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Heinz from Austria is my first hosting experience.
He came all the way from Austria by bicycle to the Philippines. Most of his journey was by bike with air travel from Turkey to Southeast Asia and by boat to Zamboanga City and Manila, Philipines
He stayed for one week and was able to take him out only on a Sunday.
We went to Palace in the Sky and Taal Vista Lodge in Tagaytay City to view the Taal Volcano and Tagaytay Highlands.
.He is a real nice guy and got many stories to tell about his escapades by bike. He was biking for almost 3 months since he left Austria.
My wifey, Ethel, cooked everyday all the Filipino dishes and her Schnitzel specialty she learned when we went to Vienna, Austria. Heinz loved all the Filipino dishes and surprisingly eat lot of rice. No bread at all.
It was a very nice first CS hosting experience for me and my wife.
Hosted last week, Alicia, a Puerto Rican working in South Korea as an English teacher.
I picked her up from the airport on midnight of 21st August or 12:30 AM of 22nd August in NAIA Terminal 2. She stayed with my family till Tuesday then she off to partying in Boracay for 4 days.
First night, she slept in mattress at our living room and next two nights, my daughter let her sleep in her room alone. My daughter can be a couchsurfer also.
She painted the town red with my son, Jeff, Sunday night and following Monday, she toured the city alone, places such a Intramuros, Rizal Park here the infamous hostage taking is on-going, Cubao, etc. She understand me and my son got work.
My son can also be a couchsurfer and offer his second bed.
She watched all the hostage drama with us in our place.
She is a very nice young lady who likes party and a vegetarian.
My wife cooked vegetarian dishes and she loved it.
She nice meet up with my wife and daughter.
That was a very nice hosting experience for the second time.
SMB SMILE OUTREACH 2010 was held in Sitio Bosoboso in Antipolo City for the the elementary school pupils.
We distributed school supplies like paper, pencil, eraser\ hygiene supplies like toothpaste, toothbrush, t-shirts, slippers, books/
The Rotary Club of Makati ( will give specifics later) joined us and bring many items (will give specifics later)
will continue later.
constructing the blog
Couchsurfers visit to Bangko Sentral Museum
April 23, 2010 (Friday) 2:00-3:00 pm Money Museum
This free tour of money museum was arranged by Couchsurfer Dr. J-V.
The museum shows coins and money paper of the Philippines and the world since ancient times. It was a surprised to me that late 1800, Philippines has legal paper money and revolutionary paper money.
I cannot fully recall and blog the whole experience since last 3 months ago. Anyway kindly read the Bangko Sentral website if you want reminisce the past.
http://www.bsp.gov.ph/about/facilities_money.asp#
Many thanks Dr. J-V.
Following are attendees who confirmed. Others did not make it for some reasons
1. Chu, Ying-Chou
2. Archie David
3. Max Fedeli
4. Ling ling Matutina
5. Catherine Iblan
6. Sharon Bancoro
7. Edilberto Cueto
8. Wilfred Josue
9. Issa Llave
10. Madelline Romero
11. Charlie Garcia
12. James Betia
13. Ralph Lim
14. Juliette Kwee
15. Juvy Ann Guzarin
16. Angel Anne Guzarin
17. Joyce Ong
18. Elyssa Reyes
19. Pamela Cajilig
20. Marikit Magkalas ( Abby’s friend aka Juvy Ann )
21. Maria Danica Naparan
22. Vicky Beresford
23. Roderico Atienza
24. Irene Mercedes Barnachea
25. Emma Ray Panaguiton
26. Mae Christine Joannie Bodo
27. JP Espinosa
28. Jeffrey Garcia
29. Simon Cervantes
CS MANILA SUMMER SCRAMBLE 2010
COUCH SURFER PHILIPPINES Group made a amazing-race like event and organized by CS Ambassdor Ronnie. It was held 22 May, 2010 covering Metro Manila historic sites.
I did not join the race due my recuperating knee injury but I volunteered together with my wife to man a pit stop that was in Nielsen Tower, the tower of old manila airport located in Makati City. Do you know where it is?
Above are the pictures of 12 teams with 4 participants each team with the time of their arrival at Nielsen Tower. All of them are scrambling and trying to catch their breath coming in to us. With me is my lovely wife, Ethel and CS Marie.
