Exploring Tanay with a Kid: Why it's Waaaaay Better Than Malling

We just got back from our quick trip to Tanay, Rizal and once again I was reminded that we don't have to spend a lot in order to have fun. 

Sput's first spelunking adventure- Calinawan Cave, Tanay, Rizal

We explored a cave, had lunch beside a waterfall, climbed up a grotto, and went to Laguna Lake to witness fishermen unload their catch. And how much did we spend? A teeny-weeny super-meager amount of P 850! I'm notalayer. That's cheaper than a Pizza Hut meal for four...or a pair of Forever 21 shorts...or hey, that's cheaper than a regular trip to the mall!

Let's compare.

Trip to the Mall with a kid:

Fare/Gas- P300

Food- P 500

Movie/Timezone/Play Station tickets- P 300

TOTAL: P 1,100

Trip to Tanay with a kid:

FX Fare- P 250

Tricycle Fare (Package which includes all the destinations)- P350

Food- P100 (just bring a canned Tuna and rice)

Cave guide fees- P100 (or any amount you're willing to donate)

Daranak falls entrance- P55 

TOTAL: P 855

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Is a trip to Tanay sulit or whut?! To make it more obvious, let's compare the "value" of these two.

What do you get from a mall trip? 

Sore feet, entertainment, maybe a full stomach, some things (important or not), more credit card debt, maybe some happiness.

What do you get from a spelunking/hiking/camping adventure?

Sore feet, realizing that you are very small and the world is so big, realizing that material things do not matter a lot, good memories, knowledge. For kids: Seeing, smelling, touching real flowers, trees, fishes, rocks. 

What does a trip to the mall teach your child? 

Hmmm...that it's nice to have things, basically. If you're a good parent, the best lesson you can teach them from a trip to the mall is the difference between wants from needs, the importance of hard work (so they can buy the stuff they want). 

What does a spelunking/hiking/camping adventure teach your child?

OMG. 1001 things- life rules like exploring without being reckless to science stuff like why fishes jump and squirm when they're out of the water.

Who gets a little richer every time you visit a mall?

The Sys and the Ayalas and the advertisers and the big brands. 

Who gets a little richer everytime you have a nature trip?

The locals- tricycle drivers, tour guides, small stores, carenderias. And YOU.

Quick Packing for Our First Spelunking Adventure

Spelunking. The term sounds sooo kick-ass but it simply means exploring a cave. But not all cave explorers are called spelunkers. There are also CAVERS and SPELEOLOGISTS, which are labels for the more hardcore and geeky cave explorers.

the term "spelunker" to denote someone untrained and unknowledgeable in current exploration techniques, and "caver" for those who are. Speleology has always been an interdisciplinary science, requiring one to have at least a smattering of geology, hydrology, biology, chemistry, climatology and survey techniques in addition to whatever specialty one has.
socket.net

Tomorrow we're spelunking with a 4-year-old kid in tow. Yey! We're going to explore a cave in Tanay, Rizal called Calinawan Cave. I chose this cave because 1.) it's close to where we live which means less travel time and less expenses; 2.) It's just a 30-minute trip inside the cave so anytime there's a sign that Sput's not enjoying the trip, we can exit fast; 3.) It's not yet too popular so I'm hoping it's not too crowded.

Sooo..packing. We expect to do duck walks and body-bending positions inside the cave so we're packing really, really light. We're preparing Hugo's regular-sized backpack and Sput's teeny-weeny bag (just so she would be responsible for her own stuff).

WHAT'S IN HUGO'S BAG:
* First aid kit
* Small pouch for our wallets
* Camera
* Extra shirts
* Slippers (for post-spelunking)
* Alcohol
* Face towels
* Century Tuna (big can)
* Can opener
* Water bottles
* Flashlights
* Head lamps
* Spoons+ forks
* Rice inside a lunchbox (to be packed)

WHAT'S IN SPUT'S BAG:
* Yam the bear
* Whistle
* small Flash light
* Snacks
* Small water bottle

That's all. Just the basic stuff. I hope spelunking with a kid would be fun (and safe) for everyone!

Anawangin with a Kid: Hike to Capones Lighthouse

So after our 4-hour commute and our 4-hour sleep in the hostel, we were so ready to explore the islands. Our tour guides fetched us at the hostel and we rode a tricycle going to the Pundaquit boat station. We rented a big boat  which costs P2,000 inclusive of tour guides and island hopping to Camara and Capones. They offered a smaller boat which only cost P900 but with a 4-year-old girl in tow, I'd rather pay an extra 1K than worry like crazy.

The first island we visited was Camara. There's nothing there worth exploring - just another limestone-y island with trees and sand and pebbles. If you've been to a lot of beaches and islands before, skip this. The boatmen said people only go there to take pictures. Nice. We decided to head to Capones right away.

After fifteen minutes or so, we were face to face with Capones. It's just like Camara except that it's bigger and you can see some people on the shoreline. And unlike Camara, this island has something exciting to offer: the Faro Punta de Capones aka Capones Lighthouse.

The first things we did when we got off our boat was climb this magnificent rock. These huge rocks simply command attention. It's an easy climb even for kids. It only took Sput 30 seconds or less to get to this spot. I assisted her every step of the way, of course, because aside from the obvious reason (safety), the rock has a sandpaper-like texture.

After cam whoring with the rocks for a good 5 minutes, we decided it's time we start our hike to the Capones Lighthouse before the sun gets too intense and turn us into sun-dried raisins. When the tide is high, it only takes 10 minutes to reach the lighthouse but when the tide is low, it takes 45 min to one hour.  The tide was low when we got there so we had to take a longer, more complicated route. I suggest you consider the tides if you plan to hike to the Capones Lighthouse with your kids. It's too much for toddlers. Sput was throwing tantrums on our way back.

First, we climbed a small hill. So easy to climb. Sput was still so giddy and noisy at that time. We instantly saw this unfinished barracks for the Philippine Navy. There was a family having brunch inside and we said hi. They said hi.

We turned left and saw what seemed like an endless path filled with rocks of different shapes and sizes. I took off my slippers, and started walking with Sput. Oh.So.Carefully. 

When I began to get the hang of it, we walked a bit faster...and faster and faster. When I got tired, Hugo took charge. When Sput got tired, we carried her. IT.WAS.NOT.EASY. Maybe because it was our first time or maybe because it really wasn't easy. I can't tell yet. I'll find out once we have another hike.

Good thing I brought this long piece of cloth (I don't know what it's called). It makes piggy-back much easier.

Rest time after 20 minutes of hiking.

Here's the rocky way up to the Capones Light House. We decided to let her climb on her own for 5 minutes since it looks pretty safe. Hopefully, this will teach her independence and quick thinking.

Finally reached the lighthouse. I think Sput was checking her fingernails in this picture. So maarte!

Rusty Spiral staircase of the Capones lighthouse. Do not let your kids touch them. Bring alcohol. 

Father and daughter checking the view from the top

View from the top of Capones Lighthouse

Nicer view from the top of Capones Lighthouse

Sput was asleep on our way back. Poor baby :-(

After the one hour hike, we discovered cuts on her left leg. Just a minor one. 

Knocked down

Tired kid and tired parents. But we were all beaming with happiness when we got on our boat. I recommend this to any parent who wants to introduce their kids to the outdoors. It's a pretty easy hike for beginners.
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SUMMARY OF CAPONES HIKE:
Fun Meter- 4/5
Difficulty Meter - 2/5
What to bring: Water, sunblock, sling cloth to carry the kid, alcohol,biscuits
Challenges: huge rocks, rusty lighthouse
Worth visiting? Definitely!