Planning for Summer Activity?

Here are my top lists for activities for summer:

10. Mountain Trekking or Hiking – hiking on a summer is tougher but still you can feel the comforting breeze of the summer winds kissing your sun-kissed skin giving you that nature and calming feel. If you are afraid of heights then you can cross this out of the list. You can check out these articles for your hiking ideas: 

Batulao - http://travelingwithyu.blogspot.com/2015/01/next-climb-mt-batulao.html

Sagada - http://travelingwithyu.blogspot.com/2014/05/message-from-old-friend-sagada.html

Mt. Pinatubo - http://travelingwithyu.blogspot.com/2015/01/mt-pinatubo-climb-itenerary.html

Mt. Talamitam - http://travelingwithyu.blogspot.com/2014/12/one-saturday-hike-at-mt-talamitam.html

Mt. Pundaquit - http://travelingwithyu.blogspot.com/2014/05/starting-summer-in-philippines-as-early.html

My shot of going downhill to Mt. Batulao

9. Kite Flying – kids nowadays may have little experience of the fields but kite flying is a childhood memory to beat the heat of summer on a windy afternoon along the rice fields or meadows. For a place where you can have your kids fly their kites check this article out. 

8. Food Tripping – filling your tummy is fulfilling than any activity there is for the day. Eating healthy and cold food during under the hot weather is a worthy try to beat it. Visit https://diningwithyu.blogspot.com for any suggestions. 

http://travelingwithyu.blogspot.com/2013/08/filipinos-fried.html

Photo Credit to NYTimes

7. Sunset Watching – watching the sun to go down is a reminder that everything ends after a cycle. Thus, watching it with someone you love will make it more romantic. It may be above the mountains or along the seashore. Here are my top 10 sunset views for 2015.

My shot of Pradera Wake Park at Sunset

My shot of Sunset at Puerto Galera

6. Amusement Park or Theme Park Riding – it’s always fun remembering yourself as a kid and enjoying these different rides and let the time pass. Having a group of people with you and all set of “kulitan”, you can definitely beat the heat of summer. Try out Hong Kong Disneyland or Enchanted Kingdom or Ocean Park Hong Kong or Ocean Park Manila for options. 

http://travelingwithyu.blogspot.com/2013/10/hong-kong-disneyland-tour-tips.html

http://travelingwithyu.blogspot.com/2013/09/a-magical-world-tour-hong-kong.html

http://travelingwithyu.blogspot.com/2013/10/a-magical-world-tour-hong-kong_3.html

5. Beach Partying – love to part? Party like there’s no tomorrow and tell yourself “We are young!” and yes beach party might come across your list to enjoy the summer. Find Boracay and Puerto Galera as your spots. You can also check out Phuket, Nah Trang, and Panglao for any beach parties.

4. Snorkeling or Scuba Diving – what else can make you be with nature and beat the summer at the same time but to do snorkeling or scuba diving to admire underwater world and the creatures from the deep. Surely winning the summer fun. Palawan may be on your top list for snorkeling and scuba but you can also try Binukbok Island at Bawan, Batangas if you are looking for somewhere near.

3. Kayaking or Canoeing – trying to take it slow and chillax, kayaking and canoeing along the river or in an open sea will certainly be a good fun to try during this hot season. Kayaking at Bolinao, Pangasinan beach or in Ilog Malino river or in Taal Lake, Batangas are good resorts. http://travelingwithyu.blogspot.com/2014/05/mi-quit-tama-na-bolinao-part-1.html

2. Wake Boarding or Water Skiing – wanted an extreme activity during the summer. Wake boarding will be on your list to try. This will definitely give you the adrenaline rush on summer. Listing CamSur, Nuvali, and Pradera for this activity. http://travelingwithyu.blogspot.com/2015/04/a-ventage-summer-experience-with-modern.html

1. Swimming – as always, the number one on the spot when we hear summer is coming more likely are we beach ready. Indeed beaching is one thing that you cannot take out of your list summer arrives. There are thousands of beaches around the Philippines you can select from to enjoy swimming. From north to south: La Union, Ilocos, Pangasinan, Bataan, Quezon, Boracay, Batangas, Cebu, Bohol, Davao, etc. You can also enjoy a pool just within a farm at Prado Farm which may be a good idea as well.