Everybody got their own stories to tell and I we, Marie, Ethel and me, were also excited seeing CS looking around and rushing to get the next clue.
This is a very successful CS Events by Ronnie, volunteers and participants. What a bonding moment for everyone. For sure, the party at Tintin’s place is a blast. Happy Birthday also to Tintin.
CS QUEZON PROVINCE ISLAND HOPPING
BORAWAN, DAMPALITAN and GRANDE ISLANDS
APRIL 24 - 25, 2010
INTRODUCTION/SUMMARY
Upon invitation of CS Gaye, herself, hubby CS Shervin, CS Pax and sweetipie Iva, Me and wifey Ethel, went to explore by boat Borawan and Dampalitan Island with its beautiful beaches.
We stayed in Vista Playa, KM 164 Padre Burgos just beside the clear water of Marao (pronounced Ma - ra - u) beach.
We went also to Puting Buhangin beach by car, paddling boat, motorized boat and back by trekking on the side of a hill to the parking lot.
We had 3 excellent square meals at Vista Playa and pitched our tent between the restaurant and the shore of Manco beach. The food are friied tilapia and milk fish, pork minudo, chop suey, fried egg, watermelon, soft drinks, mineral water. The staffs fo Vista Playa are excellent in service specially Irma and the cook Doning. Thanks to the lady owner and staff for our very enjoyable stay. Oh, our bill includes boat ride to two islands, beach entrance fees and beach cottages with free parking, free pitching tent and free mineral water.
Will try to complete soonest the blog. Maybe Gaye will finish early the blog in her website www.pinaytraveljunkie.com.
OKAY FOLLOWING IS THE BLOG
COUCHSURFERS - ISLAND AND BEACH HOPPING
Padre Burgos and Pagbilao, Quezon Province
April 24 – 25, 2010
Going to Padre Burgos
Gaye, Shervin, Oliver, Pax and Iva, left Bundia by Lucena Lines bus around 5:30 AM and reached Grand Terminal, Lucena City about 9:30 AM. Me and my Ethel left Las Pinas City about 5:45AM by car and arrived at Palasan, Sariaya, Quezon at about 9:00 AM to visit my brother who came from Vienna, Austria for one month vacation.
At about 9:30 AM, we left Palasan and arrived at Vista Playa Restaurant about 10:30 AM. The bus riders arrived about 10:00 AM.
VISTA PLAYA Restaurant, KM 164, Barangay Marao, Padre Burgos, Quezon Prov.
Cell No. 0918 604 86 01 – Irma Saniel
VPR is a restaurant and not a hotel. However, it has spacious surroundings for pitching maybe ten tents. There is also the long stretch of beach/shore owned by others to pitch tent. Overnight parking in front is free for customers.
We had excellent 3 meals, lunch, dinner and breakfast and had excellent service from the polite staff although a little aggressive but somehow funny. On the side, we ordered snack of chami (noodles cooked old pinoy style) and lomi (cooked noodles also) which were so delicious and filling. Do not miss to order and eat this while in or passing by Padre Burgos.
It has good and strong water for bath and cleaning. I believe it has pressure pump. The toilet below and bathroom with toiler at second floor are new and clean although quite small and cannot be rated good but fair.
VPR is open air and completely made of wood and local materials except the BR and toilet are concrete. Flooring is cemented and can turned into sleeping area for sleeping “baggers”.
ISLAND HOPPING
The schedule of island hopping was 2 PM but the boat man arrived early at 12NN and we were able to start at about 1 PM.
The Marao beach, location of Vista Playa Restaurant, is so shallow up to knee to waist for about 300 meters that the boat man has to pull the outrigger before starting the engine. The boat is good for 10 guys and not provided with life vests. Maybe VPR can provide life vests someday.
We went first to Borawan Beach just across in about 15 minutes. From VPR, you can clearly see Borawan beach.
Borawan beach has yellowish fine sand and coarse bits of shells and corals. It has quite interesting and intriguing rock formations. There are fossils??? and shells attached to rocks quite higher than the sea water level. I am wondering that long time ago, this island is somehow submerged and water turned to ice in North/South Pole. Just wondering!
The beach is short and I opined it cannot be compared to Boracay. However it has good cliff for rock climbing, bouldering and rappelling. My fellow mountaineer/officemate did this adventure with other 60 mountain climbers last month for cost of PhP 1,2000 excluding meals.
