MT. PINATUBO | CAPAS, TARLAC

Hello my fellow Nomad Travelers! Today, we are heading to one of the country's historical place that shook the world in 1991 with the devastation that it brought upon; MT. PINATUBO.

A little historical overview of this adventure.

Erupted in June 15, 1991; I t produced the second largest terrestrial of the both century after the 1912 eruption of Novarupta in the Alaska Peninsula. Complicating the eruption was the typhoon Yunya bringing a mix of ash & rain causing the lahar.
The crater lake or "Mt. Pinatubo Lake" was formed afterwards through succeeding rainfalls.  Initially it was high in Sulfuric Acid with the temperature of 40°C. & pH2. Subsequent rainfall cooled and diluted the lake lowering the temperature to 26°C.

I chose to celebrate my birthday at Mt. Pinatubo coz I wanted to have a different feel for my birthday. Not your typical birthday party that kind of stuff. And besides, looking at the photos Google has offered me and some of the blogs I've read, celebrating my birthday there is like the coolest thing ever with the most amazing view there is.

I have prepared for this trip meticulously. Researched it if which one is better, a DIY or a Travel Tour (public/private). If traveling via DIY it is very much doable but I find it too much of a hassle regardless of it being much cheaper than going on tours. Comparing the DIY vs Tour package, the difference is nothing much really. Only a few pesos. However, comparing between going on a public tour vs private tour, the prices were so much of a shock. For a private tour of 2pax you'll have to pay between P6k to P6.5k depending on the travel tour you're going to have. Compare it to the public tour of P2,090/pax. o if you're on a tight budget, I suggest to take the public tour. And hey, you'll even meet new friends.

Of all the travel & tour packages from different company, I decided to take from TRIPINAS. Please check the link for more details.

ITINERARY.

2:30am    Call Time. Meet with the coordinator. Briefing with the rest of the participants and payment settlement.

3:30am    Take off from MNL to base camp at Capas, Tarlac.

5:30am    ETA Brgy. Julianna, Capas, Tarlac. Final Briefing. 4x4 & local guide assignments.

6:00am    Take off from base camp. 1hr 4x4 ride.

7:00am    ETA take off camp for the 2hrs (7km) hike going to the crater.

9:00am    ETA Mt. Pinatubo Crater. Rest. Photo taking. Lunch.

11:30am  Start of the descend back to the waiting 4x4.

1:30pm    ETA waiting 4x4. Start heading back to the base camp.

2:30pm    ETA base camp. Rest. Shower.

3:00pm    ETD for MNL back to the meeting point.

5:00pm    ETA MNL. (Depending on traffic)

**There is however an alternative route whereby the hike is only 30min.

Coming from a long international flight, I arrived in MNL at 2pm. Met BF and decided to just check-in while waiting for midnight to go to El Pueblo. By 12mn we went off to the meeting place. and the rest went on according to the itinerary.

The whole trip was fun and kinda tiring especially during mid day as the sun was all up. 

Here's my tips for the trip…

• Have a big big big breakfast. 
• Bring loads of water. At least 1.5L per person. It is a long and very hot adventure.
• Bring your lunch. There's NO RESTAURANT at the crater. They do sell drinks though but too expensive.
• Pack light. A hydro pack suits this hike.
• Wear rash guards & leggings unless you want to have tanned skin.
• Wear sunscreen. It is an ultimate must. Remember, it is very hot.
• Wear a cap/hat.
• Bring a scarf or mask or balaclava. It is very very dusty during the 4x4 ride.
• Wear proper shoes for the hike. I was so glad to have worn my trekking shoes. The path was very rocky. Like literally. Tons of rocks. Plus there's some river to cross too.
• Stick with your group and guide at all times. 
• Exercise before going on this adventure. You'll be needing loads of cardio & legs workout. 
• Share your food with your guide. And please, don't forget to tip them. 
• Bring your camera. 
• Do not throw any garbage. If you have any garbage, bring them with you back to base camp and throw it there. 
• And lastly, RESPECT Mt. Pinatubo and the locals. Remember, you are visiting their home.

P/S: Swimming at the crater is no longer allowed. Too bad. It's for safety reasons so don't be an ass or else your guide will be blamed for your inconsideration.

Take pictures and create memories. Indulge in the beauty of what Mt. Pinatubo has to offer and in the same time make new friends and learn their history.

When we got to the crater, it was too hot that we were so tempted to dive the clear blue waters. Argh.. Anyways, I got a free mud pack though. Our guide happened to find a mud pack brick and told us that it was what they use in the spa for the mud pack spa but they only added some artificial stuff. So I asked him if I could take the mud pack and he gave it to me. He said that it was very good because it was natural. No chemicals added or whatsoever. And it was damn heavy! I've yet to try it though.

