4 #THROWBACK 2013: YEAR-END SPECIAL

I can’t tell if 2013 is a fruitful year for me, maybe not in the travel perspective but sacrifices maybe for the job career. Nevertheless let me list down the happenings of the THEKIDWANDERER in 2013. Let the throwback begins!!!

January of this year, I had the chance to summit the highest peak in Luzon. Ever since I started mountaineering, not just a hobby but a serious hobby, Pulag is on the bucket list.  So when the group decided to take Mt. Pulag as a kick-off bash for the year 2013. I quickly made a decision without hesitancy. It’s absolutely a GO! And I would say that time was the lowest temperature I have ever experienced in my life…so far. Hehe. As if I have plans to go where the winter normally lives. Who knows? :)

February arrived..a month of love and luck. My dear and I went to Baler, it is on our bucket list to do the surfing since both of us love the waves. It was my first time having a surfing board that is taller than mine and of course the waves that is larger than the earth. And the experience is the coolest ever..it’s a matter of life and death. Believe me..whew.

It is also a month of luck. We decided to visit one of the crowded places in Manila especially between February and March. It’s a Chinese New Year Celebration. And as a person that has a Chinese lineage I believe the power of FENG SHUI. So I bought lucky charms to fight the bad luck and negatives. It's a Firecrackers celebration indeed.

Now here comes the fire prevention month. March is a sign that summer is coming. And if you’re living in a tropical zone, mind you freezing water will be our best partners in crime. So all you want is to take a deep plunge. And to officially start the summer festivity we decided to visit resorts in Cavite and Laguna.

And to formally declare that we are already in summer season, I decided to do visita iglesia as part of the holy week celebration. I did it for the first time and hopefully I’ll be doing it in the succeeding years. After I punch out from a night shift I went straight to Baclaran as the opening and strolled around Pasay and Makati to complete the seven churches.

And to close the summer madness, TOSOC Mountaineers decided to conquer another cordillera mountain. And I would say Ugo so far is on my top list as the toughest I have ever climbed. Not as the steepest but the longest walked I ever been.

At kung sa akala ko eh magtuloy tuloy na ang magandang na simulan. I never thought that there will be a turning point in my job career. I gave up. I had issues with my previous employer and in the middle of the year I made a decision. I had to resign and seek for another job. I gave up talking to different people over the phone that never knew who they are and where in the earth they’re coming from. Kaya naghanap ako ng work na wala munang calls.

Following to these undertakings, I almost gave up on blogging. I was hired for another company at may pagkakataon na hindi ko na nabubuksan ang blog ko kahit na nasa harap na ako ng computer with internet access. I don’t know maybe I wasn’t prepared enough as I don’t have something to update. I don’t have travels. I was busy with my new career. I was focus with my new work. Pero dahil love ko na ang pagsusulat I decided to make it switch to .com. Through the help of a friend who works well with computers, he helped me make it switch kaya nagkaroon na naman ako ng enthusiasm to start anew.

Then Birthday month arrived..July. Last year before our HK flight, we booked for Bohol as gift for myself. And actually I was kinda worried because I might not be able to fly going there. Remember I just have a new job and they might not allow me to go on leave. How in the hell world would give you that leave credits as I wasn’t regular yet. Buti na lang mabait ang company at pinayagan akong mag four-days leave WITH PAY. Oh ha!

And lucky enough that Bohol is the next bound after HK. I had the chance the witness the beautiful of Bohol province and its famous tourist spots. Although we all know what happened in Bohol, I have this huge hope that everything will go back to normal. So my request and appeal to our beloved people to visit Bohol and help them rebuild their remarkable tourist attractions. So far Bohol is my farthest expedition in the South. Therefore Mindanao is on my bucket list this coming year. 

