Category Archives: Recreational Outdoor Activities

Barnet Marine Park (Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada)

Posted on by — Leave a reply

Barnet Marine Park

On our fourth day in Vancouver, we drove 6.6 kms. to Barnet Marine Park, a small but beautiful and popular waterfront park, where we were to enjoy an afternoon outdoor picnic with family while sitting back taking and watching the action on the south shore of the spectacular, tanker-dotted Burrard Inlet (here’s a map of the picnic area).

A tanker at Burrard Inlet

As it was a sunny weekend, the main parking lot was already filled so we parked at the overflow parking above the highway right next to the Air Mountain Bike Park.

Located right along the north end base of Burnaby Mountain and across Burrard Inlet from Cates Park and Vancouver’s North Shore, on an important harvesting, gathering and processing site for the Coast Salish peoples, as well as the site of a century-old logging mill camp, this spectacular foreshore park, Burnaby’s only official saltwater beach, is perfect for a stroll and has ocean and mountain views. Although small in size, the park feels large as it is long and narrow, stretching for about 1.5 kms. along the waterfront.

 

Barnet was formerly a thriving logging community of the North Pacific Lumber Company (later the Barnet Lumber Company), one of the largest sawmills in the British Empire.  Established in 1889 (at the site of a new C.P.R. station), David MacLaren (the owner) named it “Barnet” after his wife’s family.

Foundation of Mill Wood Scrap Burner

Due to the Great Depression, the mill closed in 1931 and reopened in 1939 as the Kapoor Sawmills.  Destroyed by fire in 1946, plans to rebuild the mill to its former scale never materialized.  The community started to fade when the small replacement mill was finally dismantled in 1958.

Mill Wood Scrap Burner

Here, you can still see traces of the once prosperous mill such as the mill’s scrap burner as well as the concrete and brick foundations nearby.

Remains of Old Wharf

On the water are the remains of the old wharf (where processed timber bound for American and Asian ports was loaded), its pylons now nesting sites for birds.

Aside from the picnic (some in the shade) site, it has a designated dog off-leash area  allowing our dog Luffy to get some exercise. We had to keep your dog leashed everywhere else in the park (you also have to pick up after your dog and drop our waste bag in the designated bins). For sanitary reasons, they aren’t allowed on the beach. The sandier beach areas of the off-leash dog area are at the far west end of the park.

Sandy Beach

Rocky Beach

Along the shore are both rocky and nice sandy (at the far western end) beaches. The most popular beach is at the far eastern end as it’s closer to the parking lots and has both grassy and sandy areas.  Wildlife to be found here includes seals, crabs, geese and herons.

Geese

To enjoy a relaxing meal or a quick bite, there’s Park Cafe. Propane barbeques and charcoal and open-flame barbeques are also allowed at this park (you have to use the on-site ash pits to safely dispose of hot ashes).

Park Cafe

Accessible washrooms and changing rooms are located in the concession building, open year-round.  There are also outdoor showers for swimmers.

Concesson Building

Barnet Marine Park is an excellent spot to enjoy fishing from shore (just make sure you have a license). To explore the sheltered waters of Indian Arm or the Burrard Inlet, you can launch canoes, kayaks and sailing craft on the rocky or sandy beach.

Motorboat at Burrard Inlet

On the rocky beach, Cheska, Bryan and Kyle went paddleboarding but they had to carry everything down to the beach.

Bryan (with Kyle) and Cheska paddleboarding off the rocky beach

Trails here are either paved or crushed limestone, with benches available throughout. I traversed the length of Drummond’s Walk, a peaceful foreshore and upland walk named after former Mayor Douglas P. Drummond (1996-2002) in April 2006.

Start of Drummond’s Walk

Plaque

It was his favorite place to exercise. This flat and easy trail, suitable for all ages and fitness levels, runs 1,5 kms. from one end of the park to the other.

Drummond’s Walk

Along the path, I encountered grassy lawns and a large and impressive off-leash dog zone that includes multiple waterfront beaches. Here’s a map showing all the paths in the park.

Watching tankers go by at Drummond’s Walk

Barnet Marine Park: 8181 Barnet Rd, Burnaby, BC V5A 3G8, British Columbia. General inquiries: 604-294-7450. E-mail: parksrecandculture@burnaby.ca. Website: www.burnaby.ca/explore-outdoors/parks/barnet-marine-park. Open from 7 am and closes at dusk between April and October. During May to September, the closing time changes with the increase in daylight hours. Park Café is open Friday to Sunday on ‘good weather’ days in the summer, 11:30 AM -6:30 PM.  If the weather looks wet and cold, call 604-297-4888 to confirm if the café is open. Since January 1, 2022, smoking has been banned in all City parks and multi-use paths.

Parking: the main parking lot (download map) is located on the south side of the rail line. The north (beach) side of the rail line is pedestrian only. Don’t park on the rail line. There are 6 accessible parking stalls located east of the park entrance, closest to the beach. Additional accessible parking stalls and surface parking are available to the east and west of park entrance on a first come, first served basis.

Additional parking is available farther to the west of the park entrance and on the other side of Barnet Rd where the Mountain Air Bike Skills Course (an incredible bike skills park located just across the Barnet Highway, it features an outdoor wood pump track for beginners to advanced mountain bikers that’s free to the public) is located. Accessible parking stalls at beach levelare available Monday to Friday, 9 AM-7 PM until September 1, 2023 (excluding statutory holidays). To check availability and obtain access, call park staff at 604-319-7083. Due to safety and operational concerns when the park is very busy, all beach-level parking (including accessible parking) are not available on weekends and statutory holidays.

How to Get There: The park is about 10 kms. (a 30-min. drive) from downtown Vancouver, and a 10-min. drive from Port Moody. Travel east on Hastings Street. Keep left on Inlet Dr/Barnet Rd and turn left onto the park at Takeda Drive. Get directions.

Zoe’s Resort & Eco-Adventure Park (Bulusan, Sorsogon)

Posted on by — Leave a reply

Zoe’s Resort & Eco-Adventure Park

Part of Sorsogon Countryside Tour

After lunch at Balay Buhay sa Uma Farm, we proceeded to the nearby Zoe’s Resort & Eco-Adventure Park driving across a long rough road before getting to the resort.  This eco-tourism site, a 10-min. drive from Lake Bulusan, offers outdoor activities for adventure-seekers and laid-back facilities for visiting families and children.

Check out “Balay Buhay sa Uma Bee Farm”

Here, we were to trek two (Kambal Busay and Hidden Falls) of their three waterfalls (the other is Hulugan Falls). A tour guide was assigned to us as we can get lost in the vast space inside Zoe’s Resort and the waterfalls are quite far from each other.

Getting to the jump-off point via tractor

At the main entrance, we were given the option to get to the jump-off point for the trek to Kambal Busay via tractor.  Most of the ladies chose this option while the rest (including me) just walked for about 5 mins..

