Seeing the magnificent crater lake which was born from a catastrophic event was just beyond awesome. The 1 hour 4 x 4 ride and 2-hour trek was worth it upon seeing the breath-taking view of Mt. Pinatubo. For those too young to remember, Mt. Pinatubo erupted in 1991 killing many lives and destroying many properties. However, it seems that one unlikely event would lead to another opportunity for locals to earn a living.
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| With Karen and my co-workers Donna, Tin and Leslie. Bern took this photo |
We started our 1-hour 4 x 4 ride at around 6 AM. Upon reaching Lipit station, our 2-hour grueling hike to the summit begins. It has been quite some time since my last hike and I really prayed that I will have no problems once we started our long walk. Interestingly enough, I was curious of the almost-alien environment we were tucked in and killed time by chatting with Mr. Tee who was really knowledgeable and accommodating of my inquiries.
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| with new found friend Karen |
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| with the friendly and accommodating Mr. Tee, our tour organizer |
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| I sometimes thought I was on the moon or somewhere in Central US |
Meet-up place was at McDonald’s Panay in Quezon City (EDSA corner Quezon Avenue near the MRT Quezon Avenue Station) at exactly 2.30 AM. We joined Tripinas package tour at 1990 Php per head. A deposit of P 1000 is required for confirmation and the remaining balance is payable on the day of the tour.
This day tour is perfect for those who do not have the luxury of being gone for long. Affordable and very near the metro.
Tripinas contact information:
website: tripinas.blogspot.com
e-mail: tripinas@gmail.com
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| Walk walk walk |
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| Nothing but lahar and stones and rocks everywhere |
Once you reach the summit, these awesome jaw-dropping views will make you forget about everything else. 🙂
We reached the crater at around 10 AM. Travelers can also swim in the lake (the waters were actually a bit cold) or take a boat tour at P 350 per head. Total time spent at the summit is two hours. We were to start our descent at exactly 12 NN. The boat tour is for an hour: 30 minutes spent to go back and forth to the other side while the remaining 30 minutes is spent for swimming/leisure. I noticed that only paddle boats are used. I asked our boatman and he confirmed that no motorized bancas are allowed. I think this is a great help in preserving the lake’s pristine state.
I was curious how much they were actually making. Kuya Kel (if I remember right) said that for every passenger who pays P 350, P 12 goes to them. We were astonished at first how come their percentage was so small. But then he quickly confirmed that this was just sort of a sideline for them and they have other jobs where they get their regular salary. It made me think at times if that was really reasonable but I guess that would be fit for another discussion. All in all my trip to Mt. Pinatubo was really unforgettable. Beneath the scorching sun and the unforgivable environment, it is still an amazement to me how the story of Mt. Pinatubo’s crater lake came to be.
wow nice ganda ng Pinatubo ganda mag hike jan 🙂
Thanks Manong Unyol. Very nice nga magtrek doon…:-)
Ang ganda talaga diyan. 🙂 Ui tinag na naman kita, haha…sana magawa mo, masaya siya gawin. 😀 http://www.pinaythrillseeker.com/2012/11/all-i-want-for-christmas.html
Oo nga eh, mainit lang pero sulit naman yung view eh… :-)..sige check ko ito…
Paula, ang ganda ng trip nyo. ano po ba ang storya ng grupo nyo bago kayo nag meet? kasi po palaisipan sa akin yong minimum of 10 persons to hike. konwari lang mag book ako lang mag isa, Is (tripinas) going to arrange some group for me?
Ano po ba feeling nasa volcano crater kana? heheheh kasi sa tingin ko sa picture na posted mo parang masarap mag swimming. hahahaha
Keith, salamat!!! four of them are my co-workers, the other one, Kaiku, is a solo-traveler na nameet lang din namin dun. you dont need to form a group of 10 para lang makasama dyan. Kahit solo ka lang then sila na mag-assign kung san van at 4×4 ka sasakay..they will give you seat assignments kumbaga. 🙂
Masarap magswimming kasi medyo malamig yung water relaziing kahit tutuk ang araw…
Punta na! 🙂
Wow, natuloy na pala Pinatubo trip mo. Galing! It's so nice up there di ba, sobrang ganda ng view. Makakalimutan mo talaga yung hirap sa pag hike.
P.S. Parang nakita ko na si Mr. Tee, nandun din sya nung nagpunta ako sa Pinatubo. Sobra syang maasikaso sa mga guests. Kaso I booked a tour from another company.
That is true Che! natuloy na rin haha! Mr. Tee was very accommodating saka maasikaso true!
And the view! Naman! 🙂
That was really an awesome experience for you pau.:-). Indeed the story of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991 turned to be a nightmare for some who still not born yet that time. I already worked in Makati in 1991. The lahar dust reached up the Makati area.
But today, Mt. Pinatubo is an awesome to behold. :-).
Thanks Bonzenti! Tama ka pag may bad thing na happen..there'll be good things…
woot woot. hongganda! I wish to go there myself.
Mt Pinatubo looked amazing. 🙂
Yes the view was pretty breathtaking really! You should try na!
The Mountain that I'd like to visit one of these days, pero mahal yata budget. 🙁
Kid wanderer, look for travel packages na below 2000 php, i am sure meron pa. Or look out also for DIY trips mas makaka-mura ka din dun 🙂
Naku pao. Baka matuwad ang banka at maubos ang tubig niyan.:-)….tumagilid din ang tingin ko ah.:-).
hahaha bonzenti! :-P, ganda lang nung lake hirap di maisama sa larawan 😛