And to cap-off the yuletide season, I didn't expect for another challenge, I thought that was all it. Start of December is my first ever day hike in Mt. Maculot, Batangas. I would say that the “rockies” is so far the best summit view. Although Pulag is another captivating with the sea of clouds but Maculot offers the diverse of clouds, water, peninsula, forest, volcano…………..and a lot more magnificent views! I didn't expect that I will be having three summit for this year. My average is only two..therefore until now I cannot consider myself as a mountaineer. :p

To complete the year of the Black Snake, we decided to go visit again the Mountain Provinces. So instead of going up to the summit that is already in the highest. We decided to stroll down to the deepest from the summit. This time it will be reverse from the usual hiking. And Sagada is the only place that can offer this sole challenge. The SPELUNKING! Soon on my blog…

So from this recollection, do you think I had a boring year on my travels?

I am looking forward for more travels, more places to visit, more mountain to summit, more countries to visit, more travel blogger friends to meet (do I have one?, wala pa pala..kawawa naman ako walang friends),  more money and more happiness.

GOD BLESS PEOPLE AND HAVE A HAPPY AND FRUITFUL NEW YEAR. LET THERE BE PEACE ON EARTH AND SHARE LOVE!

-THEKIDWANDERER

7 TRAVEL ITINERARY: DO IT YOURSELF SAGADA

Holiday it is. Misa de Gallo has just started and I’m glad I was able the join its first day. Unfortunately I cannot complete the whole nine days of pilgrimage for two reasons – first I worked in the graveyard shift and got home around 7am and secondly I’ll be visiting Baguio and Sagada in five days’ time.

Thus, let me share my itinerary for Sagada. Not recommended though but at least can be used as point of reference. It is my love who usually does the itinerary especially out of the country tours. So I'm pretty excited because for the first I am the one hosting the plan and so the schedule of proceedings. And yeah bad me. A travel blogger and inexperience in creating itineraries. Hell yeah. Seems like always depends for someone else. Yikes!

Credits go to the owner of the photos.

Anyway we will be leaving in Manila by the 22^nd and stay in Baguio for overnight. Although some travelers will normally go straight to Sagada via Baguio or Pangasinan but damn I cannot do that, it’ll be butt-numbing if ever. So we will be staying in Baguio for overnight rest. And besides I'll be meeting some old friends out there. 

So here’s our initial itinerary:

DAY 0: DEPARTURE (DECEMBER 22, 2013)

07:00 AM - Departure from Victory Terminal (Manila)

02:00 PM - Arrival in Baguio

02:30 AM - Check in at the Transient ( Take Rest )

06:00 PM - Meet old friends, go to Coffee Shop. I didn't create any itinerary for Baguio this time. I'm here two times a year. So gala-gala lang muna. Come what may sabi nga. I'll trust all the places to visit in Baguio to my friends and besides halos napuntahan ko na rin naman ung mga kilalang lugar. :)

DAY 1: GOING TO SAGADA (DECEMBER 23, 2013)

07:00 AM - Departure at Old Dangwa Station, Baguio

01:00 PM - Arrival in Sagada

01:30 PM - Lunch at Yoghurt House

02:00 PM - Check in at George Guest House

03:00 PM - Echo Valley Tour ( Sagada Bell, Episcopal Church, Calvary Hill, Hanging Coffins)

06:00 PM - Dinner at Cabin Log

07:00 PM - Rest

DAY 2: THIS IS SAGADA (DECEMBER 24, 2013)

04:30 AM - Wake up

05:00 AM - Kilpetan Viewpoint for Sunrise viewing

06:30 AM - Breakfast at Salt & Pepper or Lemon House (not yet decided)

07:00 AM - Bomod - Ok Falls

12:00 PM - Lunch at Rock Inn and Cafe, including Orange Picking

02:00 PM - Cave (not yet decided)

05:00 PM - Back to Hostel ( Rest)

06:00 PM - Prepare for Bonfire

06:30 PM - Dinner at Yoghurt House or Cabin Log or anywhere kung saan masarap.

