Spelunking at Sumaguing Cave

We prepare for the Sumaguing Cave right before we had our lunch. It was around 1:30PM. It was a bit gloomy when we left the camp. So ayun na nga it was raining na when we arrived at the entrance of the cave, it was a 5-minute drive from our camp.

Entrance.

While the guides were preparing for our guiding light, the lampara… picture picture muna..

Guides preparing the lampara

After short briefing from the guide, we start to enter the cave. It was so dark (without the lampara) and cold inside. First instruction, don’t look up and don’t open your mouth or else…. Ehehe.. There is lot of bats at the ceiling of the cave. So magttry ka pa na tumingin sa taas? And when something drops on you, like warm liquid… alam mo na yun.. eheheheh.

The first stage was sharp and slippery rocks, you just have to be very careful and follow the steps aof the person in front of you, hawak hawak na lang sa mga bato bato, kahit medyo eeewww yung hahawakan mo. Mas gugustuhin mo sigurong madumihan ang kamay kesa naman maslide ka at tumama ang ulo sa bato bato… ehehe..

Going down.

 

 

Trail going down was steep, it’s 80deg inclined, there are parts that’s 90deg inclined. Slowly but surely, I’m glad I used my trekking shoes instead of slippers. It’s too slippery inside. And then we stop at the, what they called elephant cage, and then we saw these two guys who are so putikan and wet. Sabi nila galing daw sila sa crystal cave, so connected din pala ang crystal cave sa sumaguing cave. Then someone ask from our group kung mahirap and kung pwede sa kids, and they said, its difficult and wag nyo na subukan isama ang kiddos… Aside from putik, me mga scratches din sila.. Now I’m picturing them on a difficult path inside the crystal cave. Hmmm, gusto ko yung, challenging.. ehehhe…

Then we proceed with our Sumaguing exploration.. Merong part dun na pinagtanggal lahat ng sapatos at tsinelas, kase madulas masyado. Ayaw ko sana magtanggal kaso they insist, madulas daw kase ang mga bato.. and yes madulas nga, specially the white na bato, super dulas, so iwasan ang maputing bato.

As we go down, heto na ang aming nakita…

 

 

And then when we reached the bottom, hmm I don’t know if it’s the last part, wherein you can see a rock formation that looks like the rice terraces and it was so nice… parang inukit lang ng tao.. Pero aside sa part na ito, may makikita ka pa na mga maliliit na lagusan, I don’t know kung where it leads but since I was focusing on the formation, and the beauty of the cave, hindi ko na natanong kung may mahirap na daan.. kase bumalik na kami from where we enter. Sabi nga ng isang guide if you want na mas mahirap na way meron pa, but the group didn’t push thru..Ok na daw sila don.. ehehhe..

And then me, I was like, really? Tapos na.. yun na yun? Ahahah I was expecting a more challenging path.. ahahahha… ako kase yung mas nahihirapan mas masaya… ahahahha But to sum it up, it was a nice, moderate adventure… We finished spelunking at around 430PM, and it’s still raining outside. Hah, ang lamig… eheheheh

And ang pinaka pagsubok sa lahat? Ang maligo after magcave. Since we’re just staying on the camp, at walang hot and cold shower, wow super lamig maligo ng 5pm.. Halos hindi na nga ako nakabanlaw ng maayos sa lamig, at sumasakit na rin tenga ko.. Hindi naman pwedeng hindi maligo, kamusta naman..

 

Let’s go to Sagada, meeting MESAU group (My 36th province)

Another last minute preparation for Sagada trip, but this time I’m not the spearhead for this trip. I was invited by my Sister in law sister, naguguluhan nga ako nun una kung paano ang  set-up ng trip na ito, that’s why I don’t really take it seriously. Then 3days before, ako na yung nag ask kung tuloy ba o hindi kase I never heard about the activities na. Finally last Monday na confirmed ko rin at medyo naintindihan ang set up (pero Malabo pa rin ehehhe.)

