day 1: mt.pundaquit trek - the hard way to get to anawangin

day 3: capones island - short side trip before we hurry home

Before the details of my Holy Week get-away totally escape my mind, I might as well blog about it.

To start it off, I spent the Holy Week living an old school life in Anawangin together with my college friends. We were there from Good Friday to Easter Sunday. That's three days and two nights of deprivation. Pwede ng penitensya. But before I divulge more of our camping experience, let me first share how we get there, THE HARD WAY.

We met at around 5am in Victory Liner Terminal somewhere in Caloocan. We took the bus bound to Iba, Zambales for P265. Can't exactly remember how long the drive was. All I know is that somewhere between our naps, Tin and I got bored and took vain shots using Lex's 12 mega pickles {inside joke. =p} mobile phone camera. See sample shots below.

the now famous semi-cute and semi-rock pose

After several sleep-wake-up cycles and seeing bloody people undergoing penitence through beating, we finally arrived at San Antonio, Zambales. We bought our supplies and had early lunch there. After enough rest and catching up, we went on. We took a tryc to Brgy. Pundaquit, the jump-off point of Mt. Pundaquit, for P30 per person. Yes, we chose to get to Anawangin by trekking Mt.Pundaquit. To be honest, the moment I got tired, I wondered why we ever chose to trek a mountain over simply riding a pumpboat. Haha! Lazeh.

Anyway, as we got off the tryc, we spent 30 minutes or so at the jump-off point just to gear up. Armwarmers, jackets, longsleeve shirts, caps and sunblock. Apply sunblock or die of skin cancer, you choose. =) At that time, the boatmen were also there getting our excess things. Excess, meaning those outside of our trekking bags. They brought our things to Anawangin with their boats. They're paid of course. Also, the leader of our pack, Nad {whom I fondly call SF}, sought for a guide. We paid him P100 per person, his only job was to lead the way. Ang mahal, huh?

And then the trek begun. It was a sandy trail at the start. I get pissed off every now and then because sand gets into my footwear. It so happened that instead of my trusty trekking shoes, I used some sort of Crocs sneakers. Not really a good choice, if you'd ask.

look at how fresh we are at the start of the trek
Tin.Mhoi.Apple

the sandy part of the trail (duh, like you can see in the picture}
Jun.Jep.Apple.Tin.Lex.Rona.Jigs

As we went along, the trail was no longer covered with sand. I really didn't enjoy that relief since I still had the heat of the sun to battle with. We passed by grasslands, dry river beds and some steep slopes while enduring our thirst and tiredness.

dry river bed, I assume

Considering how easy the trail is, I only have the heat to blame for feeling so drained. Oh well, all of us were THAT tired. We had countless rests along the way. Every time we saw trees or whatever form of shade, we rest. Fortunately, I get my energy back easily so I always initiate to take pictures. Or was I making an excuse to hush up my love for such? ;)

I asked kuyang tour guide to take our group picture
nasan ang initiative kuya?

one of the many rests that we had

ootd

The midpoint of the trail is the summit of Mt. Pundaquit. We were dead tired when we reached the summit. Most of us just sat there for quite a long while before finally having the strength to take pictures again. But the boys, being the boys that they are, still went to a point higher.

that's Anawangin down there

After getting the rest we all deserve, we started to descend to Anawangin. We trekked down as fast we can, few breaks, few picture taking. I guess we were all thinking of just getting there. Pasasaan ba't makakarating rin.

looks who's taking a power nap

Finally, We were able to get to Anawangin. Just in time before the sun sets. We had ample time to freshen up, set-up our tents and prepare for dinner. We had fried chicken {prepared in Manila}, fried eggplants and mangoes. Decent enough for camping.

where have all the girls gone?

The rest of the night basically was for taking a bath, dinner and poker. Fun way to end a tiring day.

**pictures of the Anawangin series mostly from naphy and some stolen from mikmik. 

day 2: anawangin - lazeh beach bumming day

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once is enough but twice isn't too much

Quick post on what took away my could-have-been rest days. Hindi ako bitter, pagod lang talaga ko. Haha! Two consecutive weekends of running and climbing as if I have an active lifestyle for real. So far, I'm enjoying. But not to the point na igigive-up ko ang kaartehan ko. Haha! So after this, magiinarte muna ko. ;))

Anyhoo, to give justice to my blog title, lemme just say that this is about goals #3 and #14 which I have accomplished months ago but due to insistent public demand aka friendship, I needed to do 'em all over again. Don't get me wrong, because if these activities would always equate to bonding with friends, I'll be very glad to do them again. But sorry, not too soon.

First tiring weekend, January o9. PSE Bull Run at Fort Bonifacion Global City. Finally, I experienced a real fun run. Remember my disappointment with Pasig River Run? This time I was able to really run and mind you it's not just 3k. It was 5k! Though we only registered for 3k, we were informed that we can run for 5k if we'd like to. So there, a fulfilling spur-of-the-moment decision. Now I can confidently cross-off goal #14 from my bucket list. Who knows, our next run might just be 1oK already?

yeah, obviously we're trying to prove it's 5k!