In another beach after some rocks, it is the jump off point to trek Mt. Lipata, less than 1000 MASL. They said it is about 1 hour trek and from summit you can see Grande Island in the west.
There is entrance fee to the beach, some open sided cottages for rent but no toilet nor water nor electricity. I did not test the cell phone signal however in barangay Marao, there is signal.
The swimming area is not clear water at that that time. I would say not recommended for snorkeling. Good for swimming, dipping and cooling yourself.
There are no shady trees along the beach but the cliff covers the beach against the afternoon sun. Morning sun will be broiling the beachcombers. You can still hide against rocks while dipping.
, Iva, a diver, turn out be a dragon boat paddler. She paddled a small banca about two meters long. I was amazed how easy she paddled back and forth, left and right the banca. Hmmmm. Maybe I will start kayaking! By the way, Pax is also a diver and I think both of them are PADI certified.
We left Borawan at about 3:00 PM and went to Dampalitan Beach.
DAMPALITAN BEACH, DAMPALITAN ISLAND
The beach has white sand and water is clear and sandy. The beach is about 1 KM and facing it, left ends in rocky cliff and right ends in Mangrove. Beyond the mangrove, it looks like another beach.
The beach has plenty of shady trees, cottages, tables and a selling store of drinks, snack, etc. There is water and toilet for a fee. So bring your own drinking water and small shovel to dig (hehehe). You will be forced to buy water for washing/cleansing/shower still.
There is entrance fee of PhP 30 per person and pitching tent overnight is also for a fee.
Snorkeling is not great although you will still see some fish in underwater plants. The beach is for swimming and dipping.
While snorkeling, I stumble into a big turtle. It was on leash about 8 meters long to a boat and swimming around. I swam with it and touched it. Pax took so many underwater shots of it.
There are few people although it is Saturday. This is quite a good place for mountaineers to enjoy the serenity of the place. Pitch tent, cook food and have socials at night without fear of disturbing the community of locals.
We left Dampalitan about 5:00 PM and went back to VPR for shower, dinner and social at night.
We had some good late night conversations. Pax, Iva, Oliver, Shervin, Ethel and Me. CS Gaye is 4 months preggy and slept early.
I pitched our tent on top of a wooden stage together with Pax’s. Me and wifey slept well.
The night is cool and breezy. It is so serene and but I am disturbed from time to time by earthquake. It was passing trucks along the highway that are thundering away and shaking the earth. Hahahaha. There was also nocturnal noise, zzzzzzzzsnortzzzzzzsnortzzzzzz. Hehehehe. But for short time only.
DAY 2 – Sunday
As usual, I woke up early about 5:30 AM and I asked for hot water for 3-in-1 Nescafe.
At about 7 AM, wifey and I went to the Poblacion to see the Municipal Hall, the Pier and Tamarind Tree Resort. Since the Municipal Hall was closed, one police officer gave me map of Padre Burgos by Bluetooth (pinoy are techie even in remote areas). Had some nice conversation with the 2 police officers and one local guy, Mr. Rubio.
The pier is quite long for big outrigger boats. It has empty wet market.
The Tamarind resort guard did not allow us to enter since we are not guests. So I can say nothing about this resort.
We bought some bread (ensaymada and monay) in a local bakery before going back to VPR.
After breakfast, picture taking and goodbyes, about 9 AM, we left behind Oliver, Shervin and Gaye who were going back to Manila.
We, foursome, proceeded to Puting Buhangin Beach, Grande Island. Putting Buhangin means White Sand.
PUTING BUHANGIN BEACH, Grande Island, Pagbilao, Quezon Province.
From Padre Burgos going back to Manila, we made a left turn to Grande Island just about 4 kilometers before reaching the town proper of Pagbilao, Quezon. There is a noticeable signboard that points to Pagbilao power plants, 15 kms or (19 kms).
About 3 kms to the end of the road is a barangay gatekeeper that charges Php 20 person and PhP 50 vehicle entrance fees. Going straight and turning right on a fork, we reached the parking area just near a lake. There were many parked jeepneys and vans and people are waiting to ride motorized banca.
Since the gatekeeper, with a tip of Php 10, told me that we can trek to the beach, I asked Mang Jess and pointed us to the trek.