Meeting place: Victory Liner Pasay, 10PM.. medyo malayo sa manila area, at 8PM nasa house pa ako packing my things. Around 8:45PM nakaalis na ako ng bahay, good thing walang traffic along Quirino and Osmena that time, in 20min I arrived at the terminal.. (Just in time). J

 

Exactly 10PM umalis ang bus namin, then we arrived at Baguio around 445AM. Sumalubong ulit ang malamig na weather ng Baguio, pero mas malamig last March noong nagpunta kami ng Mt. Pulag. From Victory Liner nag taxi kami papuntang Dangwa bus station, kung  saan sasakay kami ng Bus papuntang Sagada. Pila pila ang mode, wala din pala kaseng reservation ng ticket dito. 5:45 umalis na ang bus namin.

 

Non-air na bus, at goodluck nasa pinakadulo kami ng Bus. It was a long and winding road… ahaha napakanta na lang ako. Ang hirap ng nasa dulo ng bus, wala kang pag lagyan, wala yata akong nakitang straight lang ang daan, puro sharp turn.. to the left to the right ang peg ng katawan ko. Plus ang dalawa kong katabi byahilo.. Yung moment na gusto mo na lang itali ang katawan mo sa upuan para hindi mag slide. Si ate coleen na nasa left side ko, hilong hilo na.. Si Oreanne naman na nasa right ko suka bag ang laging hanap. Halos mahawa na ako sa hilo nila..  Pahirap. Ahaha..  Pero ganun pa man, bawing bawi ka na sa view na makikita mo along the way.

Hindi naman halatang hilong hilo na kami. :)

11:35AM finally nakarating kami sa Sagada. Here’s my first sight of Sagada.

First thing we do is to register at MFPI (Mountaineering Federation of the Philippines, Inc.)
So yun pala yun, annual congress ng mga mountaineers.. ahahaha.. kaloka, walang kaalam alam sa mga mangyayari. So ayun pala yun. MFPI pala yung nag organized for this event and the 20th SEGA anniversary.

 

Nag pitch kami ng tent after registration. Then lunch after. Then we’re ready for the first activity. Sumaguing cave.

 

 

Traveling to Marinduque for Holy Week

   It’s been 2years. Ngayon lang ulit makakapag holy week sa aking lupang sinilangan. Nag file na ako ng leave for Wednesday para makaalis ng Tuesday night at makahabol sa Holy Wednesday.

 

   As usual, last minute empake na naman ang peg ko. I don’t know, but the more time I have to pack my things, the more things I put on my bag and the more things I forgot something. So, mas mainam na last minute emapake na lang. Then I double check the OR/CR but then it’s not in the car… whoaaa.. so all this time, I’m traveling without OR/CR copy in my car… instead the OR/CR that I put in my car is the copy  of my scooter’s OR/CR.. toinks… So kalkal mode ako sa mga documents ko kung asan na nga. Pero syempre sure naman ako na updated ang OR/CR nya… We’re supposed to leave at 9:00PM but then since I don’t have my car’s documents, nakaalis kami around 1030PM.

 

   At around 230AM, we arrived at Dalahican Port. And much to my surprise nasa bungad pa lang ng Port, may pila na ng sasakyan…OMG, kamusta naman? Ok then.. Let’s just sleep and wait. I’m hoping makakasakay kami ng barko at around 1030AM or 12NN. So tulog mode muna sa tabi tabi…

Ginawang kama ni Joy ang gilid ng dagat.. :)

 

 

   Unang alis na barko 4:30AM, then 8AM, then 1030AM, ang layo pa rin naming. Nawalan na ako ng pag asang  maka abot ng Mass at prusisyon ng 5PM. Tulog, kain, at buti na lang kasama ko sina, Chapman and Vaus (Orange is the New Black), Mike and Harvey (Suits), para aliwin ako.

   Meron din magandang naidudulot ang pamumundok, sanay na sa pawis, init, walang ligo, swerte na yung makapag toothbrush ka sa paghihintay.. Naubos na ang mga pinapanood ko at naubos na rin ang antok ko, nasa Port pa rin kami at naghihintay makasakay.

