Surf's up: BALER

Baler Philippines is a municipality located in Aurora, Central Luzon. It is also known as one of the top Surf spots in the Philippines and in South-east Asia. We travelled from Pampanga and it took us around 5 hours to reach the Poblacion in Baler. It is a progressive town with its own banks and a lot of places to chill and have drinks at night as well. It is a haven for people like me who just wants to enjoy the sceneries of the area and try to surf as well. I travelled with my boyfriend and two of my friends from Highschool, Keith and AJ. Nothing beats a long ride with people who you enjoy to be with. Non- stop sightseeing, making a fool of each other and eating inside the car. 

Lucille Travels: goes to Mt. Ulap

Mt. Ulap is located in Itogon, Benguet. The entry point is at Brgy. Ampucao and the exit point is at Sta. Fe. It is a 1846 MASL mountain and you could finish it in a 5-6 hours of dayhike, it is also an easy mountain to hike if you're around Baguio City. Going there you could take a jeepney from the city proper going to Brgy. Ampucao, or if you are bringing your car, you may also do so since they have a parking lot in the area. Once you are in the area you need to register at the barangay hall and then secure a guide. (Mandatory) After that the guide will orient you about the hike and the three peaks and attraction of Mt. Ulap, the Ambunao Paoay, Gungal Rock and Mt. Ulap Peak. The guide told us that it is somehow a mini Mt. Ugo because of the pine and grassland ridges. 

Sandbox is always a great IDEA

Sandbox is located at Porac Pampanga inside the Alviera Real Estate Subdivision. It holds seven different attractions. It is a great way of spending time with friends and if you want to try a date full of activities from the outdoors. I've been here three times, first with my niece, second with my college friend and lastly with my boyfriend. Its always a fun idea because you get to try wall climbing or do infinite kiddie things. Its named sandbox because it feels like you're really in a big sandbox playing around from 8am to 5pm. 

Benguet: Mt Pulag experience with side trip to Baguio City

Mt. Pulag - is the third highest mountain in the philippines and the Highest point in Luzon with a 2,922 MASL and it is located in the provinces of Benguet, Ifugao and Nueva Viscaya. 

I wasn't blogging that much about my mountain experiences back then so I decided to back track and blog about my Mt. Pulag experience. It is one of the most exhiliriating hikes and the mountain that I really wanted to conquer because of the sea of clouds. Thank God I keep diaries so I'd be able to have a detailed write up about my experiences here. 

Oriental Mindoro: Puerto Galera

Puerto Galera is located at the North- Westernmost municipality in the province of Oriental Mindora, Philippines. It is one of those beach escapades that is so easy to travel too without scraping so much of your savings. 

Bicolandia Diaries

Seems like I forgot to blog about my Bicol escapade with my sister from work. We drove all the way from cavite, Quezon and finally to the home of spicy food, Bicol!!

A weekend getaway: Crystal Beach

If you are looking for a quick getaway from the city life, Crystal Beach is the place to be. I've been searching for beaches around north that week when I happen to stumble upon an blog regards Crystal Beach. Since its a long weekend we wanted to utilize our time to see each other for a quick weekend getaway before we go home and take some rest until the end of the weekend. 

Ilocos 3 days and 2 nights

I could not even remember how many times I've actually planned going to the Ilocos Province. Luckily for me, the odds and holidays are in favor. Enduring a 12 hours of travel from Pasay to Laoag is definitely worth it. My partner in crime in every travel idea I have in mind is waiting for me there. I've arrived in Laoag by 7am, just enough time for me to rest for a bit and tidy up myself. 

Mt. Balingkilat Traverse to Nagsasa cove

This has been in my draft list for like 4 months already. Summer is finally over and the rainshowers just about to start for the rest of the year. Long hiatus was made by my constant work loads and a bit of lazyness. Anyway, below is my real post 4 months ago.

The first mountain that made me Fall in love

I never in a million times thought that I'd be wandering around different provinces just to hike mountains and do it yourselves vacations. Which actually involves mountains plus oceans after. I've been for sure in love with the ocean just as much as I do right now. But never did I thought about hiking. When I was in college I had friends that go to the mountains like it was their calling, like it was something that drew you to it. I never had that calling before. Right after college I never had the time to explore the possibilities. But just like love it came to my possesion. It was just a simple dare with my partner, an afternoon planning my bucket list. An adventure we both knew that we had no idea about. An adventure of a lifetime. Little did we know that from then on, we'd be so inlove with the process of falling in love more with our world. A world full of wonders, love, blist, adventure and an opportunity to see the beautiful things he made.

