THEKIDWANDERER

0 A DAY AT CASA IBIZA ANTIPOLO

When summer days arrived, people need a break from the hottest earth. We, most of the Filipinos as tradition will definitely dwell with beaches, resorts, or anything that can give us refreshments. You’ll surely find some drinks and desserts like Palamig, Halo-Halo, and fruit drinks from the busy streets in Metro Manila. Also expect promos that will definitely give you a perfect deal.

So April this year as summer officially arrived, the family where I lived here in Makati decided to take a break and asked me to join them for this out of town escapade. She had a good deal from vouchers offered by these organizations on the internet. Casa Ibiza would be the destination. As the name itself, you gonna think about Spanish characters that you gotta enjoy with.

Normally I do a little research and reviews before going to a certain place. So, what I got? To tell you honestly I received negative feedbacks provided by Mr. Google. So I visited their official website and get atleast positive comments. The page impressed me from their photos, from the information given by their site and from the place itself. So I don’t wanna give implicit impressions while I barely see the entire location.

Pagdating namin don, na-impress ako sa ganda ng entrance. Napakataas na gate with matching circle circle designs. Imagine of a palace. Pagpasok namin, accommodating naman ang gwardiya, he greeted and guide us where to register. So hinanap na nga namin ung assigned room number right after. At nung medyo nakapahinga na napansin ng roommate ko na kulang nga sa kwarto since hindi yon yong nakalagay sa deal. Kaya lipat na naman po ng door.

Rest for a while and had a lil walktie – talkie – non sense conversation. Everyone pretty excited going outside since the place is really amazing. Colorful houses and actually spacious, two pools for kids and adults with a Japanese styles.

This time, I was convinced that this resort should get high rating mark and positive feedback. I saw what I saw from their official website when it comes to the place itself. Mexican inspired.

HERE ARE THE PICTURES:

Beautiful and truly amazing, I’m totally impressed by the land of colors. However I should warned you though to hold on your temper as I held mine. Lemme tell you a short story.

These people who happened to work there asking for an advance order for them to prepare. Perfect time for companionship and decided to stay inside the house with a lil drinking session. More than an hour and a half since we ordered wala pa rin yong food and drinks. Kaya tinuloy na lang namin yong paglalaro ng “Pinoy Henyo”. So I made a follow up, I went down straight to the reception and the place is too too too dark taliwas siya sa nakita ko sa website. Medyo may kabagalan po ang kanilang serbisyo.

Morning the next day – you can see people walking around the place taking pictures and chismisan. So we went to the reception hall and ordered for a free breakfast. We waited for half an hour until this lady – next door neighbour yelling out.

“Ano ba?! Gugutumin niyo ba kame..anong bisa ng advance advance order na yan kung isang taon pa yan bago i-serve. Hindi niyo ba nakikita kanina pa kame nag aantay dito oh. Hindi kayo makuha sa tingin ah. Gusto niyo ba tulungan ko kayo..isang oras na oh mula nung umorder kame. Kanina pa kayo paikot ikot nakakairita, samantalang yong guest niyo gutom na.”

This is the exact words coming out from a lady since I had a video. Pumasok yong lady sa loob ng kusina at tumulong sa pag serve ng pagkain. Minutes after nung huminahon na yong babae, I went to reception again and made a follow up. We waited for another 10 to 15 minutes before the breakfast served.

We got poor service and i'm worried about the place sobrang ganda ng theme kaso mukhang napabayaan. Kulang sa alaga kulang sa tao. If you gonna asked me kung babalik pa ako. The answer would be no no no.

Ito yong food preparation nila, look at the spoon and fork and table beside us.

"The biggest reward for a thing well done is to have done it"

The best experience ever and I never thought it would more difficult as expected. Indeed the reward really worth and the happiness that you can’t buy. Second ascent since I started loving mountaineering. I understand that the difficulty is much higher that my first ascent.

The group decided to meet up at Genesis Bus Lines around 4’oclock-morning going Bataan. I only knew Mike and Palmes but I know it wouldn’t be hard for us to gain relationship with the group – define bromance. So I brought my partner. It was four hour ride from Cubao to Bataan which gives us time to relax and take rest perhaps.

