Michelle Ann's Blog: travel

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I've been seeing a lot of photos posted by my friends in Facebook... and some of them are their mountain climbing experience. The view from above the mountain is very awesome and I thought of trying it, too! But, there are a lot of questions inside my head like... "Am I going to survive the hike and reach the top?". "What are the struggles that we might encounter?". Until then, I told myself to try it, to experience it! And now, I'm going to share it here in my blog, Climbing the Mt. Maculot for beginners (A first-timer experience). :)

Last 14th of March 2017, me and my friends visited a mountain located at Cuenca, Batangas... the Mt. Maculot!

In this blog, I'll post some of the details about the location, the mountain, the expenses, and most of all, the photos taken during the hike. Please take note that we've only climbed the Rockies of Mt. Maculot because this hike, for most of us in the group, is our first mountain climb.

The Travel

Our group came from Bacoor, Cavite and decided to leave the house 5 o'clock in the morning. From Bacoor Aguinaldo highway, we took the main highway in Buhay na Tubig (Imus, Cavite), then passed the Avenida Rizal Road, took the Daang Hari Road to go to the Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway (MCX) entrance, and traveled the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) until we've reached the end of the expressway. Passing through the South Tagalog Arterial Road and Jose P. Laurel highway until we've reached the Lipa-Cuenca-Alitagtag-Sta Teresita Provincial Road. We've spent more or less Php 500.00 for the diesel travelling back and forth Bacoor, Cavite and Maculot Cuenca, Batangas. You could use Waze Mobile App for your convenience by searching "Mt. Maculot" or you may refer to this map for your navigation...

The Registration

Before hiking, registration is a must in their booth in front of their barangay hall. We've listed our name, address and contact number for their reference. Plus, a registration fee of Php 20.00 per head is required before the hike. By the way, if you're travelling there using your private vehicle/s, your designated guide/s will assist you on your proper parking. Parking fee is Php 30.00.

The Guide

I don't know when they started to require the guides per group in climbing Mt. Maculot but as of now, March 2017, it is required to have a guide for climber's safety, especially for beginners. Our group consists of 6 persons and our total guide fee is Php650.00! We just added a tip for our guide because he really helped me a lot especially when we're descending. Kuya John was our guide that time.

The Climb

We started ascending around past 7 o'clock in the morning. Since this was my first time ever, the "warm up" is already tiring for me.

Our first stop was at the "tungkod" store and we bought our tungkod for only Php10.00 each! This thing helped us a lot while climbing. (I'm so tired that time that I didn't had a chance to took a photo of it!)

I forgot how many times we took a rest because our legs are aching a little and some of us are tired at some points. Here are some of the views taken during our resting time...

Good thing that there are so many stop overs and stores on the trail but some of the stores are not open during the weekdays.

We took our lunch in a palutuan store where we've ordered pancit canton, for around Php35.00 per order, in addition to our lunch baon. They also sell water and softdrinks that ranges from Php 25.00 to Php 40.00 per bottle.

After our lunch, we took a rest for a while to avoid tummy aches. We took a photo from the view there also. Here are some of the photos...

After more or less 30 minutes rest, we continued the climb and reach the top of the mountain beside the Maculot and The Rockies...

The Rockies of Mt. Maculot

The Rockies has a 706 meters above sea level (masl) and you can see the Mt. Maculot and Taal Volcano from above.

Descending

After enjoying the view from the top of the Rockies of Mt. Maculot and after taking so many photos as remembrance of our hard work climbing it, we started going back to where we came from.

I had a hard time going down the mountain because of some slippery parts of the land. A big thanks to our guide for his assistance! :)

After the tiring descend, we took a rest for a while and share our thoughts, at the same time, about our amazing adventure! :D After that, we got back to the store in the starting point and took a bath. There are shower rooms available there that costs Php15.00 per person. There's also a sari-sari store that have foods and stuffs that you need in case you forgot your bath needs, and also, they are selling face towels, slippers, t-shirt (with print about the Mt. Maculot hike), and even underwear that ranges from Php50.00 to Php 75.00!

