TheLoneRider.com is about a nomad's search through mountain biking, mountaineering, yoga, white water rafting, traveling, rock climbing, snorkeling, scuba diving, snowboarding, counter culture, fitness, food, books and movies.
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Friday July 3, 2009 EDT |
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 Michael(Jul 3, 2009) just wanna make my presence known. I also love the outdoor. Hoping to join any one of your future activities...more adventures! good health!  Abby
(Jul 1, 2009) Initial reaction was, “why do I have mail from the Lonerider?” And then I remembered subscribing to the mailing list some time ago. ;-) Thank you for sharing your adventures! You live a life that I could only dream of.  Sheila(Jul 1, 2009) Although I know you enjoy your freedom soooooo much (which I still sometimes envy), I still hope you find a partner for life, somehow. Good luck! One Survivor Philippines castaway to another castaway: I'm not usually confrontational. I'm a backstabber. But let's talk. Said in a conversation: ...just because I only work 4 months a year, people think I already have time on my hands! Narrated to me in a conversation: ...we had a spartan existence...life was simple...we only had ham for breakfast.
Archived Stories with Latest Comment Posting 
 Davao City (June 20-23, 2009) I find it interesting that the word "safe" is relative in this country. When I was in Camiguin, the locals told me it's safe there. What they meant was that the place is zero crime rate. People in Davao say it's a safe city too. But in March 2003, a bomb exploded at the Davao International Airport killing 20 and wounding at least 146. I guess, in war-torn Mindanao, a safe place is one that hasn't been bombed in the last 365 days. Not to be deterred, I was on my way...more »» 
Backpacking Cagayan de Oro (March 7-9, 2009) Being in Mindanao, I made sure I could gorge on my fav fruit, the ever exotic Durian. I watch for 2 things to ensure its ripeness: the smell (you can smell a ripe Durian a mile away) and the little cracks in its underside. While locals vouch for the supremacy of the native Durian, I find its seeds to be too big and its meaty flesh too thin. I go for the Chanee variety...deep yellow, meaty flesh the size of a golf ball, and small or no seeds!...more »» 
Exploring Lake Sebu, South Cotabato (June 19-20, 2009) I was directed to Lake Sebu in South Cotabato when I asked a few Gen San locals where I could go to see more of Mindanao. From what other travelers say, it's a beautiful 300+hectare lake nestled 2316 feet up in the mountains. Also, it's the ancestral domain of the indigenous tribe, the T'bolis. There are also 7 magnificent waterfalls taking the lake overflow down to irrigate the lands of Sultan Kudarat and South Cotabato...more »» 
Micro Hydro at Sarangani (June 8-16, 2009) Charlene, a civil engineer from SIBAT, invited me to an ocular of the NGO's micro hydro project in Sarangani. Having time on my hands and itching to be out of Manila, I penciled it in. Little did I know that by the time I got back to Manila, not only would I know how a micro hydro works, I'd also experience being meters away from a shooting, leaving a soldier dead...more »» 
Camiguin (March 9 - 14, 2009) Closer study of the island revealed it's natural bounties. It's home to mountains (Tres Marias, Mt. Timpoong, Mt. Mambajao, Guinsiliban Peak) and 2 volcanoes, one of which is the famous and still active, Hibok-Hibok Volcano. The entire island has a circumference of 64 kilometers - big enough to roam around, but small enough to be accessible by a mountain bike...if I only brought one. The hot and cold springs are abundant...the waterfalls are numerous. Dive spots? Choose your wild! The beaches? Many resorts to choose from....more »» 
 Swimming with the Whale Sharks of Donsol (Mar 23, 2009) I've made several attempts in the past to go to Donsol for for the butandings, but nothing came out of it - too expensive, no time, missed the time frame, etc. Apparently, the whale sharks only linger in Donsol from Dec to early June. However, with Cebu Pacific's Go Lite program, it only cost me P431 round trip - Manila-Legazpi-Manila. That's right, it's cheaper than a one-way bus fare to Bicol. I couldn't find an excuse this time not to make the trip...more »» 
