I was going over my photo archives, it was May 22, 2010 when we went to Bulusan Lake with the same Kuatro Tiempo tropa.
Lake Bulusan lies at the heart of Bulusan Volcano and is enclosed by Bulusan Volcano National Park. The national park acts more like a care taker of the lake in the same way, it's tourism development. Mr. Philip Bartilet is currently the President and is a I.T. Instructor turned environmentalist. At the moment Bulusan Lake is covered with 2.6km tropical rainforest around it. It does have a path, for those who wants to trek the trail.
How to get there? There are two ways to access it. One may be from Maharlika Highway passing by the towns of Casiguran, Juban and Irosin. Or going straight to Gubat, (where we stopped by and ate some ice cream!)
then to Barcelona, where we stopped for quick shots of the old church. St. Joseph's Church or better yet known as Barcelona Church is one of the oldest churches. It was said that the stone walls of the church including its bell tower are original and are made of coral rocks without the use of cement or steel bars. But then again the church was renovated last 2003 which gave it's modern touch.
moving on from Barcelona, we passed by San Bernardino Strait where one can have a magnificent view of Pacific Ocean.
then passing by the Dancalan Beach to some bumpy and curvy roads to Bulusan. Finally! The park asks for P10.00 entrance fee last year. There are bench, kayaks, cottages along the sides of the lake. They also offer body massage while you enjoy the nature's peacefulness and sights of hawks and other birds flying around the blue skies.
Kayaking costs P100.00 for every 30minutes or charm Manong to give you a little extra. *wink* They also have a balsa which can accommodate more or less 10 people for P500.00 pesos.
Bulusan Lake has greenish murky water because of rocks and mud underneath. Its depth was said to have 635meters on it's deepest center. Locals and some tourist would go fishing here too. Along the sides of the rocks are shrimps. We enjoyed fish feeding here too, attracting fishes to go up the surface for food.
So, when we got nothing else to do we tried to trek the trail leading to a pathway around the lake. 2.6km trek around it wasn't so easy it was actually creepy but I did love the scenery, the cold air, wild flowers and giant "baging". The pathway trail can be seen halfway only since the on the other half, the trail has been destroyed by the wild forest surrounding it.
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| the locals are allowed to fish at the lake |
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| right at the middle of the trek is a grotto |
If you want a more adventurous trek and climb, you may take the new trail Bulusan Lake National Park have discovered. You may contact them if you for guides and people to carry and prepare your food. I was told that the first camp site was superbly cold and at nature's peace. And clouds rumbling the area will be experienced as well as zero visibility as the fog and clouds cover the camp site. Beware also that you will be left all wet after. :) The area also have another lake that unfortunately dries out during summer leaving quick sand or "komonoy". So for safety, ask assistance to the national park's office.
For more nature trips, you can push through the highway and pass by Masacrot Cold Spring, some known garden, falls and Hot Spring at Irosin.
:) you see? Sorsogon is given a complete set of gift by Mother Nature.