Expense Summary (6 persons)

• Diesel for the travel from Bacoor-Batangas & Vice Versa - Php500.00

• Toll fees (from Bacoor-Batangas & Vice versa) - Php 530.00

• Guide fee (The Rockies) - Php 650.00

• Registration fee (6 pax) - Php 120.00

TOTAL: Php 1,800 / 6 persons

OVERALL TOTAL PER HEAD: Php 300.00

Plus bring extra money in case the food you've brought is not enough! :)

So, there it is! Our hiking experience in Mt. Maculot, Cuenca, Batangas! :)

Are you planning to visit this place? Share us your thoughts thru the comment section below! :)

Here are the video compilations of our Mt. Maculot Trip 2017:

Looking for cheap and nice view to go to this summer around in Surigao del Norte? Do you want to see falls? Then, Togonan Falls in Mainit, Surigao del Norte is perfect for you!

Last December 2015, we went to Togonan Falls to experience Cold Spring with Water Falls. We came from Butuan City and travel using our pick-up vehicle. From, Butuan City, it took more or less 2 hours of travel using the Pan-Philippine Highway (AH26).

The rates in Togonan Falls are the following:

ENTRANCE FEE

Children ages 5 years old and below are FREE
Children from 6 to 10 years old - Php15.00
Children from 11 years old and up - Php25.00
Senior Citizen - Php20.00 (They will ask for the Senior Citizen I.D.

COTTAGE RATES

Small Table with Umbrella (Good for 2 persons) - Php100.00
Table with Umbrella - Php150.00
Viewing Deck Table - Php200.00
Large Cottage - Php1,500.00
Small Pool (If used exclusively) - Php1,500.00

RENTALS

Mono block chair rent - Php5.00/each

From the Togonan Falls entrance, you'll have to walk down the stair with about 200 steps. It's the only way to the pool/cold spring and water falls so get your knees and legs ready for it!

Along the stairway, there are some pets on the side like this Owl on the picture below...

There are also little monkey, parrot and birds.

On the middle of the stairway, you'll be able to see the whole view of the Togonan Falls. The place is not that big. At the time that we went there, we still have table to stay even if it is the December holiday period.

The main pool is the Cold Spring. There's also a place to swim at the bottom of the falls but we didn't try to swim there because it might be not safe for us, especially for those who didn't know how to swim, because of the current that the water falls made.

The cottages are all open so make sure that there would be someone who will attend your things.

There's also an available comfort/shower room for Men and Women where you can take a shower and change clothes. But, there are only 1 for Men and 1 for Women, so be ready to wait in line (if it is peak season) before you can use the facility.

As you can see in the photo above, some are climbing on the side of the falls and jump into the water at the bottom of the falls. It is allowed but with care, of course! :)

The place may not be that big, but the cold spring and the water falls is enough for you to relax and beat the summer heat.

Have you been at the Togonan Falls? Share your experience/s in the comment section below!

Here's a video of our Togonan Falls in Surigao del Norte trip! Please watch it! :)

Are you planning to visit it? Or travel on other places? Make sure you will not forget to put the important stuffs in your baggage! Read our blog about Travel Preparation: WHAT ARE THE THINGS TO REMEMBER IN PREPARING MY STUFFS BEFORE TRAVELLING?! :)

Have a safe trip, capture the moments and don't forget to HAVE FUN TRAVELLING!

View Togonan Falls in Google Maps...

So this is my, I mean "our", first time going out Luzon with a car. Based on Google Map, it takes 19 hours and 21 minutes to travel from Cavite (Luzon) to Buenavista (Mindanao) via Maharlika Highway/Pan-Philippine Highway with a distance of 1,225 kilometers.

We departed from Cavite last 17th of December 2014 at 9:00 AM. We drove off Cavite via South Luzon Express Way (SLEX) from San Pedro Exit and straight to Santo Tomas Exit. After that, we just followed Maharlika Highway/Pan-Philippine Highway (AH26 Road).

At around 6:00 PM, we arrived at Naga City. We stayed a little bit at Puregold Naga City and took our dinner at Chicken Bacolod ALDP. Chicken Bacolod ALDP's best seller is the Chicken Inasal. It tastes like Mang Inasal's Chicken Inasal but unlike Mang Inasal, it's not Rice-All-You-Can. (Didn't took photos because we are already hungry that time! lol!)

It took more or less 2 hours to get to Legaspi, Albay (where the Philippine's Mayon Volcano was located) from Naga City. It's already night, that time, so we didn't have a chance to see the volcano but the good thing is we stayed there overnight to have some rest. So there's a chance to see Mayon Volcano! :D

We stayed until the next morning at a Lodging House near Mayon Volcano. We spent five hundred pesos (P500.00) for an overnight stay in an airconditioned room with three (3) single beds and a bathroom.

