LEMERY | Mornings at Lemery

Every summer of the year, bf's family always went to Abaksa beach resort at Lemery Batangas, basically family reunions. Aside from refreshing waters here, fees and cottages were so affordable you could stay longer if you want.

So late Saturday afternoon, we came from Cavite and just took a rest on our rented rooms. 5am in the morning, like any enthusiast ask for, I woke up early and went to the shore looking for the spot where sun would rise. I was so disappointed then 'cause I couldn't find it! I forgot to search or ask for it. Mission failed. After realizing my time was kinda wasted, I just looked around and realized day was getting started.

Kids were so eager to take sea bath and play on it's black sand making sand castle that wasn't able to built anyway, perfect timing no sun no sun burns.

Morning started with people cleaning the beachfront, boatmen offering boat rides, souvenirs and mango sellers.More beach goers started to arrive and settled on their cottages, some would just roam around and some had beach volleyball.

After couple of minutes I went back to our rooms, off to the shore and had boat ride to Lemery market to buy food for breakfast and lunch.

From the waters, we saw different beach resorts viewed from afar. We also saw some land forms like mountains and hills which not actually familiar with those. Moreover we saw the biggest church on Asia, Basilica de San Martin de Tours at Taal Batangas peeped beautifully behind coconut trees and town.

10 minutes of boat ride and we reached the port of Lemery market. From here, sand were not as fine for it has some broken shells and pebbles.

There were so much fresh fishes there from smallest to the biggest and they're so cheap compared to Manila or Cavite Market of course.

Then we went back to the beach resort we came from with lots of fishes bought, of course with my favorite dulong! wee. :)

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MOUNTAIN GUIDE | Mt. Marami: Itinerary, Checklist and Budget

I T I N E R A R Y

Day hike

700H     -    ETD Dasmarinas, Cavite

1000H   -    ETA Brgy. Ramirez, Magallanes Cavite

1030 H  -    Start trek

1300H   -    Lunch

1330H   -    Start trek to Summit

1630H   -    ETA Summit

1700H   -    Start descent

2000H   -    ETA Brgy. Ramirez Hall

2030H   -    Dinner

2100H   -    ETD Magallanes

0100H   -    ETA Manila

C H E C K L I S T

Attire

     Long sleves/jacket

     Bandana/cap

     Shorts/trekking pants

     Fittings

     Hikking shoes/sandals

Equipment

Individual

     Water 3L/person

     Head lamp/flashlight (even for day hikes)

     1 mess kit (plate, spoon and fork)

     Toiletries (Wet wipes, tissue, toothpaste and tooth brush)

Group

     Cook set

     Stove

     Condiments

     Tents

Meal

     Packed lunch

     Canned goods each meal (for overnights)

     Noodle/cofee (for overnights)

E X P E N S E S

P  36.00     Manila-Dasmarinas Cavite-Manila 

P100.00     Dasmarinas-Brgy. Ramirez-Dasmarinas (Paid for Gas only/Person)

P  20.00     Registration

P156.00     Total

T O T A L  S P E N D I N G S

P156.00 more or less. Food and Pasalubongs not included.

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DASMARINAS | Diner At Ferncrest Restaurant

Like everybody's favorite, food! I think it was started 2 years ago when have been noticing this garden restaurant along the Aguinaldo highway at the midst of establishments at Dasmarinas Cavite everytime I went to Manila. Finally this foodie addict went here and tried what this restaurant offer.

I asked the waitress for their specialties and responded sinugba, buttered chicken and dinakdakan. I actually don't have any idea what sinugba and dinakdakan are and where it originate, well it doesn't matter as long as it tastes good!hehe.

Moving on with our order dinakdakan and buttered chicken, sinugba not included because we were just two then, we actually waited quite long. However, long wait was really worth, dishes was totally yummy!

Dinakdakan dish is like sisig added with fresh red and green peppers plus chilies which gave the crunch and spice to the dish. Crispy buttered chicken is also superb. It's buttery taste will make your taste buds to want more!

