I invited my officemate Krystal for a day hike somewhere in
Batangas. I found Mt. Batulao in Nasugbu, Batangasa, since this was her first
time hike a mountain. I started briefing her what she can do and what not.
 |
| Me and Tala onboard bound to Nasugbu |
I
assumed that there were few hikers that will climb that day since it was
November 1, most of people are celebrating All Saints Day. We decided to meet at Robinsons Galleria
for her safety since she’s living in Pasig (be considerate dalaga pa naman si
ate BWAHAHAH). We met around 4 am at Jollibee - Eton so we can easily ride a
bus bound to Buendia where we need to ride a bus bound to Nasugbu.
Around 5 in the morning and we
reached DLTB Bus Terminal and hopped a bus bound to Nasugbu. We just tell the
driver to drop us in Evercrest. We paid 111php got the bus fare (one way). I
normally not sleeping whenever I travel (I dunno hahaha mas naeenjoy kasi
yung pag familiarize sa place para di
ako maligaw). I really hate riding a bus for more than 2 hours mabilis kasi
akong maimbyerna sa byahe kapag nakaupo. Finally after more than 2 hours we
reached Evercrest where we need to ride tricyle going to Tourism Office.
This time we are required to
hire a tour guide (for some reasons ng mga local). Anyway, I haggled with the
guide and we got his service for 350. Not bad instead of paying 500php (HELLO
DALAWA LANG KAMI NI TALA). It could hurt my pocket ofcourse. Anyhow, having a tour guide is
a great idea since the guide carry her bag most of the time and also mabait
naman si Jeffrey. I shared my foods with Jeff.
** Author’s Point of View
500php is too much for the guide fee. Pwede na siguro
yung 300 – 400php for group of 5.
OLD TRAIL,
NEW TRAIL OR TRAVERSE?
Few days before our hike day, I
researched how difficult climbing Mt. Batulao and also which trail is better? Basically,
Mt. Batulao difficulties is 4/9 which is better for newbies. We decided
traverse from old to new trail at least to have a challenging part first. We
started hiking around 7:30 and then reached the summit around 11 in the morning
with several stops (nakakahingal kasi tumaba ako :D) And then we reached the
tourism office around 2 in the afternoon.
EXPENSES:
EXPENSES
|
||
Bus Fare
|
111
|
|
(from Buendia to Evercrest via DLTB
one way)
|
||
Tricycle
|
100
|
|
Guide Fee
|
350
|
|
Fee (old trail)
|
20
|
|
Fee (new trail kila Tatay Ruding yata
yon)
|
30
|
|
Bus Fare
|
||
(from Evercrest to Ortigas)
|
130
|
|
TOTAL
|
741
|
|
* We didn’t ride
tricycle from tourism office going back to highway since we met hikers along
the trail and they invited us to walk instead.
VERDICT
I enjoyed the ambiance in Mt.
Batulao and I certainly will back there and bring new friends to show the beauty
of nature. What I suggest is to bring enough water to prevent dehydration also
extra clothes. Please travel as early as
you can, so you can reach to its summer before noon time. Also to haggle with
the tour guide to avail affordable guide fee. Lastly, I will recommend to
newbies to try Mt. Batulao.
