Mt. Pinatubo

Today I climbed Mt. Pinatubo. For those that don't remember its an active volcano that exploded back in April of 1991, and its still active... just not blowing up anymore.
The trek up starts with a 4x4 ride through the lahar on all the old volcanic ash.
You then hike about 2 hours up a river valley until you reach the crater rim, which is now filled with a lake. My guide told me that while the river was now a valley after the eruption it the valley floor was much higher, almost filled to the top with ash.

But what is more important to me than actually climbing Pinatubo was how I managed to do it. This is why you budget travel and even more do it alone.
I was told to expect to pay about P5000 to P6000 for the trek up Pinatubo from the nearby town of Clark. (that is about $100-$120) That was alot but I was assured it would be worth it. On the bus from Sagada I was telling this to the girl next to me and she gave me the number of the guy that organizes the 4x4s for Pinatubo. So I called the guy. His daughter told me that it was P2500 for the 4x4 and P500 for the guide and P50 for conservation. That is P3050 for those keeping score at home. I was ecstatic, only problem was I had to be at Santa Juliana at 6AM today.

Santa Juliana is 2+ hours from Clark, but I was told by the nice daughter that there were rooms in Santa Juliana. From the bus she told me to get on the Jeepney for "Tapas" by the McDonalds. Then transfer via Pian and then take the tricycle.

Yesterday at the bus station I was told the only way to Santa Julliana was by private care at P1000 each way. Shit, if I have to pay that I'm not saving any money. So I made the executive decision to take a tricycle into town and ask the tour agent two things. 1) How much for Pinatubo (answer = P6600) and 2) how to get to Santa Juliana.

Well #2 involved me taking a Jeepney back to the bus terminal. (roundtrip cost to the bus terminal P107.5).
From the bus terminal I pick up a Jeepney to "Capas" (damn that is close, it I catch it by the Jollibee which used to be a McDonalds). In Capas I take the Jeepney to Patlin (not quite as close) and then a trycycle. Total time about 2 hours and another P104 to Santa Juliana.

All this time I was the only non-Philippino on any of my transportation. And for that matter in town... almost. There was a Korean tour group there using the Korean Spa. The Spa is out of place in this small, rural, farm town. But they get lots of tourists and it makes the town money. Though my guide said they don't always see eye to eye with the Koreans.

As I wandered around town I was a novelty. One old lady wanted me to marry her 19 year old daughter. Another family invited me in to play pool. Everyone wanted to know why I was alone. Told me to be careful, and wished me well. I almost stayed there today. I really wanted to. If I didn't have a fixed date to leave the Philippines I would have.

Oh yeah, one other strange thing about this town. The place I had lunch today had video Karaoke machine. But that isn't the strangest part. The videos were all like cheap Playboy videos with more clothes. It was white girls, scantily clad looking sexy. Actually think "Cherry Pie" video. Now think that while you are listening to "Wonderful Tonight" by Clapton.

Tomorrow is another travel nightmare for me. I'm headed to Baler to try and surf. Only thing is there isn't a travel agent in town who knows when or where the bus leaves from.

Here is the link to today's pics

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