The Taal Volcano may look serene, but it’s actually the second-most active volcano in the Philippines with more than 30 eruptions throughout history. And even though the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology has declared the entire complex of volcanoes as a Permanent Danger Zone, there are still some that have settled there. Beauty can be alluring, yes, as the Sirens from Greek Mythology illustrate. But for fishermen, the close proximity to the sea is also enticing.

Emily Bratcher is the managing editor of EthnoTraveler. She lives in Iowa City.