Mt. Pinatubo: Then and Now...

18 years ago, back then when I was 10 years old, a dormant volcano (for like thousands of years ago already) called Mt. Pinatubo had a massive eruption, killed thousands of people and damaged so many homes (due to the deadly lahar or mudflows) in the Central Luzon region. I clearly remembered back then when I was in Grade 4, I thought that there was snow in the Philippines. Little did I know, it was already the ash fall, which was the effect of the explosion. It was just so dusty everywhere, we had to wear gas mask during schooldays. I think people got asthmatic because of the ash fall. Oh yeah, and it was the midst of the mass blackout. The 90's threshold was just a drag, series of unfortunate events during the Aquino administration.

But who would've thought that something destructive has become something so attractive! (Yes it rhymes!)

Magnificent Blue-Green Crater Lake!

They say that after the explosion and after all the rainfalls and years later, a crater lake was formed. From there, it has become a famous tourist destination.

It's so nice to see the beauty of nature.... the cynic feeling becomes romantic & poetic... Wahaha!!

Yep, count us in among the local tourists! I've actually wanted to check out the place. My dad has been raving about the experience, as he heard it from his friends and colleagues. I was just steady about it until Carmela asked me if I wanna go to Mt. Pinatubo. In the name of new experiences, I said YES. And so we were 5: ME, Carmela my eternal partner-in-crime, her BF Pat and Pat’s funny officemates, Bob and Fred.It was actually a daytrip. Quite short but every minute was worth it! We arrived at Capas, Tarlac and met up with the other people who joined the expedition. Then we rode at a 4x4 truck and went towards the "skyway". After the 4x4 drive, then we had a 20 minute trek.

Photo c/o Poch Jorolan. We were in the yellow 4x4.

Mang Robert assisting me in my trek... I didn't want to get my shoes wet... at first... then I gave in... Hehehe!

Grueling for others, but for me it was fun! =) We crossed the river and went up and down. After the trek, then we saw the enticing blue-green crater lake! What a beautiful scene! I just love it! We went boating and roamed around the crater lake. Then at the other side of the crater lake, the green mountain ranges were just pretty! It was inevitable for us to take lots and lots of pictures.

Mountain Ranges at the other side of the crater lake

The green moss has a nice picturesque effect

Look at the marriage between the lake and the mountain!

Teka lang... puro solo ko noh? Hahahaha! Lemme show the entire gang... That's me, then Pat, Fred, Carmela, Bob and Mr. Sagwan Boy

Laughter at the bangka!

After the entire crater experience, then we trekked back to the starting point and had homemade lunch: Adobong Puti and Pork Steak (cooked in bistek style but they used pork) with Salted Eggs & Tomatoes.

(Snagged again from Poch) Lutong Bahay!

Ah just perfect! When I got home, I told my dad about the whole experience. So maybe we'll be coming back sooner. =)

Should you want to have this awesome experience...

• Contact Poch Jorolan, he's at my Facebook
• Bring Php 1,800.00
• Be comfy and game with anything and everything

The lovely experience this summer was another way for me to take a break from the metropolis, aside from hitting the beach. So yeah, I am so going back there... SOONER!