It was almost 11:30 AM, hot and sunny, we decided to take the motorized banca. Mang Jess, boat man, offered to bring us across the lake by paddling at Php 15 per pax up to the transition beach.
That was a nice experience. The boat is good for 2 or 3 persons only. With the boatman, Ethel and me, I paddled also. I somewhat got the hang of paddling. It was about 10 minute-paddling. Of course, Iva and Pax paddled also. What an experience!!!
At the transition beach, we waited for the small motorized banca. While waiting a big boat came in and dropped about 15 passengers. Some of them trekked back to the parking area. Some with heavy luggage waited for the motorized boat.
The small motorized banca came and were lifted and carried by 4 men across the transition beach to small lake. Since Pax and Iva got in, we took the bigger banca at same price of PhP 25 per person going to Puting Buhangin beach.
The ride was smooth since the banca is big and can accommodate maybe 20 persons.
Approaching Putting Buhangin in about 10 minutes, we saw the Lampas Kweba (Cave with hole thru it) and the white beach area.
The beach is about a kilometer with fine white sand and clear crystal blue water. There were many cottages, maybe 7. There were many people but still not crowded.
The beach is in a cove where left and ride sides are rocky beach of about 500 meters each side.
Pax and Iva snorkeled far on the left and right side (facing the) to cove. I also snorkeled and saw many schools of fishes under big rocks and some full violet star fishes attached to rocks.
This is the beach I am looking for. Crystal clear blue water, rock formations on cove ends, plenty of colorful fishes, cave partly submerged in water and not crowded. The problem is no water for rinsing. There is men’s and ladies’ toilet but no water.
After paying entrance fee of PhP 50 per pax, we left Puting Buhangin about 3 PM and we trek back for about 10 minutes to reach the transition beach. We trekked again for about 10 minutes to the parking area with trek circling the lake. Hey we saved Php 25 + Php 15 boat ride per person. Hehehe. It was not the saving but the experience to trekking.
We reached Sariaya Quezon for our early dinner and shower in Austrian design bathroom of my brother. My brother designed his new house and quite proud of it.
We left Sariaya Quezon about 6PM and we are at Alabang Exit about 8:30 PM.
ITINERARY
I would say we got the right itinerary for own vehicles. Stay at Vista Playa for lunch, dinner, and breakfast. Pitched tent and enjoy the night social with Lambanog Spirit (wine??). Jump off for island hopping to Borawan and Dampalitan. Ride to Grande island, swim, snorkel and explore the Lampas Kweba. This the right IT for Iva, Shervin and Oliver. Take the but and van to Vista Playa.
For mountaineers by bus, best is going first to Puting Buhangin by trekking 3 kilometers direct to Puting Buhangin. Boat ride to Dampalitan and overnight. Boat ride to Borawan. Boat ride to Vista Playa for lunch and washing, rinsing and shower. Van and bus ride from Padre Burgos to Manila.
We shall return to Padre Burgos to trek Mt. Lipata, the water falls and see Magasawang Bato
CS Thirstday 15 April 2010
My second Thirstday meet up with CS in Madison Square Garden.
I was not able to upload in Facebook last Sat and Sun kasi I left the power at the office. hehehehe
Road Trip Baler, Aurora Province
Upon invitation of SMBerks Jovy and Vincent, SMB held its Senior Members Parliamentary meeting combined with road trip to Beaches (Ampere, Sabang, Lukso Lukso, Cemento), Ditumabo Mother Falls, Cunayan Baby Falls, Oldest (600 years) and biggest tree in Asia, Museums, Okotan Cave, and Sabang Surf Spots, etc.
With the hospitality of Jovy’s and Vincent’ families, it was a great and satisfying event of road trippings of San Luis, Dipaculao and Baler Towns of Auroar Province.
Tama sana ang tags ko ng ating pinuntahan. Let me know kung mali. Sure ako sa sabang, ermita, port. not charlie’s, cemento, lukso lukso
Will finalize the blog later.
Road Trip Ilocos Norte
Couch Surfer Manila upon invitation of Len Torres we went on a Road Trip to his hometown, Badoc Ilocos Norte.
It was a very wonderful trip with happy CSers.
We went to Paoay Church, Malacanang of the North, Marcos Mauseleum, Lighthouse Cape Bojeador, Blue Lagoon Pagudpud Beach, Bangui Wind Mills, Badoc Island, and Vigan Heritage Village. We ate the famous empanada, rice cake, cassava cake and famous food cooked by Torres Family.
