The Daunting Gypsy
You can take the girl out of the mountains, but you can't take the mountains out of the girl. I'm just a mountain girl by heart.
Monday, March 27, 2017
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro, Philippines | thedauntingypsy
May 31- June 2, 2016
*PUERTO GALERA ISLAND*
Saturday, May 14, 2016
Cagbalete Island 2016 - Mauban, Quezon, Philippines
May 14 - 15, 2016
*CAGBALETE ISLAND*
*Went with BATCH101 and our Trainer Lainey, We planned to go to Pahiyas Festival but ended up going home due to heavy rain. Overall it was one fun trip with the team and my man!:)
ITINERARY:
MAY 14
1100PM Meet up Alabang
MAY 150300AM Departure to Lucena Grand Terminal
0630AM Arrival at Lucena Grand Terminal
0640AM Departure to Mauban, Quezon
0650AM Breakfast, Secure Guide, Package and Fees
1000AM Boat Ride to Cagbalete Island
1115AM Arrival at Cagbalete Island
0200PM Lunch
0300PM Free Time
0700PM Wash up
0800PM Dinner
0830PM Bonfire, Socials
0900PM Party, Stargazing
0500AM Lights Out
MAY 16
0530AM Wake up Call
0600AM Island Tour, Swimming
0810AM Breakfast
0930AM Prep to Leave
1110PM Departure to Cagbalete Port
1230PM Arrival at Cagbalete Port
0100PM Departure to Makati
0550PM Arrival at Makati
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
Boracay Island, Aklan, Philippines | December 2015
December 2- 5, 2015
Our first double-date-tour trip with Kae and John.
Parasailing. Helmet Diving. Paraw Sailing to name a few of the water sports that we ventured. Went Island hopping and city tour in the beautiful Island of Boracay. Ate the famous chori-burger, Jonah's fruitshake and Family Ice at Halowich. Filled our stomach with all types of sea food cravings at d'talipapa - gigantic crabs, prawns, clams, shrimps etc. Henna Tattoo and Hair braiding affront the White beach. Eat-all-you-can dinner at De Paris Restaurant and witnessed the awesome Boracay Phoenix Fire dancers dance the night away while relaxing at beach front under a starry night. Souvenir shopping at d'mall and Real Coffee I love this beach life - It's indeed a Paradise!
Day 1:
• Breakfast and Lunch at NAIA
• Delayed Flight
• Late Check-in
• Chori Burger
• Night Life
• Dinner at Andok's
Day 2:
• Breakfast at Hotel
• Parasailing
• Helmet Diving
• Lunch at D'Talipapa
• Jonah's Fruitshake
• Henna Tattoo and Hair braiding
• Beach/ Swim Time
• Family Ice Halo-Halo at Halowich
• Night-life party
• Boracay Phoenix Fire Dancers
Day 3:
• Breakfast at Hotel
• City Tour
• Mt. Luho Cave
• Mt. Luho View deck
• Puka Beach
• Beach/Swim Time
• Lunch at Puka Beach
• Souvenir Shopping at D'mall
• Calamansi Muffin at Real Coffee
• Sunset Paraw Sailing
• Dinner Buffet at De Paris Restaurant
Day 4:
• Breakfast at Hotel
• Island hopping
• Willy's Rock Formation
• Souvenir Shopping at D'mall
• Check-out
• Lunch at Airport Kalibo
• Flight back to Manila
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
MT CAWAG 1078 MASL - ZAMBALES (PUNDAQUIT, CAMARA, CAPONES, ANAWANGIN & NAGSASA)
ZAMBALES 2015
PUNDAQUIT, CAPONES, CAMARA, ANAWANGIN and NAGSASA ISLANDS
MT. CAWAG 1078 MASL
ITINERARY:
FEBRUARY 20 2015 FRIDAY
1000PM Meet up KFC Alabang
1128PM Arrival at Victory Liner
Bus Station Pasay
FEBRUARY 21 2015 SATURDAY
0130AM Departure to Olongapo
0430AM Arrival at Olongapo
0530AM Departure to San Antonio,
Zambales
0630AM Arrival at San Antonio,
Zambales
0640AM Arrival at Pundaquit,
Zambales
0650AM Breakfast, Secure Guide,
Package and Fees
0700AM Departure to Camara
Island (First Stop)
0715AM Arrival at Camara Island
(Photo Ops)
0720AM Departure to Capones
Island (Second Stop)
0745AM Arrival at Capones Island
Front Beach (Photo Ops)
0755AM Departure to Nagsasa Cove
0835AM Arrival at Nagsasa Cove
(Free time)
1200NN Lunch
0500PM Swimming
0600PM Wash up
0700PM Dinner
0800PM Set up Tent, Bonfire, Socials
1100PM Lights out
FEBRUARY 22 2015 SUNDAY
0530AM Wake up Call
0600AM Prep time for hike
0630AM Start Trek
0745AM Reached First Water
Source
0850AM SUMMIT
0910AM Swimming at Falls
0935AM Start Descend
1000AM Back at Cottage
1010AM Breakfast
1030AM Prep to Leave for
Anawangin
1210PM Departure to Anawangin
1242PM Arrival at Anawangin Cove
0308PM Departure to Pundaquit
0345PM Arrival at Pundaquit
0355PM Arrival at San Antonio,
Zambales
0416PM Departure to Olongapo
0510PM Arrival at Olongapo
0525PM Late Lunch early Dinner
0630PM Departure to Manila
1100PM Arrival at Ayala MakatiFriday, February 13, 2015
MT. TIBIG 563 MASL
MT. TIBIG DAYHIKE
Lobo, Batangas
February 1, 2015 Sunday
"Perhaps we all need time to be free, time to be alone in nature, supported and encouraged to discover our own wild selves,
to reconnect with who we are and what we want from life."