We arrived around 8’oclock-morning and the group decided to have breakfast after registration. As preparation for the ascent, everybody changed gears for protection both from the sunrise and difficult traverse. Before we start say a lil prayer is important for the safety and thanking Him for this wonderful nature. And the trek started. We walked for couple of minutes in the households until we reached the base camp. We met Aling Cording and her family who happened to live there and take cares of the signage and gave us yummy refreshment – buko juice. Rest for a while then start the official trek.

First two hours the ascent gave me drought, feel like I was dried out. So I asked to take a little break since we had a lot of time for this day. Although yong mga kasama namin medyo sanay na since its not their first nor second but it’s the nth time walking on the top of the mountain but concern is really there. The best part of trek is in the woods, kahit na medyo mabigat na at nakakapagod ang mahahabang lakaran nakatulong naman ang lilim para maibsan ang init ng araw.

Finally we reached Papaya River after closely two and half hours of walk. The group took a rest then cooked for our lunch. Rest for an hour for the reason that we know after the river the real challenge is there. Some took nap and probably fell asleep from the cool surroundings and the sound of running water.

Next..

Here you go, this is the best part of climb from Papaya river going to the summit. Keep in mind that the trail is always left and never cross the river or else it will bring you back to Metro Manila..kidding’. Thought it was just straight ascent pero nagkamali ako. Kunwari lang pala yon dahil after ng dere-derechong daan dun nag umpisa na ang totoong wall climbing. The ascent is not just walking using you feet but this time you need to use your hands as well. It was really tricky, imagine pulling yourself up in a 90 degrees form. Kelangan talaga hawak sa kahoy at baging kung gusto mong makarating sa taas. What I did is one two three rest, one two three rest and so on and so forth. Even Mike who happened to be expert already in climbing gave out, his legs surrendered. Pinulikat siya kaya naisip ko pano pa kaya kaming beginner lang. I prayed to give me us more power, di na ako nagmadali although yong iba naming kasama nagpapahinga na sa taas. So I used my powerful one two three rest again and I’m kinda wondering parang hirap yata abutin sa taas, kanina pa kame umaakyat pero ang hirap yatang abutin ng taas.

Until we reach the grassland which is more difficult. Instead of walking what I did was totally crawling. Gumapang po ako dahil sa mga batong maliliit na naglalaglagan. I had the strongest grip from the grasses. At ng marating ko na ang taas di ko makalimutan na napahiga ako, I laid down the grass for four to five minutes. I never thought how fiddly the ascent was when I saw the entire Bataan and nearby provinces. Di matumbasan na kasiyahan at di ko maisip kung paano kame nakarating sa taas. Ang sarap ng feeling na your on the top of the world.

Social – follows.

HERE ARE THE PICTURES:

Last Christmas 2011 was my first ever celebration out of town..or out of home. We decided to celebrate holiday in a cold-chilly place. My partner and I are exclusively dating for more than a month and I had a feeling that Baguio would be the witness place for us plus check out the date December 25. The feeling was right. So no way for Cold Christmas.

Anyway I was excited as the engine started because in few hours I’ll meet the folks and the environment on the summer capital. I didn’t realize how long would be travel. According to my research it will take maximum of seven hours travel. Medyo bored na ako kasi mukhang mabagal yata yong nasakyan naming Bus ng Victory Liner. I can’t sleep nor take a nap coz deep inside there was pleasure seeing unfamiliar places, reminiscing to the outlook where I was born. Every now and then tumitingin ako sa labas reading those signage para malaman ko kung nasaan na kame.

Finally when I feel like we are very near as the Bus moving up I opened my camera and ready for the very best shot to whatever scene we are passing by. Nabuhay na yong dugo at nawala na ung antok. I had the mesmeric eyes when I first see how the zero visibility is. Wala akong makitang bahay habang mabilis ang takbo ng sasakyan.

