Bird flu, bovine madness, exploding watermelons etc. and now killer cucumbers! Hmm...maybe next time we will have fast-multiplying murderous dust bunnies. :-)

Licking Ghirardelli's Midnight Reverie off my fingers...chocolate overdose at past 12 midnight...its ok even if I am working.

Awe-moment: "Darkness Breaks" at Mt. Pulag, Philippines

My toes are still tingling a little bit painfully...but its an experience of a lifetime!



As cliche as that may sound, the Mt. Pulag trek I underwent from May 21-22, 2011 is a memory I will revisit every time I see anything resembling a mountain or even just a hill (be it an anthill or just a termite hill!)



This photo was shot around 5 a.m. when I was on my way from Camp 2 to the summit of Mt. Pulag.

I had just stubbed my right big toe the hardest on a jutting rock on the trail (must be the aftereffect of not enough rest and doing this much exertion)...and I was almost hopping about like a mad hatter. I had to be careful to minimize my flailing around due to the ravine on my other side.


Camera: DMC-LX5
Unedited photo except for the text.

Mt. Pulag: "Darkness Breaks"

My toes are still tingling a little bit painfully...but its an experience of a lifetime!

As cliche as that may sound, the Mt. Pulag trek I underwent from May 21-22, 2011 is a memory I will revisit every time I see even just a hill (even if anthill pa yan or termite hill!)

This photo was shot around 5 am when I was on my way from Camp 2 to the summit of Mt. Pulag.

I had just stubbed my right big toe the hardest on a jutting rock on the trail (must be the aftereffect of not enough rest and doing this much exertion)...and was almost hopping about but had to be careful due to the ravine on my other side.


Camera: LX5
unedited photo except for the text.

Fleeting View of a Baguio Sunrise

Baguio, Philippines, 21 May 2011-
Groggy and feeling zombie-like due to lack of sleep and having long limbs cramping up in a van made me somewhat grumpy.

What consoled me were the two cups of scrumptious strawberry taho and the reddish hues of the Baguio sunrise I saw when I opened my eyes as we were on our way to the DENR station before proceeding to Mt. Pulag.

I hardly get to snap sunrise pics because I sleep late. This time, even if it was from the car window, the glow from the East was a beautiful sight for my raccoon-like eyes.

Baguio is full of noxious fumes these days, a far cry from the memory of my youth...but its still a nice place to zoom by....
especially if the sun greets you with such a luscious tinge.


Unedited pics from LX5.

The surprising month of May had me traipsing all around Luzon and to think it wasn't even planned beforehand! Just the travel-thirsty-me accepting all the chances to see all the beautiful places in our Mother Nature-blessed archipelago. I can probably rightly say "I am a cat from sea to summit.." based on what somebody told me in a chat - Nasa Manila pa ba daw ako? kc kung wala daw ako sa bundok, nasa dagat naman ako...LOL

"Its Not Lonely at the Top"

What a marvelous view from the top of this peak...and we had food and drinks too :-)

When you've got friends who hike with you to the highest peak, its never lonely at the top!

With Andrea (Nidz), Agnes and Dingdong
at Gulugod Baboy (Pig Spine),
Mabini, Batangas, Philippines
on the 14th of May 2011

Taken with my waterproof G3WP which has stitching feature on the fly.
Unedited except for the caption.

2 a.m. Back from Mt. Pulag. 2:30 a.m. Hungry in Makati. Regret? I wasn't able to appease my longing for Pizza Volante in Baguio earlier.

Two servings of strawberry taho in Baguio...perfect finish of our drive to the "City of Pines" from Edsa Central.

Boiling water in my batirol. Tis raining, so its time to do the highly-revered tradition passed down from generation to generation - the most sacred sikwate ritual....

Checklist for Cold Weather Mountain Trek/Camping

Clothing:

* Dri-fit blouse and pants, similar material underwear
Thermal wear
* Extra pairs of socks, dri-fit
* Arm and leg warmers
Gloves
Scarf
* Hat/Bonnet
* Waterproof jacket/windbreaker preferably with hood
* Sweater for layering, material preferred is cashmere to keep you warm
Balaclava
* Hiking shoes which can let water pass through - my Merrel Waterpro Maipo may do the trick I think
Raincoat - maybe I can substitute using a garbage bag and cutting it *grin*
Slippers - some treks have bathing areas after the descent

Toiletries:

* Sunblock
* Chapstick - cold weather cracks lips
*  Bag with overnight supply of soap/shampoo/toothbrush/toothpaste/deodorant; comb
* Insect repellent
* Medicine tablets such as anti-diarrhea, headache,anti-inflammatory etc., band-aid, anti-inflammatory cream ...
* Vitamins
* Travel towel - if bigger one, may function also as blanket
* Wet ones/baby wipes
* Antibacterial spray or alcohol


