The next adventure

Frank and I have talked and have come up with a proposal for another backpacking adventure.

What: Backpacking trip passing through the Eastern Route.

When: Proposed date is November 30, 2007

Where: The Eastern Route will take us through municipalities in Rizal and Laguna including: Cainta, Antipolo, Taytay, Morong, Teresa, Pililia, Mabitac, Famy and Siniloan.

Meanwhile, we propose that we then pass through the South Luzon Expressway on the way home. Through this route we will then pass more municipalities in Laguna including: Pakil, Pangil, Paete, Kalayaan, Lumban, Pagsanjan, Sta. Cruz, Pila, Victoria, Bae, Los Baños, and Calamba.

Where (specifically): We could drop by at:

1. Coffee Stop - a quaint art gallery/coffee shop at Pililia, Rizal. There's also a garden beside it and a spectacular view of rice paddies behind the shop.
2. View Ridge - an area/stopover place beside the highway at Pililia, Rizal where one has a bird's eye view of Laguna Lake and the mountain ranges passed through during the trip.
3. Kape Kesada - another cafe and art gallery at the heart of Paete, Laguna. It is surrounded by various shops selling Paete handicrafts including exquisite wooden items and sculptures should one wish to shop. While there, one could also try the bonete a delicious pandesal-like bread but with a buttery, salty taste only offered in Paete (so I was told by Nilo Valdecantos, Kape Kesada owner).
4. Exotik - A restaurant in Kalayaan that serves exotic dishes.
   
5. Liliw - While essentially not on the route, dropping by Liliw could still be an option particularly for those who take delight in buying beautiful but durable shoes, sandals and slippers. Liliw is the Marikina of Laguna, albeit, I believe, it offers more.
6. Pagsanjan - The price to go to the falls is for foreign tourists but going is still an option. Of course, if one wishes to unleash his or her inner jologs, he/she could visit the houses John Lloyd Cruz and the rest of the Tabing Ilog cast used in the series.
7. Sta. Cruz - Laguna's capital. One could take a walk around the town.
   
8. Kamayan sa Palaisdaan - a nice restaurant in Bae.
9. LB Square - the gimik place of UPLB students. Check out Jeco's blog entry NIGHTLIFE: Backpacking in Los Baños (Part 4) for more info on LB Square.
   
10. Bahay ni Rizal - in Calamba.

There are actually many places to go to and perhaps going to every one of them will probably take more than an entire day. The itinerary is not final and is subject to the mood or "trip" of the people who are coming. Pwede namang pagusapan yan eh, ika nga.

Who: All kaladkarins are welcome to join.

Why: Heck! Does anyone really need a reason to travel?

How: We are thinking of commuting to these places as that is the essence of backpacking (as per Jeco's blog, FREE: Backpacking in Los Baños (Part 1) - "Wikipedia says, "backpacking" involves use of public transport, spending less on accomodations, short length of trip, meeting locals and sights and well using a backpack to carry essentials.").

We could take a bus to Siniloan from Robinsons Galleria. Jeeps are then the most practical means of transport to take to get to the different municipalities of Laguna.

How much: We expect to spend around P250 each for transport. KKB nalang sa food and should anyone coming wish to shop, sila na bahala. Barring shopping expenses, I'm thinking P350 is a fair enough amount for the whole trip.

Note: While we encourage everybody to join we would like to mention that this is not going to be a vacation-like trip. This is a one-day backpacking trip and while it is enjoyable it could get exhausting for some. Think Amazing Race.

If you want to join us or if you have any questions or suggestions, we would very much appreciate it if you leave a comment. Likewise, you could PM me or Frank.

Thank you.

So, any takers?