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Monday, September 2, 2013

Mt. Banoy via Talumpok East | Batangas City



It was Friday that I received hiking invites from my regular climbing buddy Arisse. At first, plan was to hike gulugod baboy. But after some deliberation, we ended up choosing Mt. Banoy because of its anonymity to us and its hidden falls. Our group consists of 4 members and all of us are a first timer in this mountain.  

According to our research, Mt. Banoy or Banoi can be hike by 2 routes: One is via brgy. Lobo (which is more forested) and the other is via Talumpok East (characterized by paved road). We choose the latter since it is easier, direction wise, and the falls lies in this path.


How to get to Mt. Banoy via Talumpok East:

1. Take Batangas City bound Bus (Buendia or Cubao) and alight At batangas grand terminal. Take the Calabarzon (via startoll) bus for faster way.
2. Ride jeep with Balagtas signage and tell the driver to drop you at dagatan terminal.
3. Ride another jeep plying brgy. Sico and get off at Talumpok East.
4. Trek or hire tricycle up the paved road (just straight ahead, no left/right turn). At the end of paved road comes rough/rocky road, continue trekking until you reach the towers and wooden cross.


Our meeting place is Jam terminal in buendia at 3am. We plan to start early so we have lots of time to burn in this trip. We were able to board the first bus trip to Batangas City. Once the bus is full, it immediately left the terminal. Travel time is approximately 2hrs in normal trip, but our bus takes it in 1hr and 15mins only. Wew fast! that's why I prefer traveling at this hour to avoid traffic congestion.  

Its still dark when we arrive at grand terminal, my time reads 5:10am. Passenger jeepneys that can get you to all direction in Batangas were already lined up right in front of the terminal. We just freshen up first in the nearby CR before boarding one of the lined up jeep. With a splash of water in our face, our spirit just woken up for this day trip ahead.

House in front of the Dagatan Terminal (Dagatan signage)

We're the first passenger of this Dagatan bound jeepney.

We took the Balagtas jeep and alight at dagatan terminal. There, we transfer to another jeep to get to Mt. Banoy's jump-off. The rides were swift. Cold breeze of air charge in face whenever I looked out the window. We passed by many sitio from left and right of the road. We were just called off by the driver when we reached our destination. Good thing we tell the driver early where we heading.

Sitio Sico junction.

Tryk were present in the junction charging 60 per pax up unto the end of the paved road - a bit over priced for us budget traveler (specially for me). We prefer to hike all the way to the summit, so we just ignore their offer and proceeded our trek. Our relaxed trek started around 6:30am. We passed by the bridge, welcome sign of Talumpok East, a barangay hall and several sitios and sitio's waiting shed along the way. Community houses are also present up to the last part of concrete road.

We also bumped to a (not so) old lady heading up the concrete road and later accompany our group. She was very polite and talkative. She also tells us trivia why the sitio was called Talumpok Silangan. According to her, Talumpok was based from "dalawang bundok na magkatumpok" referring to Mt. Banoy and Mt. Lobo (?). She knows also the way to the falls and promised to direct us there. However due to her age and the difficulty of the uphill trek, she resorts to hitch hike and left us on the road.

 

Barangay hall



We continued trekking until we reach the end of the paved road. From there, rough road follows. This leads to the vast camp site below the summit. This is where beautiful landscape views of verde island, mindoro, rest of batangas, and other mountain peaks comes into picture. Its the best part in hiking, its when harvesting the result of your perseverance - views of nature frees my mind of stress and troubles.

Trail after the paved road.
First campsite below the summit.
The towers indicates the summit of Mt. Banoy
What we see in the summit!
Male restroom (left) is far from the female (right).

(L-R) Arisse, Elmo, Reagan & me.

 
Towers of GMA7, Meralco and ABS-CBN

Not so far is the so called summit. From the jump-off, it took us around 3 hrs to reach it. The so called summit is indicated by the towers and a wooden cross. Further at the back was a trail going to other towers such as of GMA7, meralco, and ABS-CBN. A more elevated peak was also seen in this part. It is referred to as the true peak of Mt. Banoy. However, according to a tower personnel we asked, trail is not yet established. So we opted not to proceed, and since we wanted to visit the falls on our way back. We just rested for a while in the kubo just beside the tower station. An opportunity for power nap. Hehe :)



Mt. Banoy more elevated peak.

