Summer Climb 2015 : Mount Singakalsa (Mount Timbak)

It was a hot and humid summer in the metro. HS and I decided to get to higher altitude and make use of our jackets. Cant help but think that some of our relatives may have thought that we were getting nuts bringing out our thick winter garbs at the onset of summer.

In course of my internet browsing I came across some blogs on  Luzon 3-2-1. But 4 full days of Holy Week holidays may not be enough to cover the 3 mountains if we will do the traverse. Considering that we already did the Mount Pulag climb back in December 2013, HS and I decided to go with the 3 and 2.

Bringing our canine friend, the three of us then travelled at 5am to Baguio to meet Mr. Santiago Ballagan, the guide and bring us to this very unique mountaineering experience.

we were greeted by this beautiful sunrise along TPLEX

We arrived in Baguio around 830am and we met Mr. Ballagan his daughter at La Trinidad. We proceeded to Halsema and after 2 hours, we were at the highest highway in the Philippines.

that familiar Cordee mountain range

that's Mount Pulag and it's prominent grassland

Mount Singakalsa or Mount Timbak

Mt. Timbak or Singakalsa can be seen along Halsema Highway in Atok, Benguet just past the highest highway in the Philippines. The mountain stands 2,717 meters above sea level(masl) or about 8,912 feet.It is the 3rd highest mountain in Luzon and the 9th in the Philippines.

The trail starts at Km. 55 along Halsema and ends at a point near the Mangoto Elem. School.  Our trek started at around 2,680 masl along a stèep trail and reached the summit in about 20 minutes passing through "Farmville de Atok" where chopsuey vegetables were grown around the mountain and stations of the cross.

signage at KM 55 along Halsema

the way up... but we're not walking...

tire path one way only.deep  ravine to the right

Mangoto School

Chopsuey-landia

more of the vegetable terraces

Some statues that surprised me

the Calvary at 2,700++ masl

Huwag mo ako apakan.Patatas po ako.

berries. I am not sure if edible

flowers carried to the truck for delivery to Manila

more veg. terraces

parking area where we left our truck

stations of the cross

our hiking friend Ginger, a yorkie

Over all it was an easy hike.We descended to take our lunch at the jump off area to the mummy caves scattered around Kabayan.

Ciao Ifugao!

We left the inn an 11am. Had a take out lunch from McDonald's Solano and dropped by at Savemore to get some lacking stuff for our long vacation.

Then our journey to the Cordilleras began.
The road was alright... not steep not narrow, just alright. And everything was scenic. Trees adorn the verdant surroundings. perhaps, it's not like this during summer season.

We passed the towns of Lamut, Kiangan, Lagawe and several others I forgot to take down.

the two way road to Banaue

everything in green

Lamut, Ifugao

Kiangan

wowoweeee....Lagawe

We can't resist to stop when we the saw the approaching bridge crossing a river and a big rocky mountainside  just along the road.

the irresistible view

As HS drove, we noticed that we were gaining altitude. It began to rain and we scrambled outside to cover our luggage.Then there it was! The marker showing that we are now in Banaue.

After some turns along winding and confusing roads, we arrived at Banaue Homestay where we stayed for 4 nights.

Warm Welcome

Next post is our first day in Banaue and that scary trip to Batad.

Hurrah Vizcaya.!!!

This is a very late entry... 6 months in the making.
Last December 2014, we decided to spend our Christmas and New Year holidays in the Cordillera (for the second time since 2013) but this time passing through the eastern side of the country- the Cagayan route.

SW palnned and inquired about Palaui in Sta. Ana, Cagayan. However, I was advised by the tourism officer in Sta. Ana Cagayan that they cannot guarantee boat rides to and from the island of Palaui during season due to the Amihan winds. It's December and the northern winds tend to get strong that time of the year.

Mount Palali in Solano, Nueva Vizcaya was the second option then Ifugao province and crossing the Cordillera mountains going to Sagada (for the second time).

Book , book and book.I bumped into this inn called 24/7 Inn located in the town proper of Solano.The link is my review, by the way. The reviews in the TripAdvisor were good plus it was affordable. Solano was the jump off to Mt. Palali and we contacted the guide after some serious research in the net.
Off we go.
Leaving Manila at 530am on a Saturday (December 20) for  Solano, Nueva Vizcaya, bringing our bikes with us for some serious pedalling.  We were hopeful that the Amihan wont bring too much precipitation in the Northeastern side of PH. We arrived in Solano at 130PM. We enjoyed the scenic 8-hour drive passing by the provinces of Bulacan and Nueva Ecija.

Our bikes behind the truck. HS carefully calculated how to secure them firmly to the customized bike carrier.

 

Scenic ride in Nueva Vizcaya

 

Clouds at Mt. Palali peak

The facade of 24/7 Inn

 As expected, it was drizzling in Aritao and was cloudy in Solano when we arrived. We checked in at 24/7 Inn which is conveniently located about 50 meters from the national highway. The inn was clean and rooms were cozy. What i loved most was the hot shower!

