Mt. Pulag; A Journey on top of the Clouds

It is the 3rd highest mountain in the Philippines. I wasn’t able to see its beauty at its finest because of the weather but I’ll surely be back sooner or later. I wanted to see the famous “sea of clouds” but unfortunately I just saw a glimpse of it.  This is an amazing place and one of the reasons why I climb mountains. Inspiringly and spectacularly beautiful plus the amazing bunch of people I got to climb with.

Mt. Pulag I’ll see you again later 🙂

These are the magnificent rice terraces you can see at the beginning of the climb. It can surely ease your shortness of breath before starting the upward trail.

The summit with these two amazing people 🙂

And yes! It’s a rainbow up there, it’s like a dreamlike scenario. Quite pleasing to the eye and uplifting to a weary soul.

Climbing Mt. Pulag wouldn’t be complete without trying to ride on top of the jeepney, worth the risk. You can see amazing landscapes along the way.

on the way to Mt Pulag

I got to climb with these tough girls, how amazing 🙂

As Mt Pulag constantly gains its popularity, the number of tourists and climbers are also increasing. This is actually an alarming scenario, years from now I wonder how this place would look like if people wouldn’t start taking action to protect this lovely gem of Cordillera.

Mt Pulag

Expenses and Itinerary:

It’s advisable to go to Mt. Pulag in a group if you want to save money. I’ve been here Dec of 2013,  we were a group of 20. We paid 2k inclusive of ride from Manila to Baguio and vice versa, monster jeepney from Baguio to Mt Pulag jump-off, 3 set of meals and a souvenir shirt.

Day 0:
night trip from Manila to Baguio

Day 1:
06:00 monster jeepney from Baguio to jump-off
lunch and briefing
start trek
Ambangeg-Ambangeg trail =2-3 hrs trek
campsite = dinner/socials

Day 2:
05:00 am = trek to summit 1-2 hrs
summit = sea of clouds if the weather if good
picture taking
back to summit
pack your things and leave no trace
travel to Baguio, sightseeing for 2 hrs then back to Manila

Notes:
There’s a portable toilet at the campsite but don’t expect much.

Things to bring:

The usual camping stuff

tent
headlamp
insect repellant
super thick jackets = really cold
waste bags
cookset
survival kit
first-aid kit

Ilocos day1

Through experience i’ve learned that there will always be a beautiful side in every situation, every place, and every person. It is not innate for someone to appreciate the goodness of life and disregard the downside of it, it is a skill which is acquired through constant practice and experiences.

Last night we had a fight with my boyfriend and so with my aim of finding diversion, I decided to go traveling on my own. Then I found myself bound to the Ilocos Region. I departed at almost 12am from Partas bus lines and arrived at Laoag Ilocos Norte past 10am. It was definitely a long ride and I haven’t eaten anything for dinner so I was really starving. Right after i boarded off the bus i made a haste in finding something to eat. Alas! I found “Mang Inasal”. Try imagining a girl with a man’s appetite.

After eating a man’s meal, I roamed around the area, took pictures of anything that interests me and some “selfie’s of course given the fact that i have no one to take picture of me. Then I took a bus going to Bangui windmill, it was an hour and a half ride, i was dropped off the highway and i took a tricycle going to the windmill. The fare was overpriced i think depending on the proximity of the place. I paid 200 pesos for the two way fare, oh well I think it was fine cause the tricycle driver serve as my photographer during my stay at the windmill.

My day wasn’t over yet, I took a bus going to Pagudpud. I read a blog regarding home stays at Brgy. Saud so I have a definite destination this time. Allen’s home stay it was, never a single regret. They welcomed me with that familiar Filipino hospitality, warm and kind. Tomorrow, i’ll head back to other amazing spots and visit Vigan before I head back to Manila.

It’s my first time to travel solo and the experience was superb. I’ll post more for the expenses and itineraries on my day2 blog.

Mt. Manalmon

passing the Madlum river through a raft

Mt Manalmon summit

Madlum River

river trekking

rock diving

I crossed the monkey bridge 🙂

hiking buddies 🙂

QUICK INFO
MT. MANALMON
San Miguel, Bulacan
Major jump-off: Sitio Madlum, Brgy. Sibul, San Miguel
LLA: 15°15.11’N; 121°1.22′ E; 196 MASL
Days required / Hours to summit: Half-day / 1 hour
Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 2/9, Trail class 1-2
Source: http://pinoymountaineer.com

My Love Affair to Mountains: Mt. Talamitam

Mt. Talamitam in Nasugbu, Batangas is 630 MASL, with a difficulty of 3/9.

