Hiking up Mt. Pinatubo

 2011, Philippines  1 Response »
Jun 182011
 

 

After three weeks in the Philippines, I’ve come to realize that there is a degree of hyperbole about all trips in and about the Philippines … or maybe it is that I’m a little immune to hyperbole. For instance …

  • I heard that the hike to Batad was a difficult one and I really didn’t find it that tough.
  • Going up to Taal Volcano via a horse or hiking would be tough … and really it wasn’t at all
  • Finally, going to Mt. Pinatubo would be a long day trip with a tough hike … in the end, it wasn’t that tough either.

That being said, there are two ways to get to the top of Mt. Pinatubo … the easy way using the “skyway” or the hard way, which is called the “old way”. The journey from Manila is broken into 4 parts

  1. Getting from Manila to Mt. Pinatubo
    1. Using a personal driver : Depending on who you chat with, you get differential opinions on the trip length. I got opinions between 3 -5 hours. In the end, with my driver Hermie, we got there via the SLEX in about 2:10 mins.
    2. Using the bus or public transport : From Manila, take a bus bound for Lingayen or Dagupan and alight at Capas Tarlac (Victory Liner at 91 Php) or you can take your light vehicle directly to Barangay Sta. Juliana or a 4X4 vehicle, 2 hours from the crater.  From the North Expressway, exit at Sta. Inez.  Take the Mc Arthur highway then passing by Banban you will finally reach Capas Tarlac.

MOUNT PINATUBO TREKKING : Starting point
Most Mt. Pinatubo trek begins at the base camp in Brgy. Sta. Juliana in Capas, Tarlac. Here, you will be requested to register and you will be assigned a local guide and a 4×4 vehicle. Currently, there are plenty of registered Pinatubo local guides and 77 units of 4×4 vehicles ready to bring you to the next level of outdoor adventure. Arriving early at the base camp is important as the guides and 4×4 vehicles get booked really fast especially on weekends and on peak season (Philippine summer and holidays). That’s why we usually have to leave Manila around 3am or Angeles at 5am or the base camp at 7am. Before you start your Mt. Pinatubo trek it’s important to have a good breakfast. It’s also important to bring some food and enough water with you since you will be back to the base camp only around 4pm.

As for the story … I think we all know of it … Pinatubo, about 90 kilometers (55 miles) north of Manila, exploded in June 1991 after a 500-year slumber, dumping billions of tons of volcanic debris on three provinces, erasing entire farm communities and altering the world’s climate. Pinatubo’s eruptions were so massive that its top was simply blown away, reducing its height by 300 meters (985 feet). Rainwater formed a crater lake.

During the rainy season, roughly from June to about October, climbing is forbidden as the volcanic debris on its slopes and in river channels become deadly avalanches.

One of the things to look out for is the dust in the  dry season. I have asthma and my inhaler was definitely needed as there was dust everywhere. The other thing to look out for, is the lack of seat belts on the 4 X 4′s, you will definitely have to hold on the vehicle bars really well as the ride is very bumpy.

All the drivers are skilled and experienced on crossing these canyons so there is no fear that your vehicle will topple over. They also use a buddy system which means that no 4×4 can leave the base camp without a support vehicle. All drivers are required to bring a 2-way radio on top of their personal phone with them.

Now once you get to the top of the Skyway, all the vehicles park into a common area for safety and then you’re off to hike up the mountain to the crater lake.

After hiking what seems like an eternity through the cauldron of death … along the half way point, you’re met with a sign that tell you how terrible you are.

Based on this terrible sign, I was determined to make it under 18 mins, even with my terrible cardiovascular fitness. I am happy to report that from the sign to the top of the view, it took us 16 mins. Although the last steps were a bitch to deal with.

After the hiking and climbing, you are definitely rewarded with an exquisite view.

The best part was marveling at the view

Dattatreya Temple and 85 ft Hanuman Murti in Carapichaima

 1 - All Trinidad Posts, 2011, Trinidad  2 Responses »
Jun 172011
 

 

One of the more famous religious sites in Trinidad is the 85-foot-high Hanuman murthi — the largest outside India it’s claimed, and the architectural designs of the pinkish/saffron (Kesari) colored Dattatreya Mandir at Orange Field Road, Carapichaima.

Now in Trinidad, you would assume that if there is a sign off the highway at the Carlsen Field flyover, you would expect that there would be tons of signage directing you over to the temple. However, because this is Trinidad, there is actually no easy way to find the temple. Once you get off the Old Southern Main Rd, it is fairly easy to ask anyone walking along the side of the road for directions to the temple. It’s definitely worth the drive in.

The structure was built according to the Dravidian style of architecture of South India.

Two gray concrete elephants provide water for devotees to wash their feet before entering the main mandir at the northern side.

The inside of the dome has seven stages of graded architecture, with numerous figures of musicians playing the various types of musical instruments in seven different colors. This is symbolic of inviting a guest into the main hall of the big mandir.

The color schemes are the same as in India, Swamiji said. The same architectural style is evident inside the mandir dedicated to Lord Dattatreya. Inside the main mandir there are several smaller ones dedicated especially to Lord Dattatreya, Lord Siva and to the Mother Goddess.

Personally, I found the close ups of the effigies to be a little creepy. The wide eyes make me a little unsettled, but it is difficult not to admire the effort and work.

Now for all the lovely murals and work, it does cost money to upkeep the temple, so donations are gladly accepted.

The sculptures and murals are lovely to look at.

