more pics on @juliacoleen
I went local this weekend! Although I'm still working on my California blog entry, this just has to go first which I never thought this would be easier to write ;p Anyway, I was on Batangas last Friday then by Saturday evening, I had a sleepover at my friend's house in San Juan. That was the most legit sleepless night I've ever had since we were drinking the night away until 4am--as we were bound to go to Tinipak River!
*You'll have to pay another P500 tricycle ride from Daraitan to Tanay.
*This doesn't include of the food,water and our way going to Starmall yet. That fee may vary on where you'll be coming from. You could also take another jeep ride from Tanay to Starmall since on our case that time, it was raining so we decided to take on a bus instead. The bus was very slow though despite the traffic. I could say it's much convenient but it just has a lot of stop-overs.
It was also my first time to commute that far which I admit, was a crazy adventure. A private car would be more convenient to go to Tanay however, there will be rough and steep roads upon going to Brgy. Daraitan. We took a 1hr-tricycle ride going to the district and it felt like the Space Mountain in Disneyland. Hahah! That driver was such in a beastmode! Though anyway, we reached our destination safely by 7am.
This is the assembly point where you will pay for the registration fee and the tour guide.
There are 2 main activities you can do in Brgy. Daraitan which is to 1) Hike the summit or 2) Explore Tinipak River.But as for us,we just walked towards the river since the summit will take around 8-10hrs to trek according to our tour guide. I don't think I could climb that long and for being sleepless for a day.Walking towards the river took us at around 2-3hrs before we've reached it. Although there's a tricycle ride that costs P20 each if you don't want to walk going to the rocky road areas; but that seems no fun at all. Here's some of the view when we were walking:
We made several stop-overs to take pictures on the rock formation areas.Of course,you have to climb those boulders to have good pictures but remember to seek help on your tour guide!Some of it were so high and slippery but it all looks very nice.
So before going to Tinipak cave,there's another assembly point where people used to camp and of course to pay another tour fee. Indeed, the people here really uses the tour for their business from having a fee to cross the bridges and the tour itself. This is also the place where you could buy food, water or change clothes before going on another hike. I recommend trying the chicken hamonado for lunch,it's really good! :) Moving on, the next part of the hike has bridges and ladders to walk through.
But after a few moments of those, you'll reach the cave and the river! :) Sometimes it would just take time because of the long line going to either the cave or crossing the bridge. Headlights are a must when you enter the cave since it is very dark inside. You could also swim inside it but the water is cold.Be extra cautious when going back outside since the rocks were so slippery and pointy.
While,this is how part of the outside looked like.Once again,be careful when swimming because the gush of water gets fast and the stones are pricky below. But it was all good, it was fun throughout this adventure. :)
