Random Thoughts About Travelling: Part 1

"Travelling is for everyone."

You have the right to experience the beauty of the world but it doesn’t mean you have to fly all the way to a different country. It is not about the distance - you don’t need to go far to experience new things and meet new people. If you want to meet new people go to a bar and drink. I’m 100% sure you’ll meet someone there and you’ll be best friends the morning after. But with all seriousness, travelling isn’t confined on the "Top 5 White Sand Beaches" or "Top 10 Places To Visit Before You Die". Fuck it, swim in the river near you or climb the nearest mountain. Visit your grandparents you haven’t seen for a long time. Explore the town where you were born. I know a lot of people who don’t even know the best place to eat in their area because they were busy looking for the best place to eat somewhere else. Walk around. Ride the jeep. Ride the bus. You might find something interesting that you will share the world. 

Just look at this picture will you? See how happy they are? They have

never been to another place (they live in a very remote island) and some

of them might not be able to leave their hometown ever but they have the sea.

They also have waterfalls and coves...

-goodnight-
donna

Mt. Tibig for Beginners :)

We climbed Mt. Tibig (563 MASL) two weeks after we climbed Mt. Tarak. One thing that I will always remember about Mt. Tibig is its deceitful difficulty level: it is 2/9 which means it’s an easy hike but it wasn’t, really. We usually laugh about this every time we discuss about the difficulty of the next mountain we’re going to climb. Pati pala difficulty level paasa (Even a mountain's difficulty gives false hopes these days).

View from summit

Thinking it was an easy hike we decided to start the trek at 9 am but we woke up later than what was planned so we started at 10. One of our trek mates arrived in Lobo early, who came all the way from Laguna, and patiently waited an hour for us.

We were guided to the jump-off after registering our names at the Police Station. The road to jump off was so rough it needs a visit to the derma. We registered at the jump off and were given trekking poles (from tree branches) for free.

The trek starts with a steep assault and the trail is sandy and slippery and there’s nothing to hold on to. It was tough and I can’t count how many times we stopped to rest. Good thing our guide, Kuya Richard, is very patient with us but he’s quite shy. Unlike Ate Beth, our guide in Mt. Tarak, who shares stories while we climb he doesn’t talk at all unless you ask him but he’s nice and helpful.

Tired from the steep ascend, we were relieved when reached the well-known nipa hut. We rested for a while and bought Buko from the owner. From the hut, it will take around 30 minutes to reach the summit (or less if you’re fast).

View going to summit

Not the summit but almost there. :)

At the summit, the scenery is just beautiful – I was so happy that I ate all my baon.

View from summit

View from summit

View from summit

The island on the upper right is the Isla Verde.

This ant is bigger than the normal size. But it doesn't bite.

The view is simply beautiful.

Going down, it was pretty challenging because the sandy trail can be slippery and dangerous. This time, I can't count how many times I almost fell down. But thanks to our guide who was there to help.

Itinerary:

0900H	Register at Police Station
0930H	Register at Jump-off
0945H	Start trek
1130H	Arrive at Nipa hut
	Rest
1145H	Start trek to summit
1215H	Arrive at Summit
	Lunch
	Rest
1400H	Start trek to Jump-off
1530H	Arrive at Jump-off

Contact Person:

Gabino Boongaling - 0926 4916824/ 0919 4403941 (guide)
You may also ask him how to get to the jump-off (we went to Lobo via private car).







-goodnight-donna