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.......