batangas is incomplete without sampling some of the province's delicacies such as kilawin (meat or fish marinated in vinegar), gotong Batangas (local rice porridge), or tawilis (small fish caught only in Taal Lake). It is also worthwhile to taste the full-bodied kapeng barako (liberica) which made the province famous in the coffee industry. For pasalubongs (take-away gifts), visitors can choose from the many sweets: macapuno (coconut candies) , pastillas (milk-based pastry), panutsa (peanut brittle).
Batangas photography
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