Conversation (@ Mt. Pulag)

After Mt. Pulag

A Conversation with  a Taxi Driver

I have to leave Baguio City before 8pm to arrive NAIA 2 terminal before dawn.

I am in the mood hiking the streets of Baguio City from Maharlika building to Victory Liner terminal. While JS salon buddies ask me to just take a taxi I insisted that I'll just hike.

But  the truth of the matter was I want to be part of that busy street of Session Road at 7pm. When I am about to reach the end exit road of SM mall,

as in ,eating while walking

the sidewalk was to wide and quite dark for me to walk alone. I decided to call a taxi.

Mama sa VL terminal po pa Pasay.

" San po kayo galing? parang ang bigat ng backpack mo?"

Sa Mt. Pulag po. 

"Wow! mam dream ko po umakyat ng Pulag. Buti ka pa mam.

Taga Benguet po ako pero d ko pa naakyat yan. Ng  pinalabas sa channel 7 ang Mt. Pulag, d po talaga ako pumasada, pinanood ko po talaga. Ang ganda!

Pangarap ko po talaga makaakyat ng Mt. Pulag. Sinong po kasabay nyo mam? bat parang mag isa ka lang?"

Opo mag isa lang ako pero me tour guide po ako kasabay.

Before I disembarked, he says while counting my coins,

"Mam, nagpapasalamat po ako at naging pasahero ko kayo.  Lalo po akong nainspire tuparin ang pangarap ko.Kahit po d ko pa natutupad ang pangarap ko, masaya na po ako na me nakilala ako na  nakatupad ng pangarap kong maakyat ang Pulag. Ingat po kayo sa byahe pa balik ng Mindanao."

The ride was half kilometers and so the conversation was too short a time to exchange encouragement. I felt his excitement and avidness of Mt. Pulag.

Travel Tips & Spices (5)

Travel Tips & Spices
My El Nido Palawan Experience

Always catch the Sun When doing your travel itinerary, always consider going out before the sun rise. The sun always remind us how fine will the day be for us. Enjoy a walk,a hot coffee, and capture the things around that only the moment will give you the chance to see.

"Habal-Habal" is fun. When in El Nido, its best to get a motorcycle than a tricycle. A public utility Jeep will eat your time.



"Pansit Bihon" for a hungry flock. Their  serving is good for a party.




Trust your Boatman It's a lunch meal you will never forget for the rest of your life!

You are a Tourist but not a stranger When in El Nido, you pay your Eco-Tourism Development Fee for your 10 days stay and pay again should you wish to extend your stay.

Enjoy  . Enjoy Island hopping, swimming, snorkeling, sight seeing and feel the calmness of nature.

Be with the company of your loved ones. It maybe  a dream destination  to unwind.

lakwatserangnanay: Travel Tips & Spices (4)

lakwatserangnanay: Travel Tips & Spices (4): Travel Tips & Spices My Mt. Pulag Experience an image from my naked eyes Plan & Save   A hassle free travel can be planned but be...

Travel Tips & Spices (4)

Travel Tips & Spices

My Mt. Pulag Experience

an image from my naked eyes

Plan & Save  A hassle free travel can be planned but be sure to be ready for adversities. As I said previously, reading travel blogs will help you plan your itinerary. In planning, you have options on where to finally go and pursue your  trip. Just take time to decide. In making your decision, you can see the limitations of your expectation.

     Before planning my Mt. Pulag details, I have seen photos from bloggers that envied my adventurous mind. I have read sentimental reflections of how they survived Pulag and dreams of coming back. I have felt their joy of achievement. Just as every traveller, i have to give my self a reason of why I am going to Mt. Pulag.(http://mariamacrina.blogspot.com/2013/02/climb-every-mountain.html)

      Money matters when you travel. It is best to save for your travel. My six months daily savings cost me PhP55.00.

What's the Spice? I had my last 1k bill for my road fares from Baguio City to Kidapawan City when I decided to stop over Davao City for a family gathering, I was short of PhP150.00 and did not mind to borrow. I requested our shop cashier to send me money through LBC- Ulas for easy transaction. To my disgust, the teller did not honor my Identification Document to claim my PhP200.00 money transfer after I presented myself that I am just a mere mountaineer with limited money and time to provide the necessary identification he requires me to present. If airport authorities honored my NSO Birth Certificate why can't he, I can even support it with my son's Birth Certificate that bears my signature. I told the teller that  if I was able to trust their company to transfer thousands of pesos to my wedding supplier, why can't he trust me to claim my mere PhP200.00 for my transpo fare back home? Finally, he actuated as if he has given me a big favor.