This is my 7^th summit and one of the most remarkable climb I would say, misadventures are part of the game but this climb was full of it and that’s what made it challenging. It was supposed to be an easy, minor climb but because of the weather and unexpected events, we ended trekking at night time under the rain. We arrived at the jump off point at around 6:15 pm and started our trek instantly, you can imagine the trail with the rainy weather, it was slippery and muddy. Kudos to Columbia hiking shoes, it never failed me.

It was raining when we started the trek, we had no raincoat or any protection from the rain but still we kept going. We passed through an unstable trail on the latter part of our trek, it was dark and the right trail wasn’t visible anymore. I wasn’t even prepared for a night trek, no headlamps whatsoever; I still visualize the scenario of me holding a basic cell phone with a flashlight on my right hand while my left hand was struggling to pass against the tall grasses. It was indeed a challenge, a part of my mind was thinking, I could have stayed at home and enjoyed the comfort of my own bed yet I instantly came to the realization that this is what I love to do and the challenge uplifted my spirit to keep going.

with the ANITO mountaineers

After all the hardships, we arrived at the summit at around 8pm. It’s not the end of the drama cause even setting up the tent gave us headaches. it was my first camping, so you would imagine the drama.

mt. Talamitam

view from the summit of Mt. talamitam

Mt. Talamitam

Mt. Talamitam

Mt. Talamitam

Mt. Talamitam

freedom 🙂

sunrise at Mt. Talamitam

sunrise at Mt. Talamitam

Hacienda’s de Naga Adventure

Hacienda’s de Naga

If you are looking for an adventure of all sort, this is the best place to go.

 

 

Haciena’s de Naga

 

wall climbing

 

rappelling

 

zipline

 

fishing

 

horseback riding

 

horseback riding

 

biking

 

biking

 

atv riding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Daraga, Albay

We are weekend warriors indeed. I’m guilty of being busy, so I’m always posting late. We visited Albay on the first weekend of July, I travelled with my sister who have visited Bicol for three times, a real wanderlust and a sucker for beautiful places. It was long hours of travel, about 11 hrs from Cubao to Naga and another 2 hrs from the city of Naga to Daraga, Albay. We met my sister’s friend at Daet, Cam Sur before heading to Naga. We checked in at Sampaguita Inn for 800 pesos for 1 day. It was a pretty good deal, room is quite spacious for 3 and it includes 3 single beds, hot shower and the room is fully air-conditioned plus the terrace overlooking Naga river.

 

 

 

Albay

 

morning at Naga

We travelled at night so we didn’t get enough sleep but we only had 2 days to spend so we headed to Cagsawa Ruins and Lignon Hill on our first day. It was a pretty amazing and historical place. Mt. Mayon is really majestic, I wish to conquer this mountain someday. It was formerly called “Daragang Magayon” a Bicol dialect which means beautiful maiden which is very suitable for such a beauty.

Cagsawa Ruins

 

 

Mt. Mayon and a Haiku

Mt. Mayon

Mt. Pico de Loro ; A photoblog

 m

My 2nd summit 🙂

I’m carrying a backpack almost half of my wt for 3-4 hrs

Mt. Pico de Loro campsite

campsite

feel the breeze 🙂

My Love Affair with Mountains; Mt. Batulao

My soul is inextricably intertwined  with nature. How I miss the relaxing smell of trees and  the soothing sound of a rushing creek. I yearn to dance with the wind while I extend my hands drowning with its glory. I’m dying to see how clouds fashionably change its forms and how the shadows play with the vast, grassy land. How I long to embrace the rays of the mighty sun and feel its heat towards my pale arms. I would trade a sumptuous meal just to have a cold, sweet taste of a spring water. My love, just the thought of these simple pleasures you bring makes me tremble with excitement.

Mt. Batulao

Mt. Batulao

Mt. Batulao

Mt. Batulao

And yes, I wouldn’t care getting scratches from conquering a giant rock. I dare to feel the nasty pain from being bitten by ants. I would take the risk of multiple falling just to surmount your splendid mountains.  I wouldn’t mind being burned by the sun just to witness your spectacular beauty. When will I be reunited with you? How I wish to have longer days, longer days to spend with you.

Mt. Batulao

Mt. Batulao

Mt. Batulao

A Mt. Batulao

And if someday I’ll be given the chance to meet that someone who shares the same passion as me, I will never let him go. 🙂

My Love Affair to Mountains; Mt. Maculot

Here’s a haiku I wrote for the love of nature 🙂

Place where I found love

It melted a frigid soul

In the summertime

Mt. Maculot Rockies

Mt. Maculot Rockies

Mt. maculot

Mt Maculot