I will post some pictures later.
ROAD TRIP ILOCOS NORTE
March 20 – 21, 2010
Event Organizer – Len Torres, assisted by Cathrine Iblan
OUR TRIP
Our trip materialized upon the invitation of Len Torres to all CSers. We were 19 who confirmed the trip to Ilocos Norte.
We were Len, Catherine, Gian Karla, Kristin, Pam, Charlie, Daniel, Pax, Viv, Theodora and Honor (both Hungarians) , Jimmy (French guy) and Hilda and Mayumi (2 yrs old), Ken (Taiwanese) and friend, Ethel and Me. Daniel, coming from Tuguegarao, Cagayan Valley, followed and got us in Pagudpud. Jen and Archie failed to join.
TRIVIA - Mayumi is the youngest among us. Me is the eldest. LOL. Mayumi is French-Filipina but speaks fluent Tagalog. She a little sick during the trip.
Me and Ethel were quite early at the station about 8:30 PM,. Catherine became in charged of attendance, collection of bus fare and booking. At 10:30 PM the listed departure time, all aboard except Archie and Jen who decided not to join the bus ride and will follow.
TRIVIA - Our host, Len, came late since she was still working last minute and held up by the traffic. When she came onboard, everybody clapped their hands. Happy? Definitley yes. Thanks, Len, for this event.
We took the last trip of RCJ Transit located at Espana St., Manila at about 11 PM and we arrived Badoc, Ilocos Norte about 6:30 AM. We had stops at Capas, Tarlac and Vigan City, Ilocos Sur for midnight and early morning snack and to relieve oneselves. At Vigan city, RCJ gave free hot noodle soup and/or coffee.
The bus is air conditioned. I had a hard time getting some sleep even the seats are reclining.
TRIVIA – My wife told me “ did you fart?” Oh no! After few minutes, she said again “did you fart?” I said no and move to his place. There I smelled it. Afterwards, she said “there it goes again”. Hehehehe. Who was that? I don’t know.
We took our delicious Ilocano breakfast at the residence of Len Torres. I recalled it included tasty longanisa with fried egg.
The house is a mansion with 9 big rooms with air con at second floor and 3 bedrooms at ground floor. The front yard has nice landscape and quite spacious.
OUR ROAD TRIP
Altough sleepy and tired, we are all vibrant when we started to move at past 9AM in two Vans. The father of Len was kind enough driving one van with his brother as guide. Len rode the other van.
We went first to Paoay Church, the biggest and oldest (???) church in the Philippines. It was as if you are back in time during Spanish Era in the Philippines. The façade and the walls are really old. When you look at the side, it looks like you are not in the Philippines. The church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Everybody took pictures and posed for Facebook shots. A local photographer obliged to take our group shots using all our cameras. He knew the best angle to shoot. His shot of Catherine appeared she was touching tip of belfry and the church. Catherine appeared to be balancing in valet fashion. I envied that shot. Next time, I know how and where to do it.
There was a wedding ceremony and we waited for the bride to come. The bridal car came in a few minutes. CSers took stolen shots of the bride together with some CSers in a distance.
Nearby there is restaurants and souvenir shops. Also there is a neighborhood sari-sari store that sells soft drinks at local price not tourist price.
TRIVIA – Maui bought soft drinks at the store and it was poured inside a small plastic pouch. The Hungarians saw it and must be puzzled. That’s how soft drinks are served if dine out.
Next stop was Malacanang of the North and the Mauseleum of late President Ferdinand Marcos with his remain in wax.
There was museum with pictures, car plates, presidential table and other memorabilla of the late Marcos. Taking pictures of the body of late President Marcos was not allowed. But still some took stolen shots.
TRIVIA – It was dark inside the mausoleum and the remain has spot light. After stolen shots, you will hear some whisper in the dark. Who is that?
It was hot and warm outside. So we ate local ice cream and drank cold bottled water from ambulant vendors outside the museum.
Since we do not have the time and it was hot, we skipped Sand Dunes of Suba Desert where accordingly you feel you are in Sahara Desert. It was in Sand Dunes that “Ang Panday”, a local TV telenovela was shot. We also skipped the house where the famous painter Juan Luna was born. He painted the famous Spolarium. We also skipped the trip to Kapurpurawan Rock Formation.
