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Staycation in Camarines Sur (CamSur), Relaxing Fun Activities and more

Posted on by shellan

I’ve been wondering for the past few days if I would make a blogpost about our staycation in Camarines Sur, Bicol. Primarily because, that specific place holds a sacred space in my life, especially with my husband, mainly for its simplicity and beauty combined which can be ruined when tourists found what is special about the place. Because admit it or not, we humans, destroy beautiful things. We’ve witnessed it, not only with Boracay. I could make a list of tourist destinations that are being ruined by irresponsible tourists and make a book with the pages. That’s how dangerous humans are.

But, I realized, I can share our staycation without pinpointing the location. I can write about it without inviting you to go the place (except for our beloved, they are the exceptions). Also, I’ve shared some stuff about this place four years ago as our honeymoon get-away, but every trip holds a different story, and the place grew more beautiful or perhaps, because I had the time to experience almost all the activities the island offers during this staycation.

Activities:

1. Sunset Viewing – it is always beautiful to see sunsets at the bay but if you are to rank them, I think my husband’s hometown, particularly at their community, is on the top 5.

2. Boating – this is where I see the home island of my husband more beautiful, by looking it from a distance, on a boat. Also, I can personally witness how crystal clear the sea surrounding the island.

You can watch how crystal clear the ocean is on this link: Staycation in Camarines Sur (CamSur)

3. Simply sitting by the shore – that’s the magic of the simplicity of this island, you can just sit by the shore and watch people do their own thing, like catching sea bounties, and feel so relaxed perhaps with a book and coffee on your side.

 

 

 

4. Swimming – daytime and nighttime swimming is something that you can’t say no to, it’s like you can’t say no to the invitation of the ocean to feel her with your whole being. It’s so enticing you can’t say no.

 

 

5. Falls and River – there will be a short trek to experience this activity. So experiencing the river and falls comes with a gift of seeing and.inhaling nature’s eyecandies.

There you go, and if you really insist to witness the place first hand, drop a comment or message us, perhaps after some interviews, we can rent you the staycation package. The locals are very polite, and they maintain the place so clean, so if you by any chance pollute the place, I will be the one dealing with you on their behalf, and man, I am not very polite.

The only unpleasant experience you must expect is the roadtrip going to Bicol. I am really frustrated, disappointed, and angry with the government failing to provide the basics for its people. Sobrang lubak, malapit na sa rough road ang daan sa national highway ng Bicolandia. Mga nakahelicopter ata ang mga pulpol na politiko, lintek. Anyway, I believe and still look forward for the betterment, because I know there are also good politicians who aim nothing but the best for the country. I am praying for them.

Here’s a short video documentation of our staycation: CamSur Staycation

I know you are looking for the itinerary and budget breakdown, so here:

Itinerary

Day 0 – left Cavite
10:00 AM – CamSur
Day 1 – Rest
Day 2 – Activity 1, 3, 4
Day 3 – Activity 2, 5
Day 4 – Rest
Day 5 – Back to Cavite
11:00 PM – Arrived home

Budget Breakdown

1500 – Motorcycle Gas

Rewarding Scenic Beauty at Mt. Batulao

Posted on by shellan

Of all the beginner-friendly mountains these climbers tagged, Mt. Batulao is one of the few that really is a beginner-friendly. If you are looking for your first mountain to climb, you might want to consider Mt. Batulao. Truly, with less physical effort, a rewarding scenic beauty at Mt. Batulao awaits you. It is so far, based on my experience, the epitome of a “chill climb” next to Gulugud Baboy. Although, I don’t remember claiming these words on our first and previous climb here which can be read here: Up and Down to the top of Mt. Batulao

Anyway, I’ve listed down the best qualities and reasons to climb Mt. Batulao:

1. As I have mentioned, with less physical effort, a rewarding scenic beauty awaits you. Of course, assuming that you are physically active. If not, then, it can still be exhausting on your part.

2. Ridges are pretty awesome and will be more cinematic if one will do drone shots here. I can say that it can be likened to the mountain ridges we see on tiktok and fb reels.

3. There are 12 peaks, which will help you anticipate how much more or long you need to go through before reaching the top. It’s like a countdown.

4. As for now, it is underrated, or probably because most don’t know that Mt. Batulao is open again after closing for rehabilitation for several years. So yeah, there ae less tourist on the location even on weekends. Well, if I were to compare Batulao to other famous mountains, such as Pulag and Rizal’s. This also means, less waiting time for the opportunity to have decent photos on the beautiful spots. And imagine on weekdays, you’ll get “wantosawa” photo opportunities.