-Jennifer Hanson
Jump-off point: Hulong Banalo, Lobo, Batangas
LLA: 13°40′30.9′′N 121°9′37.2′′ E, 563 MASL
Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 1.5-2.5 hours
Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 2/9, Trail class 1-3
Features: Scenic views of Verde Island Passage and Southern Batangas
Photo (c) Ryan Junio
source: www.pinoymountaineer.com
Jump-off point: Hulong Banalo, Lobo, Batangas
LLA: 13°40′30.9′′N 121°9′37.2′′ E, 563 MASL
Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 1.5-2.5 hours
Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 2/9, Trail class 1-3
Features: Scenic views of Verde Island Passage and Southern Batangas
Photo (c) Ryan Junio
source: www.pinoymountaineer.com
ITINERARY:
February 1, 2014
0200AM Meet up at SM North
0400AM Departure to Batangas
0600AM Arrival Lobo, Batangas. Register at police station.
0745AM Arrival at Hulong Banalo; secure guides; Register and prepare for the hike
0800AM Start trekking
1025AM Nipa Hut (Sitio Tibig)
1050AM Summit
1215PM Start descent
0125PM Back at Hulong Banalo
0200PM Sidetrip to Catada Beach Resort, Lobo Batangas
0210PM Late lunch and Swimming
0530PM Back to Batangas City, Dinner at AI GOTO KING
0615PM Departure at Batangas City
0800PM ETA Manila
Two weeks before my birthday I got invited by kuya Ryan to hike with his mountaineering group on the 25th of January (a day before my birthday) to San Jose Circuit, which combines three small mountains - Mt. Tangisan, Mt. Bungkol Baka, and Mt. Kawayan. It was my supposed first major climb together with the CORE group, it wasn't the first time kuya Ryan invited me to hike this Circuit, though. We planned on hiking it together with a friend of his, Ronnie, on December 2014, but I backed out last minute because I was too feverish and ill. This time it was deferred because kuya Ryan's leave was cancelled due to work matters and told me not to go by myself. I was upset since I was really looking forward to my first major and pre-birthday climb. Nonetheless, my frustration on our postponed day hike to San Jose Circuit was immediately pacified when I received a message from Kuya Ryan inviting me to a day hike on February 1, Sunday to Mt. Tibig in Lobo, Batangas. It was a very short notice since he messaged me the morning of January 30th but without thinking twice, I replied "Yes!" promptly.
The meet up was around 2AM at SM North. Kuya Ryan offered to meet me up at our former meeting place in Araneta but I knew it would be a hassle to him so I told him to meet me in SM North instead. We were the early birds when I got there, there was just him and kuya Arn-arn (a common friend of Kuya Ryan and Joriel-my former workmate) he told me it's his first time hiking and I felt relieved to have a newbie with us, I wasn't alone, I thought.
After what seemed like ages of waiting for the 24 of us to complete, we were informed that a few backed out, hence leaving us with 19 participants. We took breakfast at Mcdonalds while waiting for the vans that were leased for the day to bring us to and from Batangas. We departed at around 4AM. Despite the loud rock and roll music played by the driver and his heedless driving. I immediately fell to sleep because I came all the way from work and have not rested.
