Part 1: I Left My Heart At Malasimbo

Summer is finally here and what a better way to start the season with a beach trip and a music festival with your awesome friends? 

Last Saturday, a couple of friends and I backpacked to Puerto Galera to attend the Malasimbo Fest.

For those of you who don't have any idea what this fest is all about then let me personally introduce the Malasimbo Music & Arts Festival to you and why you should consider including it on your Summer to-do-list next year (and the years to come!)

Whether you're reggae or not, you'll surely enjoy the Malasimbo Fest! 

Why?

Just picture this.

The location: At the top of Mount Malasimbo in Puerto Galera, an amphitheater secluded with coconut trees.  

You're watching different music acts, superb local artists and foreign acts like Reggae Icon Jimmy Cliff and Award Winning Artist like Joss Stone, while you're sitting on a banig (mat), under the stars. Unconsciously, you get all hyped out and suddenly you see yourself grooving to the dj's techno mix just a couple of hours before sunrise. Even if you promised you're not going to dance along, believe me, you would eventually give in. That feeling is what I called the "Malasimbo Vibe". Yes,  I just invented that! *teehee* 

I felt like I've been imprisoned for a long time and then I finally found an outlet. I gave in as much as I tried to resist. I danced along with a crowd of different people who share same love for nature, music and arts. We were all literally dancing like there's no tomorrow. 

Yes. It's a little bit pricey. But you have a whole year to save for it. My friends and I have actually started out our Malasimbo Fund for next year. Yes! We love it so much, we couldn't wait for next year! 

TBH, my friends were skeptical at first because they had no idea what Malasimbo was all about and ofcourse, it's really expensive especially for students like us! I just dragged them along with me. But mind you, they were the ones who were actually dancing til 5 AM. 

Here are some of the photos I took during the last night of Malasimbo.

THE AMPHITHEATER

YOLANDA MOON :)

SIMILAR OBJECTS 

JOIN THE QUEST :)

SOME RANDOM GUY WHO "BLESSED" THE CROWD WITH "THE BANANA LEAF". 

AND FINALLY, THE EVER SO ADORABLE, JOSS STONE! :)

How did you kick off your summer? :) 

HAPPY SUMMER EVERYONE! :)
- LMB xx

Little Miss Backpacker goes to the 18th Hot Air Balloon Festival | Part 2

It was almost 4 AM when I reached the entrance to the Hot Air Balloon Festival and there were already few people when I arrived. I patiently waited in line while I watched a lot of people arriving. The gate opened at exactly 5:30. 

To be honest, I was quite disappointed with the way they handled the entry of the people. It wasn't organized compared to last year. They first let the ones who already had tickets to get in and for us who didn't have tickets yet, we had to wait. There were no signs where ticket & non-holders should fall in line. I remembered one lady guard even said "Yong mga walang ticket, wag kayong magulo, nakakabala kayo." I found it really rude for her to say that considering that we've travelled so far just to get there early and besides, it wasn't our fault that they were not organized. *face palm*

Non-ticket holders started complaining here and there so the guards had no choice but to let us in already. *muahahaha* However, we still had to fall in line again to buy our tickets. So there, I bought mine and finally I was able to enter! Such a relief! It was a not-so long walk (for me) before I reach the event ground itself. 

A beautiful sunrise welcomed us that morning and I was so happy to be able to take a photo of it. It was a great feeling to see Mr. Sun again after few days of continuos rain. 

I was so happy to get up close with the hot air balloons as they were being set up. Here are some of the photos I took that morning:

What a big bouquet of Tulips! Imagine yourself receiving this on Valentines Day? HAHA!

Heating up the Balloon

And of course I wouldn't let this day pass without having a picture with balloons on my background. It's a must! However if you're travelling solo like me, you had to ask some stranger to take your photo. So a big big thank  you to the photographer who willingly took my photos. *hehe*

See SM got it all for you - even Hot Air Balloon! HAHA.

Flying bouquet of tulips, one of my favorite this year! 

One of the favorite photos I took that day, a mother and son moment. The cute little boy taking a photo of his mom. Very cute and sweet indeed. 

Why hello there Mr. Pilot. 

With the Event Director himself, Captain Joy Roa. (Please forgive my messy hair! I forgot to bring my hairbrush with me. Haha! )

This one was unexpected, but he made my day even more memorable. That's Gerald Anderson in awe while watching the Breitling Jet Team's aerobatic performance, one of the highlights of the event. Paparazzi Shot eh!

And of course I just had to! :)

It was indeed a day of everything that flies. I'm really grateful that Mr. Sun did show up that day. My solo travelling was worth it! I couldn't explain the different kind of happiness I feel whenever I get to see hot air balloons flying everywhere. It's that one time of the year that I always look forward to. It's actually my 3rd time here and it only gets better every year. But wait, my day didn't end here just yet. Read more of my Hot Air Balloon Festival Day HERE.

Godbless! :)

- LMB xx

A Day at the Lake : Lumampao

After a very busy week, I rewarded myself with a half-day trip to Lumampao, Don Juan, Cuenca, Batangas. It's actually my second time to visit Lumampao. The first time was last July 2012. I fell in love with Lumampao the very first time I visited it and I promised myself that I'd be back.. and I did! *hooray!* 

Lumampao is a perfect place if you're looking for some tranquility and some leg workouts! FYI, you have to take 1500 steps before you reach Lumampao, so brace yourselves and legs! Haha. 

