ThOuGhTs, iDeAs, oPiNiOnS, cHaTtEr

Conquering Mt. Pinatubo, Day 2

Woke up really early as we have to be at the jump-off point in Capas, Tarlac by 6AM.

Since the driver of the other car said he knows where the jump-off point is, he led the two-car convoy. The drive was fast, overtaking a lot of cars. Then, we noticed that we are already in Mabalacat. Have to call the other car to inform them that we are driving in the wrong direction. Thus, turned around and drove our way back to Capas, Tarlac.

Good thing, our trek coordinator is at the side of the road that I was the first to see her. Since we are still waiting for one group, we ate our packed breakfast.




We rode a 4x4, passed through boulders and waded through streams to reach the Mt. Pinatubo crater. The trek, supposedly, would take 20 minutes; but since we stop now and then to take pictures, it took us an hour more or less.

When we reached the top, the view caught our breath. The long, tiring trek to the crater we have to endure is worth it. LOL

Spent some time at the crater. We even had our lunch there. Then, decided to go down.




We then rode again the 4x4 to go back to the jump-off point. But something stopped us... the Balikatan exercises would be starting. Thus, we have to wait for 2 1/2 hours before we can proceed with our journey back.

To while away the time, we talked to the soldiers and took images. In fact, one of the girls caught the eye of the American soldier. (Forgot to mention, the trek also has a love triangle as the sidelight... hehehe!).

Then it rained.

It seems we are really meant to do the trek. Although we are late in leaving the jump-off point, the weather is fine and the sun is not harsh, making for a wonderful photo op. And, we have already completed the trek when it rained. Just think, if we are still in the mountain, how hard it would be to protect our gear with that rain!

When we have reached the jump-off point, it was decided to freshen up in one of the gas stations along NLEX instead of doing it at the jump-off point for there would surely be lots of people queueing to use the rest room.

Our rest stop is at the Petron Station where we also had our dinner at Razon's.

posted by ~GFA~ @ 4/19/2009 11:00:00 PM