   At dahil bored na bored na ako, binaba ko na muna si Rain (my bike) at nag ronda patrol. Dahil naiinip na kami lahat, we are starting to observe, and we found out na marami pala ang sumisingit singit na mga sasakyan.. Dahil dun, kami na ang naging gwardya sibil. Lahat ng papasok na sasakyan sinisita namin. Sadyang marami lang din mapanlamang na mga tao. Akalain mo ang tagal tagal naming nakapila don tapos sisingit lang sila.. Oh no way…

Afternoon View.. super dami pa rin ng sasakyan.. 

Ang ronda patrol.

 

   At 1030PM, sawakas nakasakay na rin kami ng Barko… What a long day…. Now ko lang na experience ang ganito sa pag uwi sa amin… Usually isang barko lang yung palilipasin mo..  At 3:00AM, nakarating din ng bahay.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Portable Power Bank For Travelers.

I’m always having a problem with my iphone battery, since I’m now using unli data with Globe, kaya laging naddrain ang battery ng phone ko, and napansin ko rin na mas mabilis na drain yung battery ko simula nung nag upgrade ako ng IOS to 6.1.2, super bilis maubos. When I’m using FB, wechat, etc sa phone ko, my battery will just last for 8hrs… L And this is my problem whenever I’m travelling.  One time super drain na ako and my friend let me borrow his power bank, and na amaze naman ako. Since I don’t have time to go to mall, nagtingin tingin ako sa internet.

And then nakita ko yung model ng power bank na pinakita sa akin ng friend ko, 7500mA and very handy. I was browsing sa Lazada, since lagi kong nakikita na nililike ng friends ko sa FB, so tiningnan ko na rin. And it was perfect for me, kase may COD sila. I don’t usually buy gadgets or kahit ano sa internet, lalo na when using credit card. Minsan kase nababalita ko, ang tagal dumating ng order mo, or may defect. So buti na lang COD ang nakita ko, and mura naman. So go na ko mag purchase. But the problem is, nakalimutan ko everyweekend lang ako sa bahay, so I requested na Saturday and Sunday sila magdeliver. Request granted naman, mabilis silang sumagot ng query online. :)

I ordered it Friday, nadeliver sya Sunday. And here it is...

 Packaging..

 Very Handy Power Bank

Charging via USB port of laptop. You can also charge it using outlet, but the socket adapter is not included on the package. With two output USB port, fast and normal charging.

Now I don't have to worry if my battery got drain, specially when I'm travelling.

Infinity Resort (Mindoro) – Unexpected Visit

This is one of my vacations that don’t have any plan at all. Noon nagbakasyon si Marlene dito sa Pinas, syempre ako’y naging isang mabait na driver na naman sa kaibigan. After we attended our friend’s wedding, nagyaya sya kila Mitch sa Mindoro.. May bagong resort daw si Mitch. Ako naman sige, kelan? Monday?.. nyeh kamusta naman… Me pasok ako.. Pero she convinced me to join her, siguro dahil kelangan nya talaga ng kasama at driver, ahaaha… Maganda daw dun, bago, and she showed me some pics of the resort.. Ako naman syempre gusto ng gala, at talaga naman maganda ang mga pictures, sige go ako, sa isang kondisyon, Tuesday na lang para naman makapag file pa ako ng leave sa Monday.  2days kase ang lakad kaya medyo alangan kung Monday, long weekend agad ako.. eheheh.. Parang ubos na ang dahilan ko sa leave.

Ayun na nga, we planned to be at Mindoro as early as possible, para mas ma-enjoy daw ang resort.  I should be at Calamba to fetch Marlene and her son at 5am. E kaso alam na, nakatulog ako kaya ang 5am ko, naging 7am. Inip na inip tuloy si Aiden, para matuwa pa rin sya sa akin, I bought him a toy car,hihihih..

