Of Sheep and Kiwi

(excerpt)

I arrived at Christchurch in an icy early morning time and not wanting to lose a day, I decided to skip town and headed north.  Kaikoura on the South Island’s northeast would be my first point of tour.  

Violating my flexibility principle of not booking anything in advanced, I’ve decided to play safe for the first day and booked a 25-NZ$ hotel in this remote town.  Who knows what I’d find or who I would encounter in some mysterious far-off coastal village that had killed and harvested thousands of whales in its hay days.  I’ve imagined drunk old men resembling a bad version of Jack Sparrow, glistening hooks hanging around and blood-stained walls. Of course, that was just the effect of watching too many horror movies.

It was a tolerably long bus ride covering a little more than 180 km in less than (3) three hours.  Along the long road, countless sheep in vast green fields were the common sight. And as if to emphasize that point, one road section was temporarily blocked by hundreds of slow-going sheep strutting their way on and along the road.   The bus driver halted on the roadside letting every single one of them safely cross and move to the other side. For us tourists, it was a curious moment. We alighted for a good photo opportunity.

Interestingly, sheep – among many other larger-than-rat mammals were not native to New Zealand and most were in fact invasive.  So were snakes.  Presence of a single snake on board a docked ship would be a headline news!

An Autumn in Tromso

Disappearing Aurora captured by 15 secs of exposure.   It later re-appeared in different shapes.

There are but a few reasons why a traveler would want to visit the cold northern parts of Norway -  in late autumn or even winter…

And to see the Northern Lights would be on the top of the list!

Tromso – at 69-degree latitude, is above the arctic circle (66.5 degrees) and naturally cold, gloomy and dark in winter times and have short day light during late autumn and early spring.  For usual travelers visiting the warmer parts of the world,  a short day span or cold winter nights is not a very welcoming proposition to ‘have fun’!  But if one wishes to see the enchanting Aurora – that’s the only best chance. 

Of course, winter time will also offer other interesting activities such as dog sledding, visit to the wilderness to see the reindeers, snow mobile rides – albeit in a cold, gloomy or dark night.   If you don’t mind the cold or not seeing sunlight, and love partying at night – then it would be a good, unique travel destination.

Thai Cave Rescue - a Feel and Glimpse

A leisure caving that quickly turned into survival scenario.  Java Indonesia

Disclaimer:  I am not a cave-diving specialist.  The fiction narrative below is based on my experience as a Scuba Dive Master, limited wreck and cave-diving experience, and a few spelunking (caving) trips – including 1 major trip in Java where my team got lost for 6 hours with no map, guide and extra provisions.  And although part of mountain and water - Search & Rescue team, hands-on experience are mostly reef-diving related.

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Invite me to participate in the Thai cave rescue and there will be no second thoughts to say NO!  Or I’ll think 100 times, 99% saying No.  That 1%? – It’ll be ”If there’s no other choice” and/or a loved one was trap in there.  It will be a big life risk – equally, if not more dangerous than climbing a high-altitude mountain ridge with a sudden squall.  Caving alone is dangerous, but mixed with diving will be something else.  Further mix it with a complex task to rescue teenagers – that’ll be a perfect recipe for disaster.  There’s very little margin for error, if at all.

Now, inspired by Discovery Channel’s feature -  here’s to provide a (fake) story to give some audience a ‘feel and glimpse’ of what it could be like for the rescue divers…. The fear, the daunting tasks, the thankless job.

2016 Year-Ender – my Top Picks

1.       (Sports) Padyak Palawan.   I was glad this pushed through even with little support and sponsorship.  Here, I clocked my fastest mountain bike ride (58kph – that’s fast for me), my longest tour (~700km), and longest travel by bike (11 ride days).  More importantly, it was good that we decided to make it a conservation ride, and was able to raise a modest fund for our partner NGO – CCI.  If there’s one problem with this, it is that – it could be addicting and we might do another trip! :)

First day of our 12-day ride.  Here pedaling from Buliluyan (Southern most pt of Bataraza), an escort of policemen and marines tailing the team (only in this section). 

2.       (Conservation) 25,000 Trees -  Reforestation program.    25,000 trees seems easy but I realize that inviting or bringing self-funded people to a remote mountain to ask them to plant in a steep and rough terrain is not particularly easy. But I’m glad my team from UP Mountaineers pursued this project (3 trips this year and more next year). We always say ‘give something back’, and there’s no better way for mountaineers to give back (to the mountains and community) than to rehabilitate a denuded mountain.

A selfie - showing off my first planted sapling (wilding).  I only planted 58 saplings that day, the terrain was really challenging. 