The view from our own private terrace

After settling in, we relaxed from that very long trip.HS called our Mt. Palali guide to confirm and he advised that he will be in the hotel before 7am the following day  unless it rains. Well, our luck it did. He called at 630am and advised us not to proceed as the trail becomes slippery when it rains overnight. We can only give a deep sigh to our disappointment...travelling 8 hours just to get a cancellation. Change of plans but first we need to go back to bed and ponder on our next plan. After an hour of sleep, we explored the inn's premises. Of course, we also cancelled our additional night of stay. The original plan was an overnight stay in Palali then return to 24/7 Inn after our descent. 

Vizcayan farmers on a rush to harvest palay. This is just outside the fence in the pool area.

Pool side. HS and HP flashing their backs :)

 

Terrace from the pool. Our room is on the third floor (terrace third from right)

bed just enough for 2 plus a pull out

We packed at 10 am and left the inn at 11am on our way further north....to IFUGAO! Good thing the place we reserved for 2 nights in Banaue had another available room for our extra 2 nights.

Next post IFUGAO road trip

ISRI (Ilocos Sur Region I)

Okay, it was from a joke that an office colleague cracked (instead of INRI if place pertains to Ilocos Norte). We have been going to Ilocos region several times, especially when SW was still a child. Last summer ( a week prior to Holy Week), HS, SW and HP all went to Ilocos Sur to attend the wake of a relative. We stayed in a low budget hotel in Vigan called GREEN R Hotel . Basic amenities were provided ...no hot shower though, but who needs hot water in a hot summer.The hotel is located near the Vigan Public Market and close to the Heritage Village, banks, supermarkets and bus station. We parked just across the street.

sunrise seen from the window of Green R Hotel

 

Parking area

Upon waking up, we went to my relative's wake in Sto Domingo Ilocos Sur. We  headed to Poro  Beach in Magsingal. Poro used to be the "bagsakan" of goods that they call "chop-chop" . Back then (when SW and HS were in highschool) a scooter costs less than 5,000 pesos. But the local government became more strict as this illegal industry hurt the economy. Apart from this infamous reputation of the place, the beach is a refreshing sight. Water at the grey sand area was clean and with just the right temperature. The last time SW came here was 10 years ago. Other than the paved road, nothing much changed.
We came to a spot where water from north meets water from the south during typhoon season.We stayed for a while and HP dipped with his Lolo.

HP poses with Lolo. Behind them is the water coming from North.

Staying in a makeshift shelter. Beyond that sand dune where the black truck is, is the water from South.

North water

After getting a dip, we headed back to Vigan to explore the Heritage Village in the middle of the day. It was not crowded. We had lunch and took a "calesa" going back to Green R.

Not crowded.

Waking up from our afternoon nap, we decided to go to Mindoro Beach where the La Playa de Oro is. To get to Mindoro Beach, one must head to the road going to Vigan Airport. We arrived at sunset and the smell of the sea and magnificent sunset greeted us. It was one of the most dramatic sunsets we have seen. The black sand added drama to the orange and grey hues.

HP eager to test the water.

Lovely sunset

who wouldn't want to stay here

 As it was getting dark, we decided to go back to Vigan. HS couldn't stop himself from taking countless photos until his camera ran out of batteries.

Back to Vigan, emapana is waiting. Yum!

empanada from the plaza is Php35 a piece. Perfect with a cold soda

Our night was capped with an amazing fountain show!

Caramoan Journey for the Second Time: Arriving at Lahuy

HS and I agreed that we will not be going back to the same exotic places we visited or explored. Our reason, time may not be enough to explore other places. But going back to Caramoan was inevitable. The first time we got there in 2012, we ran out of time. Either some islands were banned to public or we just simply got tired. In the first week of June 2014, HS, HP and I returned to Caramoan. It was a homecoming treat of 7 of the family members from HS's side (his sister, 2 brothers, 1 niece and 2 nephews).There were 23 in the group. Getting back this time was via land travel renting 2 big vans from Manila direct to San Jose, Camarines Sur. The gruelling 12 hour journey gave us weary legs, sore butts and sleep deprived eyes. But when we saw the Sabang Port everyone sighed with relief. The travel started at 6pm and we were in Sabang Port at 630am. The 2-hour boat ride from Sabang to Guijalo was the bumpiest I had since 2012 (in Dasol, Pangasinan). We braved through the Habagat waves that I literally brought down one life vest from the rack. I can't swim. Fare is the same (Php120 per pax, Php60 for 6 to 12 years old and free for 5years old below). Boat was MB Harry. Additional Php10 per pax for using their makeshift ramp bringing passengers from the shore to the boat.
When we arrived at Guijalo 2 hours later, we were fetched by a van and tricycle and were brought the public market to get some provisions. Then we were brought to Paniman Port for another 40 minute boat ride.

our stuff were loaded on top, some rode the tricycle

at the Paniman Port

We were booked to stay at Hacienda Lahuy Island Resort . The exhaustion was rewarded by a refreshing sight of the island (which is actually the largest of the group of islands). It was so quiet and we were the only guests.

 

There were 4 kubo huts with fan, 4 rooms but HS and HW opted to stay in a tent for the ultimate island experience. HP stayed in one of the rooms with his cousin. I can say, it was a dream come true sleeping in a tent on remote island. It was so quiet and with only the gentle waves, chirping birds and leaves swayed by the gentle breeze. IT WAS BLISSFUL!

beach front...that's HP

the nipa huts

That's our tent