Christians celebrate November 1 as All Saints' Day. In the Philippines, it is referred to as Todos Los Santos, Araw ng Mga Patay, and Undas. It is also a holiday in the Philippines. It is a time for many Filipinos to go back to their provinces to visit the members of their families who already passed away. It is also a time for some to hold family reunions. Such is the case for our family.
Undas 2019
For Undas 2019, we hit the road again going to my mother's hometown of Atimonan in the province of Quezon. Here's how we spent our 3 days in the province: Day 1:November 1 My family and I left our house in Cavite at around 3:30 AM to pick up my cousins at McDo Southwoods. From there, we drove south via South Luzon Expressway then Star toll before continuing on to Quezon Province via the Maharlika Highway.
Destination reached! De Gracia Beach and Leisure Resort in Atimonan
Oh! Are those my dad and uncle's pickup trucks?
...and there they are talking about the pickup trucks
The waves are rough... it's not the best time to swim
Time to give respect to our loved one who already passed away in Atimonan Municipal Cemetery - Atimonan, Quezon
The family mausoleum
Time to light our candles and offer prayers
We reached De Gracia Beach Resort in Atimonan at around 8:30AM. We then checked in to our room for the next two days, rested a bit, then drove to the town proper to visit the family mausoleum.
Welcome to Green Park Atimonan
This is a nice place to relax and be one with nature
You can check out a bird checking out a bird...
...and a feline doing his thing
The pinais
The other dishes served during the mini-reunion
After giving respect to our departed loved ones, we headed to Green Park Atimonan for lunch. My mom already pre-ordered several local dishes like the pinais which was a dish made from hipong gubat (river shrimp) and coconut milk, adobong hipon, ensaladang pako, and several others. It was quite a feast as many of our distant relatives came to celebrate the day with us.
Time to eat!
Happy birthday to the October celebrants - L-R My mom, Tita Pinky, my wife, and Tita Melinda
After the feast, we headed back to De Gracia Beach Resort and spent the night discussing our plans for tomorrow over beer and nuts. To sum it up, this day was a day of reconnecting with people we rarely see. It was also a day of remembering those who were not with us anymore. Day 2:November 2 The first thing we did today was to wake up early and stroll along the beach. Sadly, the beaches were covered with natural and man-made trash. When asked, the locals would explain that they clean their beachfront every day but the waves bring in tons of garbage to this side of Lamon Bay due to the Amihan or Northeast Monsoon. To cut the long story short, October to February might not be the best months to visit the beaches of Atimonan.
Amazing view of Lamon Bay from De Gracia Beach Resort
After breakfast, we prepared and drove to Barangay San Rafael "Summit", which is also in the town of Atimonan, to visit our relatives living there. After the usual catching-up chats and the awesome lunch, we proceeded to the highlight of today's activity -the skitride.
Heading to Barangay San Rafael, Atimonan to visit our relatives
Glad to see everyone again
What is a reunion without food?
A skit is a small wooden motorized rail transportation that replaced the regular trains in this part of Quezon. It has a capacity of around 10 people and a speed that can reach around 30-40 kilometers per hour.
Waiting for the skit
There it is!
We rented two skits (P300 per skit) to bring our big family to one of the hidden gems of the barangay which was Natulo Dam. To reach it, the skits would have to cross a river via the 60-70 foot high Tulay Buwaya. As part of the adventure, the skits stopped in the middle of the said bridge for us to take photos. Doing so would mean that you have to board down the skit and walk at the tracks on the trestle-type bridge.
Ella and Junah is excited about this adventure
Our skit is here. Time to go!
Quick stop at Tulay Buwaya
The family visits Tulay Buwaya
When our adventurousness was satisfied, we then proceeded to Natulo Dam. It might look like a typical dam at first but it presents visitors with one hair-raising challenge -crossing it to get to the other side. To do so, one has to walk on a walkway on top of the 30-foot tall dam. The walkway measures about 40 meters long and 15-20 inches wide.
Exploring Natulo Dam
Going own to Natulo Dam
Natulo Dam
Ella crossing Natulo Dam
However, take note that it does not have any guard rails to hold on to and there would be no nets to catch you when you fall. Regardless, we successfully crossed it, of course, even my 6-year old daughter.
Here's our Skit Ride video
We didn't stay long though, we rode the skits back to Barangay San Rafael, rested a bit then headed back to De Gracia Beach Resort. From there, my cousins and I decided to head to the Poblacion (city center) of Atimonan to visit the cemetery and go on a food trip. However, since my uncle was heading there as well, we decided to hitch a ride on his pickup truck.
Visited our relatives in Sacred Heart Memorial Park - Atimonan, Quezon
Visited our relatives in the Catholic Cemetery of Atimonan - Atimonan, Quezon
Although it was a food trip, we first decided to attend the anticipated mass at Atimonan Church AKA Our Lady of the Angels Parish Church. Afterward, we walked around town looking for food to munch. Our first stop was at 711 (seriously), then dumplings and finally fries from a local carenderia. We would have wanted to look for more food but it suddenly rained. It was just in time as my uncle texted us that he was on his way back to the resort so we hitched back. That night we discussed our plan tomorrow. I suggested that we leave very early to avoid traffic brought by the influx of vehicles going back to Manila, to which they all agreed. Day 3 - November 3 This is it, time to go back home. We checked out of De Gracia Beach Resort and headed back to Manila. There's nothing much that happened during our drive back but it was a good decision as we did not encounter much traffic.
