Bataan

I’ve been looking forward for Thanksgiving. The original idea was to go to Ilocos but we later decided it would be best to go to Ryan’s hometown and experience Bataan.

Bataan is one of the historical places of the country. The streets were marked, reminding visitors and locals alike of the infamous ”death march”. I’ve got to hunt down my history books because I have totally forgotten the story.

It’s amazing to see how Bataan remains to be “silent” and laid back as far as tourism is concerned because if you’d ask me, you’ll learn more about the past just by taking a road trip… then look at Mt. Samat where the largest and tallest cross was built during Marcos’ time. Most people would think that hiking Mt. Samat is more like a pilgrimage but I don’t think it is. It sure tells something about the kind of faith the people at that time had but if we talk about the way it is now, it’s not only for catholics/christians…. it’s more like a historical place than a religious place if you’d ask me. Non-believers can go and explore the place and marvel at the lanscape below. You don’t have to be a believer to enjoy Mt. Samat. The place feels like telling you a story of the past than asking you to believe in the faith that built the place. It’s a nice 3-hour ride from Manila. Php250 fare via bus, and a tedious yet exhilirating 2-hour hike to the summit/cross…. or just drive up then just climb the stairs/pathways leading you to the foot of the cross where you have to wait for an elevator to lift you to the top…. then WHOLA!!! AMAZING 360 degrees view of Bataan and the neigboring provinces below.

Then there’s Corrigedor.  I don’t need to say more because all of us knows how historical and mysterious this island is.

I’ll tell you more about our stay in Bataan once I’ve copied the pictures from Apple’s, Ryan’s, and Allan’s camera because they took more and far better photos so just watch out…

I’ve uploaded some of the pictures I took here in this page and ALL the pictures in my facebook and skydrive accounts. Please let me know if you can’t view the pictures.

…..more updates to come…………