So yesterday,  I went on a "Photo-Hike/Picnic day" with some friends, Jessie, Kuya Dave, Igi and Nelson. (Yes! I'm always one of the boys!) We left Lipa around 7.30 AM and we're able to reach Cuenca before 8 AM. The jeepney fare from Lipa-Cuenca (& vice versa) is P24.00.

Since it's Kuya Dave, Igi & Nelson's first time to go to Lumampao, we decided to walk from the market to the drop-off point instead of taking the trike.

This is the view of Mt. Maculot that welcomed us as soon as we got off from the jeep.

So we kept on walking.. and walking.. and walking til we reach the sign Geronimo Cuevas Avenue.  

We turned left and passed by the Brgy. Hall. (Landmark if you're going to Lumampao and Mt. Maculot.)

Many mountaineers and backpackers from different places visit Cuenca to go climbing on Mt. Maculot and sidetrip down to Lumampao after. Good thing, there are stores where they can stopover for last minute-buys before their climb.

We walked straight, and stopped by the sign going to Mt. Maculot for a photo. NO, this is not the way to Lumampao.... 

....This is! Haha. 

PS. I brought my Longchamp Backpack with me because it's the smallest backpack I have and I don't think using my North Face Surge is such a good idea considering I only have a few things with me. Duh. It's only a half-day hike. Tee-hee! 

We continued to walk til we reach the drop-off point going down to Lumampao. Then the challenge started here. This was our view as we go down to the lake.

Lumampao is known for it's 1500 steps. As usual, I forgot to count because I was more focused on my steps. I didn't want to trip and hurt myself. Hehe!

And so after a few minutes of leg shaking... This was the view that welcomed us as soon as we touched down the lake. Whew!

I've always loved Lumampao not only for the serene ambiance and picture-worthy views but also of the fact that people here are very nice and welcoming. 

We laid down banig, sat down, rest and had our little picnic. 

After we have recharged, we played a little "Hike & Seek". Imbento ko lang yon! Chos! Haha. We were like children playing on the big block of rocks. Iris and friends on the rocks! Parang cocktail lang. Haha.

We were game for some challenge and climbing this was no joke at all especially for beginners like us. So feeling pro naman kami, sobrang saya na namin nong nakaakyat kami. Wooo! Cheers to our mountaineering career! Haha. We still wanted to climb the higher part but decided not to since we didn't have the climbing equipments plus it's too risky. Next time na lang, pag medyo pro na kami. Haha. 

This is Igi with his victorious pose! He was so happy! HAHA. Spot me.

And another victorius, mayabang pose, by Nelson! Partida, naka maong pa yan. Haha!

Nelson, me, Jessie and Igi on the rocks, again! Haha. I was actually holding a "patpat", looks like I was fishing haha. I don't know why but I always have patpat with me everytime I go on a hiking. I feel pro. Haha. 

It's 10:30 already, we decided to pack our things and started our climb again. But before that, pictures muna ulit. 

Very cheesy and so timing name of bangka, since it's almost Valentines Day! Faithful Love. Naks! Ganon dapat. Haha. Love is everywhere, literally.

So the painful journey starts here. 

Jessie was our "hiking leader" kuno (the one wearing red). Look how far he was already! Oh oh! Must. catch.up! He was singing chants to motivate us, but obviously.. it didn't work! Haha. 

Then our first stop over. Couldn't help but take photo of this. Haha. "Hindi na po uulit." I don't patronize vandalism but this one was really funny. Hindi lang pala kami yong napagod sa pag-akyat but unlike the peson who wrote this, we will surely go back. :)

Our tired feet! Arte lang # 1.

And another arte lang pic! Haha. Wala lang. 

So we continued to climb the cemented stairs.. This view makes the cramps and blisters worth it. I was literally hearing my heartbeat. Looking for cardio workouts? I recommend you challenge yourself to Lumampao! Haha. I salute the people who live down there in Lumampao. Grabe ang stamina and cardio nila, akyat-baba. 

Spot me! Haha. I was really tired by this time. I had to force myself to climb up. My motivation? Lunch that awaited us up there. Haha.

 

At long last! Define haggard! I survived 3000 steps up and down. I'm so proud of myself! Haha. Ang dami ko kasing naburn na calories! Hehe! :))

Another note that caught my eye, "I don't want to comeback anymore!!!. then add nyo ko." Haha. 

"Can't imagine nabaitang ko 3000 steps". To whomever who wrote this, I can feel you!  

We decided to take the trike back to the market because it's almost 11:30 already and we needed to be back at Lipa by 1 PM for our SFC Chapter Assembly. Well, pagod na din naman kami. I couldn't wait for lunch! 

We ate at one of the eateries in the market. I had rice, torta and barbeque, all for P50. No extra rice. Solve na. :)

After lunch, we headed back to Lipa and prepared for our chapter assembly. 

I can still feel pain on my legs as I wrote this blog but as I always say, the pain is worth it. 

5 Things I suggest you to bring when you visit Lumampao:

1. Bottle of water ( I brought 1 liter with me.)
2. Extra clothes if you're going to swim/ or if you'd like to change cause you'll be sweating a lot.
3. Enthusiasm
4. Great cardio
5. Camera to take pictures of the beautiful views

Breakdown of expenses:

Jeepney Fare for Lipa to Cuenca          P24.00

vice versa                                         P24.00

Trike from Lumampao to Cuenca         P14.00/person

Market

Lunch (rice, torta, barbeque)              P55.00

Total:                                               P117.00

"Thank You Lord for my awesome friends and for the gift of nature."

How about you? 

How did you spend your weekend?

-LMB xx