A PROMISE TO FULFILL: MT. PICO DE LORO

March 20, 2015

For the 2nd time, I was able to hike one of Cavite's most sought-after mountain, Mt. Pico de Loro in Ternate.

ITINERARY:

It was just an hour and 15min travel from Dasmarinas, Cavite. We travel around 3:30AM and get there by 4:45AM. We paid registration for P25 each and hike by 5am.

NEW TRAIL:

Due to some owner-privacy reasons, old trail was closed and a new trail opens. The start of the new trail is just right across the DENR station. Compare to the old trail, the new trail is shorter and less steep. It just took us 1hr and a half to get to the campsite. 

Obviously, Pico de Loro is one of the in demand mountains in Cavite, so a lot of hikers did overnight when we get there.

It was just an amazing view seeing this beautiful mountain right after the sunrise. It was just stunning and I'm speechless with its beauty. No wonder hikers go back and forth to this mountain

How to get rid of Acropobhia? (fear of heights), simple! Climb a mountain.

    *At the summit*

What made me decide to go back? I just don't have the chance to climb the Parrot's Peak or Monolith for the first time, so I made a promise and came back (although it took me 3years after). 

Climbing the Monolith is tough if you're not good in rapelling, that's why I got hurt during the climb. As they say, for every struggle that you conquere, there's some great things to look forward to.. I pushed it to the top.

 

And finally, I was able to fulfill a promise I made 3 years ago.

We descended around 8am from the Monolith, greeted some mountaineers who made an overnight stay at the camp.

We also noticed that there's no longer a store at the campsite, the owner prohibited it. The nearest store is located 20-30min walk from the campsite where you can buy this amazing and delicious halo-halo for P40.

Unlike the usual, it has sweet yema at the top. Refreshing it is after a tiring hike!

It just took us an hour to descend the beautiful mountain of Maragondon.

"It's not how many times you climb the same mountain, it's the experience and memories of every climb that matters." - Keng

MARINDUQUE - NATANGCO ISLAND

         MARINDUQUE - NATANGCO ISLAND

Jan 30 - Feb 1, 2015

I was able to experience one of Region IV - B's top province when it comes to naturally great view and amazing ambiance - Marinduque.

ITINERARY:

Time of Travel: 8hrs (coming from Cavite)

Since we're from Cavite, we travel from Dasmarinas to Turbina, Calamba for atleast 1hr (P70). Ride a bus from Turbina going to Lucena - Dalahican (P150) (approx. 3hrs before reaching the port). At Lucena - Talao Talao Port, we paid P30 for terminal fee and P260 for ship ride (Lucena - Mogbog). We had an approximately 3hrs boat travel. We reached Mogbog by 3:00AM and after 30min of tricycle ride, we're on our destination.

(Image above: Mama Mary's groto at Mogbog Port)

We leave around 7:30PM and reached Mogbog, Marinduque by 3:30AM.

THE EXPERIENCE:

By 9:30AM, Jan 31st, we decided to go to one of Marinduque's finest island beach - NATANGCO ISLAND.

Natangco Island is a private property that took us around 45min boat ride from Brgy. Kawayan, Mogbog. We rented a boat for P1000 for 6 persons that waited us for 2hrs.

During the boat ride, we notice small islands/islets nearby that take our breaths away. (Photos below:)

(Pictures was taken using my phone and will only be use on this blog)

An Island of Paradise - NATANGCO ISLAND:

The photos speaks for itself. Awesome scenery it is.

            (Above: Natangco Island)

           (Above: The dog that welcomes us in reaching the island, we called him "Buddy" that day)

        (Above the rocks, there's a small     place where we shed and eat)

Breathtaking views of Natangco Island: 

(Above: Stairs going to a small forestry)

       (Above: Us, shedding on the small   forestry)

    (Above: Me, with my future signature shot)

THE BEACH:

White sand, great view, amazing scenery, virgin island, clean water.. you name it, one of the best beach I've been to. A Paradise, as I called it.

Thank you for the experience! First beach for this year! 

"One of the best experience in life is going to places/travel with great people in any places you could be" - Keng