Times up for resting, we started trekking down at 10:40H. Backtracking our way down. We managed to find Amatong labak falls by simply asking locals for directions. There were 4 boys already taking a splash when we arrived - they later on became our guide to the other falls upstream (amatong pisi).



After taking our lunch, we allotted almost 1 and 1/2 hr exploring and enjoying the Amatong labak. Diving, splashing, pictures here and there, another diving, video-ing. The Amatong pisi on the other hand is a smaller version of labak and not too good to take a dip compared to pisi. But the trail to the falls is still scenic, with addition of river crossing.

After our falls hopping. We decided to trek back to barangay hall. From there we took our refreshing drinks on a store in front of the barangay hall. Cold soft drinks is always a heaven for mountaineer. Thanks to the store owner, she also allows us to wash in her water hose for free. Then, we took tricycle down the road and wait for jeepney going to Batangas proper. Btw according to store owner, there is still jeepney plying batangas proper until 8pm. But it will took a long time to arrive one (unless you are very lucky). Safe hours is until 5pm. Just like we did - just a 10 minute waiting time. Though the jeep is almost full, so "sabit".

As addition to our side trip. We tried jocas lomi near the dagatan terminal. Their special lomi is in big servings. However, I didn't like it (no for ATAY) - a bad choice for me. Also we visited plaza Mabini and Immaculate Conception (Batangas Cathedral) which are just walking distance from the terminal.

Special lomi @ Jocas

Immaculate Conception Basilica | Batangas City

Plaza Mabini | Batangas City


In this trip, I've experienced:
1. Encountered the forest ranger along the trail
2. Had my longest nap in the summit (approx 30 mins)
3. highest falls plunging (approx 5m)
4. "Sabit" sa jeepney ride.



Budget Breakdown (in php):

Buendia to Batangas Grand terminal (Jam) - 157
Balagtas jeep (to Dagatan terminal) - 12
Dagatan jeep (to sitio sico) - 25
Amatong falls guide fee - 30
Tryk from b.hall to h.way - 15
Sitio Sico to Dagatan terminal jeep - 25
Special lomi - 40
jeep to grand terminal - 12
Batangas to Cubao Aircon bus (Alps) - 164
Food and refreshments - 100

Grand total - 580



Special thanks to my climbing buddies for this adventure - Arisse, Reagan and Elmo. And to the one above for giving us a great weather. Travel more!


Thursday, August 29, 2013

Laguna Day Trip Detailed Itinerary



Laguna Day Trip



A whole-day trip for Laguna that includes:


  • Sta Cruz Laguna (Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Parish Church)
  • Magdalena Laguna (St. Magdalene Church)
  • Majayjay Laguna (St. Gregory the Great Parish / Taytay Falls)
  • Liliw Laguna (St. John the Baptist Church / Gat Tayaw Footwear Market)
  • Nagcarlan Laguna (St. Bartolomew Parish / Underground Cemetery)
  • San Pablo Laguna (St. Paul Cathedral / Sampaloc Lake)

Route Map


_______________________________________


Detailed Itinerary:

0600H - 0810H : Cubao to Sta Cruz Laguna by DLTB bus
0810H - 0820H : ride jeep to Sta Cruz church
0820H - 0835H : church photo ops
0835H - 0855H : walk to plaza/municipal hall for photo ops and wait for jeep to Magdalena
0855H - 0920H : Sta Cruz to Magdalena Church
0920H - 1045H : church and plaza photo ops
1045H - 1100H : Magdalena to Majayjay
1100H - 1130H : church photo ops
1130H - 1203H : Majayjay to Gagalot junction
1203H - 1244H : junction to taytay falls by treking
1244H - 1320H : falls exploration and photo ops
1320H - 1334H : back to junction via tryk
1334H - 1410H : junction to Majayjay terminal
1410H - 1440H : late lunch
1440H - 1510H : Majayjay to Nagcarlan underground cemetery
1510H - 1520H : underground cemetery photo ops at the entrance (closed during monday)
1520H - 1525H : ride tryk to Nagcarlan church
1525H - 1544H : church photo ops
1544H - 1555H : Nagcarlan to Liliw church
1555H - 1700H : church photo ops / visit footwear shops / buy pasalubong
1700H - 1745H : Liliw to San Pablo church
1745H - 1800H : church photo ops
1800H - 1815H : walk to sampaloc lake
1815H - 1850H : photo ops and snacks
1850H - 1905H : ride tryk to national high-way
1905H - 2104H : San Pablo to Buendia (touchdown)


