Pinatubo volcano part 2

After negotiating the last 1 kilometer of shallow streams and rocky terrain, we arrived at the actual crater lake which was more developed, as evidenced by the stone steps above.

The crater lake offers a lot of sweeping scenic vistas, so it is extremely important to bring your camera (DSLR recommended)

And keep in mind that your activities here are limited as they no longer allow any form of water activities (e.g. swimming, boating). So just be content with taking beautiful photos of the scenery and your friends (they're beautiful as well)

A lot of groups (local and foreign) were seen having their photos taken with signs and banners they held.  I am assuming their signs stated that their group or barkada conquered Pinatubo or something like that.

Camping is apparently allowed here as I did not see signs prohibiting it. Shouting is not allowed as there was a sign prohibiting it.  The sign's explanation is that it loud noises cause soil erosion. Hmmm....Perhaps the effect is similar to those that cause an avalanche in snow areas?

there's a big hut at the edge of the lake where most visitors have lunch

the water looks refreshing, but remember...NO SWIMMING

No BOATING as well. Decommissioned boats

Pinoy packed lunch: fish or pork, rice, salted eggs, tomatoes, bananas

Our jeepney/4x4 tour guides included packed lunch in our package.  It is a typical Pinoy fish or pork-based lunch, so it may not be for everyone, especially non-Pinoys.  Perhaps when negotiating with the guides, you may ask to exclude the meal should you wish to bring your own.

After lunch, we just rested a bit before we hiked back 2PMish to our waiting rides. It was a little more difficult now as the return  trip was more uphill and the noontime sun was upon us.

The 4x4s will drop you off at the jump off point at Santa Juliana.  Here, there are some establishments that will take allow you to take a shower and change for a fee ($1.50 to $2.50) Do not expect much as these are just makeshift establishments.  After that, a jeepney took us back to the McDonald's at Capas where Manila-bound buses pass.  We were back in Manila by 7PM.

Overall, Pinatubo was an awesome experience that cost me only a total  of around $55 for the day trip. It is a trip you need to experience if ever you visit the Philippines.  However, you can cannot do this tour during the rainy season (June-November) as the rains wash out the trails. Heavy rains, which are quite common here, can cause flooding and mudslides making any trip quite risky and dangerous.

Pinatubo volcano crater lake

Two weeks ago, I was invited by some friends to visit Pinatubo crater lake. I immediately agreed to join them as I've seen a lot of interesting photos on the Internet. And who would not want to visit the crater lake created by one of the powerful volcanic eruptions during the last 100 years?

So we hop on a bus bound for Capas town in Tarlac, a province in Central Luzon, Philippines.  The aircon bus we boarded was at the Cubao terminal of Victory Terminal, which is right smack in the middle of Metro Manila.  We left rat 3AM, so as to arrive at our destination really early to avoid trekking under the harsh summer sun.

After around 2 hours of dawn travel on the North Luzon expressway, we arrive at McDonald's Capas, where a jeepney picked us up and took us to the place for renting 4x4s.

Forty five minutes later, we arrive at the offroad vehicle pickup  point in Capas town,  There is a sign from Phivolcs (the government agency  Philippine Institute of Volcanology) which warns tourists of the dangers of swimming in the crater lake.

This is where you will also rent the offroad vehicles, which will take you to different jump-off points for trekking to Pinatubo crater lake.  Note that you cannot choose 4x4s and drivers; there is a queue like most Philippine public transport terminals.

the 1980's Landcruiser assigned to our group

After filling up a 1 page registration form, the tourists board their respective 4x4 vehicles like the one pictured above during the hour long offroading part of the trek.

The first few minutes of the ride was a smooth one as it was mostly through level plains.  After about 20 minutes, the vehicles stopped at  a makeshift rest area, which also offered good scenic views.

Alrighty, after the brief pit stop which allowed us to take more stable shots of the unique landscape leading to the crater, our vehicles started their engines again and off we go!

Just to give you an idea of how bumpy the ride was

I can't really find words to describe how bumpy the ride was during the second stage of the offroading.  But we were so enjoying the awesome views that none in our group complained. (or perhaps they were too shaken) You will definitely enjoy the unique landscape altered drastically by a catastrophic combination of violent volcanic forces and tropic storms.

photo ops abound even before you reach the crater

There were a few instances wherein we felt our vehicle or someone else's vehicle was close to tipping over due to the extremely rugged terrain.  But hey, if you are an adventurous thrill seeker, that actually enhances the experience even more.

