Mt. Pinatubo: My Beautiful Disaster Experience

Thank God for the long weekend.

Last June 13, is our scheduled date of trekking at Mt. Pinatubo.

We were supposed to try it out at Tripinas but then we ran out of slots, so good thing there's Sonia Bognot's. Plus, it's a bit cheaper. We only have to pay P2,050/person. They just require a downpayment of P1,000 for the reservation of your slot.

Here comes June 13. the call time is 2:30am at McDonalds Quezon Ave, we had to leave by June 12 at night. 

We were just in time in the 2:30am call time. since we thought we're the first passenger, we leave first our bags at the van then buy something to eat at McDo. Our driver was so accommodating. He even let us sit in the passenger seat because we were only two. But then after we bought out breakfast at McDonalds, we were told that we are about to transfer to another van because the driver underestimated the number of passengers in his van. So here comes the second driver who assisted us to our seats on his van, it turn out that we are the last to come. (You don't want to see the looks of the people there knowing that they thought, we were late) 

The travel time going to Capas Tarlac was 2 and 1/2 hours, so we were able to catch up with some more sleep while travelling. 

We were able to be there by 5:30am. Its still dark outside.

The drivers told us to sign the waivers and give it to them. I got nervous because we knew nothing about that, so we asked for a copy from one of the girl (also from our van) who holds a lot of waivers with her. And then she just simply said, "print your own". 

We were like okay. You can tell it in a nice way. We checked our e-mail and there was really no attachment so we don't have the document to print.

We told that to our driver and good thing he was so kind, he was able to make a solution for it.

We signed more waivers, and then it was nearly 6:30am when Sonia Bognot came.

We patiently fall in line to pay the balance of our tour as well as for the number of the 4x4 ride that we'll be riding. 

We were also given our breakfast. (Our driver is so kind, he always gives us the first of what was told for him to distribute) 

We had chicken sandwich, juice, and a big bottle of water.

It was almost 8:00am when we leave.

We were divided into 5's plus a guide.

Our 4x4 ride was a open but it has a roof, so yeyy!

There are also people selling trekking sticks before you ride the 4x4, it averages from P10-20.00 per stick depending on the height and thickness of the stick.

The 4x4 ride takes 30-45minutes. Don't expect the comfort. the ride is too bumpy. Plus welcome the water splashes with stones all over your clothes even before you start trekking.

We had a stop over for picture taking too.

(p.s. thank God for the beautiful weather)

These are what you are going to see along the way.

We got down the 4x4 by past 8:30 am. And then the trekking starts. The good thing in here is that you start trekking unless everybody has already got off the 4x4. 

Number 1 rule: your guide should always be ahead of you.

This is how your trek will look like. You'll be walking in the sand, stones, grass, and stream. So prepare for your shoes to get wet. (Cause no matter how much you try to stay away from the water, you got no choice but to pass through it in going back)

After 3 hours of walking, finally, we got here...

This is the 2nd stop but then the first one that has comfort room. The first stop (which is just optional) is just a small nipa hut. 

(p.s. there's also a cold water here for you to drink or refill your bottles or refresh, you don't have to worry because its tasteless)

And in going to the crater, you'll experience more of these. More of stones big and small ones.

And finally, we are hereee.....

Believe it or not, this is nooot photoshoped. It looks so surreal but seriously this is really it.

The 3 hours of trekking is soo worth it. 

My broken rubber shoes is sooo worth it (good thing I bought slippers with me)

When you are near the crater the water is really greenish blue.

We stayed at the crater area for 1 hour and a half. We had our lunch there. and rest for a bit. There's a comfort room here and a picnic area.

BEWARE: Save some water for you to drink before going at the crater, because evertthing, from P10.00 worth of water, in here its P100.00. Yes, you read that right. P100.00!!

After resting a little bit, we decided to head back right away.

In heading back we pause for a while to take few more pictures. We were able to go back after almost 2 hours of trekking. (There's no shortcut going back, you have to do everything again) 

You can't be so choosy this time because the water in the stream is getting high and the pressure of the water as well is getting stronger, so you have no choice but to dip your shoes in the water.

After waiting for our company in the the 4x4 we head back to our meeting place where the van going back to Manila waits for us.

When we got there the people in the van are already furious, we can see it from their looks that we are "late" for them. Hey its not our fault that our 4x4 ride is old enough to be able to go as fast as their 4x4's. 

Since we are already too sweaty and too wet and dirty because of the water splashes, of course we had to take a bath. 

We did take a bath as fast as we can because we don't like the attitude of the group of people in our van. (they should've get a private tour instead!!)

After that we head straight back again to Manila, specifically to McDonalds Quezon Ave. again. Good thing it rained when we are already going out of Tarlac. (God is good!)

When we got to Quezon Ave, we literally cannot walk for a long period of time. Every step hurts because our whole body really is really sore. But we have not choice. We got there by 7:30pm already.

The next day, we were emailed with our certificate, for editing, and printing. tahdah!

Sooo, here's our schedule for your guide:

2:30                 Meeting time

3:00                 ETD

5:30                 ETA Capas Tarlac

5:30-7:30         Paying of balance, waiver signing, announcements

7:30-7:45         Arrangement of the tour guide, 4x4 ride

7:45-8:30         4x4 ride going to the start of where the trek should begin

8:30-11:15       trekking going to the crater

11:15-11:30     Rest

11:30-12:30     Lunch break, Rest, Picture Taking

12:30               ETD going to the 4x4 ride

12:30-3:00       trek to 4x4 ride

3:00-3:15          waiting time for our company in the 4x4 ride

3:15-4:15         4x4 ride going back to the van

4:15                  ETA at the van parking area.

4:15-4:45         Shower

4:45-7:30         travel time to McDonalds Quezon Ave           

Tips:

1. Bring water (though there is someone selling overpriced water there just like what I mentioned above).

2. Make sure your stomach is full (Its hard if you'll stop from time to time just to eat)

3. Bring slippers (Just in case your shoes will also be broken just like me and many others)

4. Bring extra clothes, you dont have to worry, the comfort rooms are okay, and the bathing area is clean, (you'll take a bath in a CR of a house in front of the terminal)

5. Bring extra cash, (the usage of comfort room does have a payment, depending on what you are going to do. ;)

6. Buy a trekking stick if you're not that expert in doing this, it will help you. (take it from me who is not really so athletic and sporty and lover of exercise. ;)

7. Optional: Bring extra food for you to give to your guide, because they don't have food from the travel and tours, while you are eating, they are just sleeping or resting, so its best if you offer what you have to them.

8. Don't expect too much from the guide. They're only there to guide you on where to step or go, they are not there to give you a tour and say a lot about each destination.

9. Don't be fooled about the flags that you will see along the way. :p

10. Bring all the protection materials if you don't want to get toasted under the heat of the sun.

Its my first time to do it, and as a first timer, its so worth it. Even though your whole body will sore the next day, or the call time is so early. The experience was so unforgettable. Everyone can go there really, its not that hard. There are families, with maybe 9 year old kids with them, and senior citizens as well as foreigners.I even remember a child saying that everything looks so unreal that they look like paintings. (paintings got real).

Here's the link if you want to also try it out:

https://mtpinatubotourhomestayphilippines.wordpress.com/

I think they already stopped accommodating for this year because its already rainy season.

But its best to keep it for your reference next year. :)