Equipment:

* Camera and memory cards
* Cellphone, Indiglo watch
* Charger for phone/camera/ extra batteries
Tripod - maybe if its a very sturdy one, if all else fails use as walking stick? hehehe


Sustenance-related:

* Trail food/mix, nuts, bread, cheese - maybe the cold weather will act as ref
* Water bottle
* Liquids: water and other replenishment liquids
Tupperware with handy spoon/fork or chopsticks


Others:

* Flashlight/Headlight (my keychain usually has a small maglite)
* Swiss knife
* Plastic bag - one for laundry, other for garbage bag
* Trekking bag with cover to protect it from rain
* Freezer bags
Three-fold umbrella
* Dry bags for camera and other important stuff
Sleeping bag
Tent - rent or share
Earth pad - forego if there is some other coats or clothes and use them
Travel blanket/pillow
Carabiner key hooks - part of bag
Walking stick - or pick up one on the trail?
* Extra foldable or dry bag
* Fanny bag for easy reach of important stuff, or maybe a small body bag


Note:
Those marked with * are must-haves for me

Batangas, A Visit to Mabini

Start:	May 14, '11
End:	May 15, '11
Location:	Anilao, Mabini, Batangas, Philippines

for documentation purposes -

went with Nidz, Agnes and Dingdong.

stayed at Bontoc in Batangas B&B

Tinette missed it as due to her twisted ankle

visited Gulugod Baboy,
island hopped to Sombrero but didn't dock at Maricaban and others
food tripping galore

Climb for a Cause: Mt. Pulag

Start:	May 20, '11 10:00p
End:	May 22, '11
Location:	Bokod, Benguet, Philippines

Climb for A Cause PULAG -
c/o Anywhere Philippines
May 20-22 weekend


To benefit the students of Kamaggaan Elementary School in Tikey, Bokod, Benguet.




Using: Ambangeg Trail

The problem with branding is a *toink moment* for me. So my friend Jeng emails me a list of what she thinks we can also bring to the Mt. Pulag trek. On it was "gardenia". I innocently asked, "But Jeng, why will I bring a flower?". Golly, e sliced bread pala! LOL

Highly recommended! "Bontoc in Batangas" is a must to try if you visit Anilao, Mabini, Batangas! - its like staying at a Bontoc-themed cottage on a hot beach :-) PLUS the artfully-arranged delicious food is a definite treat while you relax in and wander their eye-catching lodgings...hope to visit again!

I was sleeping while the planetary alignment/conjunction was ongoing on Friday the 13th. Shouldn't something of epic proportions be happening?

2011 Group Tours « TRAVELFACTOR.ORG

http://thetravelfactor.wordpress.com/2011-group-tours/
Looking out for places to see here and abroad!

Thanks to the Pacman! Happy Mothers Day!

365 Great Pinoy Stuff

http://365greatpinoystuff.wordpress.com/
I just found this blog..and my goal now is to go through all of the entries and make a comment on each of 'em...

it makes me proud to be Pinoy...so much stuff to be happy about....

Coron na!

Start:	Aug 28, '11
End:	Aug 31, '11
Location:	Coron, Busuanga, Palawan, Philippines

Way back in 2007, I wanted to try for Coron but you know how it is with circumstances....

Ever since I visited Palawan last year, I said, next time El Nido na..or Busuanga...or basta Palawan!

I missed doing this last April...and though I missed the Php 700 ticket due to some timing and exhaustion...its a good opportunity to try visiting this place...even if its not the peak of summer...

Jose Rizal 150th birthday anniversary

Start:	Jun 20, '11 09:00a
Location:	Philippines

non-working day!

In commemoration of Jose Rizal (1861 - 1896).

This might be a good time to plan a trip :-)

One whole spicy tinoktok for lunch! One of the best edible souvenirs from Albay...

How much of the Philippines have I visited? as of May 5, 2011

I took this test before and I got a B as of March 29, 2010.

But I was wondering with my additional trips -

.....have I improved? Hmmm...

My Lakbayan grade is B+!

How much of the Philippines have you visited? Find out at Lakbayan!

Created by Eugene Villar.

Checkmark: Whale shark interaction in Donsol, Sorsogon! Go Butandings!

Firelight watching in Donsol, Sorsogon made me remember my childhood visits to my grandma's house. The trees in her backyard used to festooned with fireflies at night and I used to bring home some in a jar back to my parents' house...