For a list of jeepney routes plying Laguna, kindly refer to below link:
http://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2013/02/how-to-get-to-laguna-bus-jeepney-routes.html


_______________________________________


Budget Breakdown (in Php):

Cubao to Sta Cruz aircon bus - 140
Jeep to Sta Cruz church - 8
Sta Cruz to Magdalena jeep - 18
Magdalena to Majayjay jeep - 18
Majayjay to Gagalot Junction jeep - 11
Taytay falls entrance - 20
falls to junction tryk - 40
junction to Majayjay jeep - 12
Majayjay to Nagcarlan - 15
terminal to underground cemetery tryk - 9
cemetery to church tryk - 10
Nagcarlan to Liliw jeep - 8
Liliw to San Pablo jeep - 29
Sampaloc lake to national highway tryk - 30
San Pablo to Buendia aircon bus - 127
food - 100
pasalubong - 285 (2 tsinelas and 1 Big pack of Uraro)

Grand Total - 880 (595 if less pasalubong)


_______________________________________


Featured Destination:



Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Parish Church

St. Magdalene Church

St. Gregory the Great Parish

Taytay Falls

Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery

St. Bartolomew Parish

St. John the Baptist Church

St. Paul Cathedral

Sampaloc Lake


Plus the wonderful experience of traveling and exploring the natures of our own land! Happy travels!




Saturday, August 17, 2013

The Author - Adz

So, my first entry blog, how do I start? Let me just introduce myself to you readers and my reason in creating this blog. May I say that this will just serve to document my journeys in life so don't expect to hear flowery word from me cause I'll be straightforward on what I'll share. And of course, I'm no expert at writing so bear with me. :)

Yours truly is a licensed Electronics Engineer in profession, currently in telecommunication industry, at mid 20's of age,  loves to do indoor and outdoor sports (mostly outdoor), loves the idea of traveling, might it be solo or with companion. Admires individuals who travel for the sake of having fun and sharing their experiences with their fellow travelers, in which inspires them to travel more the way they inspires me. Thus, through inspiration, this blog site was created to document "my" share of journeys.

Picture taken at St. Martin de Tours viewing deck, Taal Batangas


This will serve as a tool so my sons/daughters, grandchild, up to the last heir of my clan will see how beautiful the world as I see it. Also, to encourage others to travel and experience the adventures it provides.    
 
I've gone now for several places here in the Philippines. I've been to 20 provinces, which I considered as I'd explored/visited famous tourist destination and the like (stop over to provinces are not counted). Lists are still ongoing.
                   
1. NCR Metro Manila (of course)
2. Cavite
3. Laguna
4. Zambales
5. Camiguin
6. Misamis Oriental
7. Surigao del Norte
8. Agusan del Norte    
9. Benguet
10. Aurora
11. Ilocos Sur
12. Ilocos Norte
13. Camarines Norte
14. Camarines Sur
15. Albay
16. Batangas
17. Rizal
18. Bulacan
19. Bataan
20. Quezon

Picture taken at Tinago Island, Caramoan Peninsula during our 4D backpacking tour of Bicol Region.
         
Aside from traveling, I, myself is also inclined to mountaineering, running and biking. I'd also tried surfing,  sand   surfing, swimming, water rafting, kayaking and boating. Other outdoor activities I would like to try someday were parasailing, bungee jumping, cliff diving, parachuting, ice skating, and other cool outdoor stuff.

At Mt. Maculot's Rockies overlooking the Taal Volcano and Taal Lake.


Besides from outdoor activities and traveling, I'd also love to take pictures. I incorporate this love of photography in my traveling. I may not a professional in photography at this point in time but I knew I have a good sense of taking angles. Hehe (boastful)

So not to fore long this, follow me in my adventures as I travel the Philippines, and the world someday. Let's not be stagnant to the same place we've been for the long time. Try to see natures beauty once in a while and lets appreciate what our dear Lord provided us, but let us be responsible for its preservation. Travel safe and just live life to the fullest. 

I'd always keep in my mind this saying "Its the journey, not the destination." - value more the "journey" rather than the "destination". Adios!