So you, yes you, I encourage you to do things you'd never even bother to see before. To think outside the box. To feel liberated. To love something and do it more. To seize the moment. Cause when I grow old, I want to be able to tell myself. I am really glad you did rather than the what ifs.

Xo,

L.A.

Mt. Pinatubo

A few hours of sleep won't hinder us from being so excited to hike our destination, that is Mt. Pinatubo. It is situated in the tripoint of Pampanga, Zambales, and Tarlac. The most common jump off point is in Capas Tarlac. It takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes travel time from our house to Sta. Juliana. 

We were rushing to our destination because the call time is at 4:30 am, sadly we got there by 5. Pero abot padin. 

Our ATV ride took about 1 hour to the destination and another stretch of 1 hour and 30 minutes from the hike to the crater. It was so humid and a very sandy ride and hike.  But trust me, when you arrive at the crater, everything feels so majestic. You'll be at awe how something that got destroyed be so beautiful. 

Expenses for Mt. Pinatubo is a bit expensive than the other mountains we conquered. Maybe because you really need to ride the ATV to go there and that already cost 3000php for a group of 5. Luckily our jeep was open so we got a chance to stand while it was in transit. The total cost per head was 1300php.  Less travel expenses and our food. We got our Package without Transfer from Manila, From Ms. Sonia Bognot. Heres her number if you wish to avail the package as well, 0918 602 1943

This is the view of the Crater! It just feels so surreal. Majestic. I was at awe looking at this from the viewing deck. Worth the travel and the hike!

Corregidor Island

Corregidor has been in my bucket list for quite some time now. I have a thing for old museums, islands, and places to travel to. So last week I finally decided to book a tour to Corregidor. Sun cruises would be your choice of agency when you go here, not that you have any other choice, because they pretty much have a monopoly in the place. But lets not go there, since I've enjoyed this tour more than anything else. The usual tour in the Island starts at 7:30 departure in Manila and you'd be there at around 10:30 more or less. But it was fully book already when I was setting this tour so I called and they have another tour that starts at 11:30 am departure. We got on the island at 1:45 pm, and I was about to have a worst day because they were not that coordinated because we got left by the tram that was about to pick us up to go to the hotel. But being with G we just had to create the most fun in everything. While waiting, because the others where already hoisted somewhere, we got the entrance port all to ourselves. So looking on the bright side, we got photos without photobombers. Hahaha! 

Mt. Manabu & Burot Beach

Before I start my narrative about this post. Let me just say na kinabahan ako ng bongga! Ikaw ba naman ang mag off ang phone mo without any back up sa photos and videos in it. So lesson learned! UPLOAD AGAD.

So the team initially planned a twin dayhike for January 16. But since I've been planning for this group for quite some time now, I knew that we were that spontaneous. Yet again, I have proven that given with a determination to set sail on adventures, we can do anything. 

We started our day with a hike at Mt. Manabu Batangas with a 760+ MASL. It would take you roughly a five hour hike. (Uphill, downhill, and picture taking). Then we were supposed to be on our way to Mt. Maculot for our final leg before deciding if we'll camp in a beach. But the team decided to just go to the beach instead after lunch to be able to watch the beautiful sunset. We drove 80+ km from Lipa City and arrive at Burot Beach, Calatagan just in time for the sunset. The entrance per vehicle would cost you 10php and if you're staying overnight per pax would be paying 130 each, 65php if until 11pm only. If you're bringing a tent you would pay a fine of 30php and if you're not you could just rent. 

So it was a lovely weekend for us! Plus we also got a chance to meet the actor behind the splendid acting for Heneral Luna. 

As the team said, ngayon hinde na kame Hike at Kain lang. It's now mountaineering, beachineering and eating! Cheers to many more TMK!  Love ko kayo!

At the Summit of Mt. Manabu

Pradera Wakepark 01-24-2016

So we found another go to adventure that's near our home town this time. Pradera is a wakepark situated at Lubao, Pampanga. Rates for accomodations with villas starts at 4,500 to 6000 pesos. Cable rates for riders cost 250php for 1 hour to as much as 1000php for 8 hours. Non- riders entrance fee would cost 100 for adults and 50 for kids. 

My niece( who I'm only 5 months older, btw) and I decided to do the 2 hour pass and went of course to the beginner lakes. There the instructors would teach you how to properly position yourself, and just basically what you should know. Mind you, it's not that easy as it looks! So don't be fooled. 

Again, another list off my bucket! Haha! So be sure to try it if you are into water sports or if you just actually want to do something for the day. 

- #lucilletravels