Revisiting Mount Caniao

Finally, I am home. I am so glad to be back in my hometown. As promised, I would be going home at least twice a year. One for the mid year and another during Christmas and New Year season. Our relatives from Manila and Laguna were also in town as it was the big day of my younger brother. Aside from this event, I have also been looking forward for our outdoor activities as part of our bonding.

Remember when my siblings and I climbed Mount Caniao and how I managed to get down, now, WE'RE BACK!!

The Climb To Mount Pinatubo

After the 4x4 adventure ride we had, we are now down to the base of Mount Pinatubo. This is the Skyway Route where our easy trek to the Pinatubo Crater Lake starts. It would only take a few minutes to take. And as the signage would suggests..
(uhmm.. ehemm.. excuse me mare, mali ang blocking mo.. hehe)
Anyways, here's what it say..

For Young age, 15 minutes
Middle age, 18 minutes
Senior Citizen, 20 minutes

Where do you belong?

(Dito na magkakabukingan.. bwahaha)

Pinatubo, here we come!!!


Actually this is just a normal walk on the mountains.


Stony and sometimes slippery. But not too rough or hard. Who's gonna say it is tiring?


Well, the other route should have been about 4 hours trek in Crow Valley.

We hurried as we saw a glimpse of this unwavering beauty and then BAM!!!


We were in absolute awe seeing this view as spectacular as it can be. As in, A-W-E-S-O-M-E.


Yeahhhh!!! We are finally here.. I still can't believe.


We settled our things to our little pink tents that were assembled near the turquoise water of Mount Pinatubo.


Then we took our lunch first to replenish our strength and have enough because we'll definitely have to take a plunge into the waters.


Soon after, we got into a boat that took us to the other side of Pinatubo Crater Lake where the swimming area is recommended as it has warm waters that one can really enjoy.


And this is actually the place where they say it is warm. Here is the place where we get to swim. LOL


Seriously, the water along the shoreline is hot. Eventually it gets warm but as you go deeper or in the middle, its really cold.


We really have so much fun and photo shoots on the side. And now, it's time to leave a mark. Strike a pose!!


We went back to our camp. And finally giving our last glance to Mount Pinatubo which we will always treasure.


But who knows it might not be the last?

The 4x4 Experience To Mount Pinatubo

It was a 1-day activity of pure fun and excitement... After a long wait of dreaming the climb to Pinatubo, we finally put an end to this last year, 2010.

Our group met at Partas Terminal, Cubao and got to the bus heading to the north. And after about 2 and a half hour away from Manila.

Our conquest starts with a long 4x4 drive...


There were a lot of dust from the sands of lahar...


but we still did love how the wind waves our hair.. and the sun rising over our skin..



Our excitement grew as we shared laughs on this road trip,


witnessed with splashes of water..


.. as we passed by streams, river and hotsprings..



We even had a stopover for kodak moments..


see.. :P


We felt like we have been to Splash Island or in Rio Grande at Enchanted Kingdom that moment.


And as we draw nearer to this dream destination,


a rollercoaster ride would definitely add up to the total fun and excitement.


We passed by valleys of lahar..


bumpy and rough terrain.. and high steep slopes...


We were in adrenaline rush. Imagining how long our vehicle can hold on to this road and how will it surpass an almost 90 degrees highs and lows in our ride.


And suddenly, our vehicle went down.. good thing it was not too bad.. we just need to walk down and wait for the car below the safe ground..


And yes, we still managed to have photos with our fellow Aeta brothers... SMILE :D



So glad we chose more than an hour 4x4 drive of going to Mount Pinatubo. But there is another way of getting there -- by trekking approximately 2 hours that is equally challenging too.

You would definitely need to wear sunglasses to protect your eyes and if you're not kinda cool with the sun, apply sunblock or have an arm sleeves.

Mount Caniaw View of Ilocos

After feasting a lot during the holidays and filling up the tummy much, I thought I needed to do some exercise and trimming down.

While last month, I joined a fun run, now, it's time to climb.


Picture below is Mount Caniaw and if you see the one that is encircled, is where we will be in just a few hours...

It's a 2-hour climb but we did it just a bit longer. Mount Caniaw is located at Bantay, Ilocos Sur. It's usually called by the natives as "radar" as the term would say is the home of radio, cable and communication of the province. We started the trail at about 8am in Tay-ac Bantay.


Although this is my third time to climb the Philippine Mountains, my first was Trekking to Aninuan Falls in Puerto Galera and second is Sunrise and Sunset at Gulugod Baboy in Batangas, I was a bit uneasy because its a road less travelled. We're not too familiar of living creatures round there and what's up for us. Still we dared.


We din't have our breakfast so when we reached the top about 10am, we were a bit starving already. While enjoying the view, we had our simple breaklunch. Some few towns of Ilocos below is seen.


This is Abra of the Cordillera Administrative Region, the other side of Ilocos.


