Summiting Mt. Apo - "There's no shortcut to the top" ( Day 3 )

continuation of : Summitting Mt. Apo - " There is no shortcut to the top." (Day 2)

Day 3 (Aug 13) : The Descend

The third and last day of the climb. It was a very cold night again, much colder compare on the first night at Upper Sabwag camp. It was raining whole night but somehow we have restfull sleep. Wake -up time again suppose to be 5:30am. and as usual masarap matulog dahil tagos sa buto yung lamig.

Beautiful morning view of the summit camp greets us with full of fog while we drink our hot milo and coffee to start the day.

Beautiful foggy morning at summit camp. We're only the campers this day. We own the place today. 

Beautiful foggy morning at the summit campsite. 

Summiting Mt. Apo - "There is no shortcut to the top" ( Day 2)

continuation of : Summiting Mt. Apo -"There is no shortcut to the top." (Day 1)

Day 2 ( Aug 12, 2013) : Going to the summit.

Thankfull for a good sleep last night. Today is our second day, this will be a full push whole day trek going up to the summit camp.. 

Second day wake -up call is suppose to be 5:00 early in the morning, due to the very cold temperature our body feels so lazy to get- up and so good to sleep inside my sleeping bag. It was a very cold night but indeed a restfull one. 

After 30 minutes of wake -up call we decide to get up and drink hot milo and coffee to relieve the cold. Prepare, cook our breakfast and pack lunch. We eat full breakfast, as we need more energy for this full push.

Well, sorry Dang that i include this "Sino ang nakatapon ng tuna spaghetti?" (Peace Dang). 

We pack our things, clear the campsite of our trash and ready to leave. Our next target for that day this day is the summit campsite with an estimated 8 hours climb.



Group picture on our second day at Upper Sabwag campsite. Ready to assault the summit. 

(L-R) Shao, Sir Rodel, Me, Dang and Loyd

At around 8:00 am we are ready to go. Still the temperature is cold but as we continue to trek our body temperature is getting high 'coz of the exerted energy. The trail is a forested area and a rugged one. Some tree trunks with moss are along the trail. We stop at the Baroring river to take some rest. We're 1 -hour ahead when we reach the river 'coz on the sign at Upper Sabwag campsite it is 3 -hours (wow yabang naman). Take rest, re -fill our water container and take some pictures.

Taking time to pose on refreshing place at Baroring river.

Summiting Mt. Apo - "There is no shortcut to the top." (Day 1)

Continuation of : Summiting Mt. Apo - Preparation, Tips, Itinerary and Budget

Day 1 ( Aug 11, 2013) : The Jump -off

Well, finally this is the day! It's a dream come true on my travel wishist. We will climb the highest mountain here in the Philippines - Mt. Apo. With an elevation of 2,956 MASL. After 1 -year preparation and flight booking.

I have arrived first at Davao City 3 days before our climb together with my friend and travel buddy Jinky. Our hired service van fetch me at the dorm where i was staying for 3 days and go to the airport to fetch my companions for this climb. Loyd, Shao and Dang. Loyd and Shao was my companion also on our last G2 climb at Romblon; and Dang was a first batch of the G2 crew together with Loyd . I am thankfull, that i meet these fellow mountaineers with a true passion on mountaineering and we became friends. To our eager lead organizer Migo Loyd ,who organize the climb and made this climb possible. 

At past 6:00am they finally arrive, carrying their full backpacks and with full spirit to summit the highest mountain in the Philippines. We go to some karinderias to eat full breakfast. It is a good hearty breakfast; tasting the local food on Davao City. Buy our packed lunch, buy some additional food supply and other needed stuff (syempre d pwede makakalimutan ang stock ng yosi at inumin), and finally going to Digos City on the jump-off point.

The jump -off point is from Kapatagan, Digos City, it is 3 -4 hours travel Davao City with a long winding and rough road. Mt. Apo's magnificent summit is visible as we are appoaching on the jump -off point. We can't wait to experience the challenge of climbing the magnificent summit. 

Breath taking view of Mt. Apo summit, as we are approaching on the jump -off point.

The service van drop us on proper town of Kapatagan, Digos City and we transfer to a pedicab going at the jum -off point. The road is more rugged than on the previous that only tough vehicle or 4 -wheeler vehicle can sustain. We wait for our porter (Mang K- aka Kulas), do some re -packing of our backpacks, some stretching exercise and take group pictures after we arrive at the jump -off point. 

Group picture 4 souls with one determination. "Their is no shortcut to the top"

With the G2 crew and Mt. Apo crew - (L-R) Shao, Dang, Me and Loyd

Sightseeing at Davao City ( Day 2)

contiuation of: Sightseeing at Davao City (Day 1)
 

Second day city tour adventure (Aug. 10, 2013): Have breakfast at Abreeza Mall, roam around at old downtown and food trip at the famous Colassa's Bar-B -Q house.