At quarter past 5 we have already reached Lobo Town Proper thanks to the driving skills of our dearest drivers I had hit my head a million times, I thought I'll be going senile haha :D. Meanwhile, we proceeded to the Basketball court in front of Lobo Municipal Hall where we took a quick pee break and since we have arrived earlier than scheduled the tour guide, kuya Erwin is yet to arrive.
![]() |
Our meet up point |
At quarter past 5 we have already reached Lobo Town Proper thanks to the driving skills of our dearest drivers I had hit my head a million times, I thought I'll be going senile haha :D. Meanwhile, we proceeded to the Basketball court in front of Lobo Municipal Hall where we took a quick pee break and since we have arrived earlier than scheduled the tour guide, kuya Erwin is yet to arrive.
![]() |
Registration |

We started the trek at exactly 8AM. I was feeling all jumpy and ecstatic, the fact that it was my first time travelling with a mountaineering group and that the mountain gave me the feeling of real trekking compared to my very first hike, I can't hide the smile on my face the whole time. There goes one thing off my bucket list. At the beginning of the trek I was anticipating a river crossing, I had not realized that the boulders we've been trudging on was the river bed on a majestic weather. Since we came with Mr. Sunshine today the river bed is totally withered which I think is an advantage to us because crossing the river with this boulders would've really been a challenge. Nearly after 5 minutes we were at the foot of Mt. Tibig, from here the trail to the mountain was particularly steep, glad that I have a habit of checking blogs before an upcoming trek so I know what to expect, as the saying goes "It's better to look ahead and prepare than to look back and regret"
![]() |
Group Shot before the trek |
![]() |
River bed on a dry weather |
![]() |
Flower along the trail |
![]() |
That cardiac assault |
The initial assault trail was steeper and longer than most blogs described, I thought it was endless and 3/4 of the trail on the way up was cardiac assault. But that did not tire me, the fact that I trained for swimming and other water sports boosted my endurance and perhaps also because I go to the gym 4 times a week doing cardio. Kuya Ryan was surprised that he did not see me getting whipped on the trail. Unfortunately not everyone has the same endurance like I do, kuya Arn-arn for one, struggled onset the trail, I know because he was right in front of me when we were ascending and I was waiting for him every time, he pauses every after 3 or 4 steps? No exaggeration to that. I can see him struggling already 2 minutes on the trail. He was panting, sweating heavily and dog-tired. I knew he's in for a long hike. I tried keeping up with his pace but knew that if I kept it any longer I would get tired too. So everyone behind us, Deth, Rosenie etc had to advance because we were lagging behind the two groups by a great distance; At this pace I knew we wouldn't be able to catch up with the first two groups. I was very reluctant to advance because kuya Ryan brought kuya Arn-rn with him hence, he felt obliged to stay with him through the trail so I ought to stay with kuya Ryan too. Eventually, I came to a point where I'm feeling a little impatient, I told kuya Ryan I will be advancing and catching up with the former groups, kuya Sonny came along, he and I hiked briskly and later on we were able to catch up with the two former group who at that moment we're at rest. I see everyone slowly getting zonked, so a picture taking is a-must at this moment. We continued the unfathomable ascend.
![]() |
our first stop |
![]() |
Finally the nipa hut |
![]() |
Group Shot at the nipa hut |
![]() |
The big tree by the nipa hut |
Much to our delight by 10:25 AM we've reached the renowned nipa hut. At this point, we've covered 3/4 of the trail where you can spot the summit of Mt. Tibig, we had brief stop and took the time to take pictures (loads of them) eat our trail foods and enjoy the beautiful scenery. We agreed to wait for kuya Ryan and Arn arn from here until surprisingly kuya Ryan caught up, he said that he had to leave kuya Arn arn with our tour guide, kuya Erwin, because they were lagging too far behind, thus it wasn't a good idea to wait for them. I'm really glad that kuya Ryan caught up because he is sporting his new GOPRO HERO 4 and I would love to take pictures with it LOL. Nah, truth is I was feeling really guilty to have left him behind when he was the one who tagged me along.
After nearly 20 minutes we resumed trekking. Coming from a rest and finally with a painless trail, our pacing hastened twice the average, we approached the summit through the grassy slopes and from this vantage point you can perceive the hind part of Mt. Banoi due to it's distinct green forest. Upon reaching summit, the 360 degree panoramic sight was astounding. I was in awe with the beauty of this mountain, the Lobo Mountain Range was evident from atop the mountain.One of the tour guides approached me and favored to have our picture taken. I took the opportunity to ask him what where the mountains in the vicinity. From north lies the Verde Island, and behind it stands majestic Mt. Halcon, covered with sea of clouds, and to its west the other mountains of Mindoro.
