A Sweet Escape

It happened last March 9, 2008. It was a required field trip in my Archaeology class that my classmates and I should comply if we opt not to take the final exam. Who would have chosen a burdensome exam over a fun trip? Not me definitely! So I packed my things up, prepared myself physically and mentally, and!...the most important - have my digital camera charged. Because for sure a pictorial session of breath taking views and camera whore classmates(including myself) awaits me.

The trip is in Batangas. In some places there that can be considered as archaeological sites. Our professor decided to go Sta. Teresita, San Nicolas, and Taal. In particular, we visited sites that have church ruins except in Taal wherein we visited a historical Church.

Here are some photos that can help you visualize the whole picture of these places:

These two pictures show the trail going to the ruins of old Bauan Church located at Sta. Teresita, Batangas.

Breath taking view at the site...

Sta. Teresita:




San Nicolas:

The Ruins...

Sta. Teresita:




San Nicolas:






But the highlight of the trip is when we visited the historical church of Taal - the Taal Basilica





The TAAL BASILICA is said to be the largest, but if not, certainly one of the largest as well as one of the oldest churches in Southeast Asia. Located at Taal, Batangas,Philippines.

The wall of the church, the columns(both Corinthian and Doric), the paintings inside, the whole structure of the church itself, and even the solemnity of the basilica are preserved over a long period of time.

This is definitely a pride of the country and a treasure worth preserving for. That is why all Filipinos, well if not all, at least the Taaleños should be proud of this one.


Going to these places seems boring but the feeling of seeing these places not only in any travel magazine,newspapers, or books, whether it be online or not, but in actual - making us all touched the ruined walls of the church, stood in front of the door of the church that once existed in this world, amazed not just by the beautiful sceneries as we go along the place but also by the fact that these archaeological sites can also be considered as a tourist spots, and most importantly, we have learned something valuable which somehow made us proud of our country.


This trip isn't really an excuse for us not to take our final exam but it is a sweet escape from all the mental and physical sufferings we had experienced and will experience in school. :)




P.S. The ruined wall of St. Martin de Tours Church of San Nicolas is made of corals.