5. Refreshments and food are available on the trail and on the top on weekends and holidays but they are closed on weekdays. So pack your own if you’re going to sched your hike on weekdays.

6. You have the option to use the new trail or old trail or both by doing a traverse. Numerous pass-through fees are still implemented here (P20-P30) probably because some part are privately-owned.

7. If you are fond of rapelling, then Mt. Batulao is perfect for you. Some part of the trail require rapelling or rock climbing but the difficulty level is very low.

8. Most part of Mt. Batulao, including on the summit, the network signals are available.

9. Here is the video documentary of our climb here to help you visualize your climb here: Mt. Batulao (Mountain Ridges, Rapelling, etc.)

And, here are the proofs of the scenic beauties at Mt. Batulao, crafted by the most creative and gracious God who allowed us to witness these, though the weather forecast told us otherwise:

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Have a safe and wonderful trip. Message or comment below for the info regarding the recommendable travel tours for your trip here.

I know you are looking for the itinerary and budget breakdown, so here:

 

Itinerary

2:00 AM – left Bacoor, Cavite

4:00 AM – arrived at Brgy. Kaylaway / Registration / Breakfast

4: 40 AM – start of trek

6:00 AM – witness sunrise / rest

7:20 AM – Summit

8:00 AM – Descent to Peak 8

9:00 AM – Peak 8 / Early Unli Lunch (provided by the tour)

10:00 AM – Descent back to jump off

11:00 AM – Registration Area / Clean-up

12:00 NM – Back to Cavite / Manila

 

Budget Breakdown

1500 – Transpo / Registration / Tour Guide / Event Fee / Unli Food

25 to 100 – Bathroom use (depending on how much water you are going to use)

Mt. Pinatubo and its Adrenaline Activities

Posted on by shellan

Mt. Pinatubo is one of the destinations that climbers and non climbers would agree to put on their travel bucket list. It is coined as “A Beautiful Disaster” of the Philippines, and it seems that everybody wants to know why or perhaps to just simply witness its beauty first hand. And since we are at the age of social media, where we can easily view and be influenced by the hype and be enchanted by the beautiful sceneries world wide, Mt. Pinatubo has become more popular, especially to the youth.

But what should we really expect to experience by trekking Mt. Pinatubo? If you’re in a rush and preferred a motion documentation, here’s the link for it (⁠☞ﾟ⁠∀ﾟ⁠)⁠☞Mt. Pinatubo and its Adrenaline Activities Video Documentation you can view our adventure there.

Anyway, since here you are continuing to read my written blah blah blah, allow me to start lay down our adventure at Mt. Pinatubo with the instagrammable photos below:

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Now that you know that Mt. Pinatubo is really worth that booking/trip, you should also know that trekking it comes with not so-okay experience — perhaps, a beautiful disaster. Here, I’ve already made a list of the things you should know and consider before booking a trip:

1. If you live far from Tarlac, this will not be an easy trip. We were from NCR and Cavite and we left around 12MN to be able to arrive at the drop off / registration point in time. So if you’re not used to getting sleep on a moving vehicle, this will be a challenge. So might as well bring something that could help you sleep comfortable, like pillow neck.

We arrived at Capas, Tarlac around 4:30AM and start the registration process where we signed waivers. Also, 40 and above YO climbers are required to undergo blood pressure check-up before setting off.

By the way, there are several registration places.

2. Do not book your trip on weekends if you are not a fan of crowded area. And when I say crowded, I mean CROOOWWDEED. If you haven’t checked the link above, where you can watch our video documentation, here’s a short clip to help you visualize what I meant:

According to our source, we were more than 1,000 tourists that Saturday, where around 300 units of 4×4 vehicle were dispatched by the tourism office.

3. 4×4 vehicle is a required ride to get to the starting point of trekking. It comes on different models and can accommodate 4 pax at most. Many preferred a jeepney type where tourists can stand and feel the adrenaline rush of being tossed around since the ride is an off-road.

Please spare being brats and be picky with the 4×4 vehicle. Accept what is assigned to your group. Most jeepney owners are Katutubo (Indigenous people). Aside from that, being assigned with a closed 4×4 vehicle is a heaven on the way back. Because who wants to be tossed around when you are already exhausted. We learned that as we ride back at the jump off / registration point, sleeping like a baby.

Yes, you can bring your own 4×4 off road vehicle but you need to process its registration at the tourism office.