SCAD Kapehan

Fresh buko being prepared for us at SCAD Kapehan

We soon reached Scad Kapehan, the resort’s al fresco cafeteria, where we were treated to fresh buko (coconut) juice. From the cafeteria, we could already hear the sound of and see, from up the stairs, Kambal Busay Falls.

View of Kambal Busay Falls from SCAD Kapehan

After this refreshing treat, I proceeded down the 119-step stairway (this would be Calvary on my return) that lead to Kambal Busay Falls.

My guide Ms. Rachel Romano at the 119-step stairway leading down to the falls

At the base of the stairway, I espied the beautiful, 30-ft. high Kambal Busay Falls in all its glory.  Its basin was quite safe to swim and some of us did so.  There was a rope that you can hold onto so you can stand directly under the falls.

Kambal Busay Falls.  The boulder in the middle cuts the falls into two, hence the name

The author at Kambal Busay Falls

To get to Hidden Falls, I had to hike much further (about 10-15 mins.), traversing cascades of water and slippery rocks and boulders.

Downstream from Kambal Busay Falls

Cascades of water along the trail to Hidden Falls

Literally hidden inside a cave-like entrance, the fall’s current is strong and pools into what looks like a deep basin.

Improvised walkways and handrails such as these made trekking to Hidden Falls much easier

A short set of wooden stairs and walkways with bamboo handrails led up to a huge boulder where I can take a peek of the waterfall.

The author resting along the way (photo: Ms. Joan April Chang)

The 23-ft. high Hulugan Falls, the last one and the farthest, is 1 km. (a 30-45-min. hike) away from the main entrance. In Irosin (where the falls is located), it called Naglahaw Falls (from the word naglalahao meaning “to fall down”) and its entry point is coming from Danao Irosin lake, a 10-15 min. hike. It is fed by several rivers and tributaries from nearby localities and even water from the crevices of Bulusan Volcano.

The author at Hidden Falls

For those who want to stay longer in the resort, Zoe’s Resort has different varieties of cottages: umbrella (Php250), casa (Php500) and hall. The halls are two casas combined cost between Php1, 500 – Php2, 000.  The resort also has two swimming pools (the Cold Spring and the Bloody Pool).  The one for the adults has a depth of 7 ft. and one for the kids has a depth of 3 ft.

Idyllic scenes such as these make you want to linger longer

Aside from the tractor ride (Php50 per pax), you can also try ATV (Php150 per 15 mins.) to the 3 waterfalls and bamboo rafting in their manmade lake (Php20 per pax).

One of the resort’s two swimming pools

Zoe’s Resort & Eco-Adventure Park: Brgy. San Roque, Bulusan 4704, Sorsogon.  E-mail: zoesresort@gmail.com.  Mobile number: (0948) 620-7196 and (0919) 578- 4079. Open daily, 6 AM – 6 PM. Entrance fee: Php150/pax.  Tour guide fee: Php150 (for 2 pax) and Php350 (up to 10 pax).

How to Get There: Bulusan is located 557.3 kms. (a 13-hr. drive  via Pan Philippine Highway/AH26) from Manila and 44.5 kms. (a 55-min. drive) via the Junction Abuyog-Gubat-Ariman Rd., from Sorsogon City.

Sorsogon Provincial Tourism Culture and Arts Office: Ground Floor, Capitol Building, 4700 Sorsogon City. Mobile number: (0968) 624-6279. E-mail: tourism@sorsogon.gov.ph.  Facebook: www.facebook.com/sorsogonprovincialtourismoffice.

Bulusan Municipal Tourism Office: www.facebook.com/ExploreBulusan.

Ur Place Travel & Tours: OLV Pangpang, Sorsogon City, Sorsogon.  Mobile number (Viber): (0927) 950-3927 (Ms. Annie Gueb).  Facebook: www.facebook.com/urplacetravel.

Rompeolas Bay Walk (Sorsogon City, Sorsogon)

Posted on by — Leave a reply

Rompeolas Bay Walk.  In the foreground is the standee while in the background is the partially cloud-shrouded Mt. Bulusan

Part of Sorsogon Countryside Tour

After our tour of the Sorsogon Cultural Center for the Arts, we were driven 4 kms. to Rompeolas Bay Walk.  Also known as the Sorsogon City Bay Walk, it is located along Sorsogon Bay.

Check out “Sorsogon Cultural Center for the Arts”

Splendido de Rompeolas

Our creamy halo-halo

Here, we had a merienda of creamy halo-halo at Splendido de Rompeolas Restobar & Grill, one of a number of restaurants at the Rompeolas Food Court that serve breakfast, lunch, dinner and merenda meals. It is being developed by the provincial government as a tourist zone.

Rompeolas Food Court

Sports Bar 83, Boardroom Snacks & Games Cafe

Its name was derived from the Spanish word romper meaning “where the waves cavort.” At Rompeolas, Pinaculan Island, the “Rompeolas Sorsogon City” standee as well as picturesque views of Sorsogon Bay and, on a clear day, Mount Bulusan can be seen from afar.

Sorsogon Pier

It also has a fairyland view of Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral, with its colorful, dome and pointed steeples.

View of the dome and spires of the Sts. Peter & Paul Cathedral

The site of the old Sorsogon Pier (which juts into Sorsogon Bay), this pleasant, arrowhead-shaped promenade, with fresh sea air (especially in the morning), gets really crowded with students out on date, kids out on a day of fun (there is a playground), and those who just can’t get enough of the glorious and spectacular, reddish-orange  Sorsogon sunset over Pinaculan Island. It is also crowded during sunrise, with people exercising or jogging to start their day.

View of the sunset over Pinaculan Island from the causeway

The adjacent quiet, 3-hectare, tadpole-shaped Pinaculan Island, site of a lighthouse, was once only connected to the mainland, at Brgy. Bitan-o-Dalipay, during low tide.

Pinaculan Island

Today, it is now connected to the mainland via a causeway (built around 2012) and an aesthetically pleasing hanging bridge crossing over to Brgy. Bitan-o-Dalipay. 

The hanging bridge

On October 31, 2019, during Sorsogon’s Kasanggayahan Festival, a total of 7,127 Sorsogon residents, including Gov. Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero and his wife actress Heart Evangelista, performed the Pantomina sa Tinampo (the Bicolano courtship dance mimicking the movement of doves in  courtship) from Fatima Church to Bulwagan and Rompeolas Baywalk. In doing so, Sorsogon now holds a Guinness World Record for the largest Philippine folk dance. Swapnil Dangarikar of India, official adjudicator from Guinness World Records, witnessed the historic performance.

Pinaculan Lighthouse

The 4-lane, 5.52-km. long Sorsogon City Coastal Rd., opened last August 30, 2020, connects Rompeolas Bay Walk with Brgy. Balogo.  It bypasses Sorsogon City’s main thoroughfare along Maharlika Highway. Providing a pleasant view of Sorsogon’s coastline, it also doubles as a protection against storm surges.

 

Rompeolas Bay Walk: Brgy. Talisay, Sorsogon City 4700, Sorsogon. Coordinates 12.96481,124.0041.