TRIVIA – Gen. Douglas McArthur during WWII said “ I shall return”. So we CSers will return to complete the journey by next month, April.
We proceeded with a long journey to the lighthouse in Burgos, Ilocos Norte, called Cape Bojeador. It was an old structure but strong one made of concrete. Leading to the lighthouse is concrete staircase.
TRIVIA – One mountaineer among us and two heavy friends did not climb the Lighthouse but opted to eat Halo-halo, a local cold drinks with crushed ice, milk, sugar and sweet fruits/beans. Hehehe. Who are you?
Inside the lighthouse, only 9 persons per group are allowed to go up since it is a small area at the top. We went up thru steel spiral staircase and passed thru the machine with steel gears. There is a good view of the China Sea and the surrounding landscape and beach.
There is room at the ground floor of a little bit history and a replica of the lighthouse.
The lighthouse was not working since June 2010. It needs some money for the repair.
TRIVIA – We had nice group photo shoot at the stairs leading to the lighthouse. When we looked at the pictures at home, there were two gatecrusher-love birds at the background. Tsk tsk tsk tsk.
Since it was about 1 PM, we proceeded to the Blue Lagoon, Pagudpud to take our lunch and have some fun swimming. The view leading to the lagoon was spectacular.Along the road, you will notice a small/low rock hill along the beach that has a big hole like tunnel in it. Fellow CSers said it is like a donut.
Our hosts had brought some cooked food for our lunch. We rented cottages along the beach.
The beach was not full and it was quite beautiful and serene. No rowdy crowd.
TRIVIA – Theodora and Honor just came days before from diving trip in Puerto Galera. Pax is also a diver. Although I am not a diver, we enjoyed a lot diving with snorkel the rock formation under sea. I saw how graceful they moved under the sea. How I envy their diving skills.
The waves usually appeared just near the shore. The water is shallow by about 3 to 4 meter yonder then sudden drop and you are under water. No jelly fish.
I went to the left of the blue lagoon to take pictures of 3-rock-island formation that I saw when coming to the beach area.
TRIVIA – We took the open sided hut to eat our late lunch. Beyond there is the expensive beach resorts, the Kapuluan Beach Resort and Hannah’s Beach Resort. I believe they are renting surf boards with instructor. Next time, next time.
At about 5 PM we left Pagudpud beach and proceeded to Bangui Wind Mills. The wind mills are the only one in Asia. This wind mill generates cheap electricity.
We arrived at the beach where Wind Mills about 2 kilometers are erected. The sun was setting but we were able to take good shots.
At the beach, anyone can take a dip but it was getting dark. There are also several souvenir stores selling specially wooden replica of the wind mill.
TRIVIA – Next time, next time. Right Len?
We returned to the Torres residence for lunch and shower/bath.
Since we were all tired due to lack of sleep of the travel by bus and since we needed to rest for the next day early departure, we did not have our socials.
TRIVIA – At about 9 AM, I saw one lady CS drinking Red Horse at second floor veranda. I wanted to drink also and drink San Miguel Light Beer. I was not so eager to drink anyway so I opted to see the movie “Australia” in HBO with others before sleeping.
On our second day, Sunday, we proceeded early to Badoc Island. This time it was only one air-conditioned Van and an open-side jeep. The road was just at the back of Torres residence. The van had to returned to pick up the other CSers.
TRIVIA – The Hungarians saw this unique ride in a small jeep with no air con. This jeep is a WWII vintage and used in the province. They took the ride. My “new heavy friends” joined them but the tires went almost flat and had to alight to take the Van. Daniel took pictures of the tires before and after “The Boarding”. Was it uploaded in Facebook? Peace my friends. CSers love Csers.
We passed barangay Saud thence to beach where we took our 3 boats to the island. It was only about 15 minutes from the mainland to reach the island. The sea was a little rough but it was fun riding with a little roller coaster speed. Good thing the sun was shy and hiding behind unusual summer clouds.
The island was deserted with some improvised huts of local people. The beach was clean and the water was refreshingly cold. The sand was almost white and the beach shore had plenty of sea grass, rocks (not sharp) and fishes. It was nice to swim in clear blue water that was as clear as swimming pool.