Next Climb: Mt. Batulao

Wanna know the details of my next climb? If yes, that's nice because I'm happy to share with you our itinerary and what should we expect from Mt. Batulao. Indeed, I'm climbing you baby...

Mt. Batulao - Nasugbu, Batangas
Jump-off point: Evercrest Golf Course, Nasugbu
LLA: 14.0408 N 120.8011 E 811 MASL
Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 2-4 hours
Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 4/9, Trail class 3 with 60-70 degrees assault
Features: Open trails, rolling slopes, scenic views of Batangas

I heard that it's nice climbing Mt. Batulao from January - February because of the cool breeze and a good trekking weather. Suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuweeet!

Here's our plan or our itinerary: (Thanks Rhose Anne Ramos for coordinating again... bless you!)

Mt. Batulao Day Hike on January 31, 2015

Itinerary:

5:00 am - Assembly Time (Coastal Mall)
6:00 am - ETD Bus to Nasugbu, Batangas
8:00 am - ETD Evercrest Golf Course in Nasugbu
8:15 am - Start Trek
2:00 pm - ETA Evercrest

Expenses:

120.00 - Bus fare from Coastal Mall to Nasugbu
20.00 - Tricycle fare from Evercrest to starting point
25.00 Registration (Old Trail)
25.00 Mountain Dew (Summit)
25.00 Registration (New Trail)
20.00 - Shower

Then I want to eat some Bulalo so we will be dropping at Leslie's or some Bulaluhan in Tagaytay...

You ca also try this:

ITINERARIES

Old to New Trail

0400 ETD Coastal Mall bus terminal to Nasugbu, Batangas
0715 Arrival at Evercrest
0730 Start trek
0845 Arrival at Fork. Take the left, downward trail that enters some woodland
0900 Arrival at Camp 1. Register.
1015 Arrival at Camp 8, commence final assault
1100 Arrival at summit; lunch
1200 Start descent via New Trail, which is opposite the Old Trail at the summit
1300 Arrival at New Trail Campsite. Register again.
1530 Back at Evercrest; clean-up at nearby sari-sari store
1600 ETD for Tagaytay by jeepney (P30.00)
1630 ETA Tagaytay; anything goes from here

New to Old Trail

0400 ETD Coastal Mall bus terminal to Nasugbu, Batangas
0715 Arrival at Evercrest
0730 Start trek
0845 Arrival at Fork. Take the middle/slightly right upward trail
0930 Arrival at New Trail Campsite. Rest / Register.
1030 Arrival at summit; early lunch
1200 Start descent via Old Trail, which is opposite the New Trail at the summit
1300 Arrival at New Trail Campsite. Register again.
1530 Back at Evercrest; clean-up at nearby sari-sari store
1600 ETD for Tagaytay by jeepney (P30.00)
1630 ETA Tagaytay; anything goes from here

Gearing Up for Mt. Pinatubo

Things to Bring:

• Hiking shoes or sandals (if you will be crossing the river, I suggest you bring sandals)
• Cap and Head Gear (to cover your nose if you are to ride 4X4… It gets dusty during summer or if it did not rain…) you can get this at a cheaper price in SM malls under accessories area, I got mine for Php  75. You can find some good stuff in Divisoria too price range 75 - 150.

• Shades or Eye Protector (same reason as above)
• Sunscreen
• 2-3 liters of bottled water
• Energy bars
• Comfortable hiking shorts or pants
• Comfortable clothes
• Arm sleeves or biker’s sleeves

• Extra clothes
• Earth mat or blanket which you can use once we are at the peak
• Jacket (Van’s AC might get too cold)
• Pillow
• Hiking Bag (make sure that you don't bring too heavy stuff because we are just having a day tour)
• Extra Money
• Camera or Camcorder to capture your memories
• Patience and appreciation

Enjoy and see you!

Mt. Pinatubo Climb Itinerary

All is set for our Mt. Pinatubo climb. We are short of hikers but we are still gonna push through.

For those who wanted to know what can we do on Mt. Pinatubo... check out this itinerary:

Tour date: Saturday 24 January 2015

Tour type: Public/shared group tour

Tour cost: Php2090/person

INCLUSIONS

·         round trip aircon van transfer (Manila-Pinatubo base camp-Manila)

·         round trip 4x4 wheel drive adventure

·         local guide

·         conservation fee

·         certificate of conquest

·         assistance of a tour coordinator from team TRIPinas (we trek with our clients)

Optional add-ons :

Shower at the base camp: Php50

Boat ride on the crater lake: currently unavailable

ITINERARY

0230 Meet up (McDonalds El Pueblo in Ortigas area near Megamall)

·         Make sure to have your breakfast and buy your packed lunch and water

·         Meet the tour coordinator - Pay your balance – Orientation - Sign the waiver form

0515 ETA Brgy. Sta. Juliana (base camp)

0530 to 0630 Board 4×4 vehicles.

