Travel Philippines: Bataan and Pampanga Roadtrip, Monsoon rains, Travel Stubbornness and Safety.

Within the first week of August 2017, in Luzon we are experiencing some heavy southwest monsoon rains. But we think that it isn't a typhoon and it is normal during wet season in the Philippines spanning the months of May to October in the specific province that we went by, the province of Bataan. so we still didn't hesitate to continue our trip because we already set our vacation leave ahead of time and no one wants to spoil the party. But as what we anticipated, we learned our lesson. From Manila @ 06:00H, we traveled Orani, Bataan for 4 hours.

The stubbornness series

Ride for the day: Toyota Tamaraw FX '94 MT
The original itinerary is to climb Mount Natib, located in Orani, Bataan. But the tour guides warned us because of some little landslides that's happening at the moment we came at their registration area.

Reached Mt. Natib foothills @ 10:00H
So we decided to just accept it and even appreciate the rain. "Screw it! we will go to the beach anyway!"

We filled our own gas tanks as well with this delicious Lomi.

Our 2-day journey map.

From Orani to Morong, Bataan

Arrived Morong, Bataan @ 12:30H
While we are finding a camping spot somewhere in Morong by looking at the map we carry, we saw the Laplap waterfalls and we became curious and asked some people on the street for directions and when on the spot, we stopped by the hillside to go down and what we saw is a little sanctuary.

Laplap waterfalls and Morong hanging bridge

@dredridingshoe and @bonbon
I almost get drowned because the water is too deep and has no shallow area. We stayed for an hour until the rain comes.

Morong Beach

Morong Beach 15:00H
This beach is located in the west coast of the country.

The waves aren't calm by the time and we liked it because the water is just shallow and the shallow area is approximately 200 meters from the shore.

The sand.

But this is what's behind

Disappointing.
The strong waves, and these massive garbages are the yearly struggles of the natives in Morong, Bataan and nearby places. I talked to the fishermen about it and they were pointing out the Manila Bay as the origin of the garbages. They clean up those mess before the dry season and then rehabilitates the area. Lucky that this place has many concerned citizens because this beach is owned by the government and not their own.

But based on research, these massive garbages are coming from Vietnam passing through West Philippine Sea because of the monsoon season.
We set a camp for the day at the beach, had our lunch and got drunk a little, went to the waters while it rains (Love it!) and when the rain stopped, we traveled to the province of Pampanga.

Left Morong @ 18:30H

Sinigang and Adobo, two of the most famous Filipino dishes.

Sinigang
Adobo

Pampanga

No one wants to go back to Manila yet because we were still enjoying the precious moments together, so i offered them an overnight stay to my mother's house. But the travel time from Bataan to Pampanga went up to 6 hours instead of 3 hours because of unexpected floods and as we get near our place, the bridge has been destroyed that resulted us to turn back to a farther route. We got home @ 12:30H


Mama's bantam chicken

Mama's periwinkle

Our group picture with my mother before we went back to Manila.

When it rains during your trip

• Accept and appreciate the weather. You can still enjoy by going to more beautiful places such as beaches and waterfalls. Just be cautious to the weather especially when you go to surfing. Ask the guides or the natives for your safety. You can also do food tripping. Rainy days can get you somehow delayed, and you can save boring hours by stopping by to a cafe or a restaurant. Have a staycation. Simply book a room to a hotel, resorts or inns, or go to a place you find relaxing.
• Be always ready rain or shine. Always bring an umbrella or raincoats, and for waterproofing your belongings especially your electronic gadgets to keep them safe.

Tips to avoid the bad weather for your trip

• Chase the sun. Weather apps and forecasts solves the problem. Don't be like us who insisted to go to the place regardless of the weather. You can prevent it by choosing the place where the weather is good as the first move. Also follow the weather forecasts on tv or in the internet.
• Research not only on your itinerary, but also to your safety concerns.

The nature tripping continues...
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