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

 

 

Mt. Halcon...my very first 9/9...June 18-22, 2013

Mt. Halcon 

Mt. Halcon was my very first 9/9 mountain and so far my best and worst. I only started hiking last October 2012 but then got hooked with this hobby and started a regular hike this January 2013. When I learned about Halcon I got so excited. Being a newbie I did everything to prepare myself for the biggest challenge. 

Then the day came. We already met some challenges on the first day. Instead of going through Lantuyan as originally planned the organizers decided to take the Mayabig trail. It was porter issue. They require 2 porter/guides per 5 pax which we think were too much. But was in their rules and regulations so there was nothing we can do. We reached the jump off of Mayabig Trail at almost noon already after being transferred on two jeepneys. 

After everything has been set including ourselves the hike started. It was very humid but spirits were still high. Then after a few hours we had to do an e-camp. The reason was one of the participants could not go on anymore. So the next day we were expected to trek 15hrs until Camp 3(as far as i know). Until unforeseen circumstances happened. There was miscommunication to where we should meet and regroup. And the lead group did not know that there were issues with the porter loads and with one of the participants that slowed the last group. The weather also went bad and the river swelled making it impossible for the last Group to pass. The lead group was already way ahead as they decided to push through. I was included in the middle group. Since it rained and we got worried for the 3 other participants who followed the lead group(after talking to PLDT group it seems that lead did not know they followed) we just decided to stay and do an e-camp (thus referred to as Camp 2 Babies) and wait for further instructions and hoping the river would be passable. 

We met one of the organizers and told him about the situation of the three participants. Our concern was they may not have food or tent to get by that night. We gave half of the food we have and the guide went back to the last group who already decided to settle at Camp 1. We were supplied with food from Camp 1 and we had some socials in Camp 2. Thanks to the people I met in Camp 2 I didn't feel it was a survival mode. Though we were only sleeping in a tarp and an open tent we still managed to have a good laugh hoping that tomorrow everyone will be able to come back safely. After that e-camp in Camp 2 we went back to Camp 1. There we waited for the lead group to arrive. We did not take action anymore as what was important to us was their safety. 

At around 8pm the last group from the lead group arrived. But the challenges did not stop there. Since most of us were still on vacation leave on Monday we planned to do a day hike The six of us decided to start at 4 am. Of course everyone wanted to summit Mt. Halcon. But then it rained the entire night. The next day the skies cleared and we were allowed to go with the plan. This time all the participants who were not able to summit joined. We became a large group. When we started to trek the rain poured and never stopped. We were able to reach the Azotea but due to strong winds and zero visibility the porter/guide and our Team Lead decided to abort summiting. We were all fine about it at least we tried. It was just a few meters away but weather condition was so bad that time. Descending from the summit we were met by another challenge. Two of the participants seem they cannot continue anymore. It was already around 7pm and crossing falls in that condition was not advisable. Another e-camp for us. 

We found shelter in a small cave. No foods(just a few cloud nine, left over Nutella, 2 packets of instant coffee and 2 packs of noodles). We were all cold since everyone was wet the entire hike. They started a fire but it was more of a smoke the entire night rather than fire. Woods were wet making it difficult to make fire. It was a very long night. Two persons made the entire e-campers' spirits alive through jokes. Actually even while on the trail we were filled with jokes. Thus our group was named Happy Team. There was a small e-camper group who got separated from us but they were able to get by safely too.

The next day we were all back at camp 1. It was a long descent with limatik(leeches) attacks and mud slides along the way. But we were able to make it to the jump off. Though there was still a problem with one participant we're glad he's ok now. 

Dulangan River 

Lessons learned and realization:

1. Do not under estimate the mountain

2. Good planning and communication are required

3. In a large group you cannot expect people to have the same pace so it has to be considered

4. Stick to people you trust the most (in times of emergency you know they will never abandon you)

5. Be self contained. if not make sure all your emergency items are with you(if you have a porter he should be beside you all the time)

6. I was frustrated not being able to summit after all my preparations but realized and learned that SUMMITING is OPTIONAL. there were a lot of what ifs...situations that happened. i could have been in that group who was able to reach the sumit but I guess there was a purpose. never the less I had the best times of my life being with the Camp 2 Babies and the Happy Team. 

7. Halcon will never go away. I can go back anytime. 

8. Mountain is a test. I've seen relationships, friendships and personalities tested by Mt. Halcon. It brought our true selves. 

     I will never regret the experiences Mt. Halcon brought me. I met new people and gained knowledge in mountaineering. I guess there is no stopping now. I just need to heal my wounds hehe I had few cuts because I wore sandals when I was summiting. Still I can't wait for my new adventures. :-)

View from our first E-Camp(Ayambukog) 

Raging falls of Mt. Halcon from Aplaya Camp Site

MT. UGO (2,150+)

Jump-off point: Kayapa, N. Vizcaya

      This was my birth mountain. It took me over 10hrs to reach the campsite. I had no exercise before the climb, as in no preparation at all. I was told that this it will jus tbe a fun climb and will only take 3-4 hrs.  I was an outdoor person but mostly as a beach camper and a travel tourist so I said to myself that this climb will be no different. And as they say, the rest was history :)