The island is leaf shape and is about 1.1 kilometers long and 500 meter wide. In the middle, it is about 7 meters above sea level. The exact location is 17o 55.155’ N and 120o 24.892’. The shape reminded me of leech (limatik) when resting is of the same shape which I saw a plenty at Mt. Makiling and Mt. Kanlaon.
TRIVIA – I heard the island was sold to Taiwanese recently. I checked the internet and it was posted for sale. So better hurry, come over before the island becomes prohibited to public. Also,I am trying to get a guy from Austria who is interested in buying an Island. Hope I will get the guy so we can have CSers Island Haven.
Staying in Badoc Island is the best part of the Road Trip, second only is Pagudpud for me. Why? Because I love the beach and Badoc is more unspoiled than Pagugpud. There is no Resorts in the Badoc island. There is a big deserted wooden houses near the South tip of the island. The rock formation looks like million of years ago and are beautifully and artfully shaped by the waves. The islands was inviting to be explored with trek trails to the other side. This looks like a secret surf place (sand brake maybe). It will be great to stay overnight and chill the night away. Next time, next time.
We were at the beach around past 8AM. Unfortunately, there were button size jelly fishes that stung many of us. Good thing some brought was oil or lotion that removed the itchiness. At about 11AM, the jelly fishes were gone.
CSers stayed in water even at 12 NN until at the time of leaving. Why? Because the water was refreshingly cool and blue while at the beach was hot and dry. Though others slept and rested under some nipa huts or shades.
TRIVIA – Maui said I was like Agua, an ABS-CBN telenovela character, with my blue hooded dri-fit shirt. We both played with a big drift wood and posed with it.
We had our beach breakfast of hot dog, fried eggplant with egg and fried rice and a medium size grilled fresh fish. Our lunch was grilled fresh fish again, pork adobo, vegetables and rice.
TRIVIA – Gian, Daniel, Ken, Vivian, and Jimmy swam about 500 meters to a ramp with steel drums. These guys/gals must be good swimmers. Theodora followed but by time she got there, all the others are gone. Hehehe. But she is a good swimmer also as well as seasoned diver.
We left the beach about 3PM and return to Torres residence for shower and bath.
At about 5 PM, we took the bus to Vigan City, Ilocos Sur and went to Old Colonial Houses located at Calle Crisologo. The old houses are now tourist attraction with many stores selling souvenir items. There was a calesa for a ride along the street. I believe this is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
TRIVIA – We took about 5 tricycles from the highway to the plaza of Vigan City. It must be an exotic ride for the Hungarian, Taiwanese and French CSers.
Then we took our dinner of empanada, a local food. That is dough with egg, fried and wrapped with vegetables, cheese or meat. Others ate McDo and Jolibee meals. Theodora and Honor stayed in Vigan City and had proceeded to Baguio, Sagada and Banaue on the following day. Daniel went back to Pagudpud Beach to enjoy further the beach.
The rest of us too the bus to Manila at around 9 AM and we arrived in RCJ station at Espana St. Manila at exactly 6AM
TRIVIA – Len, took all our fares while she was standing and walking along the aisle of running bus. You are great event organizer!!! Or conductress, joke. Peace Len.
Our total expenses each was Php 1,850 that is inclusive of bus and boat transportation, meals and free lodging courtesy of Torres Family. Thanks again Len.
Two days was short to explore all the spectacular interesting sites of Ilocos Norte but me and my wife are fully satisfied with it.
We will be back soon. Many thanks Len.
SMB Mountaineers
NAGSASA COVE
SUBIC, ZAMBALES
Feb 27 - 28, 2010
Society of Mountaineering Berks (SMB)
Traverse Climb of
February 27 – 28, 2010
We left Victory Liner in
Early trail is a rough road and no tall trees covering the trail against the sun. Good thing we started our trek early morning at 4:30 AM. The trails in the middle of the trek are rocky and dry and were narrow to about 10 inches. We reached the saddle of the mountain at daybreak which is about more than halfway to the beach.
We also passed flat land with tall grasses about 7 feet high and the trail is not visible due to crisscrossing stems and branches. Even with headlamp, you will not know what you are stepping whether it is flat, sharp, small stone or big rock or just plain flat with sudden change of elevation, drop or up. To avoid injury, I usually stepped slowly and tried to grope the trail.
