New York stories

At the JFK Airport, I tried to pull one of the push carts from a line of carts. With all my force, I attempted without success to pull one out. (I never had a problem getting one in L.A. and in Chicago) A teenage girl approached me and  said that I have to drop some pennies in the machine. (meron pala magnet to control the release of the push carts) Hehehe nakakahiya!

At the security line.. right before boarding the ferry for Liberty Island (This is the island where the Statue of Liberty is located and just walking distance from where the World Trade Center used to stand ..now known as Ground Zero, so the security is pretty much at the highest level. The World Trade Center was the target of a terrorist attack last 9/11/2001.).. when it was my turn for the security check, (same with the security checks in airports, we we’re required to take off our shoes, jackets, belts, metal accessories, etc.) first came off my shoes ..then my jacket.. I went under the metal detector.. toot toot toot. Uh oh.. "Belt", said the guard. I wasn't wearing any. I went under the machine again (a long line was behind me).. the mischievous machine went.. toot toot toot again! ..the guard said in his serious face, “You’re in trouble.” If I was with somebody, my heart wouldn’t have stopped for a second or so, but then I was by myself at that time.. detained in New York? What will I do?.. my heart unfroze only when the guard said.. “Just Kidding”.. hay naku!.. tama ba naman yan, wrong timing and wrong place naman ang joke nya. Hahaha

While riding the subway from Manhattan to Queens, my attention was captivated by this middle-aged black man in business suit. Sobrang maamo ang mukha, I can’t help but stare at him. ( I knew I might get in trouble for it, as people in the US usually don’t want to be stared at, but I just couldn’t help myself at that time. ) In came a black teenaged boy in grungy clothes with a few of his buddies. He took the seat beside this black businessman. (They were both sitting across me) The businessman was just sitting idly the whole train ride. When the teenaged boy finally disembarked from the train, the black businessman checked his back pocket to see if he’s wallet was still there. Hahaha Sila-sila rin pla eh, wary sa isa’t isa. I guess, dapat lang naman talaga. Especially in NY.

This one, was not so pleasant or it was at least when the day started. My relative, Loudette, gave me a tour of Manhattan. NBC Studio, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, 5th Ave., Tiffany & Co., Central Park… When lunch time came.. we ended up at The Boat House (an upscale restaurant right beside a beautiful lake in the middle of Central Park. Loudette said there was a not-too-well-known-celebrity sitting just a few tables from us. We were the only asians around) We finished eating and were just talking over coffee, when the waiter asked us to transfer to another table. The nerve! (We had a nice view from where we sat) Now, we didn’t want them to intimidate us that easily. We we’re paying customers as well. Loudette talked to the manager. But he just apologized for the incovenience and repeated the waiters first plea. He didn’t even offered to let us stay at this coveted table for as long as we wanted or even just to finish our coffee. Ang bastos! Syempre, tinapos pa rin namin ang coffee namin. Ano sila.. sinswerte. When I related this story to others, they said it was a classic story of discrimination. In this age and time, it is so sad to think that racial discrimination still persist.

Too much of a coincidence: Chicago

After a long day of going around the city of Chicago,  my cousin, Krystle, her boyfriend, and I went to watch the Chicago Bulls play hoops against the New York Knicks.  I love to take pictures and I do take a lot of pictures.  That day I was out early. Krystle had an early class so we went to the city together.  So, my camera battery was obviously pretty much drained by the time we went to watch the game.  We tried to look for batteries for sale during half times, but we were out of luck.  The game was pretty exciting! It extended at least twice because the fight was pretty close.  At the end, the Bulls nailed it by 1 point!  The game started at 8 I think and ended at 11pm!  Anyway, we had no battery left (Krys’ camera battery was also drained.)  the game was over, and we still had no souvenir picture.  What I did was…  :)  I found two guys (probably father and son) who looked like Filipinos.  I was pretty sure they were Filipinos, because I approached the older man and asked him in tagalog if I could borrow his camera battery so that we could take 1 souvenir shot. (desperate times, call for desperate measures!)  At first the son, said that he will just take the picture with his camera and send it to my e-mail.  Luckily, the older man obliged.

The next day, I went to Sears Tower to wait for my uncle. Sears Tower was our meeting place every time.  After I got through the metal detectors and baggage x-ray machines, one of the security personnel approached me.  It was the old man from the basketball game! What a great coincidence! :)  Who would have thought that I would ever see him again!  That was cool.

Krys camera's last breath:

A day with Katrina

Katrina is my cute & so sweet niece.

At 1 yr. 6 mos., on board a plane bound for Wichita, Kansas during a turbulence…….she said, “We’re gong down!” :) (akala kasi, mag-to-touchdown na ang plane)

At 1yr. 6 mos., in Kansas, under the summer heat, (it has been months since the last rain) ….. she sings, “Rain, rain go away.. come again another day..”

