Travelled on July 4, 2009
At last after many many times of rescheduling I was finally able to go this place. We left at 5:30am from Manila and we arrived at spa town around 9am since we got lost a couple of times there (There is an idiots guide for directions below for idiots like me) but we enjoyed the ride since we mostly laughed our way through the whole trip till we reached spa town. The sulphur lake was really beautiful, you don't even need to be an experienced photographer just to capture it and the hiking was a bit tedious due to the rocky pathway with a lot of plants. We arrived at the sight around 9am and met up with our contact person there. We paid around 2500php for everything wich is inclusive with a guide, 4x4 ride, lunch and a massage after the activity. We had a great view and you can stop your ride whenever you wanted to take a picture since one 4x4 is already exclusive for your group.
It's also best to leave early since there might be chance of your vehicle to break down like what happened to us. Luckily our 4x4 broke down near a village and we were able to enjoy the locals and play with the kids. It took the driver and the accompanying guide about 30 minutes to repair the 4x4 before we could move on.
As we moved on, a series of up's and down's of rocky terrain awaited us so if you're the groggy type please be prepared and bring your needed medicines.
The Trekk
We arrived in trail and we still had to walk for another 20 mins in a small stream in order to see the beauty of Mt. Pinatubo. After the 20 minute walk after the last hill, you can see the breathtaking crater of Mt. Pinatubo. A turquoise wonder and barely touched by people, the crater was so natural that a picture is nothing compared to seeing the real thing.
We couldn't wait to get in the sulfur lake and it was really refreshing since it was a bit warm because of (maybe) the activity of the volcano. You can also take a canoe out but it'll cost you extra.
DIRECTIONS:
- Go through NLEX and exit at the "SCTEX Exit" which is after the "Dau Exit". It's about 80 km from the start of NLEX.
- At the SCTEX highway, exit through conception and after the toll gate turn LEFT at the end. You can see a sign to turn LEFT to CAPAS.
- Just drive straight when you turn. When you see a caltex gas station you will see a fork, take the RIGHT side and do not make the U-turn then drive straight until you reach the market place.
- You will notice the market place since it's a really busy place there and on the RIGHT side you will see a sign that says Brgy. Sto. Rosario. Enter that Brgy. and drive straight till you see a Mormon church.
- When you see the church it's only right or left so make a RIGHT and drive straight till you reach Brgy. Sta. Lucia.
- While driving to Sta. Lucia do not make any unnecessary turns since they have poor directions and that's also the reason why we got lost in the first place. You will pass through the Navy camp and the Philippine army camp but just DRIVE STRAIGHT and when you reach Brgy. Sta Lucia you are really close to spa town. The way to Sta. Lucia is really a long drive, I was already driving at about 80 kph and it took me almost 30 minutes to get there.
- You can notice spa town since there are a lot of 4x4 cars parked there. Enjoy!
- Go through NLEX and exit at the "SCTEX Exit" which is after the "Dau Exit". It's about 80 km from the start of NLEX.
- At the SCTEX highway, exit through conception and after the toll gate turn LEFT at the end. You can see a sign to turn LEFT to CAPAS.
- Just drive straight when you turn. When you see a caltex gas station you will see a fork, take the RIGHT side and do not make the U-turn then drive straight until you reach the market place.
- You will notice the market place since it's a really busy place there and on the RIGHT side you will see a sign that says Brgy. Sto. Rosario. Enter that Brgy. and drive straight till you see a Mormon church.
- When you see the church it's only right or left so make a RIGHT and drive straight till you reach Brgy. Sta. Lucia.
- While driving to Sta. Lucia do not make any unnecessary turns since they have poor directions and that's also the reason why we got lost in the first place. You will pass through the Navy camp and the Philippine army camp but just DRIVE STRAIGHT and when you reach Brgy. Sta Lucia you are really close to spa town. The way to Sta. Lucia is really a long drive, I was already driving at about 80 kph and it took me almost 30 minutes to get there.
- You can notice spa town since there are a lot of 4x4 cars parked there. Enjoy!