4. Most part of the off road areas are used for military trainings so there’s a chance to get stranded while you wait for the training to get done.

5. Katutubo. They are seen all over the municipality. They are the original locals of Capas, Tarlac. The local government has given them job opportunities by enlisting them as tour guides. Although, they are going to be paid by the LGU, be generous to your tour guide and tip them big time. And most especially, be respectful of them.

Also, I advice you to bring spare money or food so you can buy and give it away (though they don’t ask for it, they wait for tourists to initiate) to the katutubo who sells stuff along the trail.

I have learned, upon interviewing our guide, that their lands were taken away from them by the national government since former Pres. Ramos has declared their area non-inhabitant. They didn’t push for an uprise, though. Instead, they find other ways how to sustain their lives in their hometown.

6. You can bring your own food / packed lunch if you are on a budget. But if you prefer to travel with less bagage, food and drinks are very much available along the trail. They even have inasal there.

7. The trail is somehow can be described as a walkathon rather than hiking. It is easy and very much beginner friendly but the walkathon is also tiring and exhausting. But worth it.

8. Remember your tour guide’s face and name, just in case you still picked weekend for your trip and got mixed with thousand of people at the crater. You will spot them after several minutes because he/she will also look for you.

Also, don’t fall in line at the crater unless you want a drone shot and pay.

9. The trail is a mix of rocky and shallow river trek. So, yeah, it’s better to wear sandals.

And, here’s our day hike itinerary to help you plan out your trip:

1:00 AM – leave Manila

4:30 AM – Regstration Point / Drop Off / Breakfast / Prep Up / Waiting in line

6:30 AM – Board 4×4

7:30 AM – start of trek

10:30 AM – Mt. Pinatubo Crater / Lunch / Rest / Savor the beauty of Pinatubo

11:20 AM – Descent

1:00 PM – Board 4×4

2:30 PM – Regstration Point / Drop Off / Breakfast / Clean Up / Waiting for the other group (since we booked a travel agency)

5:00PM – back to Manila

 

Budget breakdown:

Php 2,875.00 all in for:

Van RT

Parking fee

Guide fee

Environmental fee

Bagtag

Climb permit

4×4 Vehicle

 

Requirements:

Valid ID

Backlava Mask

Spare Coins (for the usage of CRs, which is also available along the trail)

 

If you are less than 8 pax, I suggest that you opt booking a travel agency instead DIY. It will be more budget friendly. Our tour is recommendable if you are looking for one. Message or comment down so I can provide you details.

To sum it up, indeed Mt. Pinatubo is a beauty. No doubt about it. But you have to go through a lot before you witness her beauty. And at the end of your trip, you will have no choice but to agree that it is indeed “a beautiful disaster” not only because of what you went through just to see her but mostly because of the devastation she has done to its surrounding places which perhaps has changed geography but has add to its beauty and providing tourism income opportunities to its locals.

I just hope that those thousands of people who went there not only came for awra photos showcasing their beauty and outfit but have also been overwhelmed by the majestic beauty of Mt. Pinatubo and the disaster that has shaped the lives of the locals and the municipality as well. And that she’s a beauty, but she can be danger as well.

Manila Bay’s Instagrammable Spots

Posted on by shellan

If you’re thinking about the infamous dolomite sand of the city, which became one of the Metro’s tourist attractions, you’re wrong. But we are not writing this to disregard the aesthetic features of the dolomite sand in Manila Bay. In spite of the lingering controversy, we cannot deny the fact that it is indeed beautiful, based on the circulated photos in social media because we failed to witness it first-hand. Perhaps some other time, we could make a blog and vlog about it.

Anyway, so which spot in Manila Bay I am talking about that has Instagrammable spots?

Make a guess with the photos below:

 

 

 

If you still can’t figure out which part of Manila Bay this is, maybe this short clip will help you identify it more. Am sure this will:

In case you really have no idea about Manila Bay, this location is just beside the CCP Complex. You’re welcome.

Anyway, to conclude this blog, I think we made it obvious that Manila Bay is a gem in landscape photography, you just gotta find the perfect spots. Adding dolomite sand is not supposed to be the priority, perhaps. Rather, they could have focused more on the maintenance and rehabilitation of Manila Bay, such as but not limited to, clean up drive. But as I have mentioned above we are not here to discredit the beauty that the dolomite provides to the site. And surely, it attracts more tourists, if that was their goal then they have achieved it.

What do you think? Have a safe trip.