The Trail to Mt. Talomo

I dreamed of a mossy forest.

I longed for a starry night.

I aimed for a major summit,

I never thought I'd survived...

At last, I got to be on top of another mountain again! A friend told me I'd be doing major climbs then after reaching Mt. Apo. It's not that I won't settle for minor treks anymore. Of course, it's where every climber starts (My first meeting with the mountains) and what's easily accessible one can run into for a quick escape.

I got this invitation from a group of young lads. They haven't invited a woman in but since I am a cowgirl, they didn't mind me joining. I also let my friend, Bullet, tag along so that I won't feel awkward/out of place.

We called for Calinan jeepney ride at 8AM. From it's metro market, we got a habal-habal going to Tamayong Purok 6 for P100, the start off point to Sicao Village. A little stretching up, and we're bound to the mountains!

Bananaaaaas!

Bullet got her knees and legs aching. I can't forgive myself for that. But she was a brave woman, didn't even complain, to pursue this climb from start to finish. She knew I wanted this. I thought she'd cursed me.

The strong cold wind that afternoon we arrived at Sicao Village made us detain in their two-story shelter for the rest of the day rather than risking our tents early in the wide surface before assaulting Mt. Talomo. There is a registration fee of P100/head. We planned to hit the summit the next day, so that we can rest our unwilling feet and get it ready for an arduous experience. The weather is still cold inside. We took in for a drink so we can avoid the chills and go to sleep.


 Day 2

Boys on the lead

♥The heart-warming and enchanted feeling passing through the trees♥

Enjoying the uncanny trail

Mt. Talomo has quite an inhospitable trail that will test mountaineers with its narrow grassy paths, slippery giant logs, thwarting branches and beating roots. But once you reach the peak, celebrate the magnificence of nature and count yourself one brave soul!

Following Boboy & Pit

The only natural source of water. Lunch please!

A Breath-taking Scene

It was getting dark when we're still hiking for the campsite and it started to drizzle. We stuck together for safety no matter how far we still have to take because the wilderness could also be dangerous or rather, scary. A slight dream come true to try night trekking. And we've run out of snack bits. The firsts who took the trail shall pitch the tents before the weather gets worse, then heat the pan under our improvised roof of tarpaulin. It's a security to have such company though. They made sure your doing okay; no serious injuries, and enjoying the moment. That simple dinner filled our hungry mouths, then all of us grabbed a rum to fight the wet cold. As soberness hit me, I sulked into my sleeping bag and gave in. The next morning, sunrise greeted me.

Oh, hail God Almighty!

I have seen the light that colors my dreams. With the sun that slowly reveals the beauty of the world from it's long dark night, now I finally found myself standing on top. That moment I wanted to last a little longer.

"Getting to the top is optional. Getting down is mandatory." -Ed Viesturs

I did not expect to meet the sunrise at Mt. Talomo's peak on a clear blue sky, neither to experience that eerie night trek. But I am really thankful above for allowing me to spend quality time with nature even through a tough way, with a group of nature lovers like me. We descended after breakfast, refilling our bottles with murky water from a dug hole which is the only source atop. I was mesmerized by the lush green forest, that loos like as if it has just flourished, because we didn't noticed it before since it was already dark when we passed through them. God, I am so lucky!

Who wouldn't love this trail? ♥

We arrived back to Sicao Village already dark. It was this night I've witnessed the sky so full and bright with countless stars I lied and stared under. I was even trying to name a constellation, or discover another galaxy but I was not an expert. We decided for home the day after. We were desiring to take a side trip to Tamayong falls before going home but Bullet's feet were screaming. The boys settled to take a dip in the cold river and was still happy, while Bullet and I enjoyed them watching. I wasn't tempted to bathe because my period that moment came. Ugh!