It was the best birthday ever so far. And a destination that I once dreamed of to go now crossed out from the list. I was so glad I decided to go. 

If you want to go to Mt. Pinatubo and experience this adventure, I encourage you guys to do so. If going by groups it is so much better and cheaper!! I suggest you guys make a booking with TRIPINAS. At the end of your adventure, you'll get a certificate. Proof that that you've been there and you survived.

The best time to visit Mt. Pinatubo is on summer. They do not provide any tours during the rainy season as the river gets high and becomes too dangerous to cross. 

P/S: do not drink the water from the river. It contains high doses of sulfur. Bring your own water.

Thanks for reading!

WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN TO LATELY?!?!

Much Love!

BREAKTHROUGH RESTAURANT | ILOILO CITY

ILOILO CITY. APRIL 8, 2014.

Hello my Nomad Traveler Friends! I just came from a stopover in Iloilo City and I just wanna share this experience of the dinner. Being in Iloilo City for just overnight and not much time, I thought that I wanted to try their specialty dishes. So I asked the receptionist in our hotel for a recommendation of restaurants to eat.

I was told of 2 restaurants, BREAKTHROUGH RESTAURANT & TATOY'S RESTAURANT. 

So we decided to head over to Breakthrough Restaurant. The name seems funny too. Anyways, I just want to share my dinner experience over there. 

According to Google, Breakthrough is located near the beach and their seafood was to die for. Most reviews I read was positive, although I've read some negative feed backs as well. I thought maybe I'll just give it a go. You can't please everybody thus the negative comments.

The dinner turned out to be one of the most HORRIBLE dinner I've ever had! 

First stop, yeah, the location was just a stone's throw away from the beach but the concept of this so called "restaurant" is nothing like a restaurant. Not even a simple restaurant. 

One thing that turned me off big time was that they do not provide any MENU!!! Like how the hell are we suppose to know what they have? And not just that, how the bloody hell are we suppose to know the prices of every dish? 

Second, once seated they told us to go over to the food counter to order. Okay. Well, what turned me off again was that they do not even have a menu at the counter. They have a variety of dishes laid inside the glass food heater. Think CAFETERIA STYLE. 

Third, it took us a long long long time to make an order. As if things weren't horrible enough. You have to order your drinks separately because they only take food orders. Drinks are to be ordered from your table which took another long long long waiting time. 

Fourth, the service staff were not friendly & helpful at all. 

Fifth, the bill took forever to get to us. I could've just walked away and forget to pay everything which was by the way, I felt totally ripped off. 

And this is what I meant by not having a menu which states not just what they have but also the "prices" of every item. Because you will never know if you've been ripped off or what.

The shock I had when I got the bill. For 2 persons, I paid nearly a thousand bucks. Literally. A few pesos and I would've hit the Thousand bucks mark. 

We had Scallops, Fried Bangus (Milkfish), a terrible plate of Lechon (Roasted Pork), a miserable portion of Sinigang na Isda, platter of rice, 1 fresh Coconut, 2 small mineral water and a Mango shake. And all costs nearly a thousand bucks??? Please tell me if that was a rip off or not.

We were only in Iloilo only for a few hours, not even 24hrs and that dinner was enough to ruin the night. 

Will I recommend this restaurant? BLOODY HELL NO!!! This place is a total RIP OFF. Service was HORRIBLE. Staff was UNFRIENDLY. Food was only OK, not the kind that I would really brag to everyone. 

I'm sorry, but there's nothing good to brag about this place and I sure as hell won't go back there.

Good thing the restaurant in our hotel serves delicious La Paz Batchoy. And that's their pride and glory.. They said that their La Paz Batchoy was the first and the original in the entire Iloilo. Hmmm… Yummsss.. Somehow, I've forgotten the restaurant's name. Sorry. But at least this made our day on our last day in Iloilo.

Much Love.

DAKAK BEACH RESORT | DAPITAN CITY

Hello my Nomad Travelers!

Today's travel, we're going to Dakak Beach Resort!


HOW TO GET THERE


FLY. Cebu Pacific & Philippine Airlines flies daily to Dipolog. From there, you can either drive to Dakak on your own or have Dakak pick you up from the airport. Shuttle service to and from airport is free of charge.

BUS. If coming from any part of Mindanao, Rural Transit serves daily & hourly trip to and from Dipolog. Again, from there, you have to option of driving towards Dakak or have Dakak pick you up from your point of origin.

Upon confirmation of you booking in Dakak, if you want to avail the free shuttle service just inform Dakak ahead as to where you wish to be picked up.


DAKAK EXPERIENCE

I have been to Dakak twice and there has been quite an improvement to the resort since my first visit. The rooms however were still the same except for the newly added family pavilions which can house family up to 10pax or more.

