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Showing posts from September, 2017

Journey to the Fortune Island, Gone Yet Not Forgotten (March 2017)

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February 2017, I returned to the Land of the Philippines. With the same purpose, this time I am spending my six weeks working stay at Balanga city. Way to Fortune Island Genesis Bus Terminal Bataan In my forth week of stay, I had a chance to go out of the province and visited Fortune Island in Nasugbu, Batangas. Thanks to invitation from Belle, a friend met during our Mount Pinatubo hiking trip three years back. We arrived at Buendia bus terminal at 0300 on Saturday. There was a total of seven of us, Arvee, Rachel, Ri, Cindy, Ruth, Belle and I. As there is no clean water supply and electricity provided in island, each of us grabbed a 4L of Absolute drinking water at 7-Eleven before leaving for Nasugbu. The journey took approximately two hours. On arrival, a tricycle driver offered to arrange the round trip transportation to get to the Island and we agreed on. Loaded up at Nasugbu Wet Market Charging area provided before departure to Island Finally, we were on o

Hiking at Mount Samat & Shrine of Valor

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When it comes to the most popular weekend getaway in Bataan, a visit to Mount Samat is a must. Commuting from Balanga city, one can hop on the jeepney heading to Bagac at Balanga terminal and simply tell the driver “Mount Samat”. In 20 minutes’ time, you will be at the jumpoff point. At the foot of the Memorial Cross  Bataan Bus Terminal From the starting point, it is a 6km distance to the top of Mount Samat. Most visitors will usually have their private vehicle or hire a tricycle at foot of the hill. Online sources had it said that a single trip usually cost 100 PHP per pax and higher, with minimum of two passengers required for each trip. There were also some real good cyclists in the lovely morning. En route The well conditioned road. After an hour and 15 minutes of walking, I am at the summit and greeted by the 92-metre high Shrine of Valor. Better known as the Dambana ng Kagitingan, the Memorial Cross was erected in year 1966 in memory of the Filipin