   Final Exit.
My phone rang. I answered a call from my colleague Aia. She checked me out for safety and reminder. I still have a schedule to catch! My 3-11PM duty was saying hello to me, so we hurried back to reality. I reached home at 2PM then hastily proceeded to work after a rapid shower. Zoom!

~~~~~~~~~

PS : Group Pictures

Peak campsite

Mt. Sicao Village ground

Welcome sign

Boys over mountains

Enchanting Surigao

It's my mother's outing with her coworkers last Saturday. My mother dragged me in and my nephew to experience their pleasure trip and my heart was throbbing for a taste of it because I haven't been there yet. They planned a day tour itinerary, starting Friday night at around 11 PM from our village in Davao City to Surigao del Sur. It was a great opportunity for me because it was also my day off, so I took myself in to bond with my mother and my nephew, Sherwin, after all the busy schedules from my stressful work. A lot of us, the family members had joined this getaway. We were so crowded inside the van but we still managed to fit ourselves. It was a six to eight-hour drive to Tinuy-an Falls (that depends if you drive fast and already knew the way. In our case, we lost track at Hinatuan), our first destination.

Our feet had touched the ground at last, seeing the relaxing entrance of the Tinuy-an Falls at 6:00 that gloomy morning. There's  a fee of P50/adult, with open cottages along the river. We took our breakfast in one of the cottages near the falls, tested the waters then took a swim. There's a bamboo float attached to a big tie going through the waterfalls that you can use to reach the center or bottom of the falls. We rode on it and enjoyed ourselves getting wet but Sherwin got scared of its strong current and cried out loud.

I wanted to examine to whole place, thinking about climbing up alongside of the falls for a better view but there was a warning sign that stated closed. Thanks to one of my mother's friend who was also curious, she tried to ask if we can enter the trail and a local caretaker guide us through. The sign was put there because of the bad weather, however it was still accessible and the rain had stopped. We went up the waterfalls and it was really nice up there, you can sit and lie on the rocks with the water flowing over your head and body, a relaxing feeling like you are being massaged.

View at the top. More cascading falls..

The current was really strong =)

After Tinuy-an, we headed to Enchanted River at around 10 AM. I thought the gap between these two destinations was close, but we traveled it for almost 2 hours! There were too many tourists in Enchanted River I couldn't sneak a peek of the view. It looks like a crowded beach resort with a number of tables and cottages. We ate our lunch until there I finally manage to get a scene of the enchanted crystal clear river. They had a feeding time session for about an hour that they let all swimmers get out of the water for safety. You could see there are big fishes swimming underneath but they don't bother people, and you should not bother them too!

This jaw-dropping blue water really made me dig into it, but what surprised me too was the depth of a part of this river was really huge that made me realized those fishes were almost as big as me!

We also took a boat tour through the sea and stopped by an eatery (I forgot the name) where they pet catfishes and maybe piranhas, we even swim into it, and to a beach resort where you pass through their long catwalk and then meet another part of the sea on the way out like paradise. ☺

Kipilas Falls in BUDA

I invited Trisha, who was also itching for another escapade after our Mt. Apo last year  to tag along for a waterfall adventure with some younger guys I knew from high school. They were also mountaineers from some other group, and we joined together to visit a place we've never been to.

Kipilas falls in Kitaotao, Buda is easily located after a P100 bus ride from Davao City. The trek from Kitaotao-Buda Gym, your landmark just along the highway, to Kipilas campsite is about an hour or two within a residential area with an open basketball court and playground.

We negotiated a local kid to bring us to the waterfalls the next day for P50 tip. It wasn't so far but the trail was surprisingly dangerous that time, because of the slightly bad weather. We descended a slippery 70-80degree track holding on to roots and rocks, fearing you might fall over your fellow down to the serious ground, then we finally went out from the side of the falls which had a very strong current that we all got wet.

Look at that angry falls!

Group picture

•••••

That same day, when we were deciding to depart, the company considered to take a turn to Epol in Marilog District for another waterfalls adventure trip. I have been there once. (Epol) We wanted Trisha and some others to see, so we took a hitch ride going there. It was mine and Trisha's first time to hitch. Then I thought that the best things in life are really free. Happiness!!! ☺

While waiting for a hitch

Some local farmers

The water current almost took me when I slid off a rock while trekking the river from Epol falls. Trisha grabbed me and I felt ashamed with the rest of them. She was a good ally. We camped at one of Berto's hut and slept early. It was this night I took my first night sky photo!

Starlight express♫ starlight express♪♪

From Epol, we still caught a hitch all the way to NCCC Mall, Matina, Davao City. He was a good man like a father who understands and supports his children's quests. I love the Buda road because of this. That there are still kind people around living, and Buda is one friendly road that respects travelers who cross it.