Anda Pangasinan

Life in Anda

I never imagined I will be living in this small but beautiful island.. sometimes in your life, you need to move away from the life you used to and try something different. Since having a business in the city will cost you of fortune. I decided to start a clothing business in another town and I chose Anda last September 2012. 

I’m inlove in this place, it’s near by the sea and beaches. People are nice and sometimes if you are fortunate enough to have generous friends, bangus, crabs, shrimps and vegetables are free. Lol, but to be honest, its true! 

I rented an apartment in town and it just cost me 2,500 for the entire flat! Same as my shop’s rental.

I took this photo just outside of my window.. my apartment is accessible to everything. 24 hours bakery, Cebuana Lhuiller at my ground floor, park, public market, grocery store, 5star terminal in front of the building, police station and the Municipal on my other side and nothing to wish for!

Tondol Beach

The main tourist spot in this town is Tondol Beach. Little Boracay they said because of the white sand. 

Pantalan

I jog here every morning and I love viewing the sunset. It gives me peace of mind every time I stay here.

Mt. Pulag Adventure

All of us loves traveling and adventure.. But this trekking adventure in Mt. Pulag is the greatest achievement that i experienced in my whole being! We met new friends to keep and the most precious day that i had witness!

This is the basic information from Wikipedia,  Mt. Pulag is the 3rd highest mountain in the Philippines (but is currently the official 2nd highest. It is Luzon’s highest peak at 2,922 meters above sea level. The borders between the provinces of Benguet, Ifugao, and Nueva Vizcaya meet at the mountain's peak.


Okay, if you're first time to go or planning to reserve a slots, the total budget you need is from 2000 pesos up ($40-up), it depends how many of you, we we're 8 in a group and we paid only 2,050 under the organization of Pagna't Saka AdvenTours.  These are the things you don't have to forget. As i've said, these are required for your own good. Here are the checklist:

Checklist:
• Clothes (2+1 pairs)
• Fleece Jacket/Down jacket/Shell (must be suited to temperatures of 0–7 degrees Celsius/32-45 Fahrenheit )
• Raingear (Raincoat- must not forget because there are parts of the mountain na maulan)
• Trekking Pants/Jogging Pants
• Extra socks
• Trekking Shoes/Rubber Shoes/Sandals (If you still have space, you can bring extra pair due to random weather)
• Gloves
• Bonnet/Head gear/Scarf/malong
• Plastic bags (for water proofing of your bags, clothes, cameras and other items)
• Sleeping bag
• Large Garbage bags (at least 2 pcs)
• Flashlight/Headlamp (plus, extra batteries)
• Tissue Paper
• Mess kit (Plate or container bowl, utensils)
• Water bottle (at least 3 liters if you’re sensitive to unfamiliar water; or just a 1-2 liter container, easily refillable with cool, fresh, clean and potable mountain water)
• Personal Trail food (candies, chocolates, cookies, it serves as your energizer)
• Camera
* Sleeping pad (yung makapal na, because it's super cold talaga!)
* Tent (if you dont have one, you can rent from the locals, it cost 300 pesos only for 3 persons. But if you are in a thrifty budget, better borrow one from the girlscout :P...

First we have to stop to DENR for registration and 30 minutes orientation. To know the don't and do's as well..

This is our transportation, mainit, masikip but excited much :) and its your chance to meet new friends na din.

And of course we have to drop and eat for lunch.. must be a heavy meal before the long long way of trekking, no diet this time. :P, You dont have to worry about lunch, its free (2 lunch) and including from the package you paid..

After lunch, we have to prepare already.. another jeepney will pick us going to Ranger Station where we pay for porter. Yes, you read it right, porters are available if you can't able to carry all your things. You have to pay for 600 pesos only for 15 klg. Hatid-Sundo service if you may ask :)..

And of course we have to drop and eat for lunch.. must be a heavy meal before the long long way of trekking, no diet this time. :P, You dont have to worry about lunch, its free (2 lunch) and including from the package you paid..

Porters are the locals, this is there first source of income aside from gardening of vegetables. We're a bit shocked knowing that our porters are women and not just women, they are still teens age 17-up. They seems enjoying  carrying our heavy bags actually :). I interviewed a few of them while walking up and according from therm, they used to do it since they we're at age of 15! My goodness! I can't imagine i could do what they can do. Saludo ako!

From Ranger station, we have to walk for 3 to 3 1/2 hours going to campsite or you might reach the campsite for 5 hours it depends on how fast you walk and how many times you rest :P.. and you have to be prepare,  because you'll experience random weather up there.

Hot and sunny

Rainy and cold

In this kind of adventure, don't forget to bring something sweets to share!

Chocolates and Candies are the best for energizer. But don't forget to drink lots of water :)

at last! you can rest at Camp 1 for only 5 minutes! :'(

  

Okay! We're finally reach the campsite! Our shoes are all wet and we're freezing to death :P.. so i recommend to bring at least an extra pair of shoes or rubber sandal. It's muddy and slippery so choose the proper footwear :) :P

This is really what you will experience in a camping site, or trekking..

No bonfire at night and even a party, it is strictly prohibited and all were tired so we decided to take an early rest at night but we were not able to sleep well because it moist inside our tent and it was freezing cold, so better bring a blanket aside from sleeping bag. it will help. :)

At 3:00 am, we have to get ready for another trekking..we have to walk for 2 hours to reach the summit and wait for the lovely sunrise. So any flashlight are required to bring.

 

 

At long last! in all sacrifices, eto na! the most awaited moment! the sea of love and the  SUNRISE!

Pauwi moment na! yohhooo!

Despite of the tiring day the other day, the sleepless night and freezing morning, at the end of the day, we still end up laughing and smiling :)

And of course! Graduation din pag may time! :P An achievement award! so proud!!!!

You are the start of our day that GOD lend us....that separate the day from darkness... your rises help us to up & continue to view & do our mission in this world…. In John 8:12, “I am the Light of the world; the one who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have light & life."
Thank GOD for letting our group to view this beautiful sunrise of Mt. Pulag and helping us to survive.

 -IamVienski