I am featuring amazing day hike climb at Mt. Batulao, January 25, 2014 with my friends Leah Tabios and her friends. I met her friend Janine and Shella for the first time on that day. We expect a good side trip coffee break at Starbuck ok our way back home but we ended having a Bulalo Soup and Tawilis. The coffee is free on that eatery just ask for it.
I asked Song Candano to give us a ride from Philcoa to Grand Terminal at Costal Mall. Since Leah and Janine are not yet in the meeting place, we moved and pick them up at Jolibee Mangahan Commonwealth and went strait to Coastal Mall. At the coastal mall we met Sheila and that make us four in a group.
The bus fare is 108 pesos from Grand Terminal to Evercrest Gold Course. There are available tricycle going to the foot of the mountain for 30 pesos per head fare. We choose to walk and save money because my friend has the 500 peso challenge. It means that the only budget that they suppose to spend will be not more than 500 pesos.
The controversial old and new trail.
Which way is easier? We try the old trail going up to the summit and goes down on the new trail. The new trail gives you the best view of the place while going up. It helps you to relax while pushing your self up. I think the old trail is nice since it has many good stations to rest and we spend so much time on every station and that also make us so relax.
The Sassy Girl Tree at Mt. Batulao
It is a nice acacia tree and a good place to rest before you climb again to the summit. The summit is just few minutes away from that tree. Me and my friend call it Sassy Girl Tree because it comes out in our mind when we saw that tree.
The curvy mountain of Mt. Batulao
I love the mountain formation of the wavy or curvy figure in the far view. What do we expect when we start to get trough that trail and what it is look like at the top. It is simply amazing how it was created. Be careful at every peak because both side is a deep fall down.
What Can I say at the summit?
Oh there is a Halo-halo store! I don’t know if I go buy first or enjoy the 360 views of the horizon. Jump shot is always my favorite shot at the summit. Thank Leah Tabois because she is the best photographer that I ever been with. Keep calm and relax for it is what I want. When I got there we are not the only group at the summit so better enjoy the view with them.
Look it is hard to get down than to climb.
Because going down is not against the gravity the earth is pulling you down more. It is hard when you don’t have balancing skills. You have to put your weigh on the correct landing so that you can able to manage your balance.
There is a 20 pesos registration going up and down.
I heard that the registration is used to maintain the trail safety and save some budget for the occasion. Just like the new trail anniversary. They provide food for the climbers on that day as part of the celebration.
There are toilets for who wants to clean up and get refresh but there is no available for us, there are still few mountaineer on queues to use the toilet. So we decide to go home dirty but happy.
Side Trip at Mohogany Place.
Our next stop is to find the best restaurant to eat or Starbucks to relax and enjoy the over looking view at Tagaytay. We ended up at Mohogany place where tastiest Bulalo is serve. We also get nice breaded fried Tawilis plus free kapenng barako when you ask for it. We had our fine dine in and go home with extra pasalubong. I bought papaya, dried tawilis and posit.
At Baclaran, we rode on a taxi going home together. Sheila went down to SM Megamall to attend her job, I drop to Philcoa for tricycle ride going home and the last taxi passenger Leah and Janine go strait to their home.
Day Hike Summary of Mt. Batulao climb.
All members (Leah, Janine, Sheila and Me) meet-up at Grand Terminal Coastal mall. We rode a bus going to Nasugbu, Batangas and drop by at Evercrets Golf Course. The bus fare is 108 pesos. Instead of riding a 30 pesos per head tricycle fare from Evercrest Golf Course Gate, we decide to walk going to the trail. You will reach the split direction heading old or new trail before you reach the registration on the campsite. Either of the trail, you have to register going up and down for 20 pesos. We enjoy food at the campsite and took some halo-halo merienda at the summit. We are motivated to go down as we are after for the side-trip at Mohogany food trip. At home at last.