It was planned long ago, an item on my bucket list. So when all aspects were ready, I took the chance to book. I have my buddy, we have our funds, we set the date. All were prepared strategically (having the meetup place near our office). We were ready, but unfortunately, the tour to Mt. Pinatubo was not.
I rarely experience cancelled tours. Weather’s a bitch, didn’t see that coming. But to put us on the level of excitement where all that’s needed is a little more push, we got so frustrated and unaccomplished. It goes well in the beginning. We meet up at McDo, been on the road for 3 hours, greeted by the cool breeze on an almost deserted field, rode the 4×4 truck and go swaying in the middle of an awesome view.
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| The Buddy at the Mt. Pinatubo jump off. Can’t believe I don’t have a decent picture in this trip. |
The excitement was there even if I can’t open my eyes due to sand coming at my face. Even if my seat throws me out, I didn’t take my camera off in the open, scenic view. There goes the flat mix of ashes and water extending to the foot of the mountain range. The mountains felt like animated, the colors, even if we knew it’s bald, still was green and light, amazeballs. Good so far, until we came by the river.
It’s not a deep river, thigh-high at most, but the water was gushing and there’s no rope to hang on. We felt fear when we saw the truck before us got stuck in the middle of the river. A few people put some sheet of hard wires so that the wheels can have a bit of flat surface between rocks. The vehicle was able to pass on. That’s a relief and we also knew that we have a chance since our truck was bigger. Come by our truck, the driver told us to hold tight. We also got stranded in the middle, but as this also happens on the first 4×4, we knew we’ll get there.
As the crew finds a way to support the 4×4, I was happy to see natives passing by the river through their carabaos. But it pains my heart to see the animals being mistreated, I hate to see them getting hit by those thin whatever. Even the young ones got that treatment!! T_T
Back to our condition, I’m starting to feel impatient. We’ve been there for more than an hour. As another truck also got stuck beside us, the tour coordinator finally call it a wrap. Errr!
They sent us back to the jump off and told us that we’ll do another trip as replacement. It was a trip to ‘Anawangin Cove’ and I refused that right away. We’ve been there so we asked for a refund. Two vans were sent back to Manila with an agreement for a refund that’s 56% of the fee. I can’t do anything more, it’s better than nothing. They already paid for the 4×4 and van transfer, but I can’t help getting frustrated over our wasted time. But for the appetizer we experienced, Mt. Pinatubo became a destination we wanted more. We were left craving for what the crater looks like since the foot was already gorgeous.
I hope the next visit will be successful because man, I’m tired of being left hanging. LOLs.
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| We look like terrorists. HAHA |
Hit the comment section if you want to know the details of the Mt. Pinatubo Tour Coordinator and prices.
