Sampaloc Lake is one of the seven volcanic lakes that give San Pablo the monicker of "City of Seven Lakes". This lake is closest to the City centre and the most accessible of them all. Located off Schetelig Avenue, it has a paved trail around the edge that you can walk in one hour.
A park surrounds the lake and is probably the most popular hang-out for the locals there. And it is pretty much accessible from Manila too and perfect for a day trip because it is barely just three hours away from Manila sans traffic.
I was there at mid-day so the sun peaks at the highest and too scorching at that. The sky is perfectly blue and reflects on the calm-green waters of the lake. The Mountains of Makiling and Banahaw provided the perfect backdrop for the shots.
Some of my travel-blogger friend have come to this lake and have taken shots at sunset. I was mesmerized by their shots but then again, I have to do that some other time because I don't have the luxury of time to spare there.
Sapaloc Lake is named after a sour-fruit bearing tree that abound the area. Sampaloc is the tagalog word for tamarind which is a popular soup base for "sinigang".
But contrary to its name, there is nothing "sour" in this area but rather pure refreshing sight as well as some sweet gastronomic delight such as this twisted, sugar-coated dough that only San Pablo can offer. For other amazing places around the world, please click here.
parang sarap tumambay lang jan ah. yung last photo. bread ba yan with sugar?
ReplyDeletenaku very familiar ako sa Sampaloc Lake.we have a nice view from our church and that was where i stayed when i served a volunteer mission after the Bar Exams in 1998! nakakamiss. i completed the 7 lakes during my 3 months stay there!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous lake, yummy food, what am I waiting for?
ReplyDeleteKay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel
Very beautiful lake and the food looked yummy.
ReplyDeleteI love the view... and than the food... yammy!
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Holland,
Anna :-))
What a perfect place for a delighttful walk around the lake and finished off with those delicious goodies.
ReplyDeleteThe lake area is so scenic and love how it's so accessible to the public! Beautiful photos!
ReplyDeleteGanda nga ng Sampaloc Lake with Makiling as backdrop. Was there a few years ago, was able to take sunset photos as we stayed at this place called Tahanan ni AlingMeding. :-)
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely scenery. I would love to go there.
ReplyDeleteI think I saw something like the last pic somewhere in Bacolod too.
ReplyDeletea refreshing sight by the lake. specially the view of the hills near the lake.
ReplyDeleteSo tranquil! Speaking of sampaloc, I miss sinigang. As in, sinigang with real sampaloc and not just the powedered instant thing :(
ReplyDeletewow ang ganda naman ng lake na yan.. super great shots.. at ang lapit sa manila!!! hmmm makapunta nga dyan one of these days!! 3 hours lang mula samin..
ReplyDeleteWhat amazingly lovely pictures - love those serene reflections!
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous place, Oman, and your photos are superb as always! And, as always, it's a delight to visit your world! Hope your week is off to a good start! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
The view is definitely a sweet one, awesome photos as always!
ReplyDeleteI have been to that place a couple of years ago and the place does not dissapoint if only for the nice scenery. Although it can get too crowded at weekends.
ReplyDeleteYour photos at midday have lovely qualities too. I've seen Allan's sunset shots here too. It is so near but just been there once a long time ago! I miss that 'pilipit', which we sometimes encounter too in Batangas.
ReplyDeletevery scenic, perfect quick getaway spot for manilenos.
ReplyDeleteAng ganda ng view, pwedeng pang calendar.
ReplyDeleteI agree that this is a good road trip from Manila. Maganda rin kasi daan papunta jan.
ReplyDeleteThat place would be perfect for a weekend get-away. 3 hours away from Manila is really nice.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful sight. I would love to go there.
ReplyDeletematagal na rin akong curious sa 7 lakes na to which is the reason kung bakit tinawag na LAGUNA ang Laguna from Lagoon. Pero mas maganda siguro mag hire ako ng chopper para mavisualize ko talaga panu sila from up there.hehehe
ReplyDeleteAkala ko sugar-glazed tamarind yung last pic, doughnuts ba yun?
ReplyDeleteHi Oman! Sorry for the absence, but these last two months have been nasty! My mother (90) was in hospital for more than three weeks and the post-surgery was hard! My father (94) seemed to be an orphan while my mother was out and felt into some kind of depression... The economy is a disaster and the media only bring bad news... The € Euro is rescued every day, only to be known that it needs to be rescued again and again... What else? Well, maybe «Midnight in Paris»... The problem is that the Gil there is a different one... ;)
ReplyDeleteFabulous spot!!
Blogtrotter Two wanders currently around Porto Vecchio and the beaches in the region! Enjoy and have a wonderful week ahead!
the mountain backdrop looks lie a mini Mayon volcano :)
ReplyDeletebeen planning to check out this place ... hanggang ngayon di pa rin matuloy tuloy. ganda
ReplyDelete