I felt so much pain on my feet going down. I think I'm not use to it anymore but I still wanna do this next time. Kulang lang sa exercise, so I'm gonna prepare for it. ;)

My 2010 Travel In Pictures

Here are the travels I made for the year that was 2010.

Mount Pinatubo
The Majestic Climb

I started my travel for 2010 on the month of March. Finally, after years of thinking about this adventure, yes since 2008, I have finally laid foot majestically on Mount Pinatubo together with my friends.



Singapore and Malaysia
Business-Trip-turned-Vacation-Trip

Last April of 2010 was supposed to be a business trip with my colleagues where we should be attending some appointments and getting some interviews but it din't turned to be that when we were already there.


The look of the Merlion seemed to conquer us so we submitted. And of course, we had a side trip to Malaysia too.

(Post yet to be published)
Pagudpud
More of Ilocos

Another trip I made was September 2010 when I toured my friend round my hometown. I was with my brother, sister and cousin and there's a lot more that we discovered since we had our traditional family reunion last 2008.



Cabugao Fun Run and Arangkada Todo-todo Santo Domingo
Travel on Foot

Travelling is not just about climbing the mountains, going to the beach, island hopping or going wherever but to the very means of taking or running the miles. (NAKS! akala mo anlayo ng narating eh :P) Well, what I mean is having experienced a fun run is worth a distance travelled. I din't have to go somewhere but my hometown to experience like this. I both took 5k on two (2) different events, Cabugao Fun Run and Arangkada Todo-todo Santo Domingo. This was last October and December of the same year respectively.


Hanapin nyo ko..

I did organized all these travels except of course for the fun run and it was kinda hard doing all the itineraries, bookings and also guiding the people you travel with but at the end of the day, its a feeling of accomplishment and pure admiration on nature and fun of travelling.

Gulugod-Baboy Fun Climb

This is part of our itineray back when we had mountain climbing at Gulugod-Baboy.

Gulugod-Baboy is located in Mabini Batangas, a 3rd class municipality in the province of Batangas, Philippines.

Background
There is confusion regarding where the real “Gulugod-Baboy” is. But there are three peaks, from SE to NW (from Brgy. San Teodoro to Brgy. Laurel): Gulugod-Baboy (470 MASL), Gitna (485 MASL), and Pinagbanderahan (525 MASL). Pinagbanderahan has a large ancient tree as its landmark and is known to mountaineers as the real Gulugod-Baboy, however, locals say its actually Mt. Pinagbanderahan.

For its part, Pinagbanderahan has a historical background. It can be translated, “Where the flag was hoisted”, and it commemorates the crash landing of the Japanese in early 1942. In the heat of World War II, Japanese airmen had a mishap and crash landed in the slopes of Gulugod-Baboy. To celebrate their survival, they planted a flag in the summit. Since then, locals called it “Pinagbanderahan”. (PinoyMountaineer)

Going There
From Batangas City, you can ride a jeepney going to Anilao(1) Port. And then from there, there is another jeepney or tricycle that will lead you to Philpan Dive Resort(2). This would be the jump-off point for the climb.

Related Post
Sunrise and Sunset at Gulugod Baboy

The Bicolandia Experience

I started to love travelling when I had the chance to go to Bicol. It was then an immediate plan with my friend Misch. Eric, whose home to this tourist destination became our instant tourist guide and led us to experience a great weekend escapade.

We did not have any itinerary for this trip so when we got there we just go wherever Eric recommends.

Day 1 - Mayon Volcano and Sabang Beach
There is only one place we know of about Bicol that time and for sure, is the very first place we wanted to see. That is the almost perfectly-shaped cone, Mayon Volcano. This one filled up our morning activity. Before we went home later that day, we passed by Sabang Beach to refreshen and feel the heat of the summer.

Day 2 - Nature Tripping and Atulayan Island
On our second day, we went nature tripping to Barangay Napawon - the place where Eric and his family previously resided. The views from the place were just so lively and green, does not only relaxes the eye but also the feeling. 

And then we get to ride a bangka going to our next stop, the Atulayan Island. We got really so excited but kinda scary because it was our first time sailing through the deep waters. This all faded when we got there. It was just unbelievable. The place where soon I'd say, Magayon ang Bikol. Magayon ang Pilipinas!!


Day 3 - PierOne 69
On our last day, we just had a chillax day. We stayed at PierOne 69 Beach Resort had our snacks and videoke showdowns. On that side, the Atulayan Island is seen. 


In the afternoon, we had city tour of Naga City with our remaining time left.

Here are some of the bus contacts we had to chose from:

Peñafrancia
Satellite Market Legazpi City
435-3012
Fare: P600 – P950

Amihan (AM) Travel & Tours
Satellite Market Legazpi City
(52)480-4029
Fare: Regular Aircon P 549.00

Isarog
Satellite Market Legazpi City
438-3916 or 435-2007
Fare: P 700 – P740

*Prices may vary after date posted