Family Budget DIY Day-Trip in Bato Spring San Pablo, Laguna

October 11, 2016 Tuesday

My 20th family outing initiated and of course, usual budget do-it-yourself itinerary from arrival to departure. This trip also served as my family's 3rd tour-visit in Laguna, the first one was in Enchanted Kingdom, Sta. Rosa (Mar. 2010) and the second was in Splash Island, Binan (Jul. 2011). Please take note I did not perform any advance booking, we just simply arrived there as this day was considered as off-peak (weekday and rainy season). Upon reaching San Pablo on a 3hr bus travel from Kamias, Quezon City via JAC Bus Terminal, there was a direct tricycle one-way trip to Bato Spring for PhP150.

FAMILY BUDGET DIY DAY-TRIP IN BATO SPRING ITINERARY
(composed of 1 adult, 1 senior citizen and 2 children (10-yr old and 4yr old)

0600H ETA JAC Kamias Terminal
0630H ETD Kamias, Quezon City; 112*2 + 140 = 364 (discount for senior citizen/student)
0930H ETA Bato Spring Junction (San Pablo); tricycle to Bato Spring (5km) 150
1000H ETA Bato Spring; Entrance Fee 70*3 = 210 (free for 6-yrs old and below)
1130H lunch (paluto of liempo grill, hotdog, rice and water) 490
fun swimming to Cold spring and swimming pool
1500H ETD Bato Spring; tricycle to Junction 150
1530H ETA Junction; Tindahan ng Itlog ni Kuya food trip 405
1630H ETD San Pablo 112*2 + 140 = 364 (discount for senior citizen/student)
2030H ETA Kamias bus terminal, Quezon City

TOTAL BUDGET: PhP 2,133

Family Budget DIY Day-Trip in Bato Spring San Pablo, Laguna

Mt. Makiling (1,090masl) Traverse Day-Hike (Sto. Tomas to Los Baños)

12-June-2016 Sunday in Sto. Tomas, Batangas to Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines

MT. MAKILING TRAVERSE GENERAL INFO:
Entry point: Sitio Jordan, Brgy. San Miguel, Sto. Tomas         Exit point: UP College of Forestry, Los Banos, Laguna
Elevations: Peak 1 (900masl), Peak 2 (1,090masl) and Peak 3 (1,020masl)
Hours / Days required: 5 to 8 hours (local guide is required)
Classification: major trek with difficulty level of 5/9 (roped segments)

Mt. Makiling Traverse Day-hike on wet season is my 2016's 2nd local major day-hike and my 2016's 6th local hike. This adventure is preceded by  Mt. Mariveles Range Traverse Extended Day-Hike just 2 weeks ago.

MY OBSERVATIONS DURING MT. MAKILING TRAVERSE DAY-HIKE;

(1) There are 60 stations marked through-out the course. 30 stations from DENR Station (Sto. Tomas) ascending to Mt. Makiling summit (1,090masl) then another 30 stations from this summit descending to Makiling Gate (Los Baños).
(2) Lunch time can be done in Station 15, Peak 3 (1,020masl) is in Station 18, Summit is in Station 30 and Agila Base is in Station 11.
(3) Roped segments became more challenging starting from Melka Ridge (Haring Bato) up to trail before the Station 18 (Peak 3). It's like rock rappeling and good thing it was still sunny during our ascent or else it will become more dangerous and slippery during rainy hours.
(4) Lots of "limatik" (leech-type) in rainforest area especially in Stations 15 and 30, and descend trail to Agila Base. I have encountered 5 "limatik" on my raincoat/hand which I finger-stroke immediately and 1 full blood-sucked on my right lower leg.
(5) I think there is an average of 8 hours to finish the entire traverse (60 stations) from Sto. Tomas to Los Baños. We did it by around 7.75hours with rain fell hard after we reached the summit; having a very muddy, very slippery, "limatik"-infested trail on descent to Station 1.
(6) Motorbike back ride (habal-habal) can be availed on descent from Station 11 (Agila Base) to Station 1 (Makiling Gate) at Php100 one-way, around 5km semi off-road. This will save you to trek 1.5hr with 10 stations to skip. Jeep is available too for group.
(7) There are only 2 bathroom (1 each for male/female, PhP20 fee) at the Station 1 Makiling Gate so be there as early as possible to avoid the very long queue.

Mt. Makiling (1,090masl) Traverse Day-Hike (Station 30 Peak 2 Summit) 

Family Splash-out in Splash Island, Laguna (lakbay rizal 2nd leg)

another 2011's family outing
july 23, 2011 saturday

objective: to visit the best tourist spots that fits my taste and budget accordingly.
additional task: to acknowledge another day-trip only adventure with family and to continue the quest for lakbay rizal spots

important note (laguna):
Laguna is a province of the Philippines found in the CALABARZON region in Luzon. Its capital is Santa Cruz and almost completely surrounds Laguna de Bay, the largest lake in the country. The province acquired its name from the Spanish word lago, which means lake or lagoon. This place is notable for being the birthplace of Jose Rizal, the country's national hero.

splash island of laguna

splash island of laguna

Family Visit in the Enchanted Kingdom

spontaneous get-away with family

march 06, 2010 saturday

with family at baguio city
inside the la mesa ecopark

Enchanted Kingdom is a theme park located in Santa Rosa City, Laguna, about 29 kilometers (18 mi) from Manila. It has a land area of 17 hectares (41 acres). The park is managed and operated by Enchanted Kingdom Inc., formerly named Amtrust Leisure Corporation and a member of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions.

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enchanted_Kingdom

enchanted kingdom