Buko and Leche Flan at Lake Pandin

Lunch at Lake Pandin

I grew up in a small town of Laguna situated along the way where the seven lakes are located. I spent my high school years and our PE sessions overlooking Sampaloc lake. It has been years since I returned to San Pablo City known for its famous lakes. As a child I spent many years and have good memories in Sampaloc lake and Bunot lake with Lola and Tita Ching Inay. But I have never been to all the lakes of San Pablo. Laguna is part of the viaje del sol (way of the sun) where one can explore. Would you believe that even though I've scaled Mt. Banahaw and Mt. Cristobal many times around these parts, this is the first, yes the first time that I've visited Lake Pandin. Yehey! visited it with my daughter and thanks to the invitation of very good friends who decided to celebrate one of our friends' birthday around a the beautiful setting of the lake. A memorable lunch indeed. We swam in the dark cold water of the lake which is refreshing after the short hike from the jump off to the lakeside. Mouthwatering fresh pako (fern) salad with tomatoes and salted eggs, grilled fish and rice wrapped in banana leaves. Eaten the traditional way, by hand.