Splendido de Rompeolas Restobar & Grill: Pier Site, Rompeolas, Brgy. Talisay, Sorsogon City 4700, Sorsogon. Mobile number: (0912) 105-9950.

How to Get There: Sorsogon City is located 517.5 kms. (a 12–hr. drive) from Manila via the Pan-Philippine Highway/AH26. 

Sorsogon Provincial Tourism Culture and Arts Office: Ground Floor, Capitol Building, 4700 Sorsogon City. Mobile number: (0968) 624-6279. E-mail: tourism@sorsogon.gov.ph

Ur Place Travel & Tours: OLV Pangpang, Sorsogon City, Sorsogon.  Mobile number (Viber): (0927) 950-3927 (Ms. Annie Gueb).  Facebook: www.facebook.com/urplacetravel

Whale Shark Interaction (Donsol, Sorsogon)

Posted on by — Leave a reply

Whale shark (butanding)

Part of Sorsogon Countryside Tour

After breakfast and checking out at the 15-room, 3-star Elysia Beach Resort, we were all transported, via our coaster, to the nearby Whale Interaction Center for the highlight of our day – interacting with whale sharks (locally called butanding, in other parts of the country they are locally known as bailan, kulwano, tawiki or toki), the first thing that comes into mind when you’re in the province.  This would be my first whale shark interaction in Donsol but also my third overall, having done so twice in Oslob, Cebu.

Check out “Resort Review: Elysia Beach Resort” and “Whale Shark Interaction (Oslob, Cebu)“

Butanding Visitors Center

This activity had its beginnings in 1998 when the then sleepy town of Donsol gained international prominence when over 90 whale sharks (scientific name: Rhincodon typus) congregated at the mouth of the murky, nutrient-rich waters of the long and winding Quipia (or Donsol) River.   The infrastructure for whale shark-watching tours is already in place and now, a quarter of a century later, we were to give it a try.

The short orientation video

Considered as the largest fish in the world, they measure from 4.6 m. (15 ft.) to as long as 18 m. (60 ft.) in length, weigh up to 40 tons and live up to 100 years.  Typical sightings in Donsol range from 4-12 m. in length.  They have broad, flat heads and 3 prominent ridges on the upper flank. Its huge body is covered with a checkerboard pattern of silvery polka dots and stripes on its blue-gray-brown skin.

Listening to the orientation

Whale sharks are highly migratory and their movement may be guided by food availability; water temperature and quality; and environmental factors such as weather, currents and wind.  Where they go during the off-season is still not known.

Whale sharks are filer feeders, typically feeding on a varied diet of plankton, krill, squid and invertebrate larva which flourish only in healthy conditions.  Thus, they act as an indicator of the seas’ general health.  Their huge mouths (as long as 2 m. across) are lined with thousands of tiny teeth which are neither used for biting or chewing.  Large volumes of water are sucked into the mouth, where food is retained in the gill rakers, and the water is released through the gill slits.

The floating pontoon

The other Sorsogon towns of Castilla, Magallanes and Pilar are also noted for butanding sightings.  Since then, these gentle giants, have kept coming back and the area has become one of the biggest draws in Southern Luzon.

The adjoining beach

Interaction tours have provided the local communities with an important livelihood. In March 1998, through Fisheries Administrative Order No. 193, the Philippine government banned the killing or harming of whale sharks and export of by-products.      Time Magazine featured it as the Best Animal Encounter in Asia.

The author

It is believed that these whale sharks, about 30 to 40 of them at any one time, converge off the Donsol waters to feed on plankton, krill and juvenile fish. They allow humans to swim or interact with them and this phenomenon has attracted hundreds of tourists around the world eager to interact with these gentle giants of the sea.

The author (left) with the rest of the group at our assigned boats

The day of our visit was within the official whale-watching season, coinciding with the northeast monsoon, starts during the months of October and November and peaks from February 1 to May 31, when the sea is at its clearest and calmest.

Our spotter scanning the horizon for butanding

Upon the arrival at Butanding Visitors Center, we registered ourselves at the center and attended a short orientation. Donsol protects these whale sharks through guidelines and local ordinances that must be strictly followed.  World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Philippines is working closely with the local government and private organizations in researching and monitoring of whale sharks, information and educational campaigns, and sustainable ecotourism development and management. Here are some of the guidelines:

Ms. Ann Dimayacyac and the author waiting for the signal from the BIO to get in the water

  • Wearing sun block lotion was not allowed as its chemicals could harm the butanding.
  • Feeding them is a no no. The butanding has to show up, on their own, to feed on plankton and krill.
  • Only six (6) interaction swimmers are allowed per boat and only one (1) interaction boat per one butanding. The other interaction boats will have to wait their turn. A maximum of 15 boats are allowed to go daily.
  • You are allowed to use a mask, snorkel and fins (bring your own) and can swim with them for as long as the sharks feel comfortable.
  • To limit stress to the sharks, scuba gear, holding on to or riding the animals, clapping, shouting, stomping and flash photography is prohibited.
  • The recommended distance from the whale shark is 3 m. from the tail.
  • Do not restrict their movement or impede its natural path.
  • Scooters, jet skis or any motorized underwater propulsion is not allowed.
  • If the sharks are alarmed or harassed, the encounter is stopped immediately.

After our orientation, we proceeded to our accredited boats where we met up with our assigned boat crew including spotters and our Butanding Interaction Officer (BIO) named Michael Radores the official group leader, whose instructions we were to strictly follow. As we went on our way, our spotter stood on a high vantage point of the boat, scanning the horizon for signs of a whale shark.  Sightings are not guaranteed but there is an 85% chance of encountering and seeing whale sharks.   There were a number of sightings the day before so we were hoping for the same today.

After a number of unsuccessful tries, our spotter again espied one from afar and Michael finally told Ms. Ann Dimayacyac and I to don our snorkels and sit on the port side of the boat.  Once he said the word “Jump,” we got into the water together with Michael.  After some time in the water, we saw the whale shark with its distinct white polka dot spots.  Within that short window, we got to see it up close and personal before it swam away. Check out the video here.

My successful encounter with this harmless, gentle, friendly and playful giant of the sea could only be described by me as surreal.  Luckily, the excitement of my encounter was recorded by Michael using my cellphone camera encased in a waterproof phone pouch.  The epitome of wildlife encounters, this was a singular experience of a lifetime and any nature enthusiast or eco-tour fanatic should not afford to miss this.  A whale shark interaction tours can take as long as 2 to 3 hours.

 

How to Get There: Donsol is located 489.7 kms. (an 11.5–hr. drive), via the Pan-Philippine Highway/AH26, from Manila and 78.3 kms. (a 1.75–hr. drive), via the Pan-Philippine Highway/AH26 and the Putiao-Pilar-Donsol Rd., from Sorsogon City. From Donsol town proper, the resort is an 8.2-km./15-min. drive.