At 2yr. 11mo., on board a plane bound for Iloilo (fresh from her transatlantic flight US-Phil), while waiting for our turn to alight, she invites the other passengers…"Come to my birthday in the Philippines.” (aba! Inimbita ang buong eroplano..)

At 3yr., when a Korean guy bumped my sister’s car,  she said to the man… “You ‘bunggo’ my mom’s car.” (bunggo is an ilonggo/hiligaynon term for bump)

During a subway ride, at 3yr. 6mo., she said to her dad… “Daddy, that girl is fat.” (naku po! Honest na bata.)

At 3yr. 7mo., confused on where her baby brother will come out from, she says to her mom (my sister is 7mo. preggy)… “Mommy, is there a door in your tummy?” .. :)

At 3 yr.7 mo., she calls her mom’s feet as “Little Fella.”

PART TWO

Rugged Beauty ι Mt. Pinatubo

  

It has been years since the volcano erupted but you can still see its aftermath. This is the reason why tourists, both local and foreigners, keep pouring in. 

If you are up for an adventure, the trek to Mt. Pinatubo is for you.  Otherwise, you will not be able to withstand it. 

From Manila, take a Dagupan-bound bus and alight at Capas, Tarlac. The Capas Trail is the easiest route.  From there, your 4x4 jeep will take you to Sta. Juliana, where you will be registered.  From Santa Juliana, you will be taken on a wild, bumpy ride across the dusty expanse of Crow Valley to a campsite. The ride will last for about two hours and the trek is another one hour for amateur trekkers.  

Hiring a guide is mandatory. Trekkers are not allowed to go ahead with the trek without them. They know the current safest route to take while trekking.  It is very hot during the summer months since the ashes are reflecting the rays of the sun so bring sun block lotions and proper climbing gears (caps and strap sandals are advised).

 Make the trek early morning or later in the afternoon to avoid the noon heat. During the rainy season, roughly from June to about October, climbing is forbidden as the volcanic debris on its slopes and in river channels become deadly avalanches. Bring lots of bottled water. 

 After the exhilarating trek, the cool water of the lake will be refreshing on your skin. (But be warned, the water can dry your hair.)  The swim will somehow recharge you for the trek back. 

Going to Mt. Pinatubo is a breathtaking experience, literally and figuratively speaking.  If you yearn for an adventure, go to Mt. Pinatubo while you’re still young.  You’ll regret it if you don’t. 

Rates  (2008): 

Bus fare (one way): Php 118 (ordinary), 185 (aircon) 

Contacts: 

4x4 rental                
Mr. Henry Espiritu
09287925035
Php 4500 for the whole jeep
Maximum capacity- 6 persons 

Packaged tour         
Ms. Jovi Balbiro
09287813556
Php 1500 each person
Includes guide fee, packed lunch, registration fee, 4x4 rental 

   

Dancing with the Rapids in Pagsanjan

 

Pagsanjan Falls is a great day trip from Manila. It can be reached by taking a bus bound for Sta. Cruz, Laguna (Jam Liner Terminal is located at Taft-Buendia, Pasay).  The trip is around 3 hours and may take 4 hours going back depending on the traffic. 

 

[caption id="attachment_1470" align="aligncenter" width="490" caption="approaching the snack bar"][/caption]

 

Get off at the terminal in Sta. Cruz.  Across the road from the terminal, you can catch a Pagsanjan bound jeep.  If you have no arrangements with a boatman yet, you can inquire at the town hall or with the jeepney driver themselves for a recommendation.  Chances are, they have a brother or a relative who is a boatman.

The waterfall is reached by fiberglass replicas of native canoes, paddled and pulled up over the rapids in a narrow canyon by local paddlers.

 

[caption id="attachment_1471" align="aligncenter" width="490" caption="fiber glass bancas"][/caption]

 

The first part of the trip is over flat water. When the first rapids are reached the boatmen take over using their bare feet and arms to haul the boats up through the rapids.

Half way is a snack bar.  You may opt to have lunch or just snacks in this unique setting in the middle of the jungle.

 

[caption id="attachment_1472" align="aligncenter" width="490" caption="view from the snack bar"][/caption]

 

It will cost you another P90 to go under the waterfalls.  Don’t pass this up. It is much better than a massage at your favorite spa in the city. After one try, you might want to ask for more. No doubt.

 

[caption id="attachment_1473" align="aligncenter" width="490" caption="Pagsanjan Falls"][/caption]

 

 

for more photos, click here. 

