Saturday, March 30, 2013

Lake Mapanuepe, San Marcelino Zambales

I had known lake mapanuepe for a while but as it is not really a good full weekend itinerary, i never had the chance to visit te place.

I was set to meet a travel bud in San Felipe to surf in Liwliwa, and as I never intended a two days surfing in liwliwa, I told her that we'll do mapanuepe lake for the orher day.

The last time i attempted a side trip there, i missed the last trip.And so, we agreed to leave very early on sunday from san felipe so we can get back within the same day.

Unfortunately, and the worst level of luck ever, there were no waves. Out of the nearly 2hours that we stayed on the beach, the shores have just been so quiet. We then decided to push mapanuepe for the afternoon.

It was almost 4pm when we arrived in san marcelino market. The last jeep bound for pili has left, and the only jeep available was that bound for macarang - a town that's an hour's walk away from Pili. We thought it will be about 5pm when we get there, so perhaps, we still have time to walk to Pili. We stayed in the terminal and waited for it to leave.

luckily, just 10 mins before it is scheduled to leave, someone standing next to me who overheard that were heading to Pili told me that a jeep that just arrived is bound for Pili. I asked the driver immediately to confirm and he said yes... And we rode it topload.



terminal to Lake Mapanuepe in Pili, in San Marcelino Market


toploaded to Lake Mapanuepe in Pili, San Marcelino, Zambales


makeshift jeep from kuliglig on our way to Lake Mapanuepe in Pili, San Marcelino, Zambales


lahar passageway en route to Lake Mapanuepe in Pili, San Marcelino, Zambales


Lake Mapanuepe in Pili, San Marcelino, Zambales; view from tophill


en route to Lake Mapanuepe in Pili, San Marcelino, Zambales


Lake Mapanuepe in Pili, San Marcelino, Zambales


Lake Mapanuepe in Pili, San Marcelino, Zambales
We were dropped right at the shore of the lake. From there, some native kulot approached us and asked if we'd like to boat around the lake (which we sure are). He was initially asking P500 for a roundabout of the lake, but, as there isn't really anything to see around but just to approach the sunken church, we asked if P100 will do to get us back and forth - agreed.

When we were in the boat, I though we could actually see the remains of the houses down the water. However, the bed is mud and water is dark.. so no scene.

Meantime, when we approached the church, we thought we could actually climb the cross. Little did we know that what we thought be be a staircase was actually stained glass sheets that has broken. The water depth is said to be 85 feet, and with 0 visibility down there, I thought it was risky to do so.

church in Lake Mapanuepe in Pili, San Marcelino, Zambales


attempt to climb the church in Lake Mapanuepe in Pili, San Marcelino, Zambales


what we thought was a staircase


tower in Lake Mapanuepe in Pili, San Marcelino, Zambales


Lake Mapanuepe in Pili, San Marcelino, Zambales
After our assault at the church tower, we went back to the shoreline to scout where we can sleep. We walked towards the brgy hall for courtesy as well but Kap wasn't there then. Our boatman/guide brought us to his house, but neither is he there. A quick moment later, his wife came and had a word. She was OKing sleeping in the brgy but was insisting that we sleep instead in their house. As we each have our hammocks, we asked if there is anywhere in the yard where we can do so - and there was.

afternoon serving from Kap Duenas


Dinner served free by hospitable Kap


breakfast Lake Mapanuepe in Pili, San Marcelino, Zambales


travel bud Liezl with first lady :-)




toploaded again on the way back fr Lake Mapanuepe in Pili, San Marcelino, Zambales

6 comments :

  1. it makes me sad that my parents are from zambales and i haven't been to liwliwa and lake mapanuepe. tsss...

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sana makapunta ako dito minsan. Thanks for the info :-)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for posting! I miss Pili. :(

    ReplyDelete
  4. i was there then 1984 and its like paradise with all the animeties. The cross that u posted could be there beautiful church.

    ReplyDelete

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