Sorsogon Provincial Tourism, Culture and Arts Office: Ground Floor, Capitol Building, 4700 Sorsogon City. Mobile number: (0968) 624-6279. E-mail: tourism@sorsogon.gov.ph.  Facebook: www.facebook.com/sorsogonprovincialtourismoffice.

Donsol Tourism Office: Visitor’s Center, Brgy. Dancalan, Donsol 4715, Sorsogon. Mobile number: (0917) 137-5134. E-mail: donsoltourismoffice@gmail.com. Facebook: https: www.facebook.com/DonsolTourism/

Ur Place Travel & Tours: OLV Pangpang, Sorsogon City, Sorsogon.  Mobile number (Viber): (0927) 950-3927 (Ms. Annie Gueb).  Facebook: www.facebook.com/urplacetravel

Lynn Canyon Park (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)

Posted on by — 1 Comment ↓

Lynn Canyon Park

On our 27th day in Canada, our whole family (Grace, Jandy, Cheska, Bryan, Kyle and I, with dog Luffy) decided to visit the 250-hectare (617-acre) Lynn Canyon Park, one of the gems of the  District of North Vancouver’s Parks system and a great place to learn about North Vancouver’s eco-system.

 

This public park, operated by the  District of North Vancouver, is located on the unceded territory of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations people who called the Lynn Creek area Kwa-hul-cha, referring to a settlement in the area.

Bryan and Cheska on their way to the Lynn Canyon Cafe and Ranger Station

When settlers moved to North Vancouver, they began to log the old growth forests as part of Vancouver’s growing logging industry. The Lynn Valley area, along with Lynn Creek and Lynn Canyon were renamed after sapper John Linn (1846-1876), a British pioneer and member of the Royal Engineers who, in 1869, moved his family onto 65 hectares of land on the mouth of the Lynn Creek near Burrard Inlet.

Lynn Canyon Cafe and Ranger Station

While the creek has been dubbed Fred’s Creek after fellow pioneer Fred Howson, the name Lynn, a corruption of the original spelling, soon became the common designation.  Lynn Valley Park and Canyons, as it was known in the 1950s, soon gave way to the current Lynn Canyon Park.

Waterfall seen on the way to the suspension bridge

In 1912, after the bulk of the Lynn Canyon’s old growth forests were logged by the Lynn Valley Lumber Company under Julius M. Fromme, the McTavish Brothers donated a 5 hectare piece of land around the newly constructed Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge in the hopes that a park would attract people to the real estate development.

Bryan (with Luffy) and Cheska crossing the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge

The  District of North Vancouver added another 4 hectares to create the original Lynn Canyon Park. On September 14, 2012, the park was formally opened.  In 1991, the District of North Vancouver added another 241 hectares to the park, making it one of the largest and most popular parks in Metro Vancouver.

View of Lynn Creek from the suspension bridge

This forested park features stunning creek and waterfall views and hiking trails through the temperate rainforest, a relatively rare ecosystem that extends along the coast of Alaska and British Columbia down to northern California. In the rainy months of the year, mist rises from the canyon and the creek rises dramatically.

Grace and the author at Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge

Rangers are on site in July and August to offer walking tours and information about the area’s flora and fauna. For advanced hikers, there are trails that lead directly to Grouse or Seymour Demonstration Forest, in addition to nice cycling trails.  Due to its natural landscape many TV series such as Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis used the area for filming.

Cheska and Grace hiking the dirt trail

From Holdom Station, we took the SkyTrain to Gilmore Station, then took Bus 28 to Phibbs Exchange and, finally, the 20-min., 4-km. Bus 227, from Bay 12 Station, to the Westbound Peters Road@Duval Station.  From there, it was just a short walk to the entrance of Lynn Canyon Park.

Moss-covered trees

Past the entrance, we passed by the Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre (has over 80 informative nature videos, on a large screen, about the plants and animals of the temperate rainforest and environmental issues, plus a nature-themed gift shop) on the left and Lynn Canyon Cafe (they serve fresh siphon coffee, lattes and more, crepes for breakfast and burgers, hot dogs, pasta, fish and chips for lunch) on the right.

A large boulder amidst tall stands of trees

A very popular area for hiking, we tried the 2.6-km. Lynn Canyon loop trail (one of 7 easy hiking trails), open year-round, which is generally considered a relatively easy route to hike (though not wheelchair or stroller friendly), taking an average of 50 mins. to complete.

In this free, self-guided adventure, there are three major attractions along this loop – the  Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge, Twin Falls and the 30-Foot pool. Dogs are welcome here, but must be on a leash so we did just that for Luffy.

While exploring the trail that was surrounded by second growth western red cedar, Douglas-fir, and Western hemlock trees draped with moss, we encountered a lot of people. Although there are quite a number of wooden stairs (a bit challenging for beginners), it was still a great family friendly trail, with lots of options for different level hikers. There were multiple photo-worthy stops along the route, especially as it was summer.

The first major attraction we encountered was the  Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge.  On the way to the bridge, we espied a small, thin waterfall.  The bridge was used in Disney’s Descendants (as part of Auradon) that leads to Lynn Canyon’s 30 Foot Pool (used as the Enchanted Lake).  The bridge was also featured in the MacGyver episode “The Invisible Killer.”

Though not as long as the one at the widely-advertised Capilano Suspension Bridge, this 40-m. (130-ft.) long, wooden plank suspension bridge, built in 1912, is a good one and a different experience than its complement, offering a rustic and jiggling adventure, and the views from it are equally spectacular.

The author

If you want to see a suspension bridge but don’t want to pay for the one at Capilano Suspension Bridge, then this is the place to go as it’s less commercial and some people actually prefer it. About 50 m. (167 ft., the height of a 15-storey building) above the beautiful clear pools and rivers of Lynn Creek, it was just wide enough for two people to pass each other. Originally, visitors paid 10 cents (later reduced to 5 cents) to cross the bridge. Today, it’s free to cross the bridge.

The 30 Foot Pool

On the north side of the suspension bridge, the trail to the left lead us northwest through the park and a short walk took us to the popular 30-Foot pool, one of the most popular locations among tourists and locals and a safe place to swim compared to some of the river’s other sections. It was a very large area, with great spots for a picnic, and featured a beautiful swimming hole.

Visitors getting ready to dive, off rocks, into the 30 Foot Pool

As it was summer, a number of visitors were taking a quick refreshing swim to cool off. Others were also jumping off rocks and into the water (it looked extremely dangerous).  However, even in the summer months, the water is almost always extremely cold. If you are looking for a quiet place to sit by the river, this is the spot.

L-R: the author, Jandy, Grace, Cheska, Kyle and Bryan (with Luffy)

Beginning at the 30-Foot pool, we ascended one big flight of stairs and ended up at the start of the trail heading to the Northern region of the park, the Seymour Demonstration Forest and Rice Lake entrance (another beautiful location for walking around and fishing) which is about a further 20-min. walk away.

Stair leading up to the northern part of the park

As we did not wish to venture into these areas, we took the wooden boardwalks and trails that loops back towards the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge.