![]() |
Mandatory group shot at the summit :) |
At the beginning of the descent I was all happy and was even humming the tune of Mockingjay's "Hanging Tree" and then somewhat mid-way I struggled with the steep trail. I never thought I'd have a hard time going down. So I was fist clenched with kuya Ryan the whole time. I struggled a lot to the point that we we're lagging behind. I had so many bruises all over my arms and legs. I was pissed big time, but I couldn't let it show because there were too many of them behind me. Instead, I made funny jokes each time I stumble or fall. Nobody would've guessed that my feet were callous and bleeding inside my rubber shoes. A little over three-quarters on the foot of the mountain everyone else were struggling, we we're covered with dust all over our bodies, then we walked past the first group who descended when just reached the summit. Imagine how long they've been descending by this hour. I figured it wasn't an easy trail after all. And then the inevitable happened - it started raining. So we hurried going down because the steep trail could be thrice harder when it's all muddy and slippery. Upon reaching the foot of the mountain I breathed the longest sigh of my life, a breathe of relief from the pain of my muscles and bleeding feet. I thank God for letting me through. It was still an achievement for me. Finally conquered my second mountain :)
When we got back to where the vans were parked it was already raining heavily. So instead of eating lunch there, because there we're no shades, we decided to hide in the vans and wait until Kuya Arn Arn is back. While waiting, my feet was all sored and aching so I decided to change clothes right there. Kuya Joriel bought some fish crackers and sodas, we then shared it until kuya Arn Arn was finally back. Our tour guide was kind enough to offer to deliver us to one of the resorts nearby so we can take our lunch there and wash up before going home.
We arrived at the resort a little past 2PM. Some of us swam in the beach whilst others like me chose to lie on the sand and rest for a while.
Others took their lunch and washed up. I felt very uncomfortable with the washroom because there we're no lights from the inside and the water from the pale was freezing cold. I changed clothes immediately and decided to rest inside the van instead. I woke up to a rolling van almost at Batangas City. We stopped to a couple of restaurants and then dine for the early dinner. We feast on BULALO and the famous "LOMI ng BATANGAS". And that was a wrap for this day hike. Overall, it was truly a day to remember. I will definitely hand with this gang again in the future. I'm very much looking forward to it. Till next time CORE :)
Thursday, November 20, 2014
MT. OSDUNG 2616 MASL
MT. OSDUNG DAYHIKE
Kibungan, Benguet
November 18, 2014
Major jumpoff: Collideng Junction, Halsema Hwy, Brgy. Madaymen
Kibungan, Benguet
November 18, 2014
2616 MASL 8th highest mountain in Luzon and 16th in The Philippines
Hike hours to summit: 1-2 hours
Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 2/9*, Trail class 1-2
Photo (c) Ryan Junio
ITINERARY:
November 17, 2014
10:00PM Meet up at Cubao, Victory Liner Bus Station
11:00PM Bus departure going to BAGUIO
November 18, 2014
01:00AM First Bus Stop at Mabalacat, Pampanga
03:00AM Second Bus Stop
04:30AM Arrival at Victory Liner Bus Station BAGUIO
05:30AM Breakfast at Sab-Atan Restaurant
06:00AM Dangwa Station GL Bus Terminal
06:30AM GL Bus departure going SAGADA/Bontoc
08:30AM Bus Stop (15mins break) , Sayangan Junction KM 50
09:00AM Collideng Junction Arrival; Traders Cafe
09:22AM Start Trek
10:56AM Mt. Osdung Summit/Lunch
11:15AM Start Descend
11:44AM Jump off, short break at Traders Cafe
12:35PM Bus ride back to Baguio
04:15PM Dangwa Station GL Bus Terminal, Baguio City
04:20PM Early Dinner at Pizza Volante, Session Road Baguio City
05:40PM Victory Liner Bus Station, Baguio City
11:47PM Arrival at Cubao, Victory Liner Bus Station
ITINERARY:
November 17, 2014
10:00PM Meet up at Cubao, Victory Liner Bus Station
11:00PM Bus departure going to BAGUIO
November 18, 2014
01:00AM First Bus Stop at Mabalacat, Pampanga
03:00AM Second Bus Stop
04:30AM Arrival at Victory Liner Bus Station BAGUIO
05:30AM Breakfast at Sab-Atan Restaurant
06:00AM Dangwa Station GL Bus Terminal
06:30AM GL Bus departure going SAGADA/Bontoc
08:30AM Bus Stop (15mins break) , Sayangan Junction KM 50
09:00AM Collideng Junction Arrival; Traders Cafe
09:22AM Start Trek
10:56AM Mt. Osdung Summit/