 

Rates (2004)

Bus fare: P125 (one way)

Boat rental: P700 (inclusive of boatman’s take home pay & registration fee, etc)

Boat to falls: P90

 

 

 

 

Port of Gold: Puerto Galera

   

A gold mine for wonderful and exciting snorkeling and diving experience.  In our case, just snorkeling. Budget restrained us to go forward with the diving.   

 

 

From Manila, take the Batangas-bound buses to the Batangas City Pier.  At the pier, boat operators abound to offer you regular or special trips directly to either White beach or Sabang beach.   

If you are a party person, White Beach is the place for you.  If you're coming for the diving, they said Sabang Beach is the place to be.    

We arrived at White Beach in the evening. The upside of arriving late is that room accommodations are cheaper. The downside is that you might not get the place of your choosing. We stayed only for a night at the island.  We spent our first day, boating, snorkeling and sightseeing.   

 

  

   

Beautiful marine creatures are bountiful in the area. A testimony of the healthy and rich coral environment in Mindoro.   

If diving is not within your league, you can also check out various shallow coral gardens. The corals are literally just a few steps from the shore. Their proximity to the shore do not make them less stunning than those in deeper waters. That makes Mindoro unique from other places I think. Your boatman will know where to take you, or you can also specifically request for it.   

When you're done swimming, snorkeling or island hopping (which can be done half day), you can explore the island of Mindoro also by land.  Rent a tricycle to go to Tamaraw Falls.    

The 423-foot waterfalls, situated alongside the road, is actually a series of asymmetrical falls, leading to the grand one, dropping to a waterbed below. The cascading waterfalls is a great attraction to passers-by.      

 

 

 

The road leading to and from the falls is picturesque. You will be wanting to stop and take pictures a lot.    


 

 

The beaches of Puerto Galera may not compare with the fine white sand of Boracay, but it is a must see if you are beach bum. The diving, on the otherhand, is another matter. It boasts of colorful underwater coral gardens that could take your breath away, may you be a beginner or an experienced diver already.   

 

 

for more photos, click here.

 

 

 

Suggested Itinerary for Coron, Palawan

There is Coron town, and there is Coron Island. They are not the same. Coron town is located in Busuanga Island, while Coron Island is located across the bay from Coron Town. Click here and be enchanted.

 

Friday

6pm – Superferry leaves port of Manila for Busuanga

 

Saturday

7am – Arrive Coron

730am – Settle down at lodging house

8am – off for Island Tour

• Visit Siete Pecados


• Cayangan Lake


• Baracuda Lake


• Twin Lagoon


• Banol Beach


• CYC Beach


• Maquinit Hot Spring

12nn – Lunch at one of the beaches

5pm –  off for Coron Town, sail away as the sun sets

6pm – Dinner at lodging house

8pm – walk around town, try local videoke place

 

Sunday

8am – Hear mass at local church

9am – Walk around town, shop for gifts

12nn – Lunch at local hotspring “swimming pool”

315pm – off to “Coron ala Hollywood sign”

415pm – start trek to Mt Tapyas

5pm – wait for sunset

6pm – walk back towards town

630pm – Dinner at lodging house

10pm - Board Superferry

 

Monday

10am - Arrive Manila

 

Rates (2007):

Superferry roundtrip: P2350

Accommodation & Island hopping: P2000

Entrance fees & Snorkel mask: P635

Enchanting Coron

The journey to the Last Frontier...

starts with the ship ride to Coron. Superferry leaves at 6pm every friday. You arrive at Coron the next day at around 6am, 7am at the latest.

Beautiful islets greets you as you enter the port of Coron. Not to mention the magnificent sunrise...

After checking in at your hotel or lodging house... you can start start your day with an Island Hopping Adventure..There is no beach in Coron town and most accommodation is geared towards divers. To find your own patch of sand you can hire a banca and hie off for a day, or longer, to the island of your choice.

...visit Siete Pecados, where you can enjoy the sea together with diverse marine environment.

Next, go to Cayangan Lake, said to be the cleanest lake in the Philippines.  You'll never notice the time when you are at the lake.  You can have lunch aboard your boat at Cayangan Lake.

Add to your itinerary, Twin Lagoon. You can also go to Baracuda Lake... although we didn't dare swim in it, as it is said to be haunted by an enchanting baracuda.  Swim in the clear waters of CYC beach and Banol Beach.

Drop by Maquinit Hot Spring.  The place is not well maintained, but the view from the place is worth the shot.

End the day with a beautiful sunset.

On your second day, spend it by hearing mass at the local church..after the mass, go shop for pasalubongs. Recommended: honey, cashew nuts and dried fish.

In the afternoon, climb Mt. Tapyas and enjoy the view and the breeze as the sun sets.

You could spend a lifetime in Coron and still not get to see every hot spring, hidden lake or pristine cove, thus the title of my piece. It makes you keep coming back for more. Enchanting.......