It's our secod day here in Davao, feels like we're local Davawenyo's. We want to explore more of the Davao downtown. Time constraint is upon us for the next day i will climb the tallest mountain here in the Philippines - Mt. Apo; and Jikny will go to Gen. Santos City that night to visit her relatives. So we have 1 whole day for today to explore Davao City.

First thing in our mind upon wake -up is to have breakfast. My travel buddy Jinky wants to have coffee for breakfast. As myself is not fond of drinking coffee. Where could we find their best coffee here in Davao? Hhmm, i think we will try to look at Abreeza Mall. Going to the mall is only one ride on a jeepney from our dorm ( Camillus Dormitel). 

Abreeza Mall, Davao City 

As we arrive at Abreeza Mall, we inquire on the concierge what coffee shops do they have. Some of the coffee shops are the usual that we can find on the mall but get's our attention is the Durian coffee flavor at Blugre' Coffee. 

Though I am not fond in drinking coffee, i did try a little drink.  Durian coffee taste's good and having nice smell of Durian. So, Jinky has satify herself for having Durian coffee with our breakfast.

Durian coffee flavor at Blugre' Coffee at Ground flr., Abreeza Mall, Davao City. 

Breakfast done with satisfaction,we stroll little around the mall. Somehow i was impress on the design of the mall with class and elegant. It show's that Davao has a taste and indeed some rich family are living here.

After strolling around th mall we decided to go on their old downtown. We like to visit the San Pedro Cathedral at old downtown.

San Pedro Cathedral is the oldest church in Davao City. It was named after Saint Peter, the patron saint of Davao. The original structure was built in 1847. This was built in 1847 by Don Jose Uyanguren during the Spanish colonization. It is actually one of the most spectacular – if not the best – church that was built during the Spanish colonization. (San Pedro Cathedral Reference).

It lies at the heart of the City, right infront of the Davao City Hall and bordered by San Pedro St. , Bolton St. and C.M. Recto Ave.

San Pedro Cathedral, Old Downtown, Davao City 
 

Sightseeing in Davao City (Day 1)

First day city tour adventure (Aug 9, 2013) : Lunch at local Italian restaurant, visit Philippine Eagle Center, visit People's Park with Pre -Celebration of the Kadayawan Feastival and "SUTUKIL" food trip.

It's my first time to set foot on the land of Mindanao- Davao City, the land of Durian, the biggest city in the Philippines, the cleanest and the most discipline city. Together with my dear friend and travel buddy Jinky, we arrive 3 days before for my scheduled climb in Mt. Apo.

Our flight from Manila - Davao( via Airasia airline) is delayed for 1 hour , we arrive at Davao City around 11:00 pm it's already late night. We immediately get to sleep after we arrive at Camillus Dormitel, where i booked our accommodation. I feel so sleepy waiting for the delayed flight and plus the previous succeeding nights I have always slept late just to cope up some work loads before this long vacation.

We sleep and rest well, it's a new day at Davao City. We're excited where and what interesting place to go but before all this I am also excited to taste the food in Davao. We find a canteen on the ground floor of the Dormitory to eat our breakfast. Yes, it is indeed the foods are delicious and so affordable. As the dormitory where we staying is part of Davao Medical Center the canteen serves some healthy and home cooked foods.

After breakfast where to go from here? As me and Jinky are full stranger on this biggest city. We roam around first on the part of the city and i am excited to ride on the jeepneys where i can feel that i am Davaoweno. We just ask the receptionist on our dorm what jeepney signboard to ride in roaming around the city.

At noontime, we decided to go to the Philippine Eagle Center. The dormitory where we staying is a the compound of Davao Medical Center, good thing this just near at the city proper and so accessible on the jeepney ride when you want to roam around the city.

We ride a jeepney from our dorm going to Bangkerohan Market, where the van terminal going to Calinan is located. As we are walking and finding the terminal going to Philippine Eagle Center we pass by a unique Italian restaurant, just in time it is almost lunch time and we decide to eat here. This is one part i like when travelling to have food trip and  to eat on some local restaurant.

La Toscan Italian Restaurant this is located at Quirino Ave., Davao City (Beside Banco de Oro). It must be one of the coziest restaurant in the City of Davao, Philippines. Its intricate iron and wood furniture lends a decidedly European ambiance. Wines are arranged neatly in a wine racks interspersed with photos of famous diners.(http://latoscanacuisine.com/)

Italian Restaurant at Davao City.

So cozy dinning with Italian motif.