We drove to Batangas Pier, it took us about 1hr from Calamba to Batangas Pier. I just parked my car overnight at the paid open parking. Safe naman sya, kase maraming nag papark and dun talaga nag iiwan ng mga sasakyan. At kumpleto pa naman su Mulberry noon binalikan namin kinabukasan… ehehe.

Bangka papunta sa Mindoro (Talipanan)

It took us 1hr from Batangas Port to Muelle. And pagdating namin doon, sinalubong agad kami ni Mitch..another 20min papunta sa resort nila.. 

At pagdating namin, eto ang bumungad sa amin…

Infinity Pool which is separated; kiddie and adult.

Nice day, solo namin ang resort. Dahil kaka open pa lang nito at may mga ilang construction pa kaya halos wala pang guests. Halos lunch time na when we arrived, so kumain muna kami. Ang sarap ng food dito. They have a resident German Chef and a Filipino Chef. The food was really great, mawawala ang diet mode mo dito. We had our meals at The Brae, the outdoor-indoor restaurant, some minor arrangement pa ito, nun nagpunta kami.

After our lunch I took a rest muna. Pero dahil niyaya ako ng pool, wala ng pahinga pahinga.

Let's take a look at the resort. It is quite luxurious resort with modern architecture. It is a peaceful and quite place, perfect for relaxation and peace of mind, with it's beautiful landscape and of course... the infinity pool.

 The Beach Front

 One side of the resort you see the ocean.

 View of the Villas. 

The other side you can see mountains. 

 cozy lawn chairs (lawn chair nga ba tawag dito? ehehhe)

Len and I enjoying the pool.

At ang pinaka-enjoy sa lahat...si Aiden.

The villas? oh the villas.. the cozy villas. Just take a look at the interior, you'll wanting to stay here forever.

 Living Room

 Dining Area

Bathroom  

 Not creepy bathroom. Well lit, because of the big windows.. very refreshing

Bedroom

Nice View at the Villa's Balcony

I wish i could have enough time to stay here. I really had a great time. It was like a refresh button for me, time to relax, not think of anything but to enjoy the beauty of the resort. Sabi ko nga if you need some peace of mind, just be here and you'll definitely be recharge. And of course it is also a great get away for families.. 

For the rate, it ranges from Php9,240 up to Php42, 900.00. If you have some inquiry and reservation you can visit http://www.infinityresort.com.ph/

I definitely enjoy this vacation. Looking forward for the next visit. Thank you Michelle and Marlene for a great experience.

Just when I befriend everybody

We always have our firstday at work, walang masyadong kilala, nangangapa sa trabaho, nakatunganga, di alam san kakain, anung gagawin. Pero siguro sa mga nalipatan kong company, hindi ako nahirapang magadjust. In 1week time, nakaadjust na ako at medyo may mga kaibigan at kakulitan na. Pero nabago ang lahat noon napasok ako sa 2298 Pasong Tamo. Iba ang aura, akala ko syempre sa umpisa lang. Pero lumipas ang isang linggo, hindi ko pa rin sila makausap. Simpleng hi and hello nga wala e. Simpleng ngiti sa hallway wala din. Mga tao ba talaga sila o naligaw lang ako? Ehehehe. Iba kase talaga, unlike sa ibang company, pag nakikita ka nila for a week, kahit papano nag ngingitian na kayo sa hallway. Take note pa ha, 10 lang kami sa isang room. Akalain mo nga naman. Alam ko medyo may kakulitan din naman akong tao, pero sa sitwasyon na yon, hindi ko yata nagawang mangulit or makipagkwentuhan. Akala nga nila seryoso akong tao. Kaya feeling kawawa ako doon pag absent ang partner ko sa TX, mag isa lang ako, alone na alone. Ehehehe. Kase sila yun tipong pag sumama ka naman, OP ka.. so wag na lang. Yung feeling na hindi ka welcome sa group nila.

