Weekend Getaway: 5 Reasons to Visit Taal Lake, Batangas

1. Go Sailing

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We watched the Lima Park Hotel Philippine Hobie National Championship 2016 at Taal Lake Yacht Club this weekend. TLYC is home to over 50 Hobie boats used for sailing. One of the Philippine Hobie Fleet’s most important events, the Hobie 16 National Championship is held very early in the year to take advantage of the easterly or amihan winds, considered by sailing enthusiasts as the best, most challenging weather. At this time,  it is usually sunny or partly cloudy, with about 12 to 25 knots of easterly wind.

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The first Hobie 16 National Championship was held in 1996 at Taal Lake Yacht Club. In 2003, the event was held away from the Hobie Fleet base for the first time. Subic Bay Yacht Club (SBYC) hosted the event, with  TLYC and the PHCF (Philippine Hobie Challenge Foundation) as co-organizers.  Since then, TLYC and PHINSAF have alternated organizing the event. On odd years, PHINSAF organizes the event outside TLYC. On the even years, TLYC organizes it on Taal Lake.

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Introduced in 1971, the Hobie 16 is the second largest boat fleet in existence today, with over 135,000 boats built to date.

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The Race Judges and Staff

Peter Capotosto, founder of Taal Lake Yacht Club gives us a very warm and welcoming greeting. Sailing was very intimidating for me and I felt very at ease learning a few things about it from Peter.

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The winners of the Lima Park Hotel Philippine Hobie National Championship 2016 poses with their trophies
along with representatives from Lima Park Hotel, a major sponsor of the event

He tells us that he aims to welcome everyone even non members of TLYC to join and learn sailing. It’s a fun and interesting sport and it is a game of instinct. “Understanding the wind” harnessing it to your power.

He trains his staff well and are now professional sailing coaches. As a first timer, he tells us that it is best to come with a few friends since it will be more affordable that way. You may rent the boat for the whole day and divide the cost within your group and rent the coach per hour. I find this very refreshing, learning about the cost of sailing as many are intimidated by it because they think it is an expensive sport.

Please visit the TLYC website www.tlyc.com

Would also like to share with you a hotel I’ve never been to but regretted that I didn’t know sooner: Lima Park Hotel.

limahotelP1690226_batchLima Park Hotel is located inside the Lima Technology Center in Malvar, Batangas which is no exaggeration 1 hour and 30 minutes from Magallanes SLEX! I calculated it twice cause I couldn’t believe it, going here and going back, it was seriously 1 hour and 30 minutes because of the new addition to highways: the Star toll. Amazing! We jokingly share that it takes me more than that to travel along EDSA.

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Lima Park Hotel today is a full-service hotel that welcomes both business and leisure travelers with 136 guest rooms that include Superior, De Luxe, Premiere Luxe, and Suite rooms; a grand ball-room, a premiere ballroom, 10 meetings and events spaces, two restaurants and bar, a fitness center, and an expansive outdoor swimming pool.

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They also serve awesome Batangas food! We recommend their Beef Salpicao and original Batangas tapa!! YUM!

Lima Park Hotel
Lima Technology Center
Malvar, Batangas, Philippines
(T) +63 43 981 1555
(F) +63 43 981 2555
(M) +63 917 504 2385
(E) reservations@limapark.com
www.limaparkhotel.com

So When In Manila, explore the beauty of Taal Lake with this quick and fuss free guide. Don’t forget to take your camera with you!