Yosemite National Park (April & July 2011)

July 2011 (drove from Los Angeles to Yosemite, then to Merced and back to Los Angeles)

 

April 2011 (drove from Los Angeles to Yosemite, then Santa Cruz and back to Los Angeles)

Our Mode of Transportation: Car Rental/My Corolla.

Other Options:

-by Plane to Fresno or San Francisco and then rent a car.

-by amtrak or greyhound to Fresno or San Francisco and then rent a car.

Recommended: If you like in CA, a roadtrip would be nice. Else, flying to Fresno may be best.

Recommended Season: Spring

Park Fees:

Day Hike - $25 per week per vehicle.

Annual Unlimited Entrance for National Parks - $80

 

There simply are no words. I'm not very good at this; it should be obvious by now. So I will leave you kids with recommendations.

 

• Plan a short day hike to Vernal Falls. Prepare to be awed and to get wet. When you reach the top, take a sweet nap by the river. You will forget technology existed. Except maybe your camera.
• If you still have some energy left in you, adding Nevada Falls to your trek is not such a bad idea.
• Plan a day or two to hike the Half Dome. I didn't make it up on either trips. But, I shall be back. NOTE: Hiking to the Half Dome requires a permit. Plan accordingly.

Like I said, I have no words. But I do have photographs. (TB..added)



Be advised that camping and cottages easily fill up. Planning ahead is absolutely essential.

Off Topic.. and Taking Shots

With about zero knowledge in photography; I found myself in a beginner's class with a film camera in the beginning of February this year.

Pending the acquisition of a digital SLR, I will be starting a photo blog.

...In other news...

I will be writing again asap. I am currently in a very busy state of student-hood..

Zion National Park (May 2010 & Sept 2008)

May 2010 (drove from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, then Las Vegas to Zion. Same route on the way back)

September 2008 (day stop in the return leg from a road trip from Los Angeles to the MidWest)

Our Mode of Transportation: My Corolla.

Other Options:

-by Plane to Cadar City or St. George and then rent a car.

-by amtrak or greyhound to St. George and then rent a car.

Recommended: Take a car and include Zion in your road trip.

Recommended Season: Summer

Park Fees:

Day Hike - $25 per week per vehicle.

Annual Unlimited Entrance for National Parks - $80

I have mixed feelings about this park. It really depends on what your mood is like, what you're looking for. For instance, if you've heard of its compelling beauty and you want to see it, by all means go for it. If you are looking for some time alone with nature, I'm afraid to say but it seems the rest of the world has discovered her and a day of solitude may no longer be an option.

From experience, I am going to say that she is perfect for day hikes and experienced rock climbers. I had just discovered (from research) that camping is an option, and more camp grounds are being constructed as we speak.

During both visits, my friends and I drove to the Zion Canyon Visitor Center and took a tram to the Zion Lodge. If you can, bring snacks. The prices of food in the lodge aren't too bad but food in the lodge restaurant is not good for its price. The tram goes around to certain drop off points to different trail heads. During the ride, some history and information about the park is shared by the driver through a PA system. The tone is very pale and generic, but if you pay attention, you will learn many interesting things.

The Riverside Walk and the Emerald Pools are two of the best ones to see. However, they are a little too popular. Probably the only reason I would return here is if I get married and decide to do a tour of all the National Parks in the United States for the honeymoon. :) If you've never been, it's a good place to visit at least once.

Road Trip to Bicol Region Philippines (Dec. 26 to 30, 2008)

Our Mode of Transportation: Toyota Revo. (SUV)

Other Options: by Bus from the terminals in Cubao or by Plane from NAIA.

Recommended: Fly there and rent a car when you get there.

Season I Went: Winter

Recommended Season: Spring/Post Holidays (not too hot and almost no chance of rain)

My brother and I left Pasig City at around 930pm the night of the 26th. We stopped by a gas station in Minasag, Bicol at around 400am to take a power nap. (MILEAGE: 308km)

We made it to Daet just in time for breakfast. We took a quick detour to Bagasbas Beach and had Lugaw and Chicken Mami for breakfast. How was the food? It was good, just perfect for our empty bellies! Of course I grew up accustomed to the food so excuse my lack of excitement. (MILEAGE: 355km)

Breakfast by the Bagasbas Beach

The next stop was Pili, home of the tasty Pili Nuts. We picked up my friend Fanny and her cousin (Lyra) and nieces (Inna&Ichi) and nephew (Kingloy). (MILEAGE: 485km) Good thing we brought the big car. Haha. The kids were all very cute and funny and ate a lot more than we did. I must say, if you find yourself disappointed at Bicol, they will definitely make up for it! We then drove back north to Naga City to have lunch at Red Platter. It's supposed to be famous, and it was full when we ate there, but I didn't think it had anything special to offer. I don't even remember what I had. The best I can say is, it's not a bad option if your stomach is shouting at you!

The day ended south with a drive to Legaspi City. This time it was only my brother, Fanny, Lyra and I; it was raining. We spent the night in Sampaguita Tourist Inn. Costing less than $20 per night, it's acceptable if you're not picky. The room was clean and they were able to provide fresh towels as you need them. There is a small convenience store in the lobby, but it doesn't stay open very late. This is my case doesn't make it very convenient. (MILEAGE: 485km)

The group got up at 7ooam and headed further south to Donsol. (MILEAGE: 723km) Their main attraction is the sighting of an endangered specie native to that region, the whale shark or butanding. It is a government ran tourist attraction. It costs PhP 1000 for a boat to take you to the middle of the Philippine Sea and swim with the whale shark (that is if you can spot them and catch them); and another PhP 150 if you want to rent a snorkel. It was still raining. We spent about 2 hours at sea, spotted only 2, and each one disappeared within a second. Guys, its all about timing.

After this disappointment, we faced another one in our return to Legazpi City. Next in our list is the visit to Mt. Mayon. It is known for its perfect shaped cone and the Cagsawa Ruins that makes it not just an attraction but a historical land mark. It is unfortunate however that the rain kept us from seeing its full beauty. We only saw the bottom of the volcano. At the end of the day we returned to the hotel and kicked it with a bottle of wine and a game of Pusoy Dos, which I just found out is also called Big Two.

Cagsawa Ruins. Mt. Mayon is behind it, hiding in the clouds.

This brings us to the final day of the trip. We returned to Pili to pick up the kids and then drove to Mt. Isarog. The sun is finally shining, but Mt. Mayon is still hiding. We hiked the dormant volcano, our destination: the Malabsay Falls. It is gorgeous and roaring with power and my pictures do not do it justice. After a few hours in the mountain our hosts brought us to the CWC or CamSur Watersports Complex. After an amazing one-on-one with mother nature, why would you take anyone do something like this? Hmmm. I do appreciate their time, but come on. Nothing can beat a tiring hike topped with a beautiful waterfall. Get it right! ;)

Malabsay Falls atop Mt. Isarog

We ended our trip with Sinigang sa Buko and Crablets for dinner and a short nap and headed back north to the city. The sinigang was sweet, a nice twist from the usually sour soup that I love. And the crablets were crunchy and a little salty, just like the way I like it!

Disclaimer: Prices mentioned are from 2 years ago. The economy may have caused the prices to go down or up.

Blabbering :)

I'm adapting a format. Why? Make it less wordy and more informative. Yes? Yes!

So what the hell have I been up to? I just got back from Jamaica. I done a boat load of "I've never done that before" type of stuff this year.

I've done quite a bit this year and I should make a list so I can write about all them before the information gets too outdated... But... I am starting my masters in about a week... So... I don't think that's happening.

Happy Holidays Champs!