Summer Hiking 2015

After my first hiking and trekking experience last February on Mt. Pulag , I never thought that I would try it again, and again, then I starting researching for mountains nearby Manila until eventually I was the one planning on our day trip.

Personally, I am not so into any hiking or trekking activities, and I have lots of reasons why. I hate being out in the sun and getting sweat up. I can't wake up early during weekends. I can't imagine myself going up and down the mountain. And lastly, I am not interested.

But all of these changed this year after being able to survive Mt. Pulag, and began hiking on different mountains this summer. I appreciate our mother nature more than before. I learned to strive to push my own limitations. I get to visit different places in a more affordable price. I get to know the locals and learn a lot from them. I also get to know new people and able to build a new bond of friendship with them. And lastly, I get to know myself better.


These are the mountains that I was able to visit together with these wonderful friends.

1. Mt. Pamitinan

It is located in Montalban, Rizal, which is almost 2 hours away from the city. This is the most challenging hike that I experienced, so far. TIP: Please wear durable shoes, wear long sleeves and comfortable clothes, and bring gloves because the trail is rocky and head lamp for the caving.

After descending, we went to the Pamitinan cave. I was surprise that it was also not an easy way going into the cave. I wasn't able to take photos because the trail inside is dark and slippery and I need to concentrate on my steps going up and down the cave.

My first caving experience!

At Wawa Dam 

After the caving experience, we went to the wawa dam to re-freshen ourselves.It may be a challenging day for me but I was still able to have fun and got to experience new things.

Estimated budget: 500php

Summit view

2. Mt. Maculot

Mt. Maculot is located in Poblacion Cuenca, Batangas. We hired a van for our transportation for convenience. TIP: Guide is a MUST. The assault part of the trail is taking the stairs with big steps. But there are a lot of station or stops wherein you can rest for a while or even buy coconut juice or halo-halo. The only challenging part for me is the trail going up and down the rockies. There is a part wherein you need to hold onto the rope as guidance and support going up and down the steep part of the trail. But once you reach the summit of the rockies, the view of the Taal lake is just amazing. Before heading home, there are lots of shower room to refresh.
Estimated budget: 800php

3. Mt. Gulugud Baboy and Sumbrero Island

Sunrise. As published in Manila Bulletin Picture Perfect Column last May 12, 2015.

Mt. Gulugud Baboy is situated in Philpan, Anilao, Batangas. It is a 2 hour bus ride via CALABAZON, and another 1 hour jeepney ride form Grand Terminal to Philpan.We started our hike around 3:30AM in the morning, and you can still feel the cold breeze of air. We are aiming to witness the sunrise on the summit of Mt. Gulugud Baboy. The trail is very easy, the only challenging part is the concrete road going up the mountain for nearly 30 minutes. The view on the summit is also amazing. After our hike, we drop by the well-known Sumbrero Island and took a dip for some hours before heading back.
Estimated budget: 1,200php

4. Mt. Pinatubo

It has been my dream to be able to visit Mt. Pinatubo, and finally, I was able to make it. We rode a 4x4 truck for more than an hour going to the drop off place where the hike begins. The trail is very easy, but there are no shades so I really got burned here. But the view from the crater o Mt. Pinatubo is just breath taking.

Estimated budget: 2,100php ( tour package )

I've been to 5 mountains this year, and I am so glad that I was able to visit them all. I am looking forward for more mountains to climb, 15 mountains by 2015 maybe? We'll see about that. :)

I survived Mt. Pulag!

I love mother nature; I love how the flowers and grasses dance

together with the breeze of fresh air; I love to see and hear the waves dances and splashes towards the seashore; I love to see how the sunsets in different places and my most amazing moment would be seeing a dome-like constellation of star shinning upon us in the darkness of the night.

But with hiking and trekking?These two words are seldom seen and used in my own dictionary, mainly because I never imagined myself doing it. I am not really an athletic person to begin with, I seldom find time to physically work-out because I'm way too preoccupied with my work (oh yeah, that's the best reason that I can give, LOL!). That is why when my friend ask me if I want to join her to go to Mt. Pulag, I politely declined to join her for quite a few times. I have lots of things going on my mind like "Mt. Pulag? Seriously, will I be able to survive it? I am not physically and emotionally ready. Can I really do this? Hiking? Trekking? Camping? Coldness? " And I told myself that I am not yet ready to take the challenge. 

