Lake Pandin: A boon or a bane?

You probably read a lot about Lake Pandin in San Pablo, Laguna. I have heard so much about it too. Seeing great pictures online and positive reviews from different travel bloggers, I guess it's worth a try. So last Black Saturday, I decided to go to Lake Pandin tagging my friend along for company.

On how to get there click here.

I will not write about the background or history of the place since you will find it anywhere in google. I prefer to write something that will describe my experience.

Four days before Saturday which is Tuesday, I texted Ate Siony and Ate Tina as some other travel blogs say for raft reservation. Ate Siony wasn't able to beep me back but fortunately Ate Tina did the reservation. To my surprise, she told me that they will charge us 500php each instead of 360php because we were only two in the raft. In the end, I caved in. I just want to experience it and the 140php difference will be alright plus they will add inihaw na liempo to our food.

Then here comes Black Saturday and we go. We hired a guide to take us to the lake which was a kid and his name is Justin. He was entertaining. Giving us snippets of what awaits us in the raft ride. There is no fix price for guides during the trek so you're free to give them any amount you deem fit. For us, we gave him 20php. You have to trek for 10-15 minutes.

Contact Numbers:
Ate Tina: 0907 995 2983
Ate Siony: 0929 978 9565

with my guide Justin. (blurry picture as my friend is trying to figure out my camera)

Bamboo raft waiting to board

As we arrived, we were greeted by a lot of tourist docking on their rafts. We were approached also by some residents selling halo-halo and leche flan. As we were directed to our bamboo raft, I took the opportunity to take some pictures while waiting for the person in-charge to take us to somewhere.

About 20 minutes, a girl approached me and asked me if it's okay to have a family consist of 5 adults join us. They were walk ins and don't have any reservation. I said it's not okay, they should've contacted someone before coming right? And we were charge 500 pesos because the raft will be for 2 adults. (call me a bitch but I really am sometimes haha)

After another 10 minutes of waiting, a guy approached me again and asked if a family of four can tag along. He pointed to a mother smiling to me and a cute little boy staring at the bamboo raft. They were walk ins too. This time I said okay.

The man told them the price. I'm surprise again because they were charged 360 per head without the inihaw na liempo as an add on. So I think this Ate Tina tricked me, I don't know what's the real deal though.

Anyways, we started the tour and we ate a sumptuous meal plus Enzo, the cute kid is our entertainment.

No spoon and fork folks. Eat like a local.

What are you thinking little lad?

There's nothing really special about the tour. You get to ride a bamboo raft, eat like a local, see the view it is. For me though, I like the quite and serenity of the place with only the chirping of the birds as your music. The water is not as clean as it used to be because of fish kill incidents to the seven lakes. According to Justin, the water became cold. Its apparent that the change of water temperature affected the lake.

So to speak, is it a boon or a bane? It is both. You get to see how difficult it is to pull the raft through the ropes and how these women manage to pull it off without hurting there hands. Much to my experience, I enjoyed it mostly because of the locals. Watching them chat and make fun of one another is a boon and seeing their simple yet extraordinary duties. I'd consider it a bane to witness how climate change affected the community. There's a fish pen with tilapias in the lake. If the changes in water temperature continues and people wouldn't do something about it, this once beautiful lake that we still experience now will soon live in our memories.

How To Go To Lake Pandin and Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery

View from the trek

Lake Pandin is one of the seven lakes in San Pablo, Laguna. You have probably read and stumbled to other travel blogs about it. You might be reading this because you also want to go there and would want to gather insights about the place. When I started doing DIY travels since 2012, this place was in my list. A lot of blogs had written well said things about their experiences and last Holy Saturday I was able to experience mine as well.

Side tripping to Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery is a bonus but for me, it's what I came for. Unfortunately, it was close when I get there, the caretakers opted to close it on a Black Saturday. Seems like a reason to go back then.

I came to see what's under this gem but it was close when I visited. :(

Getting there is easy and here's a guide on how to get to Lake Pandin and Nagcarlan underground cemetery:

From anywhere in Manila, go to Buendia Bus terminal in Gil Puyat and ask for buses bound for Lucena. Get off at San Pablo City 7-Eleven and get a tricycle to San Pablo Cathedral. There you can find a jeepney with the sign Liliw Nagcarlan near the fire station. Tell the driver to drop you at the underground cemetery. Fare is 25 pesos each. During your trip, you will see signs of the lakes including Lake Pandin from the left side of the road so try to be reminded of it's location.

This kid says we can climb the fence to get inside. I might have accepted the challenge but there's a lot of tourist in the area. What a shame. LOL!

I should be back soon Nagcarlan, solely for this reason.

You can find the Underground Cemetery at the left side of the road in front of Shell Gasoline Station. It's not easy to miss.

Ride a jeepney going back to San Pablo and get off at Lake Pandin. Fare is 18 pesos. There you have to trek for 10-15 minutes. You can get a guide going there and for us, we have this kid Justin Fortuna. He was entertaining us during the walk. You can give them any amount.

Bamboo Raft

To read my review about my experience in Lake Pandin click here.