Padyak Palawan 2016 – Top 10

Ready to go. In Caruray (behind is the bgy hall were we stayed for the night).  L-R: Uncle Bob, myself, Mon, Aris, Russ, Tin, Jilyan, Eng, Charm, Cess, Pen, Levi, Noky, Danny, LA. (missing: Bunny)

A bit of background, Palawan adventure was supposed to be a kayak tour from south end to the north islands of Palawan, an idea that was conceptualized 5 years back – but is a project that I found difficult to start for many reasons.  I mean, a 600-700km paddling trip, on measly sit-on top kayaks, on a country frequented by typhoons (never mind the pirates or terrorists) – is not an endeavor that can easily be pursued without serious challenges.

Now biking comes as a natural, more feasible alternative to the plan – knowing that ‘I can bike’, and there are many crazy guys who want to do this!

The idea is a bike tour, with a bit of rugged terrain (since we’re using mountain bikes), that will traverse the mainland from southernmost point to the northernmost point.  It is aimed in promoting Palawan as an eco-tourism destination!  But knowing how fragile the ecosystem and natural resources of the island, my team decided to make it ‘for a cause’ , and not just campaign for conservation – but to generate funds for our partner NGO – The Center of Conservation and Innovation.

Planning the route was relatively easy – using google maps! :)  I was lucky to have people in the team who know more about maps and routes and navigation – which not only ensured that we’re taking the right road or path or trail, but also gather useful data on the route.

Fast forward after ~700km of biking later, in El Nido – not only did I survive, but now inspired to pursue more bike-touring in the future. The entire team was happy about the trip and will surely be there if or when a second Padyak event comes to life.   

Palawan Eco-travel and Exploration

Illegally trafficked Palawan forest turtles by the thousands! (pic c/o Katala Foundation, from Traffic.org site)

Palawan is the Philippines' equivalent of Galapagos or Madagascar.  Unique endemic species thrive in this elongated, narrow strip of island in the West of Philippines.  Geologically, Palawan is a ‘break-off’ from Asia mainland unlike the rest of the Philippines and this geological difference contributed to Palawan’s eco-diversity not seen in other parts of the country.

Unfortunately, continued illegal wildlife trade and habitat destruction threatened most of the species and many are in critically endangered status.

It is for this reason that our team from UP Mountaineers decided to do a travel exploration around Palawan before the end of this year – to raise awareness on wildlife and nature conservation, and to raise fund for our partner NGO – The Center of Conservation and Innovation.   We’ll travel in the most responsible and sustainable way while discovering the various sites of the island, and while campaigning for its conservation.

Center of Conservation and Innovations is a biodiversity conservation NGO that aims to promote the development of new biodiversity conservation approaches and regenerative livelihoods- by developing partnerships and building capabilities for science-based, nature-inspired, and socially appropriate conservation strategies.

One of the long-running program of CCI is Tandikan (Philippine pheasant) conservation.  One of the most beautiful ground birds that I’ve personally seen.  Others include hornbill and pangolin conservation studies.  It’s common in our local news that forest turtles, exotic birds and pangolins are heavily poached and trafficked – a sad reality of our wildlife threat.

My team will document and publish interesting stories about various sites, the travel or other matters as we explore various places in the island.   

How can you help?

ICC will need a lot of help – from the local community, from volunteers, and from the local government.  The other crucial factor is support; from us – mere spectators but future beneficiaries and stakeholders of their work.

Any contribution big or small – will definitely help us both in the awareness campaign and in actual conservation effort, with the hope of preserving our natural treasures for our future generations.
We encourage cash donations sent directly to ICC (details will be shared as needed).  Or in the meantime – post your pledge for this worthwhile endeavour.  Will post more details of this trip as we get closer to the date.

Stay tuned…

Survival Camp for Kids

Here briefing the kids on the mechanics of the obstacle course.  The parents will of course be everywhere with ready cams.  

Start them young.  Kids need to have fun, exert physical effort, hone their motor skills and creativity, socialize and learn a lot.

My first attempt of organizing a kids’ version of survival camp turned out to be more fun than expected – even the parents loved it, but managing a chaotic environment full of excited kids (and parents) made it difficult to properly execute each activity.  Nonetheless, I will rate this ‘successful’ in many ways especially when funding is low and resources are scarce.

Kayak Around Taal Volcano Island

(from my book Akyat)


When the kayak plan was drafted, I assembled my UPM paddling team and connected with the Primer Group for support and sponsorship. I presented a plan to circumnavigate Taal volcano. The distance was 35 kms, doable in one day. This may not sound challenging for experienced kayakers, but since we didn’t expect to get a much faster sit-in ocean kayak and all members of the party were more adept in handling a beer bottle than a paddle, I thought the distance was just right. The pencil drawing became a colored picture, and the colored picture became reality.