Travel Tips & Spices(3)

Travel Tips & Spices
My Mt. Pulag Experience
A Solo Expedition

Read travel blogs.  It pays to read.I am so thankful to those who share their experiences  and give views about the places they feature. They describe the place, give contact persons with  numbers , accommodation and food options and transportation advisories.
After reading a number of articles about Mt. Pulag, I did not find something that describe How to get there with no chartered jeep or own transpo. And this made me commit to write and share my solo expedition to Mt. Pulag.

I arrived NAIA terminal 2 around 11 midnight Feb 5 from Davao City.
I took a taxi for Victory Liner Pasay terminal. (a 10-15 min. drive)
As early as 5:00 am, I was at Dangwa terminal asking for an early trip to Kabayan, Benguet.
An old lady who owns a coffee stall attested that no early trips leaves for Kabayan. She led me to ride a jeep and drop at Brgy. Slaughter, "a bus liner leaves at 10:00 am".
A public utility van may leave earlier than 8:00 am  but not later than 9:00 am.
Transport cost PhP150.00. Drop at Ambangeg- Mt. Pulag,travel is 1 1/2 hr.

Later did I realized the foul smell of this trucks.

A "habal-habal" ride can be easily hired at Mt. Pulag -Ambangeg intersection. From DENR Office of the Protected Area Superintendent to DENR Ranger Station   costs   PhP350.00.
On my way back, I commissioned the same habal habal and dropped me somewhere in Ambuklao Road were van stops over.He charged me an additional PhP 200 over the PhP350 Ranger Station to Ambangeg. He waited till I got my van sit. I paid PhP100 back to Baguio City.
My Vitory Liner Pasay-Baguio Vise versa trip cost me PhP750.00 and PhP450.00 respectively.
Oh, my plane ticket was reserved six months earlier at promo price. My travel agent charged me PhP1,800.00. round trip. 
Mt. Pulag Solo Expedition Transpo summary was PhP5,000.00

What's the spice? Since I started my travel 3PM February 5 from Kidapawan City , I wished a comfortable sit for my six hours road trip.At the ticket counter, I asked three times how much is the first class fare for Baguio City, ...No reply. She issued a PhP 450.00 ticket. I just paid and took the ticket and waited for the first Class bus to find out,... wrong ticket was issued to me.When I got back to her I asked the same question of How much? her reply was " the bus stewardess will collect your payment". My question was not answered. 

Travel Tips & Spices (2)

Travel Tips & Spices 
My Mt. Pulag Experience

Bring Camera.  Experiencing nature is best kept in photos. I really did  prepared  camera and batteries for the Pulag adventure. I even had three, my cellphone camera,a Kodak C533, and a Nikon digital. In cold temperature, batteries easily drain. I was reminded by a local from Asik-Asik falls to always bring extra battery if I want more photos. So when I did Pulag "sea of clouds pictorials" I was confident to have extra power for my cameras.

                         Spicing up my pictorial, i have to take off my hand warmers

to click my camera and put it back before my fingers chill.

Travel Tips & Spices (1)

Travel Tips & Spices
My Mt. Pulag Experience

 Pray and Have Courage  - A month before my travel date I was advised by my travel agent that there were changes with my Tawi-Tawi trip. My February trip was supposedly spelunking at Callao Cave but my Baguio City commitment cannot be cancelled. My travel plans seems to be out of timing. And I prayed. Everything will be according to His will. Finally, I decided to have my Pulag adventure with the prayer that "Lord give me a good weather and a safe solo trip." Everyday I asked the Lord the same prayer. And so the day I left my home base. I asked for courage. I am uncertain if I will have the peak alone or with a group of Pulag climbers. My travel itinerary went smoothly. I was at Mt. Pulag Camp 2 in time for the sunset. I see the "sea of clouds". According to the locals when water frost, temperature is  -2 C* or below.Wake up call at 4am and left at 5am for the peak. I passed by the frosty rock trail.In time for the sunrise 6:10, I thought I could not make it. After hugging the sun, the feeling was so overwhelming. God was so giving and true to His promises,... just have faith.

Mt. Pulag is a spiritual experience. Let me quote from the book of Ecclesiastes 1:3"What profit has a man of all his labor which he takes under the sun? (King James 2000 version) On Wesley's Note, 1:3 What profit - What real and abiding benefit? None at all. All is unprofitable as to the attainment of that happiness which all men are enquiring after. His labour - Heb. his toilsome labour, both of body and mind in the pursuit of riches, or pleasures, or other earthly things. Under the sun - In all worldly matters, which are usually transacted in the day time, or by the light of the sun. By this restriction he implies that the happiness which in vain is sought for in this lower world, is really to be found in heavenly places and things.