Top 10 Things I Learned From Traveling

It's been a long time since I last posted something in my blog. Neither time nor laziness was the reason I cannot properly compose myself to write something. During those past months of lethargy and writing predicament, I've been busy traveling for work, completing my masters application requirements because I really do want to be back in school, reading and watching movies to rekindle my oh-so-sleeping-mind. Tonight, I thought I should right something I learned from my past backpacking and isolation tendencies. Here is my list which I think best to share with you.


1. PLANNING AND RESEARCHING

It's my number one tool before I go out and about for a travel. I once read a book that says "the pleasure isn't in doing the thing, the pleasure is in planning it" which is true at least to me. I always find it exciting to plan something and doing research of my to-go place. Then going to that place and experiencing it, makes the planning successful.

2. STRANGERS ARE GREAT COMPANIONS (This doesn't apply every time)

No man is an island. So when you are traveling alone, you need to talk to a stranger and oftentimes you can be friends with them. Locals are always helpful in some travel destinations. I always ask for directions and they are happy to help. I've made friends during my travels and they are great companions and tour guides.

My dearest Pagudpud tour guide Kuya Arnel. He's been featured to other travel blogs.

3. LEARNING HOW TO CHARM THE GUARDS

I have a weird fascination with rusty, old and dilapidated buildings and areas. Not because I want to ghost hunt but I find it mysterious and interesting. Just like the process of knowing a person. After you see the outside, you have to look into the inside and seeing them as a whole makes them beautiful with their imperfections. You know, that right kind of wrong.

Dealing with the guards can be tricky and at times irritating. But guess what? I always win them over. I tried sneaking into one private art deco building in Quiapo, Manila. At first the guard ask for a permit and refuse to compromise but at the end, I managed to convince him to let me and my guy friend in. Yey!

El Hogar Building Hallways

The Chinese Cemetery in Blumentrit, Manila experience was different. The guard only allowed me but not my guy friend in. Better than nothing. My best trick? Be persistent. Always throw punchlines and laugh with them. Find a way to connect with them and SMILE. My guy friends always tell me it's easier for women to trick the guards. I say it's a gift for badass women. LOL! :)

L-R Outside of the Mausoleum, Inside of the Mausoleum. Wonderful!

4. UNDERSTANDING WILDLIFE AND ZOO ANIMALS

I am not an animal lover. I've owned a couple of dogs when I was a kid and lovebirds which died because I cannot take care of them. I though animals in the zoo are better than those in the wild. But as I've visited zoo's, theme parks and rehabilitation areas, I soon realize the difference. Seeing those skinny horses used for livelihood in Tagaytay and Baguio breaks my heart. Those sea creatures exposed to camera flash from visitors in Manila Ocean Park concerns me. However, those in the wild are threatened by human activities to it's extinction. Seeing sea turtles released after being rehabilitated for months face the threat of being captured again by poachers and foreign fishers. We have read or seen animal exploitation around the world and we are aware that some of it, are endangered and some were nowhere to be found. Proper regulation needs better implementation. But how can we do it? If United States cannot regulate their own people, how much more my country who is foreign to it's own land?

5. FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCE OF THE DESTRUCTION TO THE ENVIRONMENT

In relation to number 4, I've also seen destructed mountains used as mining sites. I've seen a dry river, a dying mountain, a 100 years old tree being logged, and breathing the polluted air. The sad thing about it, we've seen it's effect. We've experienced the rage of our nature and what are we doing about it? What it can still do and how much of it's brunt can we bare?

A dry river in Sta. Cruz, Zambales

2 days after Typhoon Haiyan struck Visayas. This was taken in Panitan, Capiz.

I have a friend who throws his candy wrappers anywhere and when I told him how wrong what he is doing, he just told me that's why there's janitors and highway cleaners to get it. If he won't do it, they will lost their jobs. What a douche! Manners should be a subject.

6. BEING INDEPENDENT

I've always been an independent one. Some of my friends praise me for going alone on a long trip and some will give me a raised eyebrow. Being independent doesn't mean I'm a loner or a hermit. I love being in a large group too while traveling. Some may not understand, but traveling alone gives me peace of mind. I can decide faster which way to go, what food to eat, how to get there and walk in my own pace. I can be whoever I want me to be.

Timubo Cave, Camotes Island in Cebu

7. LOVING THE MOTORCYCLE RIDE

I must say, I can't wait to try it in Bangkok. The experience of riding a motorcycle during tours thrills me than riding inside a comfortable car or whatever four wheel vehicle that might be. With the motorcycle ride, you can take in the view, the breeze of air and the most part the ride itself.

Camotes Island Tour

8. NIGHT MARKETS

While in Baguio, I experienced going into a night market and damn right it's addicting. You can get a really good bargain into almost everything. I bought a nice jacket which cost 50php. Good for the cold days. It's also amazing to observe people from locals to foreigners flock there and haggle. I should check night markets in Hong Kong. :)

9. WALKING ALONE DURING THE NIGHT

It can be creepy and unsafe so I chose where to go and I trust my intuition here. If I feel like it's not a safe place to roam around at night, I don't do it.

View from SM BAGUIO at 1am

and most importantly,

10. DON'T STOP TRAVELING

Traveling isn't just giving yourself a treat from your hard days work. It isn't about wasting your money and time. It's not just for the young and strong, for the rich and famous. It is about you discovering the world, seeing what you need to see, learning, experiencing, breathing, living.