Wednesday, June 8, 2011

My 13-day Solo Backpacking (First day, Part 1 of 2)

I was inspired by James Betia of www.journeyingjames.com  and other travel bloggers in having a solo backpacking trip. It was just in time that I was able to schedule it right after my resignation and a few days before my class starts in the College of Law. I have planned it a month ahead my actual solo backpacking trip. Entries of the different bloggers somehow helped me but I was able to prove, going through the trip on your own will give you lot more lessons than what you have just read. Detail by detail can’t be put into words, not because of any limitations but because of indescribable instances.

First Day: May 21, 2011 - Manila (Buendia)-Batangas Pier-
Talipananand White Beach, Puerto Galera (PG)

I took a Ceres bus bound to Batangas Pier for Php 167.00 and took me about three hours to travel. I’ve asked my seatmate and I was told that I should have taken the bus bound to Calabarzon (one full stop) so that travel time would only be about two hours as compared to what I took which passes in different towns and barrios like Turbina, Calamba. I was in a hurry so I had just to follow the porters. I paid Php 300.00 for the ticket (Galerian Lines – Ederlyn), Php 30.00 for the terminal fee, Php 50.00 for environmental fee and Php 20.00 as tip for the porter. The trip was 3pm and I arrived almost 3pm so I was the last one to get into the boat.

I was welcomed by the clear waters and white sands of White Beach, PG. The hotels and hostels were all fully-booked so I made reservations to Tuna Joe Backpackers (Sabang) and Mountain Beach Resort (Talipanan) for me to have a place to stay if ever I couldn’t find a homestay. Almost all passengers of the boat stopped at the White Beach and only five of us left – two sweetheart couples and I. The younger couple stopped at Aninuan Beach and the married couple asked me if it’s okay that we also stop in Aninuan Beach and ride a tricycle going to Talipanan – that they’ll just gonna pay for the ride. I said it’s cool with me. On the way to Talipanan beach, I had a friendly conversation with the wife and I’ve mentioned to her that I was on a solo backpacking and looking for a homestay – I’m lucky enough that she offered me her house. To my surprise, she’s the owner of the boat.

Talipanan Falls

Upon arriving in Talipanan, I left my things to Ate’s house and trekked to Talipanan falls with a guide whom I paid Php 50.00. We passed by the Mangyan Village in going to the falls. The tribe is small but all are friendly. They’re so cute - dark-skinned, thin and with curly hairs.  The housing project in the village is funded by Ayala Foundation. The Mangyans were given a livelihood project and one of their unique products are bracelets and necklaces made of dried “tigbi” seeds. From the village, you could see Mt. Halcon which is very famous to the mountain climbers. They were also given a decent school. Trekking the falls is a bit hard because you have to step on the rocks then there’s a very steep part where you have to almost crawl going up. Every step makes me dripping a lot – I’m so wet with sweat. Uh-huhh!