But then, she asked me again this year and surprisingly, I didn't feel any hesitations at all and I just said yes! It was really quite a shock for me but this time around, I don't know why but I am 100% sure to take the challenge and just go for it. 

I wasn't able to have any physical preparations, and yes, it is because I am preoccupied with my work, lame excuse but that's what it is. It wasn't too long when we had a group meeting together with the organizer and my team members regarding some few reminders and the itinerary plan, and after few more days, here we go, Mt. Pulag adventure begins.

A little introduction of Mt. Pulag

Mount Pulag is the 3rd highest mountain in the Philippines .[2] It is Luzon’s highest peak at 2,922 meters above sea level. The borders between the provinces of Benguet, Ifugao, and Nueva Vizcaya meet at the mountain's peak.It is the third highest mountain in the Philippines, next to Mount Apo and Mount Dulang-dulang.Mount Pulag is famous for its majestic "sea of clouds" and the view of the Milky Way Galaxy at dawn, which has attracted many tourists who wish to see the "other-worldly" scenery. - Wikipedia

We left at around 11:00PM in Victory Liner Sampaloc station going to Baguio and arrived at around 5:30AM in Baguio. After few minutes of freshening up, we rode a jeepney heading to DENR Ambangeg, Benguet. Along the way, we had a stop over to eat breakfast and buy lunch. After that, we stop by DENR. It is a mandatory requirement for all hikers that are going to Mt. Pulag to drop by DENR to register. Since it had been raining for the past few days, we were instructed not to camp on camp2. Instead, we had our camp site on the Ranger station. We are told by the organizer that we will be camping on the Ranger station, and our hike will start as early as 1AM. So after eating dinner, my friend and I decided to sleep and set our alarm at 12:30AM.

Camping at Ranger station

We woke up even before our alarm rang, and we got up and started to get ready. It was cold, and everyone is still in a half asleep - half awake mode. Our hike started at 1:45AM, the weather is cold, the trail is mushy, and the only thing that can guide us through the darkness is the light coming from the headlamp or flashlight. I can remember that it was and up and down mushy mud trail that we've been walking for hours, and sometimes it can get very slippery. we have some mini stop overs to rest for a while, and drink some water to energize ourselves, but what really caught my eye as the vast constellation that can be seen from above. Ever since I was young, I am really into stars and I love stargazing. I wasn't able to take picture of it, but in my mind, I can see it very clearly. I feel like I am inside a dome, filled with stars twinkling and shinning upon me.

Sea of Clouds 

After nearly 4 hours of trekking, we reached our first destination, the tower, wherein we will stay and wait for the sunrise. And in few minutes, I was able to witness one of the best and memorable sunrise so far. I can sea clouds beneath the mountains, and above the mountains. It is really a magnificent view of what they called "sea of clouds". We are indeed lucky enough to have such nice weather in order for us to really able to see and witness such beauty.

After the sunrise view, my teammates decided to go for the Mt. Pulag summit which an additional 2 hour trek from the tower. At first, I was really hesitant to go further, but since ALL of my teammates are going, then I just decided to go with them. I don't want to be left behind.

Hiking trail going to the summit

The trail going to the summit is not as hard as the one that we been through going up the tower, but trail is all mushy and muddy. It is an up and down trail, but the view is also magnificent. I felt like I'm walking in a different country-side. And in few more hours, we successfully reached the summit.

This experience is very different and memorable for me. It is my FIRST time to trek and hike for almost 12 hours going up and down the summit, and that for me is what I am truly proud of. I didn't give up in the middle of the trek, it is physically exhausting, but I was able to endure and complete the entire trek. I was able to witness such breath taking sunrise with friends and new found friends. After this adventure, I started looking forward for more outdoor adventures in the future. How knows, this may become my new found hobby. LOL! :)

My Teammates! Disclaimer: This photo is grabbed from a friend. 

This Mt. Pulag Adventure is organized by Camp III Outdoor Outing. You may contact them in their facebook account at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Manila-Philippines/106322966073780 or look for Sir Kenneth at https://www.facebook.com/kenneth.taguilaso?fref=ufi

こんにちは， Japan!

 When ever I hear the word JAPAN, what comes to my mind are anime, hello kitty, “kawaii” stuffs, cosplay, etc. and it is one of the MOST expensive place to travel, that’s why I really never imagined myself that I will be able to step on this lovely place.