Oh well, dumaan ang mga events kahit mag kakateam, parang wala pa rin. Ganun pa rin kami, papasok, magtatrabaho… Sabi ko nga oldies ang mga tropa ko dito. Ehehhe. Kase sila naman may family na, wala na yung mga tipong labas tayo, or let’s watch movie after office or tara shopping…

Pero ang nakakalungkot at nakakatawa lang, kung kelan wasak na ang working place namin, kung kelan nagkaron ng delubyo, tsaka ko ba parang naramdaman sila. Na tipong, “ay nakikipag kulitan na sila sa akin”.. Yung tipong, wow ha, nakakasama ko sila sa travel. Kung kelan naman nagkakaron na kami ng chance to get to know each other, tsaka naman nagkaron ng delubyo.. Nakakalungkot din in a way, kase I never thought I could really be close to them tapos hindi na pala kayo magkakasama. But just when you thought it’s over, hindi pa pala. I’m glad we still manage to keep in touch.. kahit watak watak na. Then yung mga kasama mo pa rin sa work, mas nagiging close kayo, kahit ngayon, mas marami akong circle of friends sa new work. Nakakatuwa lang iba talaga ang karanasan ko sa 2298… E sa bagong table ko nga ngayon, wala pa akong 1week pero na manage ko na makipagkulitan sa kanila, or maybe yung iba sa kanila ay kakilala ko na.

I’m glad those people na hindi mo rin inaakala na magiging kaclose or sabihin na nating nakakausap, e mas nakakausap mo na ngayon. Yung ramdam mo na sa kanila yung presence mo. Kase dati akala ko deads na ako tapos hindi ko lang alam kaluluwa na lang pala ako, kase parang wala akong presensya.. ahahahah..

Sad lang din na totally disbanded ang TX team.. tatatlo na nga lang kami hiwa-hiwalay pa. Pero sabi nga maliit ang mundo ng telecoms. I’ll see you around for sure. Thank you sa lahat Sir Warren, ang dami kong natutunan sa work and life. And kay Sir Bing na talagang handang magshare ng knowledge.

 

Pero sabi nga first impression won’t really last. And some people who you barely know would help you out when you need them. Pero hindi talaga ako friendly na tao.. eheheheh

Mount Pico De Loro Adventure

I’m not really into mountaineering or hiking, kase feeling ko ang bilis kong mapagod, and hindi ko ma-grasp yung idea ng pamumundok, thou lagi kong sinasabi pag may dinaramdam or problema ako gusto kong mamundok. I was invited by my friend Jack, since I just wanted to have some time, some fresh air, me time… and this invitation was perfect. I don’t know anyone but Jack. Overnight pa ito, so bahala na sya sa akin wala akong tent at lalong wala akong mga kung anu anong gamit pamumundok. I just have my shoes and bag good for hiking.

We just bought something that we need:

Headlamp (kase overnight nga)

Insulator – (para pangsapin sa tent para hindi lamigin ang likod)

Sleeping bag- (kase malamig daw sa camp site)

and…. Hindi mawawala sa check list, 3L of water each.. wow ha, parang ang bigat naman yata. Goodluck sa akin.

Call time 5am. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ako nagpapapaniwala kay Jack, ang aga ko kaya, takot akong maiwan no. Sa kasamaang palad, umalis kami mga 8am na. Diretso LRT papuntang pasay, medyo nabibigatan ako kase hindi ako marunong talaga mag empake ng konte.. plus I have my camera na naka separate ng bag. Buti na lang wala masyadong hassle sa LRT ng pagbulatlat ng bag. Sumakay kami sa Munoz station then baba ng Pasay station, kase dun kami sasakay ng jeep papuntang Ternate Cavite. Meron silang hired na jeep for us and other group.

We arrived at Ternate Cavite around 1130AM. Register muna sa jump off. Then we start trekking at around 1145AM.

 

 Starting Point

 

Ang start ng trek is ok with me, rolling lang sya.. hindi gaanong mahirap.. may paakyat then pababa ulit. Madali lang, hindi ako nagrerequest ng take 5. Basta lakad lng ng lakad. After an 1.5 hour of walking nakarating kami sa Base Camp 1. Dito kami nag lunch ng mga baon naming sa pananghalian.

