Mindoro Adventure 2015

June 12-14, 2015
Oriental Mindoro, Philippines

Such a full-packed joyful adventure happened in Oriental Mindoro.

Our itinerary:
Day 1, Friday, June 12
Balibago, Sta. Rosa City, Laguna to Turbina, Calamba, Laguna - Jeep PHP20
Turbina to Batangas Pier - Bus PHP88
Batangas Pier to Calapan Pier, Oriental Mindoro - Supercat PHP250
Calapan Pier to Sapul, Calapan City (Kate's City House, sleepover) - Tricycle PHP200

Day 2, Saturday, June 13
8AM - After taking our breakfast, we were fetched by Kate's soon-to-be-brother-in-law via owner-type jeep going to their home. When we arrived at their house in Baco we transferred to another car, this time going to Puerto Galera.

10:30AM - Baco to Puerto Galera took us 2 hours. The plan was just to take pictures at the Puerto Galera's famous White Beach but the car malfunctioned in Puerto Galera vicinity so we tried to look for a room to stay for a night just to rest the car. From PHP300/pax to PHP4,500 of family room, we ended with the decision of going home.

12:30PM - Lunch at Cafe de Paris. Quick swimming then bought shirts at souvenir shop.

3:40PM - Back to Baco and a little stopover at Welcome sign for photo op. To be honest, all our clothes were wet but looks like dry.

5:20PM - Arrived at Baco and ready for another road adventure. Change service to motorcycle without changing outfits. We went to Kambal na Bato. The place was so cool and the water was very cold. The running water came from the mountain.

Before going home, we dropped-by at town for snacks: hotdog, isaw, itlog, kwek-kwek, fish ball, juice. Super full. Then when we arrived home, dinner were ready. Waaa.. Kain pa more!

Day 3, Sunday, June 14, 2015
5AM - Left Baco to Naujan, 2-3 hours land trip via owner-type-jeep.

8AM - Left Naujan to Little Boracay, Pola. 40 minutes to 1 hour boat ride (rented for PHP1,000 for 5pax). Things you should know, there's no cellphone signal in the area, so don't expect to text or call someone while you're in there. You need to walk for 1-2km from the beach to get a cellphone signal.

11AM - Back to Naujan to Baco.

4PM - Left Baco to Calapan, going back to Laguna. Unfortunately no more supercat so the last option is RORO (Roll-On, Roll-Off), my first time to ride, for PHP192 for 2 and a half hour trip. Tagal!

8:30PM - Arrived at Batangas Pier. No more bus to Turbina so last option again, standing position.

10PM - Arrived at Turbina. Dinned at Jollibee. According to the cashier we need to wait 5 minutes to serve our order but 15 minutes later, no order showed up until Bevs got pissed-off. To make the long story short. Nakakain pa din kami just in time dumating ang sundo na bayaw ni Bevs para ihatid kami sa bahay. Arrived at staffhouse at 12MN.

Over-all it was fun-filled experience. Good thing we had a very generous sponsor, Kate + Jun. Thanks also to Kate's family for the very welcoming treatment. And of course a big thanks to Kate for the wonderful experience.

A Calaguas Adventure

April 11-13, 2014

Our package covered April 12-13, 2 days and 1 night. But we need to be in Daet, Camarines Norte before 7AM.

April 11
7PM - Departure (Manila to Daet)
Meeting place was DLTB Bus Station in Cubao, Quezon City at 7:15PM, supposed-to-be the departure of the bus but it didn't happen because we were late. The good thing the organizer managed to stop the bus until we arrived, 15 minutes late. I felt ashamed but was able to recover later on.

I personally not prepared for this trip. I did not buy any foods for the long road trip, for about 9 hours. All I had was water. As the night getting late, we were very much hungry already. Got nothing to eat. We're hoping for a bus stop for us to have something to eat. Few hours later, bus stop came but I haven't found any meals in the cafeteria so I decided to just buy a cup of coffee and a couple of boiled eggs. Just enough to survive the night.

April 12 - Day 1
6AM - Arrival at Daet
We immediately rode a tricycle to Jollibee Daet Bayan for our meeting place with the contact person of the tour, Rocky and had our breakfast as well.

After having our breakfast, we rode a local bus with a quite interesting look. Unfortunately, I don't have a picture it to show but I must say, "it was cute". For a couple of minutes, we're already in Vinzons port.

9AM - Boat Ride to Calaguas
Since I have no idea about the place, I keep on asking with the people who made their research about the place. They told me that it was about 2 hour-boat-ride. What? Seriously? Hmmmp.. Then I said to myself, then it is really an adventure. Rocky told us to buy a plastic bag (PHP15.00) to secure our belongings not to get wet. In my mind, is he serious? The boat is quite big already to get wet but still we bought it and put our bags in it.