East of the suspension bridge is Twin Falls  which can be accessed from either side of the suspension bridge.  If we did not cross the bridge from the main entrance, we could have proceeded east, past the Lynn Canyon Café, and followed the trail down towards the river.

Twin Falls Bridge

Twin Falls is less accessible than the 30-Foot pool and not as popular among visitors but we still wanted to get to Twin Falls so, right after the bridge, we headed south (south is right and north is left) followed a series of boardwalks, steps and staircases to Twin Falls. There was a sign that pointed us in the right direction.

View of Lynn Creek from Twin Falls Bridge

In less than 20 mins., we descended down to Twin Falls Bridge where we had a beautiful view of  Twin Falls, below the bridge, which is not large or high but rather just a section of rapids that drop a bit just under the bridge.   The hike back up the canyon took us up two large flights of wooden stairs back up the canyon on the other side (just a short walk back to where we started).

Twin Falls below the bridge

A diverse hiking experience along wooden stairs and boardwalks, the river and dirt trails, Lynn Canyon truly is a nice place for everyone.  Here, you can take your time hiking and enjoy the fresh air.  Even late in the day, the sun stayed with us most of the time.

From Twin Falls Bridge, ascending another flight of stairs

Lynn Canyon Ecology Center: 3663 Park Road, North Vancouver, British Columbia V7J 3G3, Canada.  Tel: 604-990-3755.  Email: ecocentre@dnv.org.  Website: www.ecologycentre.ca and www.lyncanyon.ca.  Open Mondays to Fridays, 10 AM to 4 PM, and weekends, 12 noon to 4 PM. Coordinates: 49°20′02″N 123°01′03″W. Walk in visits are accepted if space is available (maximum 15 people inside at a time). Proof of Vaccination required for ages 12 and up. Masks required for ages 5 and up. Admission is free but donations are accepted (suggested $2 per person).

How to Get There: the nearest bus stations are Eastbound Peters Rd @ Duval Rd. (a 492 m./7-min. walk), Northbound Lynn Valley Rd. @ Burrill Ave. (a 715 m./10-min. walk) and Northbound Underwood Ave. @ Evelyn St. (a 1.219 km./16-min. walk). Buses leave Lonsdale Quay about once every 15 mins. on weekdays (or 30 minutes on weekends and holidays). The ride on Bus #228, from Lonsdale Quay, takes just over 30 mins.

Brandywine Falls Provincial Park (Whistler, British Columbia, Canada)

Posted on by — 2 Comments ↓

Brandywine Falls Provincial Park

From the Sea-to-Sky Gondola, a 43-km. (30 min.) drive brought Grace, Jandy, Danny and I to Brandywine Falls Provincial Park which is located adjacent to BC Highway 99, between Garibaldi and Whistler. Managed and operated by Sea to Sky Park Services Ltd. Sea for BC Parks, Brandywine Falls Provincial Park, located 11 kms. (7 mi.) south of Whistler, off BC Highway 99, and 47 kms. (30 mi.) north of Squamish, is the perfect detour for anyone travelling between the two towns.

Danny, Grace and Jandy

A day use only park, it doesn’t have a lot of facilities, just a few outhouses and picnic tables.  The huge, de luxe parking can accommodate large recreational vehicles, though not overnight. There’s also a Squamish First Nation Info Legend Display Kiosk.

Check out “Sea-to-Sky Gondola”

There are two versions on the origin of the name Brandywine. In the first version, Jack Nelson and Bob Mollison, two surveyors for the Howe Sound and Northern Railway, made a wager over the height of the falls, with the closest guess winning a bottle of brandy (wine). Measuring the height with a chain, Mollison won the bottle of brandy and Nelson then named the falls Brandywine.  The second version comes from around the 1890s when Charles Chandler and George Mitchell passed out there after drinking too much Brandywine in their tea.

Squamish First Nation Info Legend Display Kiosk

The spectacular, 66-m. (218-ft.) high falls, located on Brandywine Creek, has its origin in the Powder Mountain Icefield to the west.  It was formed by the lip of a lava flow flanking the west bank of the Cheakamus River.

Cheakamus Creek

The vertical walls surrounding Brandywine Falls are comprise of the Cheakamus Valley basalts, at least four basaltic lava flows of Late Pleistocene Age that are part of the Garibaldi Volcanic Belt, a northwest-southeast chain of volcanoes and related lavas that form the northern end of the Cascade Volcanic Arc.

The smooth, easy and flat trail

The lava, flowing over deposits of glacial till, silt, and gravel, then cooled, creating a hard, weather-resistant top cap over loose unconsolidated and easily weathered material, the perfect conditions for the creation of a waterfall.

Approaching the covered wooden bridge

Around 10,000 years later, ice from the Fraser Glaciation receded from Cheakamus Valley, releasing melt water and creating Brandywine Creek.  Working its way downstream, the creek started to erode the looser material and undercut the hard basalt top layer, creating the falls.

The covered wooden bridge

Around the early 1900s, Brandywine Falls used to have a train station and many log cabins (some still seen, in a dilapidated state, by the side of the trail) adjacent to the falls. As part of the BC Highway 99 improvements for the Whistler/Vancouver Winter Olympics, the area was subject to many day use improvements which replaced overnight camping with parking and picnic tables.

The BC Rail Track Crossing

Brandywine Falls is best seen from a large and elaborate observation platform at the top, directly opposite the falls, reached by a quick and easy, 1-km. (15-min.) hike over smooth, flat and easy terrain. From the parking lot (just off the Sea-to-Sky Highway), a short walking trail, beneath some towering fir trees, passes close to Cheakamus Creek.

The author, Grace and Jandy at the BC Rail Track Crossing

At the trailhead, we crossed a covered, wooden bridge over the creek. On the other side of the bridge, a marker (Falls Lookout 300 m) pointed us to the trail to the right.  The route to the left would take you along the Lava Lake Trail which extends 2.7 kms., through the forest, to a series of two small lakes at the northern boundary of the park.

The marker pointing us at the right direction towards the falls

Following the wide, well-groomed trail for a few hundred meters, we came upon the BC Rail tracks.  Just before the track, a split, off to the left, leads towards Swan Lake (not a great spot to swim as there is no beach).

Brandywine Falls

We crossed over to the other side of the track, first making sure that the coast is clear.  Keeping to the right, after 10 mins. and a few hundred meters, we were brought to a clearing beside the viewpoint.

The author, Grace and Jandy at the observation platform

The viewpoint also presents some marvelous views of the surrounding mountains and Daisy Lake, just downstream of the falls, which spreads out below as the monolithic Black Tusk probes the skyline. Depending on the time of year, the dammed lake may be, more or less, at “full pool.”

Daisy Lake

Spray from the escarpment that creates the falls, coats the sides of the gorge into which it plummets, with ice in winter and nourishes lush growth in warmer months.  During our visit, we were lucky to see a rainbow over the waterfall.

The rainbow over the falls

Brandywine Falls Provincial Park: Whistler, British Columbia.  Coordinates: 50°02′07″N 123°07′07″W.  There are no parking fees or entrance charges.