It was last January that I went here with my parents for the first time. Luckily, I have met some Japanese friend during my study in Taiwan and they are all very accommodating and generous enough to tour us around Kansai area. We stayed there for 5 days and I am very grateful that with all their help, we were able to see and travel around Kansai area.

Tip: If you will be travelling around Kansai Area ( Osaka, Nara, Kyot, Kobe, etc.) I suggest that you buy the Kansai Thru Pass that is available for 2-days or 3-days pass. This card can be used on nonconsecutive days. It may rather cost more than just buying ticket every time you ride the train, but I think this is more convenient. Which weighs more, will it be the convenience or the price, it is for you to decide.

Accommodation

We stayed in Hotel Naniwa which is located near Nipponbashi station. The location of the hotel is nearby Dotonburi and Shinsaibashi which has a wide variety of food stalls and is a shopping haven. Apart from the location, the staff can also speak good English and very accommodating as well. The room is a triple bed that has a private bathroom with complete basic necessities needed. TIP: Before booking a place to stay, unless using a public bath (they call it Ryokan)  won’t be an issue for you, then always see and check if the hotel or place that you intended to stay has a private bathroom. Some hotel may be cheaper but they don’t have private bathroom, but they have public bath house instead.

Day 1 – Nara  and Osaka

We went to Nara via their Kintetsu Nara Line which is 30-45 minutes away from Osaka area. First stop, Nara Park to see their well-known silka deer which can be seen all over the place walking freely. You can buy biscuit to feed them. They look so cute and nice, but they would tend to ask for more biscuit or any food that they can see. It was really a great experience!

Nara Park and Nara Deer

Todaiji Temple (東大寺)

Kofukuji Temple (興福寺)

Kasuga Grand Shrine (春日大社)

Shinseikai District (新世界)

Tsutenkaku Tower (通天閣)

Osaka Castle (大坂城)

Dotonburi (道頓堀)

Day 2: Universal Studio Japan （ユニバーサル・スタジオ・ジャパン）

 

Day 3: Kyoto (京都)

Kyoto Tower

Kiyomizu-dera Temple (清水寺)

This is my favorite temple that I had visited in Kyoto. The view is really great, and I can see lots of cherry blossom tree surrounding the temple. I can only imagine how lovely the view will be during cherry blossom season. My friend let us experience going into alley-like place inside a temple that is very very dark that you really need to hold on to the bead-like handle to guide you towards the exit. At first, I really felt scared, but as I continue to walk through the dark alley, I felt getting braver and trusting the bead-like handle that would lead me through the light. It was a very spiritual experience for me. 

This is a place to wish for if you want to have someone special in you life. I got to experience wherein you need to walk with your eyes closed from one end to the other end. They say if you were able to walk through it without being get bumped on or opening your eyes while walking, your wish will be granted. :)

 

Sannen-zaka & Ninen-zaka Preserved Lanes

I also love walking through this lane full of well-preserved traditional Japanese houses. It makes me feels like I was able to travel through time just by simple admiring and appreciating it's beauty.

Gion District

Kinkakuji Temple (金閣寺)

In this temple, I got to experience getting a very first written oracle. You just need to pay 100 yen and tadaa~ you will get you oracle. 

Fushimi Inari Taisha (伏見稲荷大社)

Day 4: Kobe （神戶）

Motomachi (元町)

Kobe Port Tower (神戸ポートタワ) & 
Harborland (神戸ハーバーランド )

I really felt that our 5-day stay really flies by quickly. But this trip is really one of the memorable trip that I had. I was able to experience, witness and discover new things. I really admire how discipline Japanese people are when it comes to time, cleanliness and even to simple traffic rules. I also observed how polite and nice they are; English is really not well spoken in Japan, but whenever I asked for directions, they never fail to try to accommodate and help us. I even remembered that there was a lady that we asked for directions early in the morning on how to reach our hotel, she used her phone to search and though she just spoke Japanese, she still tries her very best to help us and I can really feel her sincerity. We were already walking for quite a while and we got surprised when we saw her again behind us telling us on which corner we should turn left. That was really something that I can’t forget.

Though it had been a week since I got back, I still have some hang over feeling and because of that, I am more determined to go back and hoping to witness Japan’s cherry blossom season or autumn season next year, I hope. :)