The Parrot's Peak

Hiking Mt. Palay Pico de Loro is a big adventure enough, but climbing it with just 3 people - a newbie friend and 2 inexperienced hikers - and no tour guide?  Insane.

Mikee and I discovered that we both like to reach mountain tops so in the middle of his birthday celebration, we scheduled a climb. He brought Carlo and I brought my same-age-aunt Nini (see Like a Mermaid in Batangas).

It was exciting since it was an on-our-own trip because we were the ones who arranged the transpo and everything else.

Mt. Palay, Pico de Loro is located in Ternate, Cavite. It was one of the mountains of the Sierra Madre mountain ranges. The mountain has 3 peaks and it is very popular for its 3rd peak. You'll see why in a few scrolls.

Bus and tricycle ride.

We met up at 7am at Pagcor in Paranaque near our boarding house. We rode a jeepney (8 pesos each) dropping us at Coastal Road where we rode a bus going to Ternate (82 pesos each). When we reached Ternate, we rode a tricycle (100 each) that brought us at the base camp of Mt. Palay Pico de Loro. The problem is that the road is so steep, so Mikee and Carlo had to push the trike. It's so funny!

Thus the adventure begins!!

We went on a day-hike. I love day-hikes! Too many advantages: just a small backpack would be nice, it costs you a little, and you can tell your parents you'll be home before 12!

FYI new hikers out there: Whenever you climb a mountain, you always pay 20 pesos to DENR.
The happy walking with nature starts. :)

 Then we got tired :) We have to rest. Look at how happy Nini is! Haha! The view of the mountain will really make you feel high. A bonding with nature indeed is bliss.

 Carlo gets tired because he is soooo talkative and bibo. Nini and I just keep on laughing while hiking that we didn't notice the exhilarating experience of the climb. 

 Team Adidas. :)

 Pico de Loro turn right. :>

 Resting while she appreciates the beauty and mystery of nature. Pero feeling ko may iba yang ipinagmumuni-muni nang mga oras na yan.  :)

 The view of the first peak. Splendid.

 The steepness of the steps is not visible in this shot but it really is high. You have to put super extra effort with your legs, so a flexible physique is an advantage.

 :)

Team Angas and Team Pretty reached the first peak! ;)

 This is the view of the second peak. 

The real plan is that we climb only the first peak. But when we got there, we're hungry for more. HAHA! We got too excited and we're really having fun. So we said, "just last one peak." So we ate lunch and off we go to conquer the 2nd peak.

Unexpectedly, the second peak was steeper. Gosh, I really thought I will roll downwards!! If you didn't hold on tight to strong grass and pray, you will definitely die. (OA lang.)

 Go Carlo and Mikee!

We're soooo tired. If I'm not mistaken, I felt my knees tremble. But it was worth the experience!

Fulfilled spirits! :)

 

When we got to the top, this is what welcomed us - the seductive view of the third peak. We thought, no, enough is enough. We conquered 2 peaks already and I am lucky I'm alive, so no more. And also we need ropes to rappel our way to the top, and we don't have ropes, so impossible. BUT NINI! May pinagdadaanan yata that time hahaha. Joke Nini! She insisted on climbing the third peak and we were like, "are you effing serious?" Mikee wants to do it because it will be his first time to climb the third peak despite the fact that it was his third time in Pico de Loro. I and Carlo are the hesitant one. I am scared because, there are no ropes!!!!! What if I die? My mom doesn't even know where I was! But I BADLY wanted to! Then we found out that there are ropes so I went. But Carlo? Hmmm.  

 

Carlo's face saying: SERIOUSLY? THAT MOUNTAIN? ARE YOU CRAZY?  AFTER THAT 2 BUWIS-BUHAY PEAKS???

And Carlo decided not to come. There's always a next time brother. :) On the positive side, he could take our pictures! Thanks Carlo! Haha!

 NINI! WHY SO EXCITED?!? 

The journey to that third peak was no joke. I seriously thought we were going to die. When we reached the base of the mountain, there was the rope. We waited for the people that are going down before we climb up because there is only one way. 

