Spending the weekend in Masasa Beach // May 6 to 7, 2017 (Photo Blast)

At Masasa Port

I've already made plans for the weekend, when Paulo initiated a getaway to Masasa Beach in Tingloy, Batangas with his other friends.  His persuasion skill is remarkable.  He was able to convince Trixie and Jerico, who already have other plans to come along.  A mandatory tour took place!  

Photo Blast

Shopping at Anilao Market.  Live Tilapia

Food Supplies

Late lunch

Group picture before going to the shoreline

The shoreline of Masasa is generally composed of clear water and coral rocks.

Happy hour before enjoying the sea water

Dramatic Sunset of Masasa Beach

Actual Itinerary
March 6, 2017 (8:00 AM): Departure Manila (Buendia) to Batangas
March 7, 2017 (3:00 PM): Home Sweet Home

Going There
1. Ride a bus to Batangas Terminal (Php 157)
2. Ride a jeepney to Anilao Port (Php 40)
3. Ride the boat to Masasa (Php 100 + 30 environmental fee)

Contact Person
Mommy Anes Alvares: 0905-293-5006 (Her place is located in front of the port)

Note:
1. There is a market located at Anilao Port.
2. It is said that overnight sleeping in tent is no longer allowed.  Tent pitching is only until 7 pm.  
3. It is advisable to buy potable water at Anilao Port.
4. Electricity runs from 12 noon to 12 midnight
5. The place is a common side-trip after a hike to Mt. Mag-asawang Bato (a reason to go back).  
6. A 3 days itinerary is highly recommended 

Safe Budget: More or less 1.5 to 2k

Worth remembering (moments and thoughts to look back)
- "Marami pa pong guest na darating"
- Flying Nalgene (Does it hurt?)
- The other side of Paulo Marte (hmmm according to him :P)
-  Water Baptism under the Moonlight: Reconciliation of Religious Perspectives (are they drunk?)
- "Yung di pa nauuso ang ____________ siya ang unang nakadiskubre" - Mark at Batangas Terminal
-"Mas maganda po kung bababa nalang kayo" - Boatman 
- Hi Jordan! - Paulo

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Mt. Ugo // January 20 to 22, 2017 (Photo Blast)

Mt. Ugo taken along the trail

The air pressure is low, it will rain! - Pot said while looking at his watch, upon our arrival at Kayapa Public Market.  It will be a muddy trail, I replied.  Later on, it turned out to be a fine day.  Our destination? Mt. Ugo!  

After our major hike in Mt. Pulag via Akiki-Ambangeg trail last December, I'm complacent that this will be an easy one.  At the end of the day, I was stunned!  Most of us got exhausted after hours of walk in a seemingly endless and agonizing trail.  We were rewarded with the picturesque landscapes of the Cordillera, as we push through the pine forest.    

The Hike (Photo Blast)

Group shot after the registration.

Moments of continuous assaults and "cheers"

Photo ops, still a long way to go

Magnificent nature

Having lunch and 2 hours stop over in one of the sitio before resuming the trek

Overlooking Cordillera 

Passion Fruit at the last store.  My childhood curiosity regarding the taste of a real passion fruit is now over! The fruit segments taste sweet; while the seeds are a bit sour.  

The nature near the campsite

Preparing breakfast at the campsite while waiting for the sunrise

Sunrise at Mt. Ugo's campsite and its own version of sea of clouds

Breakfast prepared by Rommel and Jerico

Rommel Dalisay in his courageous stunt

Group Picture at the campsite, 15 minutes away from the summit

A summit which is surrounded with trees

Good time on our way to the village... Consuming the last bottle of gin

The simple life at the village.  Time to say see you soon to the mountain.  The 30 km trek is now over...

Signing out at Itogon

Balik Kapatagan

If anything doesn't go according to plan, remember the 4 Es.  You are there to Explore new places... to Enjoy each moment... to be Enlighten regarding the unknown... and at the latter part, to Enforce an action plan. - CSAC (2017).

Conceptual Itinerary
(note: we hired a van in Cubao which brought us directly to Kayapan)
Day 0 
12:00 mn Victory Terminal GMA kamuning

Day 1
1:30am etd for Bambang, Nueva Viscaya
5:00am Eritao junction,intersection
5:30am jeep to Kayapa
7:30am Kayapa Police Station / registration/ secure guide/breakfast
8:00am start trek
12:00nn Indupit Village/lunch
1:00pm resume trek to Domolpos Village
5:00pm Domolpos Village
5:30pm dinner
11:00pm lights off

Day 2
3:00am wake up call/prep breakfast
4:30am resume trek
7:00am Mt. Ugo Summit(2150 masl)
9:00am start descent on a very steep ridge like pine forest trail
12:00nn Lusod Village /lunch and register at Brgy hall
1:00pm resume trek
3:00pm Itogon Village / Itogon Bridge
3:00pm end of trek /jeep
5:00pm Brgy hall / log out
5:30pm etd for Baguio via chartered jeep

Day 3
1:00am Manila victory terminal bus cubao

Actual Itinerary :D
January 20, 2017 11:00 PM - ETD Cubao to Nueva Vizcaya via Van
January 23, 2017 2:30 AM - ETA Cubao (Genesis Bus Station)

A safe budget for the whole climb 10 pax: more or less 3,000 php per head

Photo Credit: Paulo Marte and Katharine A. Laviña (a.k.a Aling Simang)

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