Treasure Mountain.....Sea of Clouds???

Sea of Clouds at the Treasure Mountain
Tanay Rizal, March 2019


Collection of photos taken at the Treasure Mountain in Tanay Rizal.
This was an overnight camping trip on a weekday.
For information regarding the place visit their page: https://www.facebook.com/TreasureMountainTanay/
I also did find out of this place through other blog sites.
Place is easy to find through waze. :)

Bataan adventures...in a day....

March 13, 2017

Bataan Adventures...in a day...

Another surprise adventure on a special day. Thanks to Waze for providing guide to our destinations.

     Our first stop was the Laz Casas Filipinas De Acuzar (Philippine Houses by Acuzar). The place was a good addition to our knowledge of Filipino Heritage. The houses and churches together with the man made lake and Spanish era facade were very much like a travel to the past.  It was a wonderful feeling to experience the richness of the old era through the houses. Kudos to the owner Mr Jerry Acuzar for preserving our culture through these houses. The structures were transferred and built piece by piece from it’s original location. One house was preserved almost 90% including its interior.

     We took a guided walk tour of the place. It was an hour and a half tour which included a short play from theatrical youth group. What makes the tour more special was being in the company of the Titos and Titas of Manila(senior and not so senior people). The constant complaints about the heat and the distance of each house but then always ready and gamely posing for selfies and groufies were so enjoyable to watch.

     There were other amenities that can be relished at the place such as dipping in the Swimming Pool and basking by the seashore. Foods were limited to the in house restaurants but we managed to sneak in few little snacks and drinks on our back packs. We were not able to visit all of the houses because some  were still occupied(they rent the house for home stay). Never the less we managed to get a good glimpse of the place and nice photos.

     Our second stop was a choice between Sisiman and Mt Samat, but due to the eagerness of a more adventure path we chose Sisiman. It was an hour away from Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar. Waze also provided good directions to the place. Our goal in this place was to see the light house and Mt San Miguel.

Sisiman

     There was an available parking in the area. No need to pay any registration and one can go directly to Mt San Miguel. There were children offering guide and securing the vehicle at the parking and can be employed at your own discretion but pretty much the parking was safe and the children guides were accommodating.

     A few minutes walk from the parking was the light house and the beach. As most of the blogs have said, beach was not the typical white-sandy shore that one would want but the sceneries and the rocks were such a sight to behold. There were cottages lined up by the shore for rent but since we did not have much time  we proceeded to our trek.

Sisiman Lighthouse

     The mountain can be trekked in an hour. The challenge to the climb was the afternoon heat and the loose soil but the view at the peak was very rewarding. It offered us a 360 view of the Sisiman. The port was a picturesque scene with all the colorful boats. The view of the nearby islands, Corregidor and Five Fingers(according to our kids- guide) and the GN Power plant was spectacular. Mts Natib and Tarak also stand mighty in the background. It was a very refreshing hike enough to wake the body and soul longing for some mountain rush.

Mt San Miguel

 PS:

If you need more information about the places, I have provided some of the blogs helpful to our trip:

http://trekero.blogspot.co.id/2015/11/sisiman-bay-pebble-beach-lighthouse.html

http://www.bluedreamer27.com/a-trip-to-mariveles-the-sisiman-bay/
http://www.takethetravel.com/las-casas-filipinas-de-acuzar-day-tour-thoughts-and-tips/

A surprise trip to Corregidor Island

ruins of the movie house 

I had so many reservations celebrating my special day(3.13.16) but I got a surprise trip...a historical tour that I never imagined will happen sooner. I had been reading blogs and researching for cheap travel packages for a tour in Corregidor Island but being a travel tipid (thrifty) adventurer I find it ridiculous to spend more than two thousand pesos for a day trip on the Historical island. Then as the T-SHIRT print in the Souvenir stores in the Island said - "Someone loves me and took me to Corregidor and bought me this shirt", I got the historical tour of my life and yes I got the shirt too but a different one. I wasn't cheesy enough to wear a shirt like that.

air conditioned ferry boat 

It was a 1.5  hrs trip on a ferry boat to the island and back. The tour package was bought online from the Sun Cruise Travel Tour including a buffet(just check online for different packages and prices). The travel started 8 AM from the Esplanade Bay and bus tour started as soon as the ferry reached the island and ended at 2:30 PM. 

exit of the lights and sound show of Malinta Tunnel

The whole experience was pleasant. The tour guide was fantastic and with a nice accent [she sounded knowledgeable like reading the whole entry of Corregidor Island in wikipedia:)]. Most of the tourists were foreigners so it was an English tour. It was nice having to relearn the history and see for yourself the aftermath of defending the fort from Japanese at the time of World War II. No atrocities were imparted in the whole tour. It was an educational tour and was set to remember and honor the Americans and Filipinos who defended Philippines during the time of war.

ruins of the barracks

panoramic shot of the ruins that served as barracks

area where para troopers landed

view of the Caballo Island

Japanese Memorial
(where dead Japanese were buried
but were already exhumed and cremated,
ashes were sent back to mainland)

Buddha of Mercy
(prayer ground for Japanese visitors)

Buddha of Mercy

Magalawa Island, Palauig Zambales

Port at the Veritas Compound

     A not so well planned 6 hr ride to an island but got to enjoy the serenity of a not so crowded beach resort. It was Friday after a graveyard shift that we finally decided to go to this island. Searched contacts and screen shot directions from other people's blogs. Thanks to the modern technology, travelers and adventurers get to share all their experiences online. All details were available on the web. 