You have to make a big step for you to cross the way. If you miss, you'll fall down the cliff. O_O

After a short while, all the people had come down. We were getting ready to climb up. To our surprise, they claimed the rope! Turned out it was theirs. I was really wide-eyed to Mikee saying "WTF don't tell me we'll go up without a rope?!?!". I told him that I wouldn't do it. But then Nini insisted. "We're here na eh. Sayang naman." Then I thought, "right. If I die, it's Nini's fault." And so we went. I kept on praying throughout the climb. Haha! Fortunately, and thanks to God, we didn't die even without a rope. The exciting part was the rappelling part. I was heavy, and it was hard to hang on to the ropes knowing that if you accidentally let go, you will fall down the cliff. After that, you climb big rocks and seriously, it was the most heart-thumping, exciting and near-death experience I had.   

 I LOOOOVE THIS PICTURE! She was alone and around her were mountain ranges. It felt like different Gods were talking to her.

 Yehey!!! We finally reached the top. And I felt like I'm the strongest man alive! The most beautiful thing about reaching the top is that a big wild bird (I forgot to ask what specie) was circling around us and it was singing! I got goosebumps!

Janine: Tatalon ba ako o tatalon?

It was so much fun. We started hiking back to where we came from before the dark welcomes us. We were so hyper, especially Carlo. He is just so funny and cute! As always, it was easier to hike down, but unexpectedly, the dark was early to come out. SUPER SCARY! We were just 4 young spirits, and we were in the middle of nowhere, with our 2 flashlights - one big flashlight by Mikee and one nokia fone flashlight by me! Haha! I am getting too scared because I really felt that somebody is beside me, and I saw shadows passing by my flashlight. Good thing Carlo is bubbly enough to distract me from scary thoughts. Mikee is now quiet, which is unusual. Then I remembered he is sensitive to spirits!! The moment we reached the base, we looked at one another with eyes communicating saying "naramdaman niyo ba yun?". Then everyone started running and screaming towards the base camp! Hahaha. It was super scary and super funny! If you can just imagine how we felt, being alone in a vast scary and mysterious place as a mountain.

We rode the tricycle afterwards, rode the same bus heading to coastal and we rode the same jeepney.

All in all:

8+82+100+100+82+8 + (20)=400 pesos! :)

Bring your own food!

Imagine how 400 pesos could change your life?

Start planning your trip and experience the super fun travel in Mt. Palay, Pico de Loro.

Don't forget your ropes! Or not. ;)

Mt. Talamitam Nasugbu, Batangas

I was so grateful to discover that there is a mountaineering org in my school- the Achian Society. Not only will it provide regular adventure trips that I could go to but also I could meet people who share the same interests as me.

My first trip with the org was supposed to be a trip to Majayjay Falls in Laguna but plans changed due to the weather so Kuya Japs (our leader) decided that we trek the Mt. Talamitam in Batangas. I was like "How am I supposed to trek with slippery shoes and 2 huge shoulder bags???" I had no choice but to trek in that condition, together with my other unprepared folks.

The trip was 2 hours away from Manila to Batangas.

 

We reached our destination. I was so curious about what was gonna happen to the climb, how dangerous (or not) the mountain is, and how's it gonna end up. 

This is the base camp, where we get ready for our trek and meet our tour guide. We paid 20 pesos each for the entrance. :)

Baby Maan on her first mountain to conquer!

At the first part of the trek, we reached a hanging bridge. It's a bit scary because it seemed like the bamboos were fragile and would break any moment but as it ended up, it didn't. 

Conquering my fear of heights. WOOT!

Talamitam is a mountain that had a more glorious past. It was named after the talamitam trees that used to grow on its slopes – a reminder of the time when Talamitam had lush vegetation and untarnished ecosystems. Right now, kaingin and irresponsible garbage disposal have obliterated this serenity. As if to testify to the mountain's woes, the statue of the Virgin Mary - which has been described as "the guardian of Nasugbu" - has been literally decapitated. Although the statue has since been restored, it was not a welcome sight at the summit. (source: Pinoy Mountaineer)

We've passed through different animals. There were horses, carabaos and cows.

Half-way through the mountain. 

I was having a hard time climbing because as I said earlier, I was carrying 2 shoulder bags and my feet hurt! My shoes are slippery that it broke while we trek back from the mountain. 

WHAT A MAGNIFICENT SIGHT!

Here's a glimpse of the serene beauty of the mountain. The wind is really speaking to my soul. I swear. :')

Konti na lang!! 

It was dark when we finally reached the summit. We were so exhausted but the feeling is incredible. It was my first time to camp at the top of the mountain.

With my "tent-mates". It was really windy and our tent almost broke off in the middle of our sleep. We were so cold but it's definitely worth it.

Weee! How cute are these tents! :) Ahhh. I could still hear the wind up 'till now. 