Ferncrest garden restaurant interior was like any other typical restaurant interior, nothing unique feature, kubos or huts and open space dining experience was up to us. I also like their counter which I think gave the warm look of the restaurant.

They also have indoor dining but not as huge as to compare I previously described. Honestly, from it's name "garden" restaurant, I thought menu would be painted with bowls of greens or the restaurant itself is situated in a middle of green garden, but I was wrong, hehe.

Design was obviously bamboo-inspired from it's decorations, chairs, hut, blinds and it's counter. Well ventilated and lighted dining area gave the restaurant nice and fresh look, however I think those white lamps were not suitable for a sweet romantic date,just a thought if you have plans. . :)

Another thing I noticed was a small fountain and small window at the restuarant's entrance welcoming potential costumers.

If you are planning to visit the said restaurant via commute, ride any Dasma bound bus from Pasay and drop at Guevarra St., from there cross the high-way and you will notice the restaurant just beside Emilio S. Lim appliance center. Via private vehicle, head west to taft to Pasay rotonda then turn right to Roxas Boulevard, pass through express way, turn right to Emilio Aguinaldo highway then just before reaching Guevarra st. you will see Ferncrest at the left side of the road.   

TOTAL SPENDINGS

P200.00        Dinakdakan (good for 2)

P195.00        Buttered Chicken (good for 2)

P  80.00        Rice (P20.00/order)
P475.00        Total

FERNCREST GARDEN RESTAURANT

Aguinaldo Hi-way Zone 1A, Dasmarinas, Cavite │

(046) 432-0143

www.facebook.com/pages/Ferncrest-Garden-Restaurant

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DASMARINAS | Countryside Steakhouse and Cafe

Another restaurant tried at Dasmarinas Cavite area for our brunch which was just beside my alma matter DLS-HSI and Nicasia Dorm built. As far as I remember, 2 years ago this estab wasn't existed and since different Universities all around, lots of food restos sprouted.

Upon entering the resto, you will notice their cowboy inspired interior from their ceilings to their decorations.

Minus the pink and white balloons, due to valentines season, ambiance was good, cowboy feeling was well projected.

They accommodated us well from entering its doors until we finished our meal. Waiters and waitresses were prompt. From outside, we noticed their tarp, "T-bone steak" their specialty which we immediately ordered added sisig, mushroom soup, extra rice, four seasons and cherry lemonade juices.

Sizzling sisig

Sizzling T-bone steak

Sisig and T-bone steak was served perfectly in sizzling plate with vegies on the side. Each was good for 2 serving and really worth "dayo" for. hehe.

TOTAL SPENDINGS

P145.00 T-Bone Steak

P  95.00 Sisig

P  25.00 Mushroom Soup

P  18.00 Extra Rice (P9.00 each)

P  40.00 Cherry Lemonade

P  40.00 Four Seasons

P363.00 TOTAL (Good for two)

COUNTYSIDE STEAKHOUSE AND CAFE

Congresional Rd. Burol Main Dasmarinas City, Cavite │

http://countryside.com.ph/steakhouse/

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SUNSET | Mt. Tapulao: A Lesson Learned

It was 5PM and I was so crazy to capture the sunset from the other side of the hill behind our tents. I told my bf to get there as early as possible so we could appreciate it well and took some nice photos without time pressure. "Later", he said.

6PM and sky started to turn orange yet we're still at the campsite. I started to be pissed, still kept me waiting. Because he knows my attitude, he immediately finish his stuff and then climb the hill as fast as we could, though the chance of not seeing it became higher. I was bothered then because sun sets so fast and the steep trail was like never ending.

Then we reached the top surface of the hill. Actually I wasn't able to see the perfect view from there until we descend a little on different trail on the right. 

Luckily I saw orange sky with Zambales waters under, yey I was so happy then, even I'm just a novice photo enthusiast. From there we just realized that we haven't any lamps or even cellphones to lit up the trail except from the LCD of the camera.

