bataan/corregidor trip

The Best Holy Week Getaway (040507-040807)

At first there were hesitations to push through the Bataan Trip… there was this second option that came which almost dissolved the first plan.
Thursday morning! Time to get my travel buddy ready (he’s my conquer bag)… Charles and I came to terminal on time… and as always Cynthia’s late…
It was a long bus ride heading to Arsenal… we passed by some cool places, and had a glance of Mt. Samat for the first time. As we arrived Antonio Luna Camp I said to myself… Darn, why did I even think twice of coming to this place…
Lots of fruit bearing trees… and I have the whole camp to jog… and oh… lotsa weird and cool insects and animals around. That night was my very first official Bisita Iglesia… as far as I remember we went to the following churches: Limay, Saint Michael (Orion), San Pedro and San Pablo (Calungusan, Orion), Piaza dela Virgin del Pilar and Balanga San Jose Cathedral. It was a long trip but worth it… that evening too… I made my final decision… to leave IHG for good… it breaks my heart but I think it will be best for all parties… they’ll be happy, I’ll be happy!
Friday morning, Cynthia and I planned to have a good morning jog around the camp but after few minutes she got tired and I had no choice but to keep up with her WALKING! Heheheh… we strolled around and passed by AMITAHA Restaurant… well it used to be a restaurant but the placed aged already and its not feasible to continue the operation there. Plus the fact that goose bumps appears each time we pass by the creepy restaurant. After lunch we were invited to Cynthia’s farm… it was a long walk uphill and downhill… but munching on fresh langka (of course ripe ones) is worth the hike, plus we had a chance to see the hidden falls on our way there. We also gathered some juicy looking wild berries along the trail… and bathe in the Dam before we get back to our barracks‘. In the afternoon Charles and I had a stroll along the camp and went in to the “no vehicles allowed” area… on the top of the trail we get to see a Lawin’s nest and a Lawin couple.
That night, when Aldwin arrived we saw a big lizard ( I forgot what’s it called, of course Charles knows it its his forte); we tried to catch it but luck was not on our side.
Saturday… the Mount Samat day! We woke up early in the morning… we started our journey up a few meters away from the foot of the mountain… we thought it’s just 7km… but as we checked how far is the top of it, we doubt it so after almost 3km walk a army truck passed by and we kindda do the hitch sign and we were escorted up… and good Lord it was more than 7km… maybe times 3! Waaaah!!! So a record breaking of 25minutes going up the Mount Samat was set! Wahahhaha… Lots of devotees were there… well at least not that many since its Black Saturday and as speculated by Cynthia Easter Sunday would be jam-packed! We went up to the cross… it was really cold up there… but a captivating view of Bataan is spectacular…
Anyway we attended the “salubong” ceremony that night… it was great to experience such event but while fireworks were being lit a baby was hit with one of it.
Sunday!!! Our very impulsive side trip! We decided to head on to Corregidor Island! From Mariveles we have to cross the sea about 45 minutes boat ride to get there… we had a quick tour all over the place and got to walk inside the Malinta Tunnel… of course the old barracks, the ruined buildings… great place!!! Plus the preserved canons and other ammunitions… WHAT-A-TOY!!! We had a stop-over at the beach, and there we met flipper!!! A baby pawikan! After taking lotsa picture of him we freed him… hope he’ll have a safe journey! After lunch… of course they consumed my best-seller adobo… we had to go home… back to base we had a chance to do some basic firing lessons… but I was captivated by the snob monkey and the cute little goats on the site… I have to take pictures of them that I missed the lecture of the basics… and well as expected I sucked at aiming the coconut shell.. All of them hit it but me… waaaah!
Oh well the trip has got to end… but I have lotsa fruits to bring… jackfruit (yeah, one whole of it), chico’s, guavas, kasoy (less the body of course), papaya’s nd cacao seeds. We decided to head to our abode first to upload our pics… and munch on some pizza’s!
The trip was great! Made me relaxed once more…