 Marinduque with UPM's Rumble Reggae (May 29 - June 1, 2009) I read the IT but Marinduque's distance didn't really register until I was already on the bus, then boat, then coaster...total one-way time was 13 hours from Manila until we got to the jump-off in Sihi, Buenavista, Marinduque. That was FAR! But with a good climb, beach, caving and an awesome crew, it was well worth it!...more »» 
 Tootega by Sandugo (May 29, 2009) This unit was personally given to me by the owner of Sandugo. He's also a friend. I told him I can start off this Gear Review Section on his latest product offering, the Tootega. But I'll say it like it is...if it's bad, I'll say it's bad...no hard feelings. But if it's good, I'll also say it's good...and why it's good. He said "no problem"...more »» 
Bird Watching in Baler (May 22-24, 2009) I didn't get what the big deal was on bird watching/photography - the stealth, the patient wait, the ultra-expensive gear, the frenzied exchange after a sighting, or even the ecstatic bird identification. It seemed no different from people at Oscar Night when they're all rubber-necking for a glimpse of a passing celebrity. Anyway, my misguided ignorance was about to change when I was handed a pair of binoculars by the guru himself, Professor Jerry Devilla....more »» 
 Abs Showdown 2009 (January 11 to April 12) 
 Congratulations to Aarone Sunglao for winning the 2009 Abs Showdown!!! Aarone garnered 117 votes (out of 214) for a 55% win!!! Congratulations to PJ as well for coming in at a close 2nd with 92 votes! more »» 
 Consciousness is Everything (Apr 23, 2009) Empath Yoga, Vipassana Meditation and Sifu Jen Sam's workshop. It's no coincidence that I drifted into these successive events that were all intense, self-reflecting and potentially life-altering. They said different things but ultimately meant the same thing: Consciousness is Everything...more »» 
10-Day Vipassana Silent Meditation Retreat (Apr 1-12, 2009) I barely arrived from my backpacking when I learned my application to take part in a silent meditation retreat was accepted. My only expectation was that I'll be in secluded area for 10 days without talking to anyone. Apart from that, I knew nothing more...which turned out to be a good thing....more »» 
 Red Pill Moment (Mar 19, 2009) Red Pill moments are not exclusive to life-altering junctions. Actually, they happen many times within the day, in ways too familiar to be noticeable. If we look around deliberately enough, we're inundated by red pill moments - not to counter-flow in traffic, not to cheat on an exam, pay a debt, being on time, delivering what you promised, etc. The good act cascades and produces its own domino effect. Keep doing that and over time, we morph into a different person. You probably won't notice it, but people who haven't seen you in a long time will notice...promise!...more »» 
Goodbye Sagada (Mar 4, 2009) It's been years since I left my teaching job at the University of the Philippines to answer the call of Sagada. I dropped everything, tied up all the loose ends, and headed north to start a new chapter in my life. In all that time, Sagada has been a Shangrila... a place of serenity, a place where I find balance, peace and equanimity. It's bitter-sweet that I now have to leave this enchanting place. As I finish packing and face the uncertainty ahead, I can only smile and feel grateful for all its nurturing embrace. Why leave Sagada?...more »» 
 Besieged at Boracay SandCastles MORE THAN 6 MONTHS AND COUNTING SINCE THE ILLEGAL TAKEOVER OF SANDCASTLES !!! Update, June 2 - Interior Secretary in charge of the Philippine National Police Ronaldo Puno was the guest today at a forum with the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines. Long-standing FOCAP member Greg Hutchinson attended the meeting, joined from Boracay by wife Viveca and twins Jenet and Joshua. Sec Puno has thrown his hat in the ring as a vice-presidential candidate in the 2010 national elections...more »»  |
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