I believe this flat land was among the paths of lahar from
At about 6:30 AM, it was sunrise and we took our packed breakfast. We were at the saddle and would trek around the mountain. Just few minutes trek, you can see the full view of landscape and Nagsasa Cove. We took a rest for some photos and that was about 8:00 AM.
It was a beautiful sight. It was magnificent reward after punishing trek of rocky and uphill trail. Stepping on stones posed twisting of ankles and may lead to injury. In fact my right ankle was painful upon reaching the cove.
After so many photo shoots, we started our trek down. Reaching the flatland, we trekked grassy sandy open trail along stony river. The sun was a torture as well as the hot sand that bounced the heat to our faces. I was afraid of heat stroke. However I drunk plenty of fast diminishing mineral water and covered my head and back neck.
At about 9:00 AM, we reached the about-20-meter-wide rocky river, but with trickling water.
According to our Aeta guide, this river swells up to 6 feet during rainy season. This is the reason why my wife did not join the trek since she saw the waistline level of water in some websites.
After the torture of the blazing sun, we triumphantly, victoriously reached Nagsasa beach at about 9:30 AM. We met our lady mountaineers who came by the boat from Pundaquit beach with our supplies of food, water, etc.
We were surprised that the beach has plenty of open sided huts for rent and has good supply of spring water coming from the mountain. Still no cottages for rent..
There is a store selling some groceries and has cold soft drinks as well as beer, gin and rhum. The cold drinks only lasted few hours and ice was gone. In the afternoon, ice came in by the boat and one can have halo-halo. There is also bananaque (banana fried with sugar served in bamboo stick) and turon (fried banana in thin dough wrapper).
We pitched our tents and many swam until 11 AM, blessed with good weather and shy sun hiding behind dark clouds.
In the afternoon, we are supposed to trek to the waterfalls and fetch water for cooking. However, since it was hot and the trek is sandy as well as that the waterfalls is “less-water-falls”, we decided just to chill until it is time again to swim and explore the cove. In addition, the guides are charging additional fees.
We are 40 SMB mountaineers followed by other 10 mountaineers in the morning. There were also other mountaineers when we arrived. The cove is never crowded. This is a place for mountaineers, at the moment. Someday it will be commercialized.
The shore is wide and long. The water is not deep, refreshingly cold and clear. No corals nor stones. Only gray sand sea bed. It is quite a new discovery, a less beaten place. For the public to enjoy the beach, they have to boat-ride about 2 hours from Pundaquit,
The view of the mountains with its landscape that cover 270o is awesome. The sight is serene specially at night with the full moon over our socials.
SOCIALS
Although we are all tired and needed some good rest, we pushed thru with our socials. As usual everybody introduced itself and got some cheesy questions from the rest. The usual questions are “are you taken?”, “status?”, “age?” or “province?”. Since there is no electricity, there is no karaoke.
Drinks went around. Others drunk more but I drunk less enough to have a good night sleep.
DAY 2
Early morning I woke up about 5:30 PM to start my photo shoots for our Photo Contest. I went to left side of the cove where there are rock formations. Using a tri-pod, I shoot different positions, style, angles, sites, and camera settings. Sitting, squatting, lying, standing, walking, smiling, poker face, posing like Agua, etc. Finally I decided that lotus position with the mountain and beach as background will convey the subject “In Line with Nature”.
In fact, I won the third prize. The first prize is photo of SMBerk fishing in shallow water with long wooden pointed stick (I like the message of pic) and second prize with SMBerk in Karate Kid-pose above the water (the stone under water was not visible). My camera is an old Nikon coolpix that gives me good clear shots most of the time. (After this, I got new Camera Nikon Coolpix S51c, 8.1 megapixels with 3-inch high resolution LCD monitor. )
Others spent time to make their pictures for the contest and mementoes.
After breakfast, we enjoyed the water further until lunchtime. The weather again was cooperative. The sun was still shy hiding behind the clouds.
After lunch, we packed our tents and went to
We reached Camara island safely and had some swimming and snorkeling in clear blue water and diving (with snorkel) stones underwater with lots of colorful fish. Some underwater stones have sea urchins with stings visible, I was careful in stepping. We had some group photos taken and left to Pundaquit beach after about 45 minutes.
This time the ride was smooth since the sea was calm and the sun is still hiding.
We took our shower at a Pundaquit beach and we proceeded to the town proper for our bus going back to
That was a great adventure again. With some sacrifices but memorable and satisfying results.
