This was booked last minute but planned in like a month or less. There’s multiple holiday in August and Gem can’t yet decide if we are doing it on the 21st or 25th. I decided to be on the 21st even I will be missing some family lunch/dinner just because I will be having the weekend to recover instead of doing it on the 25th where it’s just a start of another week.
She booked it on Facebook, I just don’t know what’s the page and it was a hassle free trip. I let her do that and I just need to show up on her place the day before and probably survive the hike.
Going to the city on a rush hour is somehow a bad idea but made it to her place welcomed with some warm dinner and after a little rest we sleep. Woke up at 12MN and showered, Gem prepared the snack that we are bringing and then last minute recheck on our things.
Our chosen meet up location/pick up was at MOA. We were at MOA by 1AM and pick up time is at 2AM.Good thing about MOA as the pick up location is that you are first to get in the van and choose a better seat for the long drive. Unfortunately if you’re the last you can be seated at the back and for some reason I don’t want that. Lol
We arrived in Capas, Tarlac early like before 5AM our van parked at this place who serves food from breakfast to lunch and also have multiple cubicle bath for after the tour.
I ate breakfast since we are going to start by 6AM so I have more time to rest before we start.
One thing I forgot doing that morning? To stretch. I realized it the day after the hike and I regret it, obviously.
I checked tiktok videos so I got idea on what will happen. An hour of 4x4 and a 6KM trail, noted. I just pray that we will have a nice weather and hopefully it will not rain just because I’m really not prepared since I don’t have the proper gear what more when it rained.
We were the last on our batch and thankful that Mark (our guide who also looks like Justin Melton) stick with Gem and I the whole time until on our way back.
They said that it was a 7KM walk to see the crater but according to the Apple Watch it was just 6KM. Unfortunately, I forgot to pack the charger of our watch so I just track one way to the crater and just stopped recording it on our way back because it will never survive back and forth.
I almost got cramps when we were almost at the crater good thing we rested like 30 minutes or less and had our snack. Badly craving for coke when we reach the crater and I told Gem that what we should’ve done on our Aquaflask, one should be ice cold water and the other one for an ice cold coke, next time.
One thing, I sweat so much and I wonder why some other people still look decent after walking / hiking 6KM like nothing. I still have lots to learn when it comes to stay fresh even I sweat buckets. Lol
I love taking pictures that’s one thing that some people know about me or not but I’m somehow picky when it comes to my own photos. I’m not huge fan of having photos of myself but I’m slowly getting back there but baby steps. Though, if on a hike or something sweaty activity HOW CAN YOU TAKE PHOTO ON EVERY STOP, AND NOT JUST ONE OR TWO BUT LOTS OF PHOTOS WITH DIFFERENT POSES. Taking pictures is fine but be cautious if there is a line.
This is just my first and I’m hating how these people are acting. Will I ever be used to that behavior? We’ll never know. Lol
One regret is that I brought the RX100 on this trip and I didn’t even use it. I’m missing the convenience of an action camera. If only I can max another action camera maybe I already invested in one again.
This is my first hike or walking and already feels like a major but we did Binurong Point last May and we both enjoy it for sure that might be one reason why Gem consistently asking me to go with her on hikes. You have no idea how she is planning activities for me and I tell her that if I can’t do it she better carry me. She even plan for us to drop by Decathlon to buy stuff. Lol
If you want to try a day tour to Mt. Pinatubo or any other places that requires a little effort, first off walk. Average people walk more than I do on a daily basis but also the next thing that can prepare you for something like this is to workout. It doesn’t end if you are making 10,000 steps a day and you don’t do proper stretching or some basic like squats, strength, core and cardio workout. I didn’t trust Gem for dragging me on this I just trust my body who does workout daily even it’s just 20 minutes. Even I forgot to stretch that morning, recovery was easy and fast I just hated the stairs for a day. Lol Yes there’s body pain the next day but once your body recharged you will recover faster than what you expect.
Really thankful for Mark for not rushing us on the trail and we are mostly alone on the journey except when we catch up on some but majority of the time it was just the 3 of us and still having our own pace.
I somehow needed that time with nature, it was insane and my brain as usual gets blank when I became part of it. I needed that alone time with my thoughts as well and even some songs are invading me, it was all good. Maybe I can do it again after a year or two. Lol
Crazy how people like me book a trip to see Mt. Pinatubo because it wasn’t easy and who knows that maybe anytime it can erupt and how can hikers get away from it faster? Maybe just like me they need some time away from the city noise or they just needed some time to be one with nature. Mt. Pinatubo is pretty though.
Another real challenge if you wear shoes is that tiny stones can really fill up your shoes so basically you are struggling walking with stones / rock on your feet for 12KM. I know I should’ve wear sandals. Though wearing shoes that trip makes me appreciate the brand Merrell but I also want that shoes to be my go-to when going out because my feet don’t hurt on those. Kudos to our guide who is wearing just a normal flipflop and to some who are wearing Crocs!! haha
Can’t believe that we went to Mt. Pinatubo. Two major volcanoes in the Philippines this year was not on my bucket list. I just wanted to see the Mayon and we booked a flight to Bicol last May and who would've thought that I will be saying yes to see Mt. Pinatubo?
I’m more of a water / beach / ocean person but once in a while I don’t mind being closer to the sky.
This is a messy entry since we done it like 2 weeks ago already and my mind is once again all over the place.
Hopefully somehow this make sense even the thought is so scattered.
Enjoyed it even it was tiring,
My legs are sore,
My heart is happy,
My brain is clear as it can be
Needed that time with nature
And to be one with nature
My Photographs: Mt. Pinatubo