We left the lodging house at around 6:00 AM and went to Cagsawa to see the Mayon Volcano. The entrance fee at Patio de Cagsawa is ten pesos (P10.00) per head. But sadly, it was a cloudy day so we didn't saw the volcano clearly. Yet, we still took photos at least.

Patio de Cagsawa

Mayon Volcano View

There are also souvenirs (like keychains, purse, bags, hand-made figures) and delicacies (like turones, crispy pili nuts) available inside and outside Patio de Cagsawa.

From Patio de Cagsawa, we continued our travel to Matnog Port via Maharlika Highway. It took almost 2 to 3 hours of driving. We rode RORO from Matnog Port to Allen for about one and a half hour. It was partly raining and the sea waves are big that time while we are on the boat which is also one of the reason why the travel time was that long.

Taken at Matnog Port

NOTE: Port fees and details from Matnog Port to Allen will be posted soon.

After a long sea trip, we landed at Allen Port safe and sound, and continued the trip for about 5 to 6 hours to Tacloban City. It's been a long trip and it's getting late, so we stayed at Asia Stars Hotel.

We accommodated their Star De Luxe Room for only one thousand three hundred pesos (P1,300.00).

Asia Stars Hotel: Star De Luxe Room

NOTE: Accommodation fees and details will be posted soon.

Staying at the hotel is until 12:00nn, but we already left Asia Stars Hotel early so we could arrive Buenavista as soon as possible. We continued land travel at around 9 o'clock in the morning. By the way, before we leave, we took our breakfast at Kenny's Restaurant just beside Asia Stars Hotel. Didn't have photos at it so I searched the internet if there's available images, and I found some photos at Cocaineyoung-Go's Foodtrip.

It took 2 hours to get to Port of Lilo-an so we arrived there at around 11:00-11:30 am but sadly, (again) we are already late for the departure at that time. The boat already left the port and the next ride will be at 11:00 PM. Good thing there's a room rent at Lilo-an Port. So at least we could have some rest while waiting for the next trip from Lilo-an to Surigao. It costs five hundred pesos (P500.00) for an overnight stay at an air-conditioned room with 2 double deck beds with bathroom.

Port of Lilo-an Gate

NOTE: Port fees and details from Lilo-an Port to Surigao will be posted soon.

The RORO arrived at the port at around ten o'clock in the evening, and departed around 11:00 PM after the loading of vehicles and passengers were done. It took about 2 to 3 hours of travel from Lilo-an Port to Surigao so we arrived Surigao at around 2:00 AM the next day.

And the last land travel was from Surigao Port to Buenavista which took us about 3 hours of travel.

What a very tiring trip! But at least we've experienced land travelling from Luzon to Visayas. Thanks for the help of Google Maps and Waze, these phone applications are so helpful and we didn't get lost! :)

Counting the days left before the travel day is the common thing an excited person is doing. Come on! We are all feeling the same way, too, right? Sometimes, excitement can make us forget some other things that we need to do or to bring. So, I'm going to give you a checklist and tips on packing up your things for your upcoming travel.

What you need to bring on your travel/vacation?

Important documents (such as Valid IDs and/or Passport)
Clothes

Undergarments - Count the days you are going to stay on your travel. If you don't want to wash your clothes on your vacation, better bring at least two (2) pair of underwear per day. Swimsuit/s is/are also included.
Shirts and Shorts
Jeans - at least a pair of jeans, in case, you are going out for a walk.
Dress - at least one, in case, for an unexpected event.
Pajamas and Socks - especially for cold seasons
Slippers

Hygiene

Soap
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Shampoo and Conditioner
Deodorant
Lotion
Mosquito Repellant
Sunblock
Facial cream/Moisturizers
Sanitary napkins - for girls

Others

Sunglasses
Watch
Belt
Hat
Scarf
Power Bank/Charger
Nail cutter
Flashlight
Umbrella
Safety Pins
Hair clips
Camera
Medicine
Extra Bag (Eco bag or Plastic bag)

Tips on packing up your things:

You don't have to bring everything in your room, just bring the things you really need.
Thinking in advance. If you have time, imagine that you are already there in the place you are planning to go and think of all the things you will do, and the things that might happen.
Bring light and thin clothes to lessen the weight and mass of your baggage.
Check the weight of your baggage especially to those who will ride a plane. And always think that your baggage going back home will be greater than your baggage leaving home.
You can have a small bag for your important things so you will not have hard time finding it in case you need them.

Those are some tips that might be useful for your travel preparation. Just always think in advance and have some time in preparing your things. Be safe and enjoy your trip, travel buddies! :)