Mabini Escapade

 After not seeing each other for more than a year due to the pandemic, finally!

Thanks to the long weekend last February 12, 2021 (Chinese New Year), were given the chance to meet each other after spending months of languishing in the pandemic.  

We booked at Altamare Dive and Lesire Resort in San Teodoro, Mabini, Batangas.

From the room balcony, the view was astounding and breathtaking.

Accommodation amounted to P5,600 for 2 nights.

Past 4 pm, we decided to go to the nearby resorts, Casita Ysabel was the first stop.

Then, next stop was Solana Resort wherein we booked our buffet lunch (P600/pax) for the following day. Good thing we were able to book here for our lunch.

A couple of souvenir pictures inside the resort won't hurt. =)

That night, we enjoyed our dinner in Altamare!

Card game and bottles of red wine.

DAY 2

We rented a van for P2,500 for our tour at Mt. Gulugod Baboy.

It was a bit foggy that morning and we had to wait for the fog to lift.

And after waiting for nearly an hour, the weather cleared.

Going down, we saw vintage cars parked at the basepoint and again, a souvenir picture was inevitable.

Past noon, we rented a boat (P3,500) and had our island hopping experience. The only stop though was Sombrero Island and a few stops at the snorkeling areas.

Normally, the island hopping involves several islands such as Tingloy Island  but due to the pandemic, we had to settle for one island.

We still enjoyed the snorkeling and the boat ride. Though MJ enjoyed it more!

Jun, Cyc, Laine, Jayson, Jen, Rico, MJ

Another dinner, card game and drinking spree.

DAY 3

Going home, we went to Corcolon in Cuenca, Batangas and ate what Batangas is known for - LOMI!

Landscape pictures of Altamare (courtesy of Cyc Sarm)

Thank you Cyc Sarm for the wonderful pics of Altamare!

Thank you guys for this adventure!

See you in our next escapade!

Enrico Garcia

Laine Javier

MJ Corillo

Jen Torres

Cyc Sarm

Jayson Javier

in spirit

Nikko Darilay

Lester Reyes Alvarez

This blog is dedicated to my mentor, who happens to have her birthday today - Master MJ Corillo! =)

 

Master MJ Corillo

ATV Ride, Camping and Hike in Rizal (with nieces)!

 

Rarely do I join a group travel but this one is special... 

I was with my nieces.

Me, Alea, Angelie, Marky

Last January 2021, with the arduous planning made by my niece Counselor Angelie Villegas, we were able to book an ATV ride, camping and hike in Rizal.

The ATV Adventure was in Antipolo, Rizal (ATV Adventures Rizal).

• Sapinit Road Barangay San Juan, Antipolo, Rizal
• SMART: +63 908 894 0771
  GLOBE: +63 977 750 2671
• atvadventuresrizal@gmail.com
• Monday to Sunday: 6AM – 5PM

We left Tanauan, Batangas around 4 am and around 5:30 am, we were already in the site.

We were given the tutorial on how to use the ATV and some lectures on the actual ATV ride and thereafter, off we went to our adventure.

  Good thing we chose the Marikina River Trail and after 40 minutes, we reached the river.

Short Trail Adventure - P1,500/head

New Forest Trail - P2,500/head

Marikina River Trail - P3,700/head

We were awed by the sight of crossing it and riding a bamboo raft.

Part of the adventure!

My nieces went first and I guess they enjoyed the ride!

And after a brief hike, we reached the falls!

We soaked ourselves and took souvenir pictures. It was a great experience!

After the ATV ride, we took our sumptuous lunch en route to our next destination.

Anf after an hour of driving, we reached Fresno Agro Forestry and Eco Tourist Campsite

in Tanay, Rizal. The municipality of Tanay is strict as it requires medical certifictae and the travel pass.

We rented two tents (P200/tent)  and our entrance fee.

After pitching our tent, we started our hike!

Tour guide fee is P500 for Camp A and we started at the Spider's Web.

Camp A is Mt. Kulis. Then, we proceeded to Heart Mountain and lastly, Noah's Ark.

We hurriedly went back as sunset was fast approaching.

We cooked our meal and enjoyed whatever we created. =)

It rained past midnight.

DAY 2

We woke up early the following morning, a  bit wet from the morning rain.

And we trekked, Camp B.

The hike is composed of hanging bridge, pool and a falls.

After the hike, we went home and smiles were written on our faces.

We definititely ENJOYED the tour! =)

The Road Trip to Legazpi City

 

This is my first travel in 2021. Jeju Island was my first travel in 2020 and Georgia was my first travel in 2019. This year I have to settle for a local travel due to the pandemic.

It was my childhood dream to have a road trip to Bicol and after so many years it came to life in 2021 (amidst the pandemic) and I think I STARTED THE YEAR RIGHT! =)

Anyway, on with the blog.

The trip only entailed a little bit of planning since it is a local trip. so I googled the place and the requirements for the tour.

My friend Rico was kind enough to accompany me in this tour. I could not have made this possible without him (taga gising pag inaantok na ako sa driving).

We left Tanauan City past 8:30 pm. We endured the heavy rain, the slippery and numerous potholes in the road, and the intermittent sleepiness while driving. We arrived in Legazpi City 5:30 am. Our lodging was worth P2,200.

The following morning, Rico and I hired the ATV adventure ride (Bicolandia Adventure - 0936 938 7586). Normally, the adventure is worth P1,850 but we were given a discount and we paid P1,600 only per pax. The adventure was good for 3 hours. 

After passing through the rough terrains and boulder-riddled rivers, we arrived after 40 minutes at the basepoint.

 Then, we started the light trek to the top of the Lava Wall. 

At the top of the Lava Wall, we took pictures and enjoyed the scenery.

Afterwards, we went back and Rico told me that he really enjoyed the ATV Tour!

We planned to take a dip in the hotel's pool and drink some bottles of beer. However, after the Samgyupsal, the plan changed and enjoyed this unlimited meal. 

Day 2

We left Legazpi City past 12 midnight going to Daet. Arriving at the checkpoint in Daet, we were not allowed to enter since we lacked some of the requirements. The requirements are -

Travel Pass

Medical Certificate

Swab Test Result

And so off we go back to Sipocot and then to Calauag, Quezon.

Legazpi to Daet (179 kms or 4 hours)

Daet to Sipocot Diversion (54 kms or more than 1 hour)

Sipocot to Calauag  (93 kms or more than 2 hours)

So to make the story short, we arrived in Calauag, Quezon, around 6:30 am and took a nap in a hotel and paid P800. Honestly, I forgot its name. 

We were suppose to meet my friend Fats Pandeagua but failed to do so. We will meet soon my friend. 

The view in the hotel might compensate a bit for our loss for Daet.

It was past lunch when we arrived in Gumaca and decided to have our lunch in Kamayan sa Dagat (0961 302 0840). There we enjoyed our seafood meal!

The lunch was very sumptuous and affordable. Past 2 pm, we left Gumaca and arrived in Tanauan around 5 pm. 

We left Batangas 8:30 pm, January 1, 2021.

We arrive in Tanauan 5:00 pm Janaury 3, 2021.

Thank you again Sir Rico Garcia!