Mountains and Lakes of San Pablo

During An’s breakfast slide presentation, we had been introduced to the two mountains (Mount Banahaw and Mount San Cristobal) and the seven lakes that form part of San Pablo’s surroundings. After our lunch at Sulayap, we drove Lake Sampaloc, one of those seven lakes.  “Sampaloc” was actually the name of the town before the Spanish arrived.  They renamed it with a similar-sounding name, "San Pablo,” after St. Paul the Hermit.

In the photo of Lake Sampaloc above, you can see Mount San Cristobal in the foreground; and a very small part of Mount Banahaw behind it, mostly covered in clouds.  There was a high wind blowing off the lake and it actually felt a bit chilly.

We had intended to stay the night at Casa San Pablo and go shrimping at 5 a.m. the next morning--but we were told that the “shrimp were hiding” due to the cold weather.  By mid-afternoon, as the waves got bigger and the wind a lot cooler, I was beginning to understand why the shrimps were being such wimps!

A few words about the mountains and lakes of San Pablo before I describe our next merienda.

Mount Banahaw (right) is considered to be a "holy mountain" by local residents.  Pilgrimages are common during the Lenten season and hiking is a year-round activity.  (Photo: Wikipedia)

Mount San Cristobal, on the other hand, has a reputation for harboring evil spirits and is sometimes referred to as “Devil’s Mountain”.  We were told that Mount San Cristobal protects Mount Banahaw from evil spirits and “draws out its negative energy”.

There are some pretty interesting blogs on climbing (and surviving!) Mount San Cristobal which is not, according to one blog, “for the faint-hearted”.

Also have a look at: http://www.kirkanatomy.com/2013/09/mt.cristobal-climb.html which contains some stunning photos of the climb up the mountain.

The seven lakes of this region are Lakes Sampaloc (the largest), Bunot (the smallest), Palakpakin, Mohicap, Yambo, Pandin and Kalibato.  During the breakfast presentation earlier in the day, An put up the slide below showing the seven lakes with their names and locations.  Most of the fish we ate for breakfast came from these lakes and some from Laguna de Bay.

The photo below brings An's Google map to life.  I found it in an interesting blog which can be found at: http://www.s1expeditions.com/2013/02/043-Cristobal.html

Lake Sampaloc was crowded with young people walking, picnicking and shopping at the various stalls along the shore.  There was even a large dog enjoying his picnic on the shore!

A dog (or polar bear?) joins in the meal

Group photo (courtesy Pia) on the windy shores of Lake Samaploc

After our visit to Lake Sampaloc, we headed off for Lake Bunot where there was more wind and yet more food.  Here we visited Kusina de Sabang where we enjoyed a merienda of home-made palitaw with a coating of macapuno, home-made buko tart (as opposed to the generic buko pie) and sugary macapuno.

 Lake Bunot

 Fishpens and mountains

A lone fisherman on Lake Bunot

Our merienda at Lake Bunot--maja blanca

Palitaw--with plenty of sugar

 Kangkong growing by the lake

Everywhere we went that day, we were escorted through the busy streets of San Pablo by two Police Traffic Enforcers.  I told them they should come back with us to Manila and get us through the traffic up there.  They said “hindi puede” meaning "not possible” or, more accurately, “no way”.

 Our Police Traffic Enforcers