Shannon Falls Provincial Park (Squamish, British Columbia, Canada)

Posted on by — Leave a reply

Shannon Falls

From Britannia Beach, Grace, Jandy, Danny and I next drove the short 7.2-km. distance, along the Sea-to-Sky Highway on Howe Sound, to 87-hectare (210-acre) Shannon Falls Provincial Park, established on August 29, 1984 and located 58 kms. (36 mi.) from Vancouver and 2 kms. (1.2 mi.) south of Squamish.

Check out “Britannia Beach“

Picnic Area

One of the town’s most recognizable features and visible along the Sea-to-Sky Highway (making it a popular day-use park), facilities in this park are operated by Sea to Sky Park Services Ltd. The small concession and information center, located next to the flush toilet building on the trail to the waterfalls, is managed by the park operator and offers food snacks, park and outdoor recreation information and souvenirs.

Concession and Information Center

The main point of interest in this park, which also protects the surrounding area on the north-east shore of the Howe Sound, is the 335 m. (1,099 ft.) high, iconic, scenic and towering Shannon Falls, composed of a series of cliffs.

The start of the hike …..

The third highest waterfall in British Columbia, it is ranked behind the 481 m. high Della Falls (Strathcona Provincial Park, Vancouver Island) and the 396 m. Hunlen Falls (Tweedsmuir Provincial Park near Bella Coola).

Shannon Creek

The falls was named after William Shannon who first settled the property in 1889 and made bricks in the area. The tumbling waters of the falls originate from Mount Habrich and Mount Sky Pilot. Shannon Falls rarely freezes but, when it does, it’s the subject of intense ice climbing interest. The falls and adjoining woods are commonly used in television and film production.

It is just a short hike to the spectacular viewpoint just below the falls.  From the parking lot, we walked towards the park area where the picnic tables and the building with washrooms were located. From there, we veered left and began walking uphill as our path turned into a gravel trail.  At the first junction, we went straight and continued, along the gravel path, as we entered the forest and continued walking next to scenic Shannon Creek.

Shannon Falls seen from the viewpoint

The route, going up a short hill, then reaches a paved path.  We went right and, as we continued walking, soon heard the sound of the roaring falls until the waterfall came into view.  This first viewpoint was an excellent place to take photos and selfies. Further up the trail is the Sea to Summit Trail, a second viewpoint, with Shannon Falls viewed at a slightly different angle.

L-R: Jandy, Grace, Danny and the author at the viewpoint

Shannon Falls Provincial Park: Squamish, British Columbia, Canada. Tel: 604 986-9371.  E-mail: info@seatoskyparks.com.  Website: www.seatoskyparks.com.  Coordinates: 49°40′10″N 123°09′21″W

Fox & Firefly Cottages (Loboc, Bohol)

Posted on by — Leave a reply

Fox and Firefly Cottages

Lunch during our Bohol Food Trip was to be at Fox & Firefly Cottages, a bed and breakfast place located in the forest areas of Loboc. Upon arrival, we were welcomed with organic, homemade kombucha, an effervescent, sweetened black or green tea commonly consumed for its purported health benefits.

Also on hand to welcome us was owner Ms. Joan Christine Soupart, one-half of the husband-and-wife team (the other is avid Belgian paddle boarder Frederic “Fred” Soupart) behind this quaint inn and its SUP Tours Philippines Sports Center.  Joan is a registered Sivananda yoga teacher and ASI SUP yoga flow (Vinyasa) instructor.

Fred and Joan fell in love with the riverside town of Loboc, seeing it as an ideal place to exercise their passion for sports and adventure as well as to live with nature.  They built a three-bungalow inn (initially called Paddle’s Up Guesthouse) beside the ever flowing Loboc River in 2013.

Front Desk

Here, they could operate stand-up paddling (SUP) tours.  Now it is a favorite destination for adventure seekers, backpackers and nature lovers.  According to Joan, the place was renamed (in 2014) after their beloved Pomeranian-Japanese Spitz dog Fox as well as the occasional firefly that flutter around amid the trees along the Loboc River at night.

Fox and Fable Restaurant (second floor)

Lunch was served at their in-house Fox and Fables (also named after their dog Fables) Restaurant along the banks of the Loboc River.

Vegan fare at Fox and Fables Restaurant

Here, they serve traditional, Western, vegetarian and vegan meals anytime of the day. We feasted on healthy meals and vegan dishes such as monggo soup, avocado salad, somtom (Thai papaya salad), talong salad, G-chili shrimps, maranding manok (dry coconut chicken curry), chicken halang-halang soup (a Visayan version of tinola with coconut leaves and moringa leaves) and their vegan kare-kare which was paired with a bagoong alternative made from locally sourced mushrooms.

Author (foreground) at Fox and Fables Restaurant

They also offer specialty beverages such as organic drinks and shakes, cocktails, wines and authentic Belgian beer.

The place also suffered during the onslaught of Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai) and, after repairs and renovation, reopened again on May 1, 2022.

We checked out one of the simply furnished, clean and comfortable cottages, one of 11, of this riverside accommodation facing a rice field.

Suite

Designed in the Filipino traditional architecture, with a modern but cozy feel, it featured a queen-size bed, a spacious patio with hammock, bamboo furnishings, fan (the cool, riverside breeze passes through naturally), mosquito nets and a private, nature-inspired outdoor bathroom.

Outdoor bathroom

Other facilities include a common lounge. They offer mountain biking tours and stand-up paddleboard activities. You may also practice yoga, join a class or meditate at their Santosha Yoga Shala.

Paddle boards for rent

Mountain bikes for rent

The inn also exhibit and sell artworks, inspired by nature and Boholano surroundings, by young Boholano artists.  Proceeds from the sale go to a village livelihood program called “Build a Boat, Build a Barangay.”

Artwork of Boholano artists for sale along the hallway

Fox and Firefly Cottages: Barangay Rd., Brgy. Valladolid, Loboc 6316.  Tel: (038) 537-9011.  Mobile number: (0917) 713-7577, (0947) 893-3022 and (0917) 703-9979. E-mail: info@suptoursphilippines.com. Website: www.foxandthefireflycottages.com and www.suptoursphilippines.com.

Bohol Provincial Tourism Office: G/F, New Provincial Capitol Bldg., C. Marapao St, Tagbilaran City, 6300.  Tel: (038) 411 3666.  Email: inquire@boholtourismph.com.  Website: www.bohol.ph.

Department of Tourism Regional Office VII:  G/F, L.D.M Building, Legaspi St, Cebu City, 6000 Cebu.  Tel: (032) 254 6650 and(032) 254 2811. E-mail: dotregion7@gmail.com.  Website: dot7@tourism.gov.ph.

