Attraversiamo 2013: 4th Leg - Destination Lake Pandin

Photo by Bryce Kiguchi.

When you work hard, you gotta learn how to play harder.

My family at work is getting bigger and what a better way to welcome the new members but to go out of town. Welcome to the Learning Team, Arman, Mira, Emman and Stephen.

We decided to push thru a previously aborted plan to enjoy a floating lunch in Lake Pandin in Laguna.

We checked in at Villa Sylvia Resort to leave our things and ran right away to the lake before it turns dark.

We started our floating late lunch after a 15-20 minute hike to the Lake.

Photo by Bryce Kiguchi.

With my blog buddy, Bryce.

Lake Pandin is one of the famous Seven Lakes in Laguna. It is said to be the most calm and the most visited amongst the seven. Lake Pandin is also known as the twin lake of Lake Yambo because of its very close distance to it. Yambo is 8 hectares bigger than Pandin. (Reference: Nagcarlan Website)

 

The raft was operated by two locals who are part of the group of women who are mostly wives of fishermen in the locality. This tour gives them income and also aids in preserving the cleanliness of the lake. We paid a reasonable amount (P350/head) to do this trip. You are free to give more as a tip. Along with the ride, we were also served this hearty lunch below.

Photo by Bryce Kiguchi.

Photo by Bryce Kiguchi.

After the trip, we went back to the hotel, gave ourselves rounds of drinks and stories before retiring.

The next day, before leaving for Manila, we visited the Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery. According to Nagcarlan's Official site, this has been declared as a National Historical Landmark since 1978 and was, therefore, closed for further burials.
 

 
Moreover, it was also mentioned that this was meant as a public burial site although its underground chamber or crypt was exclusively for Spanish friars and prominent citizens of the town. This cemetery, according to early church historians, is the only one of its kind in the entire Philippines.

The trip was short. It did what it's supposed to - to welcome the four newest members of the family. I have been in this team for a very long time. I have seen people come and go. I don't know if they will stay long or if I will. But in this trip, we took the first step, and that is to belong.

We dedicate this entry to the other members of the team, who didn't make it, Dannie, Genes, Thel, Tine and Philnee. Our big thanks to Ten, who gave us a ride. 

Thank God for sunsets, for we know that we know new things (and new people) will always come the next day. Here's a great sunset photo from Bryce Kiguchi.

March 16-17, 2013

Photo credits:

Bryce Kiguchi

Sugar Canto