07:00 PM - Rest

DAY 3: DEPARTURE (DECEMBER 25, 2013 MERRY CHRISTMAS)

06:00 AM - Wake up

07:00 AM - ETD Sagada

01:00 PM - Arrival in Baguio

02:00 PM - Check in Eurotel Baguio

-------------------- GALA ----------------------------

DAY 4: DEPARTURE TO MANILA (DECEMBER 26, 2013) BACK TO LIFE! Hayyy. :|

And after that day, I’ll make sure to take my treasured book and get some pen to clash out this hard earned list at dapat ung kulay red ink. 

SA-GA-DA is on my bucket list!!! Vavavrooom.

Itinerary above is not yet final. If there's any changes I'll keep it posted for the benefit of other travelers that will visit Sagada including prices. :)

Merry Christmas People!

3 FIRST OF DECEMBER 2013 GOES TO MT. MACULOT (ROCKIES)

After ten-months long, I finally had the chance to meet my long lost friends. I humbly missed hiking, standing on top of the earth, watching the beautiful atmosphere where the sky and the earth joint to formed its horizon. It really feel so bad as I was thinking of only one summit this year. It’s obviously not acceptable as I started to engage myself with this hobby. The group had organized climbs but I’m nowhere to be found, maybe because of busy schedule or I simply don’t have spare time to join the climbs.

Nevertheless the opportunity did not close out on me. I will meet them again, though a little bit odd dahil kung kelan naman magtatapos na ang taon dun ko pa naisipang sumama. Well if not "for a cause" I doubt myself joining. I already set my mind joining for next year’s climbs, at least more often.

So Mt. Maculot is the desired peak. I received invitation from Facebook events courtesy of TOSOC Mountaineers. No more hesitancy, I quickly click on “going” showing my participation and besides this will be my first ever day hike. Although I’m typically engaged to overnight climbs as perfect opportunity for group’s camaraderie and photo ops for sunset and sunrise. I'm a photo enthusiasts.

Now back to the timeline..

Normally if more than 15 people for south bound climbs, instead of taking bus, we normally choose of renting jeep for transportation – back and forth. This will be more comfortable rather than waiting time for the departure and arrival schedules. Part of the time-table, meet up will be at 7-11 along Shaw Boulevard. I was expecting of more than 20 people but only 16 made it. This is usual..hehe. No hurt feelings though. We left the area around 6:20AM.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:
Buendia Bus Terminal along Gil Puyat LRT Station is the best option that will bring you to Batangas. The sign board should be Lemery Batangas then you can ask the driver or conductor to drop you off in front of a huge Arch at the Town of Cuenca Batangas. There is a trike terminal there that will bring you to the Rockies jump off. Bus fare is not more than P200 and travels for nearly three hours.

En route to Batangas, the weather wasn’t good. It was already 7AM but the sky still dark. And then started to rain. I was worried about the weather, my most concern was the peak. I don’t care about the muddy trail. I know it is part of the challenge. Jeez how could I allow having no clearance view? Damn no way! Mt. Maculot is popular for its amazing view; 360 degrees of panoramic view – Taal Lake, the tiny Taal volcano that offers lake within a lake and the entire Batangas province. The weather wasn't friendly at all. Darn!

We arrived at the jump off almost after three hours ride. Dumaan pa kasi kame ng Turbina for breakfast and for pack lunch. Pagdating namin medyo umayos na yong panahon, nagpakita na si Haring Araw. I was wondering who brought the jinx. Hehe. Mike had to pay entrance for P10/head. No need for guide dahil wala namang ligaw.  Few minutes later, the group then proceed to climb after group picture at Herman's shower and eatery.

And by the way, please be reminded about the lady in red. Hehe. 

The group is composed of old and new faces. And I’m looking forward for growing TOSOC Mountaineers. There were first timers and climb enthusiasts. I’m glad that more people are affianced to mountaineering. Besides, this is a good activity to start for a new year.

Along the trek, most of the trails were assault. Though considered as minor climb, but still this mountain is a physical test. I know I found the trail easy with the exception of slippery and steep trail, but I still heard myself panting. Mike and I decided to stay as the sweeper. So I had all the opportunity to take rest and pictures for this blog. I am also amazed of the rope-thingy-ish, eventually ‘twas my first time to have this kinda rappelling as there was no trees or roots to hold on.