Second tiring weekend,January 15-16. Climb to Mt. Batulao. Yep, you read that right! Mt. Batulao again. Goal #3, double check! At first I was hesitant to join because I was there only last September. Who would want to climb the same mountain in a span of 4 months? But with the thought that it will be a little different since it's overnight and I'll be with a different group of people, I never dropped the possibility of joining. Then came the expensive conference call with Sheena and Silina. That made me decide. Sasama ako. For.the.sake.of.friendship. =)) No regrets, I had fun. Above all, narealize ko na may talent pala ako sa pag-akyat ng bundok pero wala pala akong talent sa pagtulog sa matigas na higaan. Hahaha! Hence the decision of not climbing again til I'm fully equipped. When will that happen? I have no idea. As of the moment, all I wish to do is to rest, shop and pamper myself. Obvious ba na pagod ako ako? ;)

ang mga mahal kong kaibigan hahaha

we were requested of a wacky shot,
that's the best we can give booo!

we were around 3o but here's my immediate group
thank you for yet another Batulao experience =)

Uh-oh, I said quick post. Vavoo! *hurries to bed*

**pictures of the climb were grabbed from Joel's Facebook account. Thanks!

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I think it's LOVE! {for Mother Nature}

I know I got you with my title. *wink*

Tell me if its weird but I feel like it's my responsibility to update this blog. I already ticked off few items from my list and I feel I have some sort of unfinished business 'coz I haven't posted them here yet. I thought I need to come up with three blog entries to get the updating done then I realized they all have something in common. If you don't get that common thing I'm talking about, you can just come back when you're smarter. {I don't get this bitchy in real life, btw. Heehee.} Thank goodness they do because right at this very moment my laziness won't allow my depleting braincells to come up with three worth reading blog entries.

my #14 Run A Marathon

10.10.10 Run for Pasig River

With their target number of runners participants, they could have named their event 'Walk for Pasig River'. That would make it more appropriate {sense my disappoint, please}. Though I have been warned of what could possibly happen, it is still, again, DISAPPOINTING. :( While I was there and I realized I was not running after all, I had second thoughts of considering it a reality of my goal. I guess I'll have to run another marathon {a real fun run this time} to have that sense of fulfillment. You know how I hate to not be completely satisfied of something. On the brighter side, I still finished the 3km WALK {is the emphasis enough?}, managed to claim my finisher's band, got to be part of another history and contributed a little something to the restoration of that beloved river. I should still feel good, I know.

the run left me with these memorabilia
i am keeping them!
not in the photo: finisher's band

the finisher's band
tell me it's worth all the sweat, tell meeee!!

my running mates? hahaha
because the election is just around the corner

my #3 Go Mountain Climbing

09.25.2010 Mt. Batulao Climb

Don't you just love friends who, even unintentionally, are able to help you out with your goals? Well, I do. Right the next morning after I first posted my little project over my blog, an irresistible offer came. A friend sent me an IM asking if I want to be able to cross out an item on my list on the coming weekend. Jokingly, I said 'kung papaakyatin mo ko ng bundok ngaung sabado, ayaw ko' {or at least something like that}. True to what was supposedly a joke, they indeed have plans of climbing Mt. Batulao on the coming weekend. I initially said no because for one, I am unprepared {Lord knows I super hate being unprepared} and next, the closest friend {aren't you touched?} can't go with us. After few days of much thinking, I decided to go with them. Lucky for me, the friend was also able to make it to the climb, flight back to Manila got moved and all, thank heavens. I also had the time of my life Thursday and Friday night before the climb to go shopping for some sort of appropriate apparel.

And the Batulao experience? It was crazy cool. It has always been like that with friends like them anyway. And you know what? I feel proud my ass didn't fell flat on the Batulao trails. I survived the climb without so much of hardships except during the night on our way home when my thighs {I call 'em my jelly jelly by the way} and knees hurt like hell. I was claiming I developed rheumatism due to Tagaytay's extreme coldness and the mother and sister would only laugh at me {sige na, ikaw na ang may rayuma! haha!} And even after a day or two, I still felt half dead. But all is good now. I am alive and kickin' and my list just got shorter by one.

more mountains to go?

my #15 Do Something for Mother Nature

08.21.2010 Tree Planting in Marikina Watershed

This happened even before I was able to come up with my list. So parang sinali ko lang talaga sya para one down na ko. Kidding. I really have the heart for activities like this. I even want to join coastal clean up drives and the likes.

Anyway, the tree planting activity was held in Marikina Watershed. I actually texted a friend leaving in Marikina that I'll be dropping by their house for lunch but ironically, the venue was in Antipolo. Why didn't they call it Antipolo Watershed for goodness' sake?

Fast forward to the actual tree planting activity, I felt like I risked my life just to plant four {yes just four, I'm so sorry} wildlings. I expected we'll plant in plain lands, but far from what I expected we planted on steep mountains. I know I can climb mountains but it's totally different when it doesn't have trails. You are totally clueless on how to get to the next spot you'll be planting your wildlings on. Sure you can see the bamboo sticks as indicators but it's hard to figure out how you'll be able to get yourself there, where to step next, where to hold. I wish my words are enough to explain how difficult the experience was for me. And to Silina and Sheena as well, for sure.

Despite how hard it was, come next tree planting offering I will still sign up and volunteer. It's the least I can do for the environment. {And since when I became an environmentalist? Hahaha!}

oo, haggard ako >.<

with the other volunteers
can you even see me?

**credits to jabey, tin and jigs for the pics 

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