We conserved camera's battery and just used ample light from the sun left until total darkness. We felt carefully each of our steps and prayed no slip, no holes no snakes, wild animals or hunter that might get our selves into serious trouble. Blind-like, my bf then almost fell from an excavated surface with large rocks on side thinking paranoid it could be a deep hole, luckily not.

After couple of minutes we reached the new bunker and took the same trail along we had in day 1. It was difficult to walk then because of slippers I wore. Stones bumped on my feet each time I stepped. All we saw was total black so we used the LCD light to see the path.

 Because of that unforgettable experience we had up there, I was about to cry when we reached the camp. I don't want to happen it again. I was relieved when we reached campsite area and heard our group shouting and looking for us. Actually they tried to follow us from the steep trail, the first we had which we didn't took in our descent. Trail was seriously dangerous in dark compared to the one we had. Due to eagerness to capture a scene I really crave for, I took for granted my bf's and own safety. I felt like in movies where ghost and elemetals might come out from nowhere or worst fell from a trap by hunters, bitten by a snake and get hurt, haiii...imagination... From that time I always remember to put a head lamp or flashlight on our pockets. It's really good to be always prepared than putting your life into trouble. May this experience impart some lesson to you guys so you won't do same mistake we did.

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MOUNTAIN GUIDE | Mt. Tapulao: Commute, Itinerary, Checklist, Side trips and Budget

G E T T I N G T H E R E

From Cavite, we went to Sampaloc Victory liner, alight at Lawton and took quiapo-sign-board jeepney and just asked to take us to the nearest possible way to terminal. From the area driver taught us, we walked a couple of blocks away, though you can take a trike-bike or a tricycle. After 30 minutes of walk, from the bus station, we took Iba Zambales bound bus and took tricycle to  mountain's jump-off at Brgy. Damapay Sitio Palauig, Iba Zambales.

I T I  N E R A R Y

Day 1

2200H   -    ETA Victory liner Sampaloc

2300H   -    ETD Sampaloc

0215H   -    ETA Brgy. Sampaloc

0230H   -    ETA Bgry. Damapay Hall, Register

0300H   -    Start trek

0600H   -    First water station, Brunch

0900H   -    Second water station

0330H   -    ETA old bunker

0400H   -    Cook diner

0530H   -    Eat dinner

0600H   -    Chase Sunset

0700H   -    Socials

0900H   -    Lights out

Day 2

0500H     -    Wake up call

0600H     -    Cook Breakfast, break camp

0700H    -    Summit assault, left things at the bunker

0745H    -    ETA Summit

0800H   -    Back to bunker

0815H   -    Start descent

1300H   -    Second water source

1500H   -    First water source, Lunch

1800H   -    ETA Brgy. Hall, Clean up

2000H   -    ETD to Victory liner Iba station

2030H   -    Dinner at Jolibbee Iba town

2200H   -    Back to Iba bus station

2230H   -    Reserve seats

2300H   -    ETD Iba Zambales

0400H   -    ETA Pasay Bus Station

0630H   -    ETA Dasmarinas Cavite

C H E C K L I S T

Attire

     Long sleves/jacket

     Bandana/cap

     Shorts/trekking pants

     Fittings

     Hikking shoes (required)

Equipment

Individual

     Water 3L/person (first water station was 3-5 hours away)

     Head lamp/flashlight (even for day hikes)

     1 mess kit (plate, spoon and fork)

     Toiletries (Wet wipes, tissue, toothpaste and tooth brush)

Group

     Cook set

     Stove

     Condiments

     Tents

Meal

     Packed breakfast and lunch

     Canned goods each meal (for overnights)

     Noodles/cofee (for overnights)

S I D E  T R I P S

Potipot Island

E X P E N S E S

P386.00     Sampaloc-Damapay Iba Zambales

P250.00     Damapay-Palauig per Tricycle

P120.00     Damapay-Iba tricycle per head

P120.00     Iba-Jolibee-Iba

P357.00     Iba-Pasay

T O T A L  S P E N D I N G S

P1233.00/person more or less. Pasalubongs and food were not included.

