Saturday, February 21, 2009

Pook ni Mariang Makiling, Mount Makiling, Los Banos, Laguna

Mount Makiling, Los BaƱos
The mystical Mt. Makiling is an inactive volcano, rising to about 1,109 meter above sea level. The vegetation consists of approximately 2,048 different species of plants. The lower slope is a tall dipterocarp forest while the summit is a dwarf mossy forest. According to legends, the slopes of Mt. Makiling are shaped like that of a woman reclining down. Some say that it is the profile of the sleeping Mariang Makiling, a legendary goddess. Still others say that Mariang Makiling dwells in this mountain and protects it from harm. Mt. Makiling is ideal for all types of nature tripping –from trekking to bird and butterfly watching, and even camping.


The POOK NI MARIANG MAKILING Resort offers an olympic-sized pool,




cottages,

tree houses, hutsa viewing deck




and a panoramic view of the Laguna de Bay

 

and others






Built on the mountain sides of Mt. Makiling, the lush greenery makes for a cool and refreshing forest-getaway outside of Manila. Cottages, huts and an olympic-size swimming pool make it an ideal place for family picnics as well as honeymooners. Pook ni Mariang Makiling is from UP gate, up to end of Kanluran Drive, through the gate of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines' ground, then left; entrance gate is past the National Arts Center gate about 500m (1640ft) to the right. Pook ni Mariang Makiling was built in 1976, is owned by the Philippine government, and serves as an extension of the Recreational and Sports Complex of the National Arts Center. It is a commercial facility nestled in the tropical rain forest of Mount Makiling. The park largely attracts visitors on weekend trips from Manila.