0730 Start trekking (around 2 hours walking using the old way)

0930 ETA at the crater of Mt. Pinatubo.

Relax, photos, lecture, lunch (at clients' account)

1130 Start return trek (around 2 hours walking using the old way)

1330 Back to the 4x4s.

1430 Back at base camp. Freshen up

1530 Departure from the base camp to Manila.

1730-1830 (depending traffic) ETA Manila

My Next Climb - Mt. Pinatubo

My next climb will be in Mt. Pinatubo this coming January 24, 2015. I'm so excited...

Here are something we need to know about Mt. Pinatubo:

Mount Pinatubo is an active stratovolcano in the Cabusilan Mountains on the island of Luzon, near the tripoint of the Philippine provinces of Zambales, Tarlac, and Pampanga.^[3][3][4] Before the volcanic activities of 1991, its eruptive history was unknown to most people. It was heavily eroded, inconspicuous and obscured from view. It was covered with dense forest which supported a population of several thousand indigenous people, the Aetas, who fled to the mountains during the Spanish conquest of the Philippines.

Mt. Pinatubo before the eruption:

Mount Pinatubo's summit before the 1991 eruption was 1,745 m (5,725 ft) above sea level, only about 600 m (2,000 ft) above nearby plains, and only about 200 m (660 ft) higher than surrounding peaks, which largely obscured it from view.^[13] It is part of a chain of volcanoes which lie along the western side of the edge of the island of Luzon called theZambales Mountains.^[14]

Pinatubo belongs to the Cabusilan Mountains, the central range of the Zambales Mountains, which consists of Mt. Cuadrado, Mt. Negron, Mt. Mataba and Mt. Pinatubo.^[15] They are subduction volcanoes, formed by the Eurasian Plate sliding under the Philippine Mobile Belt along the Manila Trench to the west. Mount Pinatubo and the other volcanoes on this volcanic belt arise due to magma occlusion from this subduction plate boundary.^[16]

Pinatubo is flanked on the west by the Zambales Ophiolite Complex, which is an easterly-dipping section of Eocene oceanic crust uplifted during the late Oligocene. The Tarlac Formation north, east and southeast of Pinatubo consists of marine, nonmarine and volcaniclastic sediments formed in the late Miocene and Pliocene.^[17]

The most recent study of Mount Pinatubo before the activities of 1991 was the overall geological study in 1983 and 1984 made by F. G. Delfin for the Philippine National Oil Company as part of the surface investigations of the area before exploratory drilling and well testing for geothermal energy sources in 1988 to 1990. He recognized two life histories of the mountain, which he classified as 'ancestral' and 'modern' Pinatubo.^[17][18]

Mt. Pinatubo during eruption in 1991:

1991 activities leading to the eruption[edit]

On March 15, 1991, a succession of earthquakes were felt by villagers on the northwestern side of the volcano. Further earthquakes of increasing intensity were felt over the next two weeks, and it became clear some kind of volcanic activity was likely. On April 2, the volcano awoke, with phreatic eruptions occurring near the summit along a 1.5 km (0.93 mi) long fissure. Over the next few weeks, small eruptions continued, dusting the surrounding areas with volcanic ash. Seismographs recorded hundreds of small earthquakes every day.

Scientists immediately installed monitoring equipment and analyzed the volcano for clues as to its previous eruptive history. Radiocarbon dating of charcoal found in old volcanic deposits revealed the last three major explosive eruption periods in recent millennia, about 5500, 3500 and 500 years ago. Geological mapping showed that much of the surrounding plains were formed by lahar deposits from previous eruptions.

Volcanic activity increased throughout May. Measurements of sulfur dioxide emissions showed a rapid increase from 500 t (550 short tons) per day by May 13 to 5,000 t (5,500 short tons) per day by May 28. This implied that there was a rising column of fresh magma beneath the volcano. After May 28, the amount of SO

2 being emitted decreased substantially, raising fears that the degassing of the magma had been blocked somehow, leading to a pressure build-up in the magma chamber and a high likelihood of explosive eruptions.