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MOUNTAIN GUIDE | Mt. Batulao: Commute, Itinerary, Checklist, Side trips and Budget

G E T T I N G  T H E R E

First you should know that you are going to Mt. Batulao's jump-off which is in Evercrest Nasugbu Batangas. So from Manila, you could ride any Nasugbu bound buses like Balayan, Nasugbu and TUY. Most of the time "Kundoktor" already know you are going to Batulao just before you say it, just be sure to mention it because there's another mountain at Nasugbu, Mt. Talamitam.

From the jump-off, just walk straight ahead passing Don Bosco Church on the left, way to Caleruega on right and way to Charles Huang on your left. Once you saw cemented path to right just go straight there until you reached the rough end of the road and then continue ahead to campsite.

I would like to share this itinerary to you guys so you can have an idea how you could manage your time in your Mt. Batulao hike. Here's my proposed itinerary for day hike and night hike which I already both experienced, checklist, side trips and expenses.

I T I N E R A R Y

Day hike

500H     -    ETD Batangas Terminal at the back of Mcdo Pasay, near Sogo

700H     -    ETA Jump-off Evercrest Golf course Nasugbu Batangas

715 H    -    Start trek

 915H    -    Registration area

1130H   -    Summit; Lunch (packed lunch)

1200H   -    Rest

1500H   -    Start descent

1700H   -    ETD Nasugbu

2000H   -    ETA Manila

For me day hikes are good and I prefer this not just because I could go home and lye on my soft bed, it is much cheaper. You don't have to buy lots of food and liters of liters of waters. By the way, this proposed day hike itinerary is much convenient coz you won't have a harder trek due to too much sun exposure, heat doubles the difficulty. In fact I had a tan line from my strap because of it, I was so toasted then I haven't kept weather on my mind.

Overnight

Day 1

500H     -    ETD Batangas Terminal at the back of Mcdo Pasay, near Sogo

700H     -    ETA Jump-off Evercrest Golf course Nasugbu Batangas

715 H    -    Start trek

1015H   -    Registration/Campsite

1030H   -    Cook lunch

1100H   -    Lunch time

1200H   -    Start descent

1300H   -    Free time

1800H   -    Cook Diner

1830H   -    Eat Lunch

1900H   -    Socials

2000H   -    Lights out

Day 2

  300H   -    Wake up call/quick breakfast

  330H   -    Start trek to summit

  530H   -    Summit/ Sunrise watching

  630H   -    Start descent

  800H   -    Break camp

1000H   -    ETD Nasugbu Batangas

1300H   -    ETA Manila

The nice part about overnight camp is everybody's favorite socials, camping thrill, star gazing, huge roddents/dog/cat beside your tents, cold night and most of all....not that tired you didn't push yourself just to complete the trek in a day.

C H E C K L I S T

Attire

     Long sleves/jacket

     Bandana/cap

     Shorts/trekking pants

     Fittings

     Hikking shoes/sandals

Equipment

Individual

     Water 3L/person

     Head lamp/flashlight (even for day hikes)

     1 mess kit (plate, spoon and fork)

     Toiletries (Wet wipes, tissue, toothpaste and tooth brush)

Group

     Cook set

     Stove

     Condiments

     Tents

Meal

     Packed lunch

     Canned goods each meal (for overnights)

     Noodle/cofee (for overnights)

S I D E  T R I P S

Mahogany Market (Popular Market for fresh beef meat and pasalubongs)

Bulalo Dinning

E X P E N S E S

P260.00     Manila-Nasugbu-Manila 

P100.00     Highway to the end of the road

                  where trail starts.(optional)/per tricycle.

P  20.00     Registration

P100.00     Food and water

T O T A L  S P E N D I N G S

P380.00 more or less. Tagaytay side trip fees and pasalubongs not included.

I would like to share this itinerary to you guys para magka-idea kayo and guide sa Mt. Batulao adventure nyo, day hike or overnight.

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