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It's More Fun in the Philippines: Bataan - Day 2 at the Dambana ng Kagitingan

Sunday, August 19, 2012 Category : , , , 0




   
     For our second day in Bataan, my family and I went to see the 00KM marker of the Bataan Death March, which is located nearby the NPC Village, before heading to the Dambana ng Kagitingan.  I wanted my nephews and nieces to see the marker for their Philippine history studies.  And seeing the marker made me sad.  Thousands of people died during the Death March so remembering the hardships of those involved was really something.






   
     Then we're off  to Mt. Samat!  Remember, it was a stormy day but since it was a long weekend, like the one we have now, there were still a lot of people going to the mountain.  The teens and some mid-20s peeps were hiking toward the Dambana ng Kagitingan but every now and then, heavy rains would disrupt their journey.  Well, there are no public transportation to the Dambana ng Kagitingan so its either hiking or driving your private car.  But man, Mt. Samat is dense, a little eerie.  Nonetheless, the roads are in good condition, except for some fallen leaves and branches here and there.




     Finally, we reached the Dambana ng Kagitingan!  There's a minimal entrance fee to be paid and you'll be given tickets with the AFP logo if I am  not mistaken.  Kids and senior citizens are discounted, just don't know how much.  I just hope that the tickets will bear some mark that it is for the Dambana ng Kagitingan, you know, not just a generic paper ticket because tickets are souvenirs, too.  Oh, well, that is what you get for paying a minimal sum to enjoy a historic site.  


The weather was really wonky.  
See the thick clouds obscuring the top of the cross.


 And this is a colossal marble edifice.  
The stained glass is just divine.




     To get into the cross itself, you may use the stone-paved, ascending zig-zag walkway, or better yet, get your car and drive up on the mountain.  It is, of course, I've said, the better option.  Why?  Well, I'm semi-afraid of heights so the only way to go down, if you didn't bring your car, is through the stone-paved, zigzag walkway.  It's slippery when wet, and if you're a klutz like me, you'll probably have a hard time descending.


     Now, to get inside the cross, you have to ride a very small and narrow elevator.  Since it was a holiday, there were a lot of tourists and the storm didn't deter any of us to visit the Dambana ng Kagitingan.  Lots of tourists mean you have to wait for your turn to use the elevator and go up to the viewing area which is the horizontal part of the cross.  It couldn't accommodate much, the elevator and the viewing area both.  In our case, we didn't wait that long.  And we learned the reason why once we got to the viewing area.  The winds were freaking scary!  They were whistling!  And you'll feel the cross swaying!  It was pretty fun, though, to have the winds and drizzle slap on your face.  And the view is amazing, and so is the viewing deck itself!  You're literally in the clouds, too!  Anyway, there's nothing to worry about since there are guides and some will go up and down with the tourists in the elevator in case it halts for whatever reason.


The viewing area has a goth-like, vampire's lair vibe.


The best way to scare yourself, err, I mean, to listen to the howling of the winds?
Open all the windows, of course, and sway with the force!



This is what the earth looks like from up above the clouds. 
I uttered a short thanks to the Lord for this magnificent view.
And I even said to myself that Bataan is so gorgeous that I wouldn't mind living there.



No, this isn't from a horror movie.
I'm just messing up your mind and made it look creepy.
If the elevator bogs down, which happens at times, this is your way up and down.
It'll be your escape route, too. 


Really, the cross is so imposing and amazing.
This is probably the best photo I took of anything, ever.



          If you want to know more about the Dambana ng Kagitingan (Shrine of Valor), you may visit the official website of the Province of Bataan, here:

  http://www.bataan.gov.ph/index.php/DAMBANA-NG-KAGITINGAN.html

It's More Fun in the Philippines: Bataan - Day 1 at the Westnuk Beach Cove

Wednesday, June 13, 2012 Category : , , , , , 0


Westnuk Beach Cove on a stormy afternoon.



     Our accommodations at the NPC Village includes a free day pass to the Westnuk Beach Cove.  It is located inside the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) in Morong.  Before, you cannot go to the Westnuk Beach unless you know someone from the National Power Corporation who could accommodate you as a guest.  But not anymore!  It is now open to the public, but for a minimal fee.  If I'm not mistaken, entrance for day-trippers is around Php 130.00 per person, more or less, with discount for government employees..

     Now that it is accessible to the general public, the secret of its beauty is now out!  And it says so in its website:

Hidden away in the heart of Morong, Bataan, Westnuk Beach Resort is the perfect getaway for weary travelers looking to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Our resort is only a two and a half hour drive from Manila. Getting there is an experience in itself as the roads you travel are filled with scenic views of where the mountains and the sea meet.
Even in its simplicity, Westnuk Beach Resort features comfortable accommodations with scenic ocean views. We cater to friends, families, and even companies seeking to have fun under the sun. For larger groups and company outings we can accommodate over five hundred people at our hotel at NPC Resort Village, a twenty minute ride via our shuttle service. That’s two venues to experience in one convenient package.
Be surrounded by nature unspoiled by man. When you’re not swimming, facilities for basketball, beach volleyball and karaoke are available for you to enjoy. Come and enjoy one of the Philippines most beautiful and unspoiled beaches for a holiday you’ll never forget.

     You know what?  NPC got it right.  The roads of Bataan to Westnuk do offer scenic views and are well-maintained; no traffic, too.  And the one from NPC Village to Westnuk Beach showcases rows of fields and clean creeks or streams.  It's very calming.

     It is a treat to go inside the BNPP and to see the Plant itself.  And then, you'll see the cove and it looks amazing.  However, since there was a storm when we were there, we didn't thoroughly enjoy the beach.   At first, the weather seemed fine: the sky was overcast, but no rain.  Thus, we were able to wade in the water but not for long.  Well, the winds started to get crazy and it affected the waves.  Good thing it was a cove so the waves were not intimidating.  Then, the skies suddenly grew darker and darker.  And it started to rain hard.



No rain yet.

But the waves came in succession,turning sea water to foam/bubble.



Heavy rain started to pour, and the waves got a little bigger.


See the rocks in the background shrouded by the rain.


     The Westnuk Beach also offers overnight accommodations, but it is almost always full.  Their ocean-view two-storey guest pavillion has four air-conditioned rooms and three regular rooms able to accommodate a total of forty-two guests.   If you can't get a reservation at the beach, the NPC Village and the NPC Hotel, 15-20 minutes away by car, are the alternatives.



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