In Photos - 2016

Looking at my photo portfolio for the year 2016, I just have to think back and be grateful for the opportunity to venture into some places - beautiful places - here in the Philippines and overseas. Mountains, islands and destinations that I have been looking forward to setting my foot into. Particularly Mt. Mayon, Mt. Fuji and Tokyo! 

Oh, Japan. I can recall that during high school I was just wondering if I will ever travel to the land of the rising sun. Well, cliche as it may be but dreams sure come true - and much more. Never have I thought that I would reach the summit of Mt. Fuji! 

Anyway, that was just a part of my 2016. It may as well be the highlight but let me share to you some interesting stories from that year. 

#1. Sky, 3 years old

Sky and the team traversing the grassy area towards Mayon, April 2016

The Journey to 100 Mountains (Part 2 of 6)

This second part of my journey to 100 mountains will bring us to two of the Philippines' popular knife-edge trilogy (now even claimed to be four - to include Mt. Sicapoo of Ilocos) to the icy winter trail of the Himalayas. 

Let me take you on a tour to my mountain numbers 51 through 60. 

#51-52: Mt. Sapari (592 MASL) & Mt. Binutasan (562 MASL) | Tanay, Rizal

These two mountains are situated in the province of Rizal, which is currently becoming a popular hiking destination among mountaineers mainly due to its proximity to Metro Manila. Rizal now has become what Cavite and Batangas was to me when I was just starting to climb. These two mountains are basically two adjacent hills that are fit for a day hike (or an overnight camp, I'm not sure if it's allowed). 

An introduction to the mountainous area of Rizal

Balabac, Palawan

If Palawan is the Philippines' final frontier, then Balabac is the final frontier of the final frontier. It is located at the southern tip of the province - so remote that it is already near Sabah, Malaysia. Balabac is composed of a group of islands, each of which will definitely be a great feast for the eyes. Anyway, here are three of my favorite shots on our sojourn in this part of paradise.

#1. Polvoron-esque white sand

This part of Palawan is so devoid of tourists that there are no hotels or resorts here. Be prepared to get back to the basics. In fact, on our almost one week stay here, we spent the night at our hammock. There are already plenty of write-ups written about this piece of paradise that this area in Punta Sebaring was even compared to Boracay in the 70's. I do hope that this area stays the same, and if progress reach this area, development should be sustainable. 

Thank god for tripods and timed shutter release