Bluewater Panglao Resort: Bluewater Rd, Sitio Daurong, Brgy. Danao, Panglao, 6340 Bohol.  Tel: (038) 416-0702 and (038) 416-0695 to 96. Fax: (038) 416-0697.  Mobile numbers: (0998) 843-0262, (0998) 964-1868 (Ms. Margie Munsayac – VP-Sales and Marketing), (0998) 962-8277 (Ms. Louee Garcia), (0919) 912-9663 (Mr. Manuel Sandagaon) and (0908) 890-9013 (Ms. Kate Biol).   Email: panglao@bluewater.com.ph, resrvations.panglao@bluwater.com.ph, margie.munsayac@bluewater.com.ph, louee.garcia@bluewater.com.ph, manuel.sandagon@bluewater.com.ph and kate.biol@bluwater.com.ph.  Website: www.bluewaterpanglao.com.ph.  Manila sales office: Rm. 704, Cityland Herrera Tower, Rufino cor. Valera Sts., Salcedo Village, 1227 Makati City, Metro Manila.  Tel: (632) 817-5751 and (632) 887-1348.  Fax: (632) 893-5391.

Cebu Pacific Air currently flies seven times daily from Manila and thrice weekly from Davao City (every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday) to Bohol’s Panglao International Airport.  Visist www.cebupacificair.com to learn about their latest offerings, safety protocols and travel reminders.

Hike from Camp A to Camp B (Fresno Agro-Forestry and Eco-Tourist Campsite, Tanay, Rizal)

Posted on by — 1 Comment ↓

The author, Jandy and Mon at the summit of Sambong Peak (629 MASL)

On our second day at Fresno Agro Forestry and Eco Tourist Campsite, we woke up before 6 AM to witness an equally fiery sunrise.  At the restaurant, we hadr a filling breakfast of hot coffee, corned beef omelet and garlic fried rice prepared by the staff from our leftover rice the night before.

Check out “Fresno Agro Forestry and Eco Tourist Campsite“

Dawn at Mount Kulis

After breakfast, we met up with Mr. Edong Penamante, the katutubo head of the 200-strong Fresno Tour Guide Association (about 90% of which are also katutubo) who was to be our mandatory guide for our 5-hour tour of Camp A and Camp B.

Our guide Edong Penamante

Posing at the summit of Mount Kulis. Mon and I are wearing our Don Bosco Makit batch 1975 T-shirts

After a preliminary briefing by Edong, we all went down Mount Kulis, via a cleared dirt trail (the sides of which have been leveled to accommodate more tents), to the giant Spider Web, a favorite of most trekkers which (just like Noah’s Ark), on weekends, has a long queue of visitors wanting to try it out and take Instagram-worthy shots.

View of the Spider Web and kubos from the dirt trail

The giant Spider Web. On weekends, it has a long queue of visitors wanting to try it out and take Instagram-worthy shots. As we visited on a week day, we only had to wait a little while for this previous group to finish. Their guide, high up on a perch,, directs his group to create star-like configurations before taking their photos.

We only had to wait a little while for a previous group to finish. Getting on board was tricky and we had to crawl to make it to the center of the “web” (made with nylon ropes).  Once in place, Edong, high up on a perch, directed us to create star-like configurations before taking our photos.

As directed by Edong, we created a star-like configuration….

Getting back to solid ground was difficult for us senior citizens. We had to crawl, Mon on his knees, me on my butt …..

Posing with members of the previous tour group…..

At one side of the area are some 13 native-style huts, of different sizes, which are rented out.  Nearby are some common public toilets.

A-frame huts perfect for couples……

Some of the larger cottages

It was uphill from thereon as we made our way up, via a steep and rocky trail, to Sambong Peak (629 MASL) or Heart Peak (named after the heart-shaped, flower-lined wood and bamboo backdrop where couples pose).

The dirt trail leading up to Sambong Peak (or Heart Peak)

Two senior citizens finally make it up the summit of Sambong Peak

Located at the back of Mount Kulis, it was named after the generous number of native sambong plants (Blumea balsamifera) in the area.

Father and son bonding

There are also limestone karst formations on a cliff, perfect for Instagram shots.

Standing on limestone karst formations

 

From Sambong Peak, we next made a 30 to 45-minute hike, along a trail involving mountainous slopes, rocky and grassy areas, to Noah’s Ark.

Taking a water break and resting before making our final push up Noah’s Ark…..

Noah’s Ark is approached via a wooden bridge with bamboo railings. A sea of clouds sometimes envelopes the mountain and Noah’s Ark was designed as such to create the illusion that you are sailing over this sea of clouds. One of the visitors is posing atop a limestone karst formation beside the bridge.

This boat-shaped wooden structure, with bamboo outriggers, sits atop a limestone karst formation and is approached via a wooden bridge with bamboo railings.

Too bad there was no sea of clouds during our visit. This will have to do …..

Jandy doing a Titanic pose atop Noah’s Ark…..

A sea of clouds sometimes envelopes the mountain and Noah’s Ark was designed as such to create the illusion that you are sailing over this sea of clouds. Visitors also pose atop a limestone karst formation beside the bridge.

Making our way back to the Registration where we will have our lunch……

From Noah’s Ark, it was another 30-minute hike to the Registration Area were we had our lunch and rested awhile prior to our visit to Camp B.

Mon, Jandy and I on board our toro-toro, a makeshift 4×4 vehicle that would take us, on an exciting roller coaster ride, to the hanging bridge and the swimming pool. There were no seats, so we had to travel standing up and had to hang on tight as we went down the steep trail, ducking when we encountered tree branches…..

It is a steep uphill-downhill hike to get to the Hanging Bridge at Camp B but, luckily, there was an open top 4 x 4, driven by Mr. Stephen Fresno (a relative of campsite developer Reynaldo Fresno), that would take us there.

The author at the Hanging Bridge

Still, it was a bumpy, roller coaster ride going to the Hanging Bridge, always on the lookout for tree branches that could knock us off our feet. For safety purposes, only a maximum of 7 persons are allowed on the bridge.

After crossing just halfway for our pose, we made our way back and hiked, along another dirt trail, to a riverside swimming pool created by a dam.  Here, we rested our tired bodies as we immersed ourselves in its bracingly cold waters.

This riverside swimming pool was created by a dam. The waters were bracingly cold

This capped our tour and we made our way back, this time uphill via the same 4 x 4, back to the Registration Area (where others alighted) and continued our way, again uphill, back to our campsite at Mount Kulis.

Fresno Agro Forestry and Eco Tourist Campsite: Sitio Maysawa Brgy. Laiban/Cuyambay, Tanay, 1980 Rizal. Mobile number: (0999) 553-4449 and (0946) 552-3659. E-mail: jimmydelasada24@gmail.com.  Official website: Fresno Agro Forestry and Eco Tourist.  Official Facebook page: Fresno Agro Forestry and Eco Tourist.

Admission: Php200 (day tour, 4AM – 3PM), Php300 (overnight, 4PM – 1PM). Tent Rental: Php500 (good for 2 persons), Php800 (good for 4 persons), Php200/tent pitching (bring your own tent). Guide Fee: Php500/5 pax (day tour), P1,250/5 pax (overnight). Note: Mandatory guide if you go on Noah’s Ark and Lion Falls House.