After going through the exterior of the temple, then it’s off to look at the 85 ft Hanuman

The murti of Lord Hanuman is one of the tallest statues in the Caribbean.

How to get to the temple from Port of Spain:

  • Proceed south on the highway. Continue in a southerly direction passing the Chaguanas Flyover then past the Chase Village Flyover until you’re at the Freeport flyover. (Note a “flyover”, is Trini for overpass)
  • Turn off the highway on the left and take a right turn which will take you below the highway. Continue driving until you reach an intersection with traffic lights. You proceed straight across the intersection.
  • Drive for about 5 minutes until you reach a field on the left after a school.
  • From here you can make a right to see the Yoga Center/Hanuman Murti or turn left and drive until the road ends at the “Temple in the Sea”.

Monday Morning Consultant – Promos, Status and FourSquare – Part Deux

 2011, 4 - Consulting Lifestyle, 6 - Monday Morning Consultant  1 Response »
Jun 062011
 

Like most commutes in the morning, there are only really two realities : really shitty or really good. This morning happened to be one of those dream commute mornings :

  • Traffic getting to the airport was awesome
  • Air Canada Super Elite line didn’t have any snarky agents (Then again, they are usually pretty good)
  • Short line up for US Customs
  • Totally polite US customs agent (They are almost never good … EVER!)
  • The scanner line was three people in .. it took 4 mins to clear the line
  • Total time from the house to Air Canada lounge – 41 mins.

Another reason for the good morning … so after making the hotel/mattress run in the month of May … I was rewarded with 7 free nights in any SPG resort :)

This SPG promotion is AWESOME!! In addition to the 25,000 points I’ve accumulated this month, the foursquare promo offered has realised 16 set of bonus points for 250 pts each. (Link will only work from May to July 2011)

So basically 4000 pts for playing a phone game, which has evolved into somewhat of an addiction now, checking into all these places.

For most travellers, this will be quite the addictive game. Although, this weekend, I learned about Irish and Romany travellers through my big fat gypsy wedding … bleck! What a horrible show. I need to find a new word for travellers!

Feeling like Pasta in St. Louis … Cunetto House of Pasta review

 2011, St. Louis Food, U.S.  6 Responses »
Jun 022011
 

So you watched the Godfather or Giada de Laurentis or saw a salumi in the window and just had to eat some pasta. In the US, you always have heaps of choices for Italian. It doesn’t have to be great but you always have a choice for Italian.

In St. Louis, the same choice apply but because of the Hill, one is blessed with a litany of choices in this little St. Louis neighbourhood. Heading into Cunetto’s is like walking into the past.

If you want upscale service, then this isn’t the place for you.  If you want highly attentive service, then this isn’t the place for you. Coming into the restaurant, you should expect to be greeted rather brusquely and overall the bar is old and dated. It is easy to feel like the “common folk” on your visit.  The bar service will probably be curt and short, nothing great. Cunetto’s isn’t really in the business of hamming it up for your business. You either want to eat or not. Note : Reservations are NOT accepted either.

If you want to feed a bunch of grown hungry men, some good Italian food at a reasonable price, then this is the place for you.

I am willing to accept many things for good food, including bad service if the food is spectacular. For a 10 person party, we ordered the following starters, with my comments

  • Melanzane Fritti – Eggplant, julienned, breaded and deep fried. This comes with a good Marinara sauce and you can add your own chilis and roasted garlic into the sauce. Excellent!
  • Gamberi Marinara Diavolo – Shrimp Sautéed in spicy Marinara Sauce. The sauce was ok, and the shrimp were average sized. This could have used some heat. Average.
  • Calamari – Squid sautéed in Tomato and Onion or Butter, Lemon and Garlic . Team liked it a lot. Good.
  • Calamari Fritti – Fried Squid. Generic squid rings fried with the marinara sauce. Average. 
  • Garlic Cheese Bread. The team loved this one, along with chilis, black pepper. Good.

After the starters along with fresh bread, tons of olive oil and chili’s, we started ordering entrees after our vino. What came out, bordered on ridiculous.

Each entree which ranged from 11 – 15$ came in a huge bowl. I ordered two entrees, to try the sampling.

  • Pennine al Bolognese – Small Mostaccioli pasta served with thick Meat Sauce
  • Linguini Tuto Mare – Linguini served with a delicate Seafood Broth style sauce with Clams, Crab Meat, Shrimp and Mushrooms

Both dishes were made super spicy upon my request, and the Linguini Tuto Mare was modified to have a Marinara sauce with tons of sauteed garlic and basil and chilis. It was one of the best seafood pastas I’ve ever eaten. The pasta was well done, the sauce had tons of seafood also. I could barely move after finishing 1/4 of one bowl.

It was definitely good the next day after!!

Coworkers ordered their own dairy filled dishes

  • Petto di Pollo alla Dorfo (Boneless Breast of Chicken, stuffed with Prosciutto, rolled in Seasoned Bread Crumbs, then sautéed in Cardinale Sauce and topped with Prosciutto and Mushrooms) – Massive hit with heaping piles of pasta.
  • Veal Saltimbocca, Chicken Parmigana, all came with heaping bowls of pasta.

Overall, if you’re in St. Louis on the weekday. Head over after 8pm for dinner. You won’t wait, you will get served and you will get a great bowl of pasta. Cunetto’s definitely makes my list for places to eat in St. Louis

5453 Magnolia Ave. St. Louis, MO 63139 | St. Louis – South City | 314-781-1135
Map | http://www.cunetto.com

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