The first magmatic eruptions occurred on June 3, and the first large explosion on June 7 generated an ash column 7 km (4.3 mi) high. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) issued a warning indicating the possibility of a major eruption within two weeks.

Mt. Pinatubo NOW:

Now Mt. Pinatubo is the most hiked or trekked place in Zambales.

Ilocandia Trip 2014 - Day 3

Every beginning has an end and it's our last day in Ilocandia. So we hurried up because we were informed that we should have left the resort around 7:00 AM wherein we just woke up at around 6:00 AM. There is a breakfast we need to prepare for the group which will take about 30 more minutes. Aiah and I were in the kitchen to prepare our breakfast while we move as quickly as we could to pack our bags too.

We visited the Bangui Windmills which were the source of electricity in Ilocandia. There were about 60 of them and were laid near the shores where wind is at its strongest.

Checked out Sinking Bell tower which no longer sinks this time but when my first visit, you will find some remnants of the fallen tower which was made of "tisa".

We ate at Rafael's and enjoyed our last and cheapest meal.

We went back to Calle Crisologo and bought more pasalubong and drove off to Manila.

Ilocandia Trip 2014 - Day 2

We went along and rested on our first at Jun and Carmen Beach Resort at Pagudpud. We swim a little to drench our body with Pagudpud salt water. It's nice to be one with the nature again.

The next day is going to be busy yet another fun adventure with my travel buds Aiah, Ronnie, Katchi, Tin, Pochie, Tina J., JJ (/Jiji), Ryan (Bang!), Rhose, Ate Mimi, and Kuya Noy (power-swerving-driver). Day 2's to go list are the following:

Patapat Viaduct - a nice bridge built beside the mountains which gives you a scenic view of Ilocos waters.

Paraiso ni Anton - a small yet known as a Miraculous Falls

Bantay Abot Cave - a magnificent seems like man-made cave which looks like a whale with an eye or a submerged 5 Philippine centavo coin (It looks like a duck or an elephant or a whale to me). Just an FYI there's a block of rock that fell from the rear side that day when went to Bantay Abot Cave, I'm hoping the local government should at least put a marker not to get inside or near those falling rocks to prevent future accidents.

Blue Lagoon - a mysterious and tranquil view of a vast ocean and fine sand. It's cold waters makes you want to soak and bask in the sun with your friends or love ones.

Hope you like the pictures and it's more than meets the eyes guys. I don't edit photos so you see what you get. The weather is hot which is typical in northern Luzon but you can always find ways to make things cooler.

Chill time and travel time is fun as you get to experience more things along the way!

Ilocandia Trip 2014 - Day 1

I went out with 10 of my friends to Ilocandia last May 29 - June 1, 2014 (Ikhay sorry I'm not at there to celebrate your birthday!). We went to the following places in Ilocos and enjoy a long ride from one town to the other.

Here are the places you can visit on Day 1 of your tour which we also went thru.

Calle Crisologo at Vigan

Padre Burgos Church & Plaza at Vigan

Baluarte

Ferdinand E. Marcos Presidential Center 

Paoay Church

Malacañang of the North

Sand Dunes

Kapurpurawan Rock Formation

Above list shows all the places we've been before finding our way to rest at Jun and Carmen's Resort in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte.

Will Visit Ilocandia - The Best Way to End Up Summer! (A Retrospect!)

I will be visiting Vigan, Ilocos Sur, and Ilocos Norte this end of May 2014 and I'm hoping to get more than what I experienced from the last time I went to Ilocandia with My Aunts Mirasol and Minerva.

I remember us going to the following tourists spots:

- Cape Bojeador Lighthouse
- Sinking Bell Tower
- Patapat Viaduct
- Paraiso ni Anton (smallest fall I saw in my entire life but it was said to be miraculous)
- Blue Lagoon

We stayed at Java Hotel for a night then drove to Vigan at Calle Crisologo then Baguio.

Nice to see these places again after 2 years.

Angelina Jolie as Bida-Kontra Bida

Maleficent

Opening across the Philippines this coming May 30, 2014 is the movie Angelina Jolie lead – Maleficent. Check the trailer below and let’s see if this gives you the liking to watch the movie:

Maleficent in the movie Maleficent is portrayed by Angelina Jolie. Directed by Robert Stromberg an Academy award winner for Best Art Direction (oh by the way, it’s his debut directorial movie) and he is a well-known special effects artist and designer in the industry. His extensive credits include James Cameron’s Avatar, Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland and most recently, Sam Raimi’s Oz the Great.