To make it more meaningful, we scouted for a socio-community service
component. I wanted an easy but meaningful contribution to the
education of kids there. Weeks prior, my team visited the island and discovered a small
school with 350 grade school students. “Kayak for a Cause” was born.
The barangay and school officials were cooperative. I contacted the
Batangas office of Gov. Vilma Santos. They were also supportive after
they learned that the trip would promote eco-tourism in Taal Lake and
support a local school. They lent us all their 9-foot sit-on-top kayaks
and provided hauling service.

Fun Run-Walk in Talisay-Tagaytay

The idea was to run uphill with 10kg load to simulate cardio activity in a thin air environment. Uphill run or walk is the best training to reach one's Target Heart Rate Zone (when you can hear your own heartbeat).  
The mostly steep Talisay-Tagaytay road fulfilled its promise of offering 'hardship' where it made our hearts pumped big time (especially mine hehe), although the group feels 'bitin' (wanting more). We'll just have to find longer steep roads or trail next time.

Thanks to the support of our friends from:

Runners (all mountaineers) posing at the starting line. All doing our first run/walk on this road, not sure if it's gonna be hard or what...

Rescue Regatta

 

The aim: disaster/accident preparedness and response awareness,
skill- building workshop, and have fun practising them during the race. This is partly a personal advocacy project - Philippines is a country challenged by many natural calamities and being aware and prepared about possible threats is something that each and every family and individuals should be concerned about. Well-prepared families make a strong community, well-prepared communities make a strong and resilient country. 


 

An Adventure Race in Puerto Galera

Puerto Carrera 2003


one of the many bike stages, enjoying the
beach route

  (warning: a bit long)


My team’s participation in this race started more like a joke knowing that: (1) we’ll most likely not cross the finish line (2) there was no ‘all men’ race category (3) we predicted that we’d kill each other somewhere in the race.

It evolved into a dare and a registration attempt which made Thumbie-the-organizer scratched his head while half-shouting at my team mate (Neville) reminding him that there was no all-men category. Nev countered “We’ll join with DQ (disqualified) status from start!”

Eventually, Thumbie gave in and perhaps concluded that we’d die or quit somewhere before we become a big problem.

Why Scuba Dive



No time to pose, I was busy installing
a metal-mesh artificial reef module at 70ft

 Top reasons to Dive

A quick background - My first Dive certification training (called “Open Water Scuba Diving Course”) was sometime in 1998. I quickly went to Advanced, then Rescue then Dive Master level by early 2000. I initially didn’t take these courses ‘to be a diver’ (I just want to reduce my water phobia), and at least for my DM course I think ‘I was forced’ by my ex-classmates to finish it! Haha! For someone scared of water – I consider this as one of my greatest self-nurturing accomplishment in life, i.e. reaching a Professional level in scuba diving - while keeping myself ALIVE. Haha! Not that I’m super Pro, but pro enough to either save myself from underwater crisis, or help someone who is in crisis – a normal DM job; identify many weird creatures; lead a dive group; do an “Intro dive” for a newbie, or perform relatively complex underwater tasks, say installing an artificial reef module.


Now, fast forward to current day and after several hundred dives… I am GLAD that I did pursue scuba diving, not only did I learn a lot – it was and still a self-enriching and fulfilling outdoor sport.

Now let me give my take on some of the top reasons why non-divers should at least try scuba diving, once or more times in their lives.

First Triathlon

at the transition area before my
2nd standard-distance triathlon race
(no more brief-trunks)

Triathlon? That was the last thing that I would like to do back then (early 2000 and before), recognizing my limitation on swimming. Except that by then, I already learned (the hard way) that those ‘limits’ were nothing but mental boundaries, imaginary fences. Besides, I follow my own live-your-life magic chant – “Face your fear!” Why let fear and life pass you by, when we can live life and write our own glorious history.




I recall spending a lazy weekend in Dive and Trek resort in Bauan Batangas (2001 if I recall it right), and meeting this big fella – Mao-the- racer. We were acquaintances then, having seen him before in Anilao when he was wind-boarding – and I, beer-drinking of course. Casually, he mentioned that he was to join a triathlon race in 2 weeks time in Mabini/Anilao, a few clicks from where we were. He told me the specs; 1.5km swim, 40km bike, 10km run. Olympic or standard-distance as it is known. Having recently learned ‘proper’ crawl swim when I was shortly based in Japan (a few months before), I knew I could swim that distance, but in a confined and safe pool environment. 40km bike? Well, I can walk if I get cramps. I then, asked him if he thinks I can join and finish the race – telling him that a 2-week window was not enough for a good prep (and being my lazy self, inactive for the best part of the previous 5 months). “Kaya mo yan!” (You can do it) was his excited answer. Did I believe him? No, but I want to stretch my limit, physical or mental. Impulsive as it may seem – I decided to join! I’ve been gung-ho all my life, so the hell with what’s to happen!