MINALUNGAO NATIONAL PARK, NUEVA ECIJA PART 1

November 1, 2018

MABUHAY!

This is a photo and video journal of our family bonding travel to the magnificent town of Nueva Ecija featuring our visit to Minalungao National Park where I celebrated my 47^th birthday.

GETTING THERE

We took off around 4am before dawn. My wife and the kids already prepared the food and other important stuff the day before. As we navigated the road towards our destination, the sun slowly beams its golden sunrise that seems to greet us with a wonderful smile.

From Angeles City, we headed to Mabalacat City that is the boundary of the province of Pampanga and Tarlac City of the province with the same name. Our nation is celebrating All Saints Day that is the remembrance of our departed loved ones which by the way is a national holiday, traffic is very light. Then from Tarlac City, we continued to drive entering Nueva Ecija. We passed by barangay roads and some rough roads all the way to the Minalungao National Park.

The travel time from our house is around 3 hours.

ARRIVAL AT THE PARK

Before entering the Minalunago National Park compound, you will pay an entrance fee of Php 100 per visitor at the ticketing booth. The parking is free of charge. The park authorities will also request you to hire a local tour guide for a negotiated fee between you and the guide. 

The local tour guide showed us where to check-in then he will also introduce you to boatmen when you need to hire a bamboo raft. Then he will guide you also during the caving activity. He will act also as your personal lifeguard during your swimming activity. Hiring a local tour guide is optional but I highly encourage you to get one as your contribution to their local economy is very dependent on tourism.

CHECKING IN

Our family decided to stay overnight in this magnificent place so we booked in a Minalungao Green River Hotel located just inside the park compound. Our tour guide introduced us to the innkeeper. 

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The cost of an overnight stay of an air-conditioned room for a family of five including our dog Argus is Php 2,000.

Minalungao National Park, Nueva Ecija: The Arrival

BAMBOO RAFT RIDE

Next on our adventure itinerary is the bamboo raft ride along the river. Our tour guide introduced us to the raft boatman and gave us a very affordable price deal on our bamboo raft that cost Php 700. Once we boarded the raft, the boatmen will bring us to the middle part of the river where you can swim and enjoy the cool blue-green colored water of the river. The boatmen will also provide a life jacket for your safety. The national park allows you to bring food and have a picnic. You can stay in the river until 5pm.

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The boatmen pushing their way through the limestone to find a perfect picnic spot in the river.

Bamboo Raft Ride

ENJOYING THE RIVER'S CLEARWATER

One can’t help but plunge in the cool blue-green water of the river. This is the time where you immerse and relax to forget the cares of the world for a moment. It was a natural high.

After finding a perfect picnic spot in the river, it is now swimming time!

My son Samuel enjoying the cool clear water.

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My son CK playing with himself

My wife too!

Other visitors are hiking on top of the cliff.

Other's are enjoying cave adventure.

Other groups are already settled and enjoying their picnic. 

I hope I can make it alive!😄😄😄

Enjoying the Cool Clear Water

PICNIC TIME

Another good thing about the park is that they allow you to bring your own food. Once you get tired of your swimming activities, you can prepare your food on the built-in table of the bamboo raft. Bon appetit!

Our simple lunch comprises of a fried pork chop.

Vegetable salad

And fruits

ARGUS

My family really loves our pet dogs. They are Gretel and Fluffy, both female Jack Russell breed. But the most favorite is Argus, a male cotton candy breed. With his thick white hair and a medium body built, his job is just to be cute all day.

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Bonding with your family is a time well spent. 

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