Some tourists will disembark from the 7 km marker and continue on foot to truly enjoy the volcano trek.  But some vehicles will continue to push on for another 6 kilometers, leaving only the last 1 km for tourists who wish to save time (and obviously effort)

Pinatubo also has non-human inhabitants. (Pinapaitan Kaldereta)

Arriving at the final rest area

the final rest area which just 1 km from the crater lake

in case you didn't believe my previous caption. :)

After disembarking from the vehicles, all tourists will have to make the final 1km segment on foot as no vehicles cannot continue past this point.  You shouldn't really complain as prior to the creation of the 7km vehicular trail leading to Pinatubo crater lake, mountaineers had to hike for a much greater distance on foot.

age stereotyping?

The last 1 km will involve crossing streams, so wear the appropriate hiking shoes or sandals. When we visited in May, it was the peak of the Philippine summer so the streams did not have much water flowing.

You have arrived

It took us a little longer than the posted benchmark for our age group.  (But we had to make a few stops and take photos! Excuses, excuses)

Anyway, to be continued in my next blog post....

Photo Blog: Boat Rides in the Philippines

Okay I just got here in the Philippines.  Hopefully I can do more travelling to beaches and other tropical destinations before the rainy season starts next month.

Since some of the places I intend to visit may  not always have fast Internet, I may not be able to upload promptly the bigger image files from my DSLR.

So for now, here are some photos from my previous travels, taken with my waterproof camera during island hopping tours in the Philippines.

Boracay

Boarding time

Just make sure the boat you will be riding has lifevests for everyone

 Shangri-la Boracay

Puka Beach: a quiet alternative to White Beach

Palawan

Sabang wharf: Next stop, the Underground River!

En route: Kharst Limestone cliffs

the Underground River boat

Return Trip to Sabang

the exterior of the massive cathedral cavern of the Underground River

Coronado, San Diego

I posted a few photos of Coronado before as part of the San Diego album when this blog was still new.  But given that it is almost summer here in Southern California, I think Coronado, especially the beach, deserves its own post.

You can get to Coronado from San Diego by:

Crossing San Diego Coronado bridge by car

Going there by car is more convenient especially when you are carrying  picnic stuff for the beach.  However, during the peak weekends of the summer months, parking can be a real pain.  We went there on a Fourth of July weekend and we were just about to turn back when we found parking after almost an hour of searching. 

A million thanks to that stranger who did not like Coronado beach so much and left early, creating a parking spot meant for our group!

OR riding the Coronado ferry: starboard view

Ferries are available at the Broadway pier or at the San Diego Convention center. A one way ferry ride will cost you US$4.25.  You are also allowed to bring a bicycle or a Segway on board for free. The ferry ride from San Diego to Coronado and vice versa is around 15 minutes.

Broadway pier is where West Broadway meets San Diego Bay, so this is where you will find the docked cruise ships and the mothballed Midway aircraft carrier.  Hopefully, these two landmarks are big enough for anyone not to find. :)

If you are staying in one of the downtown San Diego or Gaslamp Quarter hotels, you might be able to see the pier's massive ships from your hotel room if you look to the west.  

San Diego convention Center on the right

Ferry landing Marketplace shops

At the Coronado ferry landing Marketplace, there are shops that rent out bicycles and other human powered machines for more carbon-friendly ways of exploring Coronado

Note that the beach at the ferry landing is not the one for swimming. It is on the other side of Coronado, 1.6 miles due southwest of the ferry landing.  You can drive, bike or walk on the major streets Orange Avenue or B Avenue.

The ferry landing's awesome view of the San Diego skyline

The Coronado ferry landing also offers various dining options, but we will feature that some other time. Our focus right now is having a nice beach bod for the summer!

 Historic Hotel Del Coronado is your landmark for
the beach on Ocean Boulevard

And once you get there, you know what to do.  Enjoy!

Embrace the sea with open arms

Coronado sunset

If the San Diego skyline views during the daytime ferry ride failed to impress you. the nighttime view will surely not.

The bright lights near the center are from Petco Park, San Diego Padres' stadium

Midway aircraft carrier museum

Alright we are almost back at Broadway Pier! USS Carrier 41's night lights seem to serve as a beacon for incoming boats and ships.

Time to head back to our hotel, shower, change and then head back out again.  San Diego has so much to offer for party people!

*Prices in US$ as of 2011 & does not yet include gratuity

And if since you still have energy after enjoying one of the cleanest beaches in the US, you have San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter for nightlife.

*Prices may be different now 2 years later, but the change is probably very minimal. I've been to Las Vegas and LA bars/clubs recently and the price range for drinks above are still same.

NOTE: Coronado is also home to a number of US naval facilities and is a major training facility of the SEALs. Please try not to get in trouble by taking photos/videos of certain areas of Coronado.

I'm glad we never got to hear these words during our 'voyage'