Run Time: 97 mins

Release Dates: May 28, 2014 (UK)

                           May 29, 2014 (Brazil)

                           May 30, 2014 (US and Philippines)

Budget:  $180M 

Trivia:

Do you know that Maleficent is one of the most sinister villains in Disney? Maleficent who is the Disney’s version of the wicked fairy god mother from the original French fairy tale, La Belle au bois dormant by Charles Perrault and Little Briar Rose by The Brother Grimm. She appeared first in Sleeping Beauty  in 1959. She also appeared on Kingdom Hearts, Disney’s House of Mouse, Fantasmic!, Kingdom Keepers, Dream Along With Mickey, Mickey Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Walt Disney’s World on Ice, Disney Divas, Mickey Mousecapade, Timon and Pumbaa, World of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion, Once Upon a Time, Once Upon a Time in Wonderland, and Disney Descendants.

She is also known as Mistress of all Evil or Embodiment of Evil.

Her father was Lysander and her mother was Hermia and a god mother to Princess Aurora.

Have blessed Sunday! See you at the Cinema!

Enjoying MongKok's Noodles

Lissa and I just got back to our hotel. We enjoyed strolling along Mong Kok's busy street. We watched some performances and those amazing photographers. 

Lissa watching 2 singers (a male and a female duet a Chinese song) under G2000 sign in Mong Kok, Hong Kong

A photographer directing his subjects or customers for a photo shoot!

After a long walk and buying (it's more of haggling) stuff for our colleagues. Lissa and I decided to have our dinner at New Forrest where we ate the following dishes:

Dinner's READY! DIG IN!

Lissa:

Lissa's first Mong Kok meal... Yum!

She had a baked creamy and cheesy pork rice with a cold authentic lemon ice tea on the side.

Mine:

I said spicy and it was really spicy! Yey! Yummy as well, the soup is really good!

I had a spicy Hong Kong noodles with breaded pork chop and an Iced Coffee.

Our meals totaled 100HKD. We are trying to save as much we are under budget... :)

I'll keep you posted guys!

Message From an Old Friend... (Sagada?!?)

An old friend message me in Facebook saying how he enjoyed reading my blog post. I thank him for that and then he asked me if I have any idea about Sagada! Well bro you got me there and this article will hopefully help you out. "Iyayi na co no maco camo sa Sagada! hehehe"

My Sagada trip started when Ikhay and Jonathan asked me to join their tour. It was a tour with GAFA and to tell you guys Kuya Frederick our driver is really fun to be with even he always stays in the van to take a nap (hahaha... laglag). So like anybody who will be going to Sagada for the first time and does not want to take any hassle of commuting and have everything scheduled for you, I would suggest you get this a tour like this one we've got. (I'm not promoting GAFA guys, it's just they are the one who served as our host).

The tour costs around Php 5,000.00+ per head for 13 pax inclusive of the fare, food, and tour package. This might have changed as we had our tour last year of February. So James if you are thinking of going to Sagada, try to consider this (a friendly reminder... lolz)

Pick up point is at Trinoma, I don't know if there's another pick up point and we drove 10 hours to Benguet and about 11-12 hours to Sagada. In Benguet you'll be stop for a short time to have breakfast, photo shoot with the en famous Banawe Rice Terraces as your background, check out some Bulul, and feel the breeze of the Mountain Province then you will be led to uphill-downhill-zigzag drive to Sagada.

Following were included in the package:

• Drive along Sagada
• Extreme or Basic Spelunking (I will tell you about this on the next post)
• Hike at the rice terraces back and forth to Bumud-ok Falls
• See some locals and their tradition
• Eat at Salt & Pepper
• Taste a delectable yogurt (put some strawberries in or wild mountain berries! mangoes too)
•  Enjoy rebound of sounds in the Echo Valley
• See the hanging coffins
• See the only museum in the town
• Enjoy eating Lemon Pie and Egg Pie too
• Get frozen while watching Sunrise at Katilpan
• Enjoy the scenic view Mountain Province can showcase

Hope this gives you a little idea pare koy about Sagada. I will be writing a different article of the whole Sagada feel with photos too.