How to Get There: Via Cogeo, ride a jeepney (PhP25/pax) or van (Php35/pax) From Araneta Cubao (in front of Gateway Mall, along Aurora Blvd.), to Cogeo Gate 2. At the end of the City Market, there’s a jeepney terminal.  Take a jeepney (Php48/pax) bound for Sampaloc and tell the driver to drop you off in Maysawa Circuit. Upon reaching Sitio Maysawa, ride a tricycle (Php150/4 pax) that will take you to Fresno Agro Forestry and Eco Tourist Campsite.  Via Tanay, ride a jeepney or van going to Tanay town proper. From Tanay Public Market, ride a jeepney that will take you directly to Sitio Maysawa. Upon reaching Maysawa charter a tricycle that will take you to Fresno.

Fresno Agro Forestry and Eco Tourist Campsite (Tanay, Rizal)

Posted on by — 1 Comment ↓

Mt. Kulis (620 MASL) at Fresno Agro Forestry and Eco Tourist Campsite

After nearly two years of being cooped up indoors due to the Covid Pandemic and its accompanying lockdown, the lowering of alert levels gave us an opportunity to get out and breathe the fresh air.

Prior to camping, Mon, Jandy and I had lunch at restaurant beside the registration area of Fresno. They serve silog meals.

Upon the suggestion of then Tanay Senior Tourism Operations Officer (and now Municipal Development and Planning Officer) Mr. Jeff Pino and with the assistance of acting Tourism Officer Ms. Joicee Jules Gapido, I made plans to again try out no frills camping at Fresno Agro Forestry and Eco Tourist Campsite, a hiking destination opened last 2019.

The restaurant

Owned by Mr. Mabini Dela Sada, an IP (Indigenous Person), the campsite was developed and managed by Mr. Reynaldo Zapanta Fresno, a Capiznon from Mambusao town.

The registration area

Their advocacy is to provide livelihood enhancement programs to the indigenous people (katutubo) from the 10 mountain barangays (recognized to be an ancestral domain) of Tanay as well as the preservation of the beauty of the mountains.  In coordination with the DENR, they have started planting fruit bearing trees.

The dirt road leading up to Mt. Kulis

Joining me in this camping trip were my son Jandy and Mr. Ramon “Mon” Sarinas, a fellow Don Bosco Makati high school batchmate and an avid outdoorsman and photographer.   The trip to  Tanay, via C-6, took all of two and a half hours, passing the towns of Cainta, Taytay, Angono and Cardona and making two toilet breaks and a short stopover at Morong Park in Morong.

Check out “Morong Park“

Our parking area

Upon reaching Jollibee Tanay, I followed the instructions given to me by Joicee, turning left at Sampaloc Road and then drove for 15 kms..  Upon reaching the Sampaloc Barangay Hall, I again turned left at Marilaque Highway, driving for about 30 mins. as the road wound for 13 kms., passing by many of Tanay’s many roadside resorts and restaurants famous for their scenic views of the Sierra Madre Mountains.

The unfinished pavilion

Upon reaching a fork, I turn right on Maysawa Road.  Upon reaching a tricycle terminal, I again turned right to a partially paved but mostly dirt road all the way to the gate of Fresno.

The green-roofed cottage sits on the site of Cardo Dalisay’s kubo, destroyed during Typhoon Ulysees.

We arrived just 30 mins. before Mon and we met up at the camp’s registration area beside the entrance. Before anything else we had lunch at the restaurant which served served silog meals (tapsilog, tocilog, etc.).

The terraced hillside where tents could be set up

As we arrived on a Monday (peak days are weekends), we were allowed to bring our cars all the way up, via a rough, steep and narrow dirt road, to the summit of Mt. Kulis (620 MASL) in Camp A, parking our cars just outside a pavilion.

Setting up our tents…..

The pavilion was still a work in progress.  The building, when finished, would house some 10 rooms and a second floor view deck where one can watch both the setting and rising sun.  Already in place are restrooms and a restaurant where you can order, in advance, silog meals (tapsilog, tocilog, etc.).

The summit once housed, beside the pavilion, “Cardo Dalisay’s” kubo (the “bahay ni Cardo” from the ABS-CBN primetime TV series “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano“) but this was destroyed during the powerful Category-4 Typhoon Ulysses (international name: Vamco).

Time to relax and enjoy the view …..

Beyond the building is the campsite where the grassy hillside has been terraced to create level platforms where campers could pitch their tents.

The terraced platforms can accommodate some 16 tents.  As we arrived on a week day, we were the only campers (it gets packed on weekends with tents all around the place sprouting like mushrooms).

Dusk was soon upon us…..

Sunset over the Sierra Madre Mountains

Despite the afternoon sun, a cool breeze was blowing.  Around us we could espy, on the east side of the hill, the destinations for our tour tomorrow – the Spider Web and some kubos below us and, in the near distance, Mount Sambong and Noah’s Ark much further away.  Come dusk, we were treated to a beautiful sunset.

Check out “Hiking from Camp A to Camp B“

The restaurant at Mt. Kulis

View deck where you can enjoy the setting sun…..

After a delightful dinner of pork liempo grilled over our stovetop grille (bonfires and campfires are not allowed), with rice cooked by the staff at the restaurant, we retired to our tents and warmed ourselves with shots of fruit-flavored gin while listening to cool 1970s and 80s music.  It was lights out by 10 PM, a curfew set and enforced by management.

Mon preparing dinner over a stove topgrille

Fresno Agro Forestry and Eco Tourist Campsite: Sitio Maysawa Brgy. Laiban/Cuyambay, Tanay, 1980 Rizal. Mobile number: (0999) 553-4449 and (0946) 552-3659. E-mail: jimmydelasada24@gmail.com.  Official website: Fresno Agro Forestry and Eco Tourist.  Official Facebook page: Fresno Agro Forestry and Eco Tourist.

Admission: Php200 (day tour, 4AM – 3PM), Php300 (overnight, 4PM – 1PM). Tent Rental: Php500 (good for 2 persons), Php800 (good for 4 persons), Php200/tent pitching (bring your own tent). Guide Fee: Php500/5 pax (day tour), P1,250/5 pax (overnight). Note: Mandatory guide if you go on Noah’s Ark and Lion Falls House.

How to Get There: Via Cogeo, ride a jeepney (PhP25/pax) or van (Php35/pax) From Araneta Cubao (in front of Gateway Mall, along Aurora Blvd.), to Cogeo Gate 2. At the end of the City Market, there’s a jeepney terminal.  Take a jeepney (Php48/pax) bound for Sampaloc and tell the driver to drop you off in Maysawa Circuit. Upon reaching Sitio Maysawa, ride a tricycle (Php150/4 pax) that will take you to Fresno Agro Forestry and Eco Tourist Campsite.  Via Tanay, ride a jeepney or van going to Tanay town proper. From Tanay Public Market, ride a jeepney that will take you directly to Sitio Maysawa. Upon reaching Maysawa charter a tricycle that will take you to Fresno.