Summitting Mt. Apo - Tips, Itinerary and Budget

The climb was initiated by Migo Loyd, I was browsing on the Cebu Pacific  Peso fare promo last Oct. 2012 and Loyd informed that they will climb Mt. Apo by Aug 2013. So I eagerly booked on a Cebu Pacific Peso fare that night. Luckily i got only a one -way ticket Davao -Manila, so it saves a lot on my airfare. The other way i booked it on Airasia airline which is also a promo fare.

I was thinking this is it, a dream come true by next year. We will climb Mt. Apo the Highest mountain in the Philippines. I made some research and reading on different travel blogs about Mt. Apo. With an altitude of 2,954 metres (9,692 ft), Mt. Apo is the highest mountain in the country and is located between Davao City, Davao del Sur province and Cotabato province. The peak overlooks Davao City 40 kilometres (25 mi) to the northeast, Digos City 25 kilometres (16 mi) to the southeast, and Kidapawan City 20 kilometres (12 mi) to the west. (http://wikitravel.org/en/Mount_Apo)

Climbing Mt. Apo has different jump-off point and exit point. For more information you can check this website: www.pinoymountaineer.com. It depends on the numbers of days, and the usual days is 3days/2nights.

We jump -off at Sitio Mainit ( Paradise- Upper Sabwag camp- Boulders- Summit- Lake Venado - Old Century Almaciga tree - Sitio Garok-Sitio Colon - Sitio Baruring). Mt. Apo map trail from http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/

Sightseeing in Palawan - El Nido beaches and islands of paradise" (Day 1)

Day1 ( Jan, 24, 2013): Bound to El Nido Island of Paradise - Corong -corong and Las Cabanas Beach

I can't believe that we will go to Palawan, as for my new year travel. Indeed, another wish come true on my travel bucket list.

We'll thanks for my dear friend "Emy", i had meet her while i was in Dubai. She just came home from Qatar to wait for here visa going to the Canada as a Permanent Resident. While waiting for her visa, she want's to discover more of the Philippines. So one of her target is to go to Palawan. She contacted me 'coz she knows if travelling and adventure that's my game.

We have 3 months preparation for this travel - airline ticket booking, package tour inquiry, research hotel/backpacking accommodation and itineraries. The goal of this 5 days travel is to explore Palawan on a budget expenses.

Confirmed and the final day is here. We're at the airport Me, Jinky and Emy waiting for our 8:00 PM flight bound to Puerto Princesa it is 1 hour flight from Manila. After we arrive at the Puerto Princesa airport we will head directly to El Nido. We need to catch the last trip going to El Nido at 10:00 PM. 

As we arrive at the Puerto Princesa airport, we hire a tricycle going to the Roro bus at San Jose Terminal bound to El Nido. From airport to San Jose terminal is around 20 minutes travel. As i have read on some travel blogs that the usual transportation in going around Puerto Princesa is tricycle but unluckily i forgot the usual fare.The 3 of us are strangers, the driver really took advantage on us, we paid almost 3x the usual fare.

We buy an advance ticket for the last trip (10:0PM) and eat our dinner while we wait for our travel schedule. Since this travel is on a budget, we look for some karinderia on the bus terminal. Eat our dinner on budget food that we can afford to buy. 

Puerto Princesa to El Nido is 5 1/2 to 6 hours. Includes 2 stop-overs in Roxas and Taytay (15 mins each).

The fare is Php483.00 for A/C bus and Php 330.00 for non A/C bus. We will arrive at Corong -corong, El Nido at around 4:00 am. I had made an advance booking for our accommodation at the Alternative Inn. So, we are expecting that they have prepare our room as we need to have rest for this long travel. 

We sleep on the bus for 6 hours travel, as there is no view to see to keep me awake along the roads 'coz it's night time. We arrive at Corong -corong, El Nido at around 4:00am, there's no electricity. It's so dark around, we're trying to get in touch on contact person of the Alternative Inn ask if how can we get there but they are not answering our call. There are some tricycle driver offering us for a ride if where we are going, goo thing that they the Alternative Inn.

We arrive at the Alternative Inn, still some of the staff are sleeping. And the room that i have booked still occupied, the check -out time is around 12:00 NN. So we waited on their restaurant overlooking on the El Nido shore. The electricity is cut -off during 7:00 PM until 6:00AM, we have candle light while waiting here.

Candle light ambiance while waiting for our room.

Even though we're tired on our travel and wanting to lie down to get some sleep, this was compensated by the morning view of El Nido shore. What greeted us is the amazing view of El Nido, we'll this is it! A relaxing view of El Nido that i have seen the most on some travel advertisements and travel blogs.

Breaking of dawn view at El Nido shore.
 

The blue hour or dawn time at Corong -corong, El Nido beach. View in front of the Alternative Inn while waiting for our room.

 

Early morning view at El Nido shore.

Sunrise at Corong-corong, El Nido beach. Boats are on stand -by like sleeping waiting for Tourists on the Island hopping tours.