Bataan 2018 Part 2
One of the things that have allured me with Bataan (upon staying for a few hours) is how there's an abundance of tricycles. We don't need to remember jeep routes at all!
Our hotel is just a few minutes away from either the bus terminal or Jollibee Balanga or even from the Plaza. We are also near a Chowking and a branch of the famous The Beanery. If I've only known that they'd be closed the next day (Good Friday), I would have had dinner there on our Day 1.
The hotel from the outside appeared like it had acquired a few properties near it's vicinity because reaching our room felt like it's a different building altogether. I wonder how many rooms they really have on. From the facade it didn't look like they could afford sqm for function rooms!
Our rooms are spacious. We requested for an additional bed which they fit in the middle of the two beds easily. They have a cabinet, tv, tons of outlets and the aircon works properly.
Rooms come with plated breakfast on the next day. Basic toiletries and slippers are available too.
The bath is a good size, lots of thick towels. Water pressure and temperature can be controlled. The only thing I hated is how the door seem to need to be slammed to fully close. I hope they can fix it in the future.
Price: 4565.83PHP (+500 for additional bed)
+ Mt. Samat +
The next day we were supposed to take a bus to be dropped off near the mountain. Unfortunately we were told that since it's a Good Friday, there were a lot of drivers who aren't going to travel at all. We managed to get a tricycle from our hotel to the drop off point. From there we were told to get another tricycle that will bring us nearest the top.
While we're heading to the top I realized one thing. Why the hell would I walk this long!! Sure there are a lot of shade available but I doubt I could last that long in walking. Maybe someday.
After a long ride in the tricycle with my ears splitting due to motor noise we have finally arrived at the gate. In spite of the lack of public transpo, it seems that most tourists are already here. The parking has already exceeded capacity, some are already parked a good walk from the gate. My sisters and I were joking how even at this far we're already tired what more if we attempted the 2 hour hike from the base!
There are two tiers: the first where the museum is and that glass stained open hall you see on the Lupang Hinirang AVP shown at the first / last cinema showing and the higher one with the famous cross. To reach the first tier, the easiest would have to be the steps IN THE MIDDLE. For the love of all things holy do not use the steps on the right even if seems closer. There's also a longer route where a wheelchair could be rolled to in case you have old people with you.
When we reached the first tier, we walked some more to reach the cross. I was hoping to reach the top but unfortunately the elevator inside the cross is temporarily closed for maintenance for the upcoming festivities.
We went back to the museum. Granted how cheap the entrance fee is (do not lose the tickets you pay for at the gate because they ask you for those) it didn't surprise me that the museum is ANYTHING BUT well kept, well lit and a working AC. Someone needs to renovate the place and ensure that there's a limit on the capacity of people let in at a certain time. The lack of AC and the scorching heat outside IS NOT A GOOD COMBINATION.
Mt. Samat, given the history it had deserve better than all of what we saw. Proper seats would be nice, a restaurant, clean toilets and better facilities.
Entrance Fee: 30PHP
+ The Rest of the Week +
We tried to go the the Bataan Museum at one of the schools but it's another one that's closed because it's a Good Friday. We ended up going to Plaza Brew to eat for lunch (and later on for dinner) after we're done with seeing the Capitol and nearby buildings. Even Galeria Victoria and the Beanery near is closed. We basically idled at the hotel when it has gone too hot, went out around 4 just in time for the procession and ate at the only restaurant open.
Our trip the next day to the Port is really early (I couldn't afford to be any late, I still need to go to Lion King) that we had to have our breakfast to go and instead of taking our chances with a tricycle I decided to rent a van because I was anxious in getting there by 7am.
Based on what we saw so far, I have no doubts that going to Bataan would be something I would like to pursue in the future, even if I travel alone. It ticks a lot on my checklist: easy to reach, easy to navigate, affordable among others.
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