Along the trail we met other mountaineers heading down who spent overnight on top. Their main problem was the slippery trail. It is easier going up but not going down. Buti na lang makapit sapatos ko and less challenge dahil paakyat pa lang kame. Also the reason why I said that it is easy dahil maraming 7-11. So I don’t really recommend bringing more than 1 liter of water for day hikes. Maraming nagtitinda ng buko sa kahabaan ng pag-akyat.

One of the photo ops, the extreme side of me. For some reason I have the guts to climb this tree which is out of the trail and could end my life. Medyo delikado dahil pinasok ko pa yong magubat then bangin na ung likod ng maliit na punong ‘to. Hell yeah..ganto talaga when boredom strikes, I'm a bragging kid.

At last, we reached the final stop-over (well except the Rockies) after two hours of trek. I’m not sure how high it was but the provinces of Batangas and Mindoro from afar is within the visibility. It is a camp site for the mountaineers who spending overnight. When we get there, there were plenty of them preparing for the descent. They say heavy downpour last night so muddy trail was then expected. We took rest first before heading to the Rockies.

It will be another ten-minute walk from the campsite to the Rockies. And the ascent is favorable because of the huge rocks, as in HUGE. Oh well obviously ROCKIES. Darn! And you know for sure that it won’t be slippery as is however the challenge though is you will never know where to step your foot and hold your hands. Nauntog pa ung ulo ko. And because I was ahead of them. I wanted to say that below are two of my best shots. They were falling in line, and like what I said  earlier beware of the girl in a red dress.

At nang marating ang taas. Jesus Christ, who would have thought that Mt. Maculot has an amazing panoramic view? It’s beyond beautiful. It’s like a wow! Jeez. Kung may film lang ang camera ayayay ubos na. Everywhere is beautiful. Kahit saan..you have the 360 degrees view just point the camera to wherever you want, you certainly get a magnificent shot.

We stayed at the rockies for nearly an hour while everyone is busy for the photo opportunities. And so do i. We decided to eat our pack lunch there. The weather is good. God heard our prayers to have this wonderful clearance. I really feel overwhelmed. And I conclude that this is the best summit view I ever had except Pulag.

So we started our descent around 1:00PM. Nilagare na namin total eh pababa naman tsaka matigas na ang lupa dahil sa paglabas ni Haring Araw. Mike and I decided to still be the sweeper. Then before Ate Thelma’s house, Halo Halo is the best for refreshment for P30 only but I refused to because there will be a huge dramatic Lomi fiesta awaits.

Shower at Herman's..rates is P15/timba. We left Cuenca around 3:00PM and heading to the best Lomihan in town, in front of De La Salle Lipa.

The clean plates tell it all. I’m not sure what would the best hashtag caption for this. Oh #HelpMe!

DECLARATION:

This climb is through the effort of Sabit – Sabit Mountaineers in helping our fellow countrymen who were intensely hit by the recent typhoon and affected by the earthquake. TOSOC MOUNTAINEERS hereby declares its  willingness to support climb for a cause events. #Stroll4Visayas #Stroll4Bohol #OneNation #BangonPinas

4 BOHOL'S PANGLAO ISLAND NATURE RESORT AND SPA

Panglao Island is also considered as one of the main tourist destinations in the Philippines. It can be labelled as Boracay of the South. The Island is in the southwest part of Bohol and eastern side of Cebu. Therefore this is the complete package for your vacation, a place to be – countryside tours and beaches. So visiting Bohol will never complete without seeing the amazing white beach and crystal clear water of Panglao Island.

There are two popular resorts that you want to check out - Alona Beach and Panglao Island Nature Resort and Spa, locals tagged as PINR. But if you are on a tight budget you can also check small resorts opened around the area. 

