Travel Photos: Mount Pinatubo, Botolan, Zambales

Remembering 1991 when I was a kid wondering why the sky was already dark but it was only past lunch time, shower of ash from sky…Mount Pinatubo had erupted.

I has been 20 years since the volcano erupted and a lot of developments have happened around its crater. Tourism in Pinatubo has exploded as well. The Kapampangan townspeople have put up a business which promoted the beauty of the remnants of the volcano’s explosion.

I emailed Pinaykeypoint, a Mt Pinatubo travel coordinator in Capas, Tarlac. I rode a 2am bus bound to Capas and arrived there ahead of the meeting time. I texted Marilyn my trek coordinator and Clifford picked me up in the meeting place. They enjoined me to a group of restaurateurs from Manila. 

Korean volcanic mud spa

The adventure started with the off-road drive. Riding a second-hand 4x4 land cruiser, our team endured the bumpy road and river tracks. It took us almost 1 hour and a half to reach the jump off point before the much awaited foot trek.

It was a good weather and the sun was really high. With me was my Rubber Ducky bag filled with a bottle of water, few clothes for changing up, my first aid kit and a plastic of chocolates. We were walking almost endlessly along the coarse road, with boulders of volcanic rock, traversing small rivers and climbing up the mountain. Never did I complain of the heat and all in my mind was the picturesque view, which I found worth capturing. The hike was approximately 2 hours and as we came near the crater one could hear silence.

View of Pinatubo's peaks

rest station

Upstream

Few more minutes, then we were almost there, Marilyn had shared a lot of information about Mt Pinatubo. The volcano is part of Botolan, Zambales and is bordered by Zambales, Tarlac and Pampanga. The only way to the peak is through Capas, Tarlac. And there was it, the signage of Mt Pinatubo and more to it was the majestic presence of the crater lake. The green water was very serene. It was lunchtime when we reached the crater and had a picnic along shore. I was served with the most tasteful adobo (second of course to my mom’s). Eating with my bare hands, I enjoyed the meal with my eyes feasting with the colors of Mt Pinatubo.

Mount Pinatubo crater

The group I joined dipped in the ironically cold water of the crater lake while I took every moment of capturing the beauty of the whole place. I requested for a boat tour around the crater and Marilyn together with Sabrina and Aldrine joined me in the paddled boat. The hidden part of the crater was somewhere you would not imagine a part of the Philippines. It seemed like you are looking at the place where the Lord of the Rings was shot but nevertheless I was there astonished and trigger-happy with my camera.

Our boatman and trek coordinator

Trek kiddos, Aldrine & Sab

Our group packed up at around 230pm just in time to reach the base of the volcano still with sunlight. Other groups stayed for an overnight camp. The trek down was easier for us gravity challenged hikers and we reached the 4x4 trucks parking area with cramping bodies.

Going to Pinatubo was one hell of an experience. Thanks a lot to my trek coordinator. I'm returning to my hospital duty with good memories, beautiful pictures and a cheeseburger meal from Tarlac.