Usual stopover at Mcdonald's near Villa Escudero
We reached home a little past noon and overall, it was a memorable two days. We are now looking forward to our next family adventure. How about you? What's your plan for this Undas?
Japan is undeniably a collector's paradise. As a matter of fact, there are a plethora of different things to collect here that are catered to every collector's unique taste and preference. Anime fans have their usual toys, mangas, and memorabilia. Pokemon fans have numerous Pokemon Centers that sell an assortment of Pokemon merchandise. Kitkat collectors have more than 300 flavors of Kitkat to try out. Pilgrims have the temple stamps called goshuin which I wrote about last time. These are but some of the numerous possible things to collect in Japan . A Guide to Collecting Eki Stamps However, since I'm promoting budget travel, my article today talks about something that you can collect for FREE . Yup, you read that right. All you need to have is a clean notebook or tickler and an ever-watchful eye. A Guide to Collecting Eki Stamps Eki stamps , also called train station stamps, are rubber ink stamps that are typically found in most train stations in Japan. These stamps f
Located in Barangay San Pedro in Sto. Tomas in the province of Batangas, the National Shrine of St. Padre Pio is a pilgrimage site dedicated and inspired by Saint Padre Pio. National Shrine of St. Padre Pio National Shrine of St. Padre Pio History The shrine initially started out as a bamboo and nipa chapel back in 2003. Then on November 7, 2005, a 1.6-hectare agricultural land was donated to the Archdiocese of Lipa by a generous couple. A year later, another generous individual donated 200 square meters of land to provide the right of way to the site. This land would be the site of the new chapel and later on the Shrine of St. Padre Pio . The salakot like roof as seen from the bell tower Devotees hanging handkerchiefs dipped in the Well of Hope or Bukal ng Pag-asa St. Padre Pio welcomes the pilgrims to the shrine Pray, Hope, and Don't Worry - National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio St. Padre Pio belltower St. Padre Pio painting A relic inside the Reli
Utashinai Roadside Station , formally called Roadside Station Utashinai Tyrol ( 道の駅 うたしないチロルの湯 ) is one of the 128 roadside stations spread around Hokkaido. It is located at 72-2 Nakamura, Utashinai City in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan . Utashinai Roadside Station Utashinai Roadside Station details Discover Hokkaido’s charm by stopping over at Utashinai Roadside Station , located along Route 114. This station is the perfect base for exploring Central, Northern, and Eastern Hokkaido, and houses a variety of tourism resources and facilities. Utashinai Roadside Station - Utashinai City, Hokkaido Prefecture One of the standout features of Utashinai Roadside Station is its accessibility for travelers with disabilities. Equipped with a covered parking lot that can be used even when it snows in winter, and a road-heating pavement, visitors can enjoy the station’s facilities with peace of mind. The Utashinai Roadside Station signage also shows the day's temperature The map of Utashinai
10 Things to Do in Utashinai City Utashinai ( 歌志内市 ) is a city in the Sorachi Subprefecture of Hokkaido, Japan . It is the smallest city in the country in terms of population. The city got its name when the railway was established in the region. It derived its name from the sound of the river coursing through the vicinity, referred to as " Otashinai ". For those planning to visit the town of Utashinai to check what it has to offer, here are the 10 Things to Do in Utashinai City : Utashinai manhole covers 1. Take a picture of the manhole covers of Utashinai . So far, I have seen 2 unique manhole covers. The first one is common around town. The colored manhole cover can be found along Route 691. Utashinai Pokemon manhole cover 2. Check out the newly installed Utashinai Pokemon manhole cover at Utashinai Roadside Station. It features both Vulpix and its Alolan counterpart together with Joltik. Former Sorachi Coal Mine Club (旧空知炭鉱倶楽部) 3. Visit the Former Sorachi Coal Mine Clu
Ashibetsu Roadside Station ( 道の駅 スタープラザ芦別 ) is one of the 128 roadside stations of Hokkaido Prefecture. It is located along Route 38 and 452 in Kita 4-jo Higashi 1-1-1 in Ashibetsu City, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan . Ashibetsu Roadside Station Ashibetsu Roadside Station details Ashibetsu Roadside Station is formally called Roadside Station "Star Plaza Ashibetsu" . It was one of the first roadside stations in Hokkaido. It was registered on April 22, 1993, and was given Registration Number 2. This station serves as a tourist information center and a hub for travelers to explore what the town has to offer. Ashibetsu Roadside Station - Ashibetsu City, Hokkaido Prefecture The Tourist Information Center inside Ashibetsu Roadside Station is a must-visit spot for travelers. Here, they will find information about the town's famous products sold on the first floor. From the Yokoichi cheese, butter, and Ashibetsu melon, to the lily root, and zenzai, visitors can purchase a variety