I don't really expect anything or whatsoever but the first few minutes in the boat was just a normal boat ride until we reach the open sea. The waves were already throwing to our faces. No wonder they strongly recommend us to buy a plastic bag. Now I understand. Unfortunately I only bought 1, sad. No more plastic back going back. Toink!

When the waves were getting higher and higher, I already felt worried but felt safe the same time coz I wore a life vest but still if you look around, all you can see was a deep blue water. Very far from a coastline. If the boat will sink, then maybe we barely survive. So I decided to close my eyes and just feel and taste the salt water being thrown to us by the good waves. An hour later, we can now see an Islands/Islets.

Along the way, I took a picture of this rock islet. It's cute but scary. Very rough. And the rocks looks like a very sharp, enough to cut your skin if you decide to drop by.

11AM - Enjoying the White Sand
At last, we arrived already and I must say, the sand was so beautiful. The beautiful white sand can be compared to Boracay Island. Its just this is more virgin than Boracay. No establishments, with at least one resort with nipa hut and the rest were just using tent as an accommodation. Our accommodation was tent.

After our lunch, that was the time I struggled a lot with the heat of the sun. Nowhere to find a place to secure yourself from the heat coz most of the nipa hut were fully occupied specially with the big group of people. Uh!

Few hours later, the rain poured. What? Very fine weather but I don't understand why it rained and it took for few minutes only. No more sun, so I decided to swim alone. Waaa.. Nice beach but swimming alone was lonely. 😢 So I tried to entertain myself by watching the people walking, playing, picture taking while scratching my feet in the sand while sitting. Then feel the breeze, the view.

April 13 - Day 2

7AM - Breakfast

Did I mention that my most favorite part of this trip is eating? Hehehe.. Especially the breakfast. They had fried rice, fried egg, fried dried fish, coffee, banana. Wow, perfect for the morning. I wish I could have some more and more and more. Unfortunately we're allowed for one serving only. Bitin!

After breakfast, preparing to go back to Daet for a surfing experience at Bagasbas Beach.

12NN - Lunch at Catherine's

I love the food here but I don't like the mango shake. I think they forgot to put sugar or they just expect the fruit to be sweet.

Surfing time! For PHP400.00 you already had a surfing board and an instructor who will accompany you for 1 hour. If you are a first timer, 1 hour is enough.

After an hour, we drop by at Jollibee Daet Bayan to buy foods for our dinner in the bus.

3PM -  Way Home

Our original schedule way home was 5PM but we changed it to 3PM for us to get home earlier. We reached home at around 1AM.

Overall, it was fun. I love the beach and the experience. It's official. I've been to Calaguas!

Stampa

October 21, 2012
Stampang Bato, Montalban, Rizal

This was our 2nd induction climb for this year. Five members for this batch, they were Andrew Patoril, Emie Yabut, Maria Santelices, Lorenzo Maramara and Xani Llamas. We also have first timers to the group, they are Ricky Balboa, Rhea Lhyn Valles, Isabella Escueta and Keith Gifford M. Joves.

Itinerary:
0705 - Jeep - Ligaya to Montalban (Jump off) - PHP40/pax
0800 - Registration - free
0815 - Start Trek
0825 - Banka - PHP5/pax
1100 - Stampang Bato
1130 - Lunch
1200 - Induction
1440 - (Back to jump off) River Crossing
1740 - Banka - PHP5/pax
1800 - Jump off (Dinner PHP45, Bath PHP10)
1900 - Tricycle to Terminal - PHP10/pax
1910 - Jeep - Terminal to Ligaya - PHP27/pax
2020 - Ligaya
Total Expenses -  PHP164.00 including home to Ligaya v.v.

At jump off, the Barangay is trying to collect PHP300 from us as climb fee. They argue with the collecting officer simply because at the registration, they asked if there were registration fee, they said, "none" but then at night they want us to pay for the climb. They said that it was  their barangay ordinance.

Overall, it was fun. The most exciting part for me was the river hike. We're walking the river all the way back to jump-off. Crossing the river with current was kinda scary and fun at the same time. Not advisable for the kids though.

Mt. Gulugod-Baboy

March 26-27, 2011
Mt. Gulugod-Baboy, 525 MASL
Anilao, Mabini, Batangas

Natutuwa ako dito kc ito lang yata ang medyo na-enjoy ko ang sunset at sunrise. Ang linis kc ang paligid ng summit kc 360° ang view. Hindi mahahaba ang mga damo hindi kagaya sa Kalisungan na sobrang tataas ng damo. Sa Manalmon naman kalahati lang ang makikita mo dahil sa kabila ay gubat na.