Mt. Pulag

Mt. Pulag
Birthday Climb @ 44

Adventurers, nature lovers, tourists, photographers, endorsers, writers, etc. flocked Mt. Pulag on week ends. They come in groups. I can imagine how Camp 1 and Camp 2 were filled with big and small tents, trail traffic, comfort sheds,  and noise.

Query eyes at me, some frankly asked me if I'm not afraid . I got no doubt climbing alone. What I doubted was, if I can hold the  water freezing temperature.

At Ambangeg DENR Jump Off, I viewed the "Respect Mt. Pulag" video orientation and a brief map presentation by Mam Precy. Having a tour guide is a policy. At 2pm, I am off Ranger station  and meet my guide and my porter. Arriving Camp 2, they left me.

I arrived Camp 2 in time for the sunset and worship. Hurriedly eat my supper,  wear  my winter clothes and fold myself inside the sleeping bag. Chilly. Hope the sun to rise too soon to survive the night. At 4 am, I had my coffee and woke up my guide at "DENR kubo".
With my flashlight, we headed the peak 5 am. In time for sunrise and worship, I was at the peak.

"Chasing the sun and the clouds" was my birthday wish. All I have at the peak is my thankful heart. 

And God gave me a perfect place to grant my wish, Mt. Pulag.
All for the Glory of God!

Mt. Pulag

"Climb every Mountain
...A dream that you need
All the Love you can give
Everyday of  your Life
or as long as you live...


Just as how excited I am to be jumping off  for  my birthday climb.
I'm wondering why am I doing this, is it really for fun? escape? or anything else....
I remember a song from the Sound of  Music, Climb Every Mountain, thought to us by our elementary music  teacher ,Mam Duron and became  one of  Batch 86' songs.
The song somehow justified my longings.

For some, this is another adventure trip I will be having. But honestly, it is not something new. Everyday for me was an adventure and my birthday happens only once a year. It is just a birthday trip.

So what will I be having for my birthday?
No rice noodles (pansit bihon, the always present  in the table dish, our favorite)
No Ginataang BiloBilo (cassava rolls with cocomilk which my mom once had for my 14th birthday),
No Guitar,(from my Dad for my 13th birthday all the way  from Cebu City)
No Dunkin donut, (from Tatay for my 31st birthday)
No  other birthday present i can recall from my past. Maybe these are the unforgettable once.

Just a birthday climb.
I will be travelling 3 hours from Cotabato to Davao City
Have a 1 1/2 air travel from Davao City  to Manila
6 hours road trip Manila to Baguio City
and another half day travel to Ambangeg jump off point.
YES! I'm climbing Mt. Pulag, Luzon's highest peak.
To chase the sun and the clouds.
  

"Climb every Mountain

...A dream that you need

All the Love you can give

Everyday of your Life

or as long as you live...

Sagada

Sagada's Landscape of Rock Formation 

I am one of the travel blog readers who came to   Sagada  for adventure. Top on must "to do list" is spelunking. The popular Sumaguing Cave spelunking survival vanished my fear of  "underground world" and boosted my appreciation of rock formations. 

Sagada experience have so much to share. As I reviewed my image files, I got a lot of  rock landmark shots.

I remember vividly that this rock behind my back is located  in front a vulcanizing shop in a curve road approaching Sagada Weaving Center. A portion of this rock was fenced and served as  front door of a residential house. 

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Along the highway, standing singnages are prominent to guide tourist of where they are headed. Mark this point. The bus stops here not only to pick up passengers, you can also buy Sagada Oranges from a single stall stationed  at the corner of this street.









This view is approaching Sumaguing Cave. Close up shot will capture the famous Hanging coffins of Sagada.

The view in front of  my window room where I stayed two nights and two days. No other accommodation will guarantee you a perfect view of this rock formation landscape in Sagada.

Known as the small falls, Bokong Falls. A short trek is worth to complete any one's Sagada Adventure.

This will always remind me of  Sagada's Serenity. An image that will   make you grateful of its state,  and a healing place for the ones' seeking inner peace

Travel advisory regarding  its distance from urbanization does not mean cutting you off from on line connectivity. Its even free.

Sagada Pottery is a work of art. A legacy from their past. Each peace is a treasure of only few  can afford. You can pass by their pottery going Lake Danum.

As always, we" mountain people" live by our creed,.."take nothing but pictures,kill nothing but time, leave nothing but footprints".
Tracing my footprints back in the future, I hope this Pine Tree will continue to grow and  stand taller than me at top Malboro Mountain.