Car invited me to join a climb to Manabu. I was reluctant at first because I have paintball planned for the weekend and I didn’t know if I can handle both in one, albeit long, weekend. But when paintball became uncertain, I decided to go. I met up with Car and Lem at Kamias then proceeded to Taft to meet up with Alex and Julie. Then it was off to Buendia to take a bus to Lipa, Batangas.
At Lipa, we got down at the road to the Fiesta Mall and walked the short distance to the mall. There we hired a tricycle for P120 to Sta. Cruz, the jump-off off point to Manabu. We made a quick stop at the barangay hall to register and pay the P10 per head registration fee then it was hiking time.
We started climbing up around 9AM and we were at the peak by 11:30AM. We had a quick (made quick by a light drizzle) lunch at the peak then hastened down. We were at the bottom by 2PM. The jump-off compound was closed. So we skipped washing up and hired a tricycle for P120 to take us to the Fiesta mall where we finally got to wash and freshen up.
On the way from the Fiesta Mall to the highway, we saw a banana cue stand! I’ve been craving for banana cue for so long and so I immediately got one. Yummy!
At the highway, we caught a bus and headed to Rose and Grace, a supposedly good restaurant known for bulalo. There we had our late lunch/snack/early dinner (depending on who you talk to) of bulalo and steamed tulingan. It was expensive and the bulalo was a bit tough but hey we’re hungry so it was still okay.
After eating, we then caught a bus for the trip to Manila.
It was a pretty easy climb but since it’s my first in a long time it was okay. Besides, the guys were fun to be with. You can’t count the jokes (corny or not). Definitely a the great climb! Thanks guys!