Last day of our trip in Bohol, beach bumming is on the latter part of our vacation. So we can simply unwind and relax without hassle going here and there. We chose to visit Panglao Island Nature Resort and Spa instead of famous Alona beach. You have choice to check in and stay for overnight or just day tour. There are vans in Tagbilaran City that offers transportation going to Panglao Island. In our case, we decided to rent tricycle instead for P300. Sundo’t hatid na yan tsaka malapit lang din naman, mga 15 -20 minutes ride.

When you go check in, overnight rate is around P8,000 – P9,000 so that’s too expensive. So we had Day tour instead for P500/each, P250 is consumable for food. Just pay for any excess. Ibig sabihin P250 lang ung entrance kaso required na yong P250 for food.

INSIDE PINR

What I like here is the Infinity Pool and the Dream Man-made Islet. Honestly I haven’t plunge yet in an infinity pool and I’m dreaming about the Marina Bay someday. Jeez. But this one is real good. Kaya pagkapasok namin talaga namang WOW lang ang nasambit. This is the place to be, living you dreams into reality. Me ganun?!

As much as I want, I’d like to swim immediately in Infinity Pool and Jacuzzi as it is alluring. But we’d like to check the beach first going to the dream islet. Naalala ko tuloy ang Boracay, ang ganda ng buhangin parang polvoron na masarap kainin. Also, the crystal clear water is damn vibrant. Kitang kita ko ung mga isdang lumalangoy na diko mahuli huli.

So after my selfie shot and posted instantly to my Instagram – Twitter – Facebook account, oh ha! Lahat na yan. We asked the boatman to bring us to the dream islet while the sea as it is high. If it’s low tide, no need for boat, you can traverse all the way to the islet.

It’s too deep as I was tried to dive all the way down but it’s difficult to reach the topsoil, I still need to move my arms and feet so I can reach the ground. Andaming isda, iba’t ibang klase pati na maliliit na alimasag, starfish at halamang dagat na iba't ibang kulay. So we opt to rent equipment for snorkeling for P200.

After unlimited swimming it’s about time to fill some food for our stomach. There’s a lot of menu to choose. Though I don’t like the taste of the water served so we decided to order soda in can. Again you have P250 consumable for food but if you would like to order more, then pay the excess.

 

 

 

CAMBAGAT CAVE

This cave is another thing to visit PINR. It is inside the resort so no need to go outside; it’s like three minutes’ walk from the reception area. You just need to tell them so they can open the lights and lamps setup so you can vividly see the magnificence of the cave. And they request someone para samahan kayo going down there. Honestly I grew up in the province where there are plenty of caves but this is the first time to enter a real cave.

The fresh water is also clear; I can see the white stones underwater that looks like gems with different colors. Though I’m a little afraid to because feels like creepy that anytime something would grab my feet down. Hehe. Pero dahil minsan lang at first time kinaya ko pa rin ang soooobrang lamig ng tubig. Kaya lumubog ako kagad. Sarap ng piling.

I just don’t like the smell inside siguro dahil maraming bats, “mapanghi”. Tsaka medyo may kadiliman na sa bandang dulo but still I have the extreme side of me so I wanna try everything. I hear the chirps of the bats so I know a lot of them hanging on the far side. Using my camera, I pointed it on the ceiling I took a shot with flash and when I check it, yeah it is confirmed that hundreds of them sleeping. Look at that.

So after our cave tour, it’s about time to feel in the infinity pool..perstayyyym. Want to sawa. Whew..poor boy! And look at the face, that’s how I interpret happiness. Grrr. Kilig to the bones. At nang medyo namanhid na yong mga daliri ko sa paa, ung tipong masarap na mangalikot ng ingrown nails. We decided to call in the trike para magpasundo. J Day tour is enough for this but worth to stay longer if you want to ultimate relaxation. 

So this is the last day of our Bohol trip. And hope all folks reading this blog, please do not hesitate to come over or go back to Bohol. There’s a lot of place the stay, a lot of tourist attractions that fulfilled you ultimate vacation. Let’s help them build and restore the tourism industry.