As is step the soil of Baguio, I feel the wintry entering the pores of my skin and slowly feel the coldness. I thought kaya ko ang lamig ng Baguio without sweater in view of the fact I have freezing station in the office. Kuha ng pictures kahit saan habang hinihintay namin ang sundo para sa bahay na titirhan namin.

We decided to stay in a transient para mas mura, P600/day good enough para ung gastos dun na lang sa pagkain. Discounted pa dahil ung officemate ko ang may-ari. Rest for a while and excited to stroll around the area. Una naming pinuntahan ang Baguio Cathedral, konti lang ang tao at maaga nagsara. Sa busy streets naman ng Session road maririning mo maingay ng busina ng sasakyan at Christmas carols.

Sabik na akong tumikim ng pagkain ng Baguio, at bago kami umakyat we decided not to eat sa restaurant na very common at makikita sa Manila. Since my partner is a certified traveller, kumain kami sa napakasarap na restaurant with a good deal dalawang ulam plus rice plus coffee for P120 only bad thing is I forgot the name ng resto.

Second day is a gala day. We went to common destinations where Baguio can offer. Maaring wala na lang sa iba pero sabik pa din akong makita dahil nga first time ko. We travel the whole day at maximize the time. Went to Starbucks at Camp John Hay 7’oclock-morning and end at Baguio Cathedral 1130’oclock-evening and welcome the birth of Jesus Christ. I enjoyed a lot. Gusto ko ulit dito magcelebrate ng Christmas next year.

HERE ARE THE PICTURES:

I never have been into mountaineering. A friend of mine and was my officemate asked to join the team. I was raised in the province and probably things get easy for me. Nakita ko yong pictures nila from Gulugod Baboy with the newly founded team and later called “TOSOC MOUNTAINEERS”. Actually he invited me before the trip but I wasn’t so sure about it since I had a lot of work to do and busy schedules. Pero nung nakita ko ung pictures in a hazy atmosphere, inggit ang namamayani sa akin. Kaya naman nagtext kagad ako and asking join for the next ride.

Batulao would be the next victim.

Before the date agreed upon I feel so thrilled for the first and ever mountaineering adventure. I googled things to bring and what to do as part of preparation. I really feel so excited and sometimes exaggerated. I know everybody has the same feeling lalo na pag kauna-unahan kung di ako nagkakamali.

The day arrived and packs all the carry. The team composed of six people arrived in Evercrest golf course around 5’oclock-afternoon so I’m expecting for a night trek. We decided to hire people as guide for the trail since it has two different paths – an old and new trail. May dalawang batang nag volunteer para samahan kame for the new trail. First five to ten minutes was relaxing however the following minutes come with the dare. I thought everything would be very effortless since I had a jogging session before the date. I want my resistance will be safe and sound. I was wrong, mas kakaiba pala ang challenge ng mahaba habang lakaran at dagdagan mo pa ng bigat na nakapatong sa likod. Naging maganda naman ang trek, we had rest after every ten minutes. It is really incredible pulling yourself upward fighting against the gravity. Mabuti na lang we had two from the groups who happened to be the clown. They opt to throw crank jokes and made the group pleased as we are in the middle of nowhere.

We reached camp 8 and serve up the home based, enough high to peek the provinces of Batangas and Cavite and farther Manila areas.

So this is life, learning unusual things in an unusual place. I learned how to appreciate the beautiful nature given by our dearest God, to give importance and concern about the wrecked environment.

"Every day you may make progress. Every step may be fruitful. Yet there will stretch out before you an ever-lengthening, ever-ascending, ever-improving path. You know you will never get to theend of the journey. But this, so far from discouraging, only adds to the joy and glory of the climb." - Winston Churchill

THE PICTURES:

The panoramic view of Mt. Batulao. This would be my mother mountain. Perfect for beginners. Trails wasn't so steep and this is the start of what you call mountainholic. Getting here is no need of extra time, not much need of extra effort. Walking is the most challenge here.

Along the trails, for day trekkers - feel no worry of your drained neck intestines. Ya'll pass by stores offers cold "buko juice". Their version is the best, the most, tasteful buko juice i have ever tasted. Wondering how "yelo" brought up there.