 Rolling

 Mawawala ang pagod dahil sa kulit ni owel

Base Camp 1

After maglunch, start ulit ng lakad. Pero habang tumatagal, pabigat ng pabigat ang bag ko at pahirap ng pahirap ang dinadaanan.. Nakaka limang steps pa lang ako, take 5 na agad.

Ang dami kong pahinga dito.

 

Finally, we reach the camp site at 430PM. Super pagod, ang lamig sa camp site. Malakas kase ang hangin, and the view, wow. Worth it. Halos puno na ng tent ang camp site, buti na lang may mga nauna na, na mga kagrupo naming at nakapagpareserve ng space sa may puno, para safe ang tent sa malakas na hangin.

 

Camp Site









All set, pati yung maliit na kubo na occupy namin. Sa sobrang kakulitan ng mga kasamahan namin, naging parang comedy bar ang lugar namin. Pati mga foreigners na umakyat, nakihalubilo na sa kakulitan namin. Dito mo mararanasan yung umiinom ng emperador na walang chaser ahahaha, kase nagtitipid sa tubig. At medyo minamalas lang talaga, nahigad pa ako, first time ko to. Ang hapdi pala nun at super itchy.. Akala ko me something lang sa jacket ko, higad na pala. Our dinner? Pakbet and adobo. Ang sarap, kumpleto sila ng gamit at masarap magluto ang cook. Busog lusog. Sulit na sulit ang pag akyat, hinding hindi ka magugutom sa kanila.

 Sangkap. Parang wala sa bundok. ehehhe

 Master Chef

Super hapdi at kati

Dahil na rin siguro sa sobrang pagod, kahit nagkakatuwan pa sila umidlip muna ako. Nagising ako umaga na, sunrise na.. ang pinakahihintay ko na time para sa pagkuha ng mga pictures.. Wala ng mumog mumog o hilamos, kase on the way na sila papuntang summit. So go na, pare pareho naman kaming walan hilamos. Mahirap din ang papuntan summit, it will take you 5mins, at magagamit mo talaga pati kamay mo sa pag akyat.. gapang na. halos 90deg na ang bundok. Kahit yung ibang mga boys sa sobrang steep at lakas ng hangin halos liliparin ka na, na chicken out na. But I manage to climb pa, sayang naman nandito na rin lang e, panindigan ang pagiging matapang.. ahahaha

View of camp site from the summit

 

And I guess I now know the answer why they wanted to climb mountains, ang sarap lang sa pakiramdam. Yung paghihirapan mo muna bago mo makita yung ganda. Iba ang feeling. Ang masarap pa, you never know what’s in store for you. When you’re on top, parang ang peaceful. Lahat ng worries mo nawawala sa mga nakikita mong tanawin. Parang na hit yung refresh button mo. And that time, that’s the thing I needed the most, to have peace of mind, my first step to repair something in me. 

After magmuni muni sa summit, bumaba na kami para mag prepare sa pagbaba ng bundok. Nakakaliw rin lang ang mga kasama naming at talaga dito napaisip ako na pwede naman pala talga yung travel light. Ahaha. Akalain mo nga nabitbit pa nila ang kusina nila sa bundok..

Kusina sa bundok.

We left the campsite at 1130am and we arrived at the registration at 230PM. At last pag dating sa baba, nakapagtoothbrush at nakaligo din.

Exploring things beyond your comfort zone with new people is definitely a great experience.

 

 

Considered the highest mountain of the province of Cavite, Mt. Pico De Loro (also known as Mt. Palay-Palay) is so called because of a unique rock formation near its summit.  Pico De Loro, in Spanish, means Parrot’s Beak.  It was said that the name was given by Spanish mariners who have used the mountain as a directional landmark whenever their galleons approach the port of Manila through Manila Bay.

Vital details

Height: 664+ MASL (meters above sea level)

Difficulty rating: 3 (out of a maximum of 9); Minor Climb

Located approximately 85 kilometers southwest of Manila by road, the mountain actually lies along the boundary of the provinces of Cavite and Batangas. - aboutph.com