Added attraction to the resort is the newly established Adventure Zone. They have introduced an outstanding 1,364 meters and 300 meter drop zipline. The fastest dual zipline in Asia.

Other extreme activities are available too such as bungee jumping, wall climbing, war gaming such as airsoft. Horseback riding and ATV are also available. And of course water activities such as snorkeling, kayaking, banana boat ride, jet ski and more are also available.

There are endless activities available at Dakak Beach Resort for you & your family/barkada's enjoyment.

Upon check-in, Dakak also offers complimentary tickets to their amusement park, FANTASYLAND. May not be as grand and as big as Enchanted Kingdom or Starcity but this is the only amusement park in the region.

Dakak Beach Resort will provide shuttle services to and from Fantasyland. Shuttle service starts from 6pm to 10pm for going to Fantasyland and 10pm to 1am for going back to the resort.

**I don't know why my pictures sucks here. I think Blogspot has a problem with pictures because they certainly do not look like this. I SHOOT RAW. 

Anyways, for more information about Dakak Beach Resort visit their website http://dakakresort.com. For more information of about Fantasyland please visit their website http://www.gloriasfantasyland.com

Have a great summer everyone!!

WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN TO LATELY?!?!

Much Love..

DAPITAN CITY

Hello my Nomadic Friends!

Today's travel guide, let me take you to the "Shrine City in the Philippines, DAPITAN CITY. Located at Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines, it is a 3rd class city with people speaking "Bisaya" as the local dialect, as well as Tagalog and English for tourists conversations.

Dapitan City is widely known in Philippine history as the place of exile of national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal during 1892 - 1896.

My first visit in Dapitan was together with my family way back some 15 years ago during our annual summer road trip. Having been almost all over Mindanao except for the central region. And then my second visit was in 2008 together with BF. All in all, I've visited the place for about 5 times.


HOW TO GET THERE

FLY. Cebu Pacific & Philippine Airlines flies daily to Dipolog City. From there you can take an "EVERGREEN" bus to Dapitan.

BUS. Rural Transit provides daily travels all over Mindanao area so taking a bus shouldn't be a problem.


WHERE TO STAY

DAKAK BEACH RESORT. All guests are escorted from the airport or any point of origin from Dipolog for a 45min. ride to Dakak Beach Resort and back.

Frankly speaking, during my visits to Dapitan City, I always stay in Dipolog. From Dipolog to Dapitan it's only 20-30min ride.


WHAT TO SEE

Dapitan City is rich with history, gastronomical places, loads of sight-seeing and boasting off "Fantasyland" as the first amusement park in the Visayan-Mindanao region of the country.

RIZAL SHRINE. The original estate of exiled national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal during his 4yrs of exile. From there he built his home, school and clinic.

SAINT JAMES CHURCH. Constructed by the Jesuits in 1883, Dr. Rizal stood to hear mass during his years in exile.

RELIEF MAP OF MINDANAO. Right across St. James Cathedral is a Relief Map of Mindanao created by Dr. Jose P. Rizal roughly 900sq.m. It was intended to teach Geography & History to the town's people and to beautify the town as well with the help of Fr. Francisco Sanchez.

DAPITAN BAY. Catch the afternoon sunset and indulge amongst the line of seafood houses to satisfy your appetite.

HERITAGE HOUSE. One of the oldest house in Dapitan which was later converted into a museum.

GLORIA FANTASYLAND. The first amusement theme park in the Visayas-Mindanao region of the country.

DAKAK BEACH RESORT. Ofcourse, a visit in Dapitan wouldn't be complete without a one night stay in Dakak Beach Resort.

Dapitan City may not be the kind of City you would expect being a city, but the place is full of rich history, adventure trip and great beaches.


WHAT TO DO

Dakak Beach Resort offers an array of adventure activities.

• 300m drop zipline. Dubbed as the "Longest Zipline" in Asia.
• ATV
• Horseback riding
• Airsoft
• Rock Climbing
• Scuba Diving & Snorkeling 
• Water Sports
• Kayaking
• Cove Hopping
• Golf, Lawn Tennis, Billiards & Bowling

Enjoy and be a kid again with Gloria's Fantasyland rides.  For guests staying in Dakak, you'll get complimentary tickets to Gloria's Fantasyland.

Tickets for walk-in's please visit GLORIA'S FANTASYLAND and check.

Gates opens from 4pm - 11pm. From Dakak to Fantasyland send off time via resort's shuttle bus starts at 6pm every hour thereafter until 10pm. For Pick-up from Fantasyland back to Dakak via resort shuttle bus starts from 10pm every hour thereafter until 1am.

Enjoy!!!

WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN TO LATELY?!?!

Much Love..