Just before Christmas I recalled the time when my Astronomy club went to a pristine waterfall somewhere in the mountains of Pinatubo so we could study the stars better. It was just after the volcano erupted and somehow we managed to get lost in the perpetual expanse of ashfall and mild lahar flows. Unfortunately, I have lost contact with the stargazing geeks and I wanted so terribly to see the volcano years after the catastrophic eruption. So I said to myself, if you can eat at a restaurant alone and endure the stares, surely you can climb to the crater alone. They day before the climb I went to the village at the foot of the volcano to look for a driver and a guide. I was pleasantly surprised to meet these beautiful kids. Some of them are "aetas", an ehtnic group scattered in isolated mountainous parts of the Philippines. They are believed to be the original inhabitants of the country.
The 4x4 truck at early morning. I was impressed by the driving skills of "Manong Bert" who had to drive through traitorous terrain, streams, hot springs and small rivers.
The ride to the crater was rough, dusty and exciting.
We had to stop at this small waterfall so the driver could assess how he would drive the truck through this bend.
The hike that followed was so enjoyable, I even got to stop at this spring for a free water refill.
The crater of the volcano is a lake so it makes sense to follow the water to get there. Or does it?
The lake which was actually the crater of the volcano. It was so breathtaking that I promised myself the next time I come back I will bring a tent and stay for the night. Of course, I have to drag someone (maybe a boyfriend to carry my pack and save me from drowning) and maybe bring an inflatable boat so I can explore the lake.
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