Mt Arayat viewed from the Lakeshore
It is Sunday, the last day of our 7-day Lakbay Norte tour. It seems most of us have exhausted our wardrobes that we started wearing some of the shirt giveaways we got throughout the trip. I get to curl up more on Holiday Inn’s comfy beds longer as our call time isn’t that early. We still have a few activities for the day and as soon as we finished breakfast. The group was once again split into half to do some horseback riding and a jeepney tour.
On tour an airconditioned jeep
My group gets to go horseback riding first so we headed to El Kabayo in Clark. A recreated Tinsel Town serves as stables for the horses in this popular riding stable. I haven’t really tried horseback riding so I was looking forward to it. I got this big great white horse or Arabian breed they said and it’s one of their fastest horses and also a rowdy one at that. And why would they let me handle him I wonder? I;m just afraid I’d loose control of him and he’d run off at full speed.
At El Kabayo Clark
Though a bit wobbly on the top I got comfortable with the horse but they made sure I have a handler with me since the horse could just run off anytime. I was also thought the basic handling of the leash to control directions of the horse and the proper kick to get the horse moving. It was just an easy walk for the horses as we go through the street and cut through a neighborhood to reach a bridge. But when the horses started trotting, it wasn’t really comfortable jumping up and down the horses’s back. Now I have high respect for horse riders. It wasn’t that easy.
El Kabayo horse and handler
To make things faster, we took the jeep from the bridge to head to Paradise Ranch where the group will switch and they’ll be the one on horseback. Paradise Ranch is a nature and Conservation park where guides are dressed up like native aetas if they are not real ones. It’s a nice place but we only got to see the butterfly farm since we were out of time.
Storm Trooper meets a caterpillar at Paradise Ranch
We rendezvous again at the bridge and headed back to Holiday Inn and off to our late lunch stop at Oasis Hotel. It was a nice lunch of roast lamb slices, mussels and clams. We also got a look into their accommodations at the resort.
Lunch at the Oasis Hotel
An hour ride to Mexico, Pampanga found us at the Lakeshore. A premium class residency centered on the man-made lake. The place is very scenic with a few houses already standing. We went to this small island with a nice garden to have a couple of videoke session before we had final press briefing to cap of the tour.
A wedding setup at the Lakeshore
Robinsons Starmills was our last stop before going home. We roamed around for some bargains but I didn’t buy any and just contented myself for some snacks over a cup of hot chocolate. Thinking about it now it was a wild whirlwind 7 days ride but an enjoyable one at that. In an hour we’re about to go home. It was surprising how almost every individual in the bus didn’t know each other at start ended up friends by sharing the experience. It was bound to happen with like minded travelers with adventurous spirits go together.
El Kabayo
0917-812-2106
juncruz1@yahoo.com
Jeepney Juan Tour
0922-830-8830
avc_ctsa@yahoo.com.ph
Paradise Ranch
Sacobia Valley, Clark Special Economic Zone
www.paradiseranchclark.com/
Oasis Hotel
0908-866-3303
www.oasishotel.com.ph/
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Great photos as usual. But i pity the larvae which might not become a butterfly in the situation it is in. A lot of predators are around him, esp oggling people who can’t resist touching it. If i were you, i will get it and put it in the bush.
i always pass by pampanga but other than the oasis hotel, i have never really gone to he places you have featured here. its a good weekened getaway din pala. awesome shots as usual ferdz.
The wedding by the Lakeshore must be fitting especially during summer. I miss the sight of Mount Arayat.
Thanks Nids! I should do that next time.
Ei Congrats Oman on the RD accomplishment. I never heard of those places as well when we went there, but their really nice
Hi Witsandnuts! As long as the wedding is late afternoon that would be nice. I also like looking at Mt Arayat from afar
I like the wedding setup too. It’s pretty charming and has that fairy tale feel. I can’t imagine how wonderful this 7-day trip was. I started checking out Phil tours yesterday as if I would be there shortly. It never fails to know how much one would spend for such trips right.
wow! great norte series ferdz! ive never been to el kabayo looks like a great stop when ill drop by pampanga.
It was a great 7-day trip Photo Cache but more on getting familiar not really for exporing. You would need more time if you want an in depth look.
El Kabayo is interesting Dom, some tv and movie outfits actually rent their horses. That’s how trained they are.
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Regards,
Louie Sison