I am at the summit of Mt. Talamitam so that mountain at my background is a neighbor mountain. GOSH. This is really fulfilling. This experience will certainly feed your soul. 

LOVE. LOVE. LOVE. It felt like I was with the Gods, very close to the heavens. Pure bliss.

At around 8 am, we trekked back and it was easier than going up. We stopped at the river and bathed there. FUN! :D

It was a very unforgettable experience.

HOW TO GET THERE:

Mt. Talamitan is a minor climb and can easily be reached by bus from manila, just board a bus bound to nasugbu batangas (ex. CROW bus in Edsa, Pasay city). Fare is at about 130 pesos (2007).

Mt. talamitan is officially located at Brangay Kayrilao, Nasugbo Batangas. But the jump off point is located sitio bayabasan, barangay Aga, Nasugbu Batangas. Tell the conductor you will alight at barangay Aga, sampalok intersection (kanto) (they call the intersection sampalok because of the sampalok tree that used to stand there but was cut down my typhoon Milenyo last 2006). (source: Waypoints)

Pack your bags now! :)

Mr. Pinatubo's Irresistible Charms

One upon a time, I and neng decided to trek Mt. Pinatubo. Wala lang trip lang. So we searched for trek packages on the net and we found the perfect tour for us.
Our trip schedule is on May 21 and we have to meet with our organizers at 3am at McDonald's nearest to the EDSA Quezon ave MRT station.
Since our parents won't allow us to travel, just like what i've mentioned in my about me page, we told them that it was our friend Raia's debut, and we will be sleeping over at her house. >:D. We left home about 7pm and we arrived at Mcdonald's at 8pm. And yes, we stayed there from 8pm to 3am. HAHA! :)
You might wonder what we did during those 7 hours of waiting. Eto yun:

We read. We soundtripped.

We took pictures.

We took videos. Mukha kaming bangag. At take note, wala pa kaming tulog.

We talk about people sa Mcdo.

We chatted with ate,who happens to be a mother of a model. She's been waiting there - since 8pm just like us- for her daughter who works in ABS-CBN.

We slept. Alternate kami. :)))

   At exactly 2:30, our organizer Mr. Tee arrived and after paying our balances and after arranging everything, we immediately boarded the van that will take us to the base camp of Mt. Pinatubo in Zambales and slept. The van left at 3am sharp, heading to Zambales.

We arrived at the base camp at around 5:30. 

 Welcome to Mt. Pinatubo.
We waited for an hour at Spa Town.

At around 6:30, the 4x4 jeep arrived. Yehey! 

We felt lucky 'cos our 4x4 jeep is the only one that's open. God is with us haha! And hindi maaraw! Nor maulan. :) 

We stopped for a while and have photos taken on the trail going to Mt. Pinatubo. The stunning view is literally taking our breathes away.

We started walking as soon as we reach the starting point of the trail going to Mt. Pinatubo. :)

Meet our lovely tour guide, Manong Robert. :) Tropa na sila agad ni Neng.

Here are some of the exquisite views that welcomed us:

Stolen shots. 

Finally, we reached the starting point of the trek. I think we walked the trail for 1-2 hours.

Hmm. Where do I belong?

Trekking photos. I wasn't able to take a lot of pictures 'coz i'm effin tired! Buti nalang naawa samin si Manong Robert and he carried our huge back packs.

 Look at how happy neng is after reaching the crater!

Can you believe this view?? ♥

Looks like heaven. Splendid. That's all I can say.♥

Crater lake at closer look.

 Can you believe we're swimming in it?? :))

Just one thing.

Super fail ang CR. Kaya we have to wash up sa labas dahil hindi namin kaya sa loob. Naligo kami ng di oras  sa labas. Good thing walang tao.

Yehey. We're about to trek back na. :) I'm gonna miss you Mr. Pinatubo! :,)

Also, I want to share na habang pabalik kami, we saw 2 guys on motorcycles, at nakikipagbakbakan sa mga bato dun. Sobrang cool! Sa sobrang bilib ko, I forgot to take pictures of them. They're motocrossing in Mount Pinatubo. O_O

Ang cute lang ng mga 4x4 jeeps na nagaantay sa amin. 

Video shots of us trekking the alluring Mt. Pinatubo.

Besides the Fail CR, dislocated ankles (joking), and super duper mega exhausted bodies, everything is to be loved in this trip (well that is if you're a nature's beauty enthusiast). 

Wanna see these wonderful things God created in person too ? Visit this site.

Happy Trekking!