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.
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.
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| 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/
http://www.takethetravel.com/las-casas-filipinas-de-acuzar-day-tour-thoughts-and-tips/