10 Things to Do in Ashibetsu City Ashibetsu ( 芦別市 ) is a city in the Sorachi Subprefecture of Hokkaido, Japan . It is theorized that the city got its name from the Ainu word “ as pet , " meaning “ the river that flows in a shrub ”. Aside from that, other historians also believed that it came from the Ainu word “ hasi pet ” which means “ the standing river ”. In both theories, the name refers to the Ashibetsu River, which flows through the city. For those planning to visit the city of Ashibetsu to check what it has to offer, here are the 10 Things to Do in Ashibetsu : Ashibetsu City manhole covers 1. Take a picture of the manhole covers of Ashibetsu . So far, I have seen four unique manhole covers which are common in the central part of the city. There are colored versions of these which are installed along Route 452. There is also a special Anne of Canadian World manhole cover found only in the Canadian World Park. Hokkaido Dai Kannon 2. Take a photo of the Hokkaido Dai Kannon
Akabira Tokugawa Castle ( 赤平徳川城 ) is a replica castle located along National Route 38 at 174 Horookacho, Akabira City in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan . Akabira Tokugawa Castle Akabira Tokugawa Castle details Akabira Tokugawa Castle may not be a real historical site, but its story is just as fascinating. Built in 1991 by Matsuzawa Yoroi Co., Ltd, a manufacturer of festival dolls, Akabira Tokugawa Castle has served as a showroom and manufacturing factory. It boasts four floors of unique and interesting attractions, including a souvenir and doll-making demonstration area on the first floor, an impressive doll display and sales area on the second and third floors, a Hina doll display and Japanese restaurant on the fourth floor, and an armored helmet exhibit on the fifth floor. The castle also has a sixth floor, which once served as an observatory tower. Akabira Tokugawa Castle - Akabira City, Hokkaido Prefecture Although the castle is currently closed to the public, it remains a symbol of
10 Things to Do in Biei Biei ( 美瑛町 ) is a small town in the Kamikawa Subprefecture of Hokkaido. It is famous for its beautiful nature, particularly the flower fields and the iconic trees. The town is one of "Japan's Most Beautiful Villages". Biei got its name from the Biei River that flows to it. The river got its name from the Ainu word piye which means oily or greasy. This is because the water has a murky appearance. For those planning to visit Biei to check what it has to offer, here are the 10 Things To Do in Biei : Biei manhole cover 1. Take a picture of Biei's unique manhole cover . So far, I have seen only one manhole cover design. It’s common and can be seen around town. Rent a bike and explore Biei 2. Rent a bike and explore Biei town proper and the nearby scenic spots. There are plenty of rental shops near Biei JR Station. You can also ask the rental shops for a “Biei-by-bike itinerary”. Biei Roadside Station 3. Head over to Biei Roadside Station formall
Nakajima Island ( 中島 ) is a tiny volcanic island in Hokkaido, Japan , located in the heart of Lake Toya. Its western side is under the jurisdiction of the town of Toyako while its eastern side is part of the town of Sobetsu. Nakajima Island Nakajima Island details Nakajima Island has a radius of roughly 3.6 kilometers and is densely forested. It was produced by volcanic activity around 7,000 years ago. Because of its magnificent environment and natural hot springs, the island is a popular tourist attraction. Nakajima Island - Toyako and Sobetsu On the island, various hiking routes lead to observation platforms with breathtaking views of Lake Toya and the neighboring mountains. Tourists may also explore the island's woodlands, where they can witness a variety of plant and wildlife species, such as deer and rabbits. Lake Toya Cruise Nakajima Island Pier The Nakajima Mizuminomori Museum is also located on the island. It is a natural history museum that houses several displays a
Tanbo Art ( 東鷹栖・田んぼアート ) is a rice paddy exhibit dubbed rice field art. It is located at Higashitakasu 7 Sen, Asahikawa City in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan . Tanbo Art Asahikawa 2022 Tanbo Art 2022 details Tanbo Art was started by the youth group of JA Taisetsu. This unique form of art involves creating intricate designs on rice fields. The first rice paddy art was made way back in 2006. It featured the majestic Daisetsuzan. Tanbo Art - Asahikawa City, Hokkaido The process of creating Tanbo Art is as fascinating as the art itself. The artists use different colors of rice plants to create amazing patterns and images, from traditional Japanese scenes to abstract designs. The planting, nurturing, and harvesting of rice is carefully timed and planned to create the desired effect. Tanbo Art Observatory The rice up close Each year, new designs are created and visitors are encouraged to come and enjoy the beauty of the fields. Visitors can view the magnificent rice art from mid-July to mi
Taga Atimonan din po ako. Diyan nakalibing ang lola at lolo ko. Bigla ko tuloy sila namiss. Maraming salamat sa pag feature ng Atimonan! God Bless po!
ReplyDeleteKabayan! Welcome po! Napakaganda ng Atimonan. dapat itong ipromote. =)
Delete