    We arrived Friday night and opted to camp instead of getting a room as we thought it will be cheaper, besides it was breezy that night. There was a typhoon at the East -North Eastern part of Philippines but Magalawa Island is in the west part of the Philippines. No trace of a bad weather at the time we arrive till we left the island. We rented a cottage to have a place to cook and eat. 

    There were 2 resorts at the island but chose to stay at Ruiz resort upon reading many blogs, Their rates were flexible just need to ask the caretaker. The resort was well maintained. Surprised there were no mosquitoes or insects that bites at the island (trust me, i am a always the first target in any place I've been to). The beach reminds me of Cagbalete. It was very calm and shallow. The sands were powdery white. 

      Here are some pictures to  share from our overnight stay at Magalawa Island.

Sunrise at Magalawa Island

Magalawa Island  Ruiz Resort

this is our beach front cottage..
behind is our tent and yes we brought our coleman cooler :)

with my dear brother... told him about the trip few hours before we left Manila and in a flash got readied for the trip

this was being used as the stair for the boats

Beach Front Armada Resort, Magalawa Island

Camp Site at Armada Resort

Masasa Beach... a hidden treasure of Nasugbu

   My friends and I initially aspired for Fortune Island in Nasugbu. Upon researching and contacting persons for details we found out that the cost will be too much for 3 or 4 pax. We decided to look for another destination and found a write up of the same blogger on a beach called Masasa in Tingloy, Batangas.

   We worked on the details, took note of the Boat schedules and prepared our Itinerary. With 5 pax we headed for Buendia bus terminal and boarded a Batangas bound bus that will alight at Balagtas Grand Terminal. We left the bus station at around 7:45 am and arrived at the terminal at around 9:30 am. Jeepneys were already available at the terminal. We just asked around which one goes to Anilao Port. (Note: There are 2 ports that cater passengers to Barangay Tingloy in Maricaban Island, the Anilao Port and Talaga Port. The latter has a much earlier schedule so it's still best to choose Anilao Port).

   The Anilao-Tingloy public boat reminded me of the boats in Batangas Port bounded to Puerto Galera. It was big and can carry up to a hundred or more passengers. We left Anilao Port at around 10 am and after less than an hour we arrived at Tingloy Port.

Kat at Tingloy Port

The author at Tingloy Port

Anilao -Tingloy  Ferry Boat

 tricycle terminal at the port

   Tricycles were already available at the port to carry us to Masasa Beach jump off. We had to pass by a carinderia to buy our take out lunch. At the jump off we prepared for the 10 min trek down and through the rice fields. It was noon already but the heat did not spoil our spirits and off we went down to the beach.

   As soon as we arrived at the beach area we surveyed for a good camping spot but since a lot of people arrived earlier than us most of the good spots (especially the cave spots) were occupied. We settled in an area were there were trees to give us some shades. We cleaned the spot and set up our tents. Ate our lunch and headed to the beach.

our campsite with twin tents 

our take out lunch

  After our photo ops, we prepared our dinner. Since we need to catch the last schedule of the boat to Anilao Port we decided to wash up that night. We trekked a little to get to the water source. A well was waiting there beside some houses. They prohibit bathing near the water source so we had to do our baths a few feet away. It was also the source of their drinking water.

of course we also tried the underwater shots :)

   The next day we woke up at around 5 am, enough to have some breakfast, packed up our tents and went on another round of photo ops. We allotted an hour just to catch up with some pictures (as if we did not have enough hehe) .

10 mins trek through a rice fields

   We were just in time for the 8 AM boat. We were actually the last passengers for the 8 AM boat. The last trip was 9 AM. We chose to stay at the back of the boat. It was standing ovation but worth it. We passed by some islands and the blue sky and sea were amazingly beautiful. We did not mind standing all through out the ride  because we were so busy taking pictures.

   At Anilao Port we found out that there was no direct trip back to Grand Terminal, but manong trike driver said that he will drop us at the Diversion and from there we can ride a jeep going to the Batangas Terminal. At the Diversion, a tricycle took us to the terminal which was just 5 mins away and at 10 pesos each. It was far if you will decide to walk. The terminal offers a lot of buses going to the usual routes of Alabang and Cubao.

Masasa Beach feedback:

 

  The sand was powdery white. The water was so clear and not that deep which reminds me of Cagbalete Island. There were lots of rock formations. It has a long stretch of beach. One side had the coconut trees alongside concrete wall. We did not camp there even though there were still few spaces because the picture background will be the wall and we feared of getting hit by coconuts. The other side was where the caves and rock formations reside.

  The beach itself was clean but the shore unfortunately had a lot of garbage from probably years of camping and picnicking in the area. Sadly the community was not aware of the big potential the island has. It's a public beach but I still wish that the Barangay will be involved enough in preserving the area. An entrance or registration fee of small amount will not hurt the tourists. Actually we saw some locals from nearby island/place to be the ones leaving all kinds of trash. As outdoor enthusiasts we live by the LNT principle...Leave No Trace... but we cannot impose this to local residents, all we can do was to carry all trash that we can and set as a good example.

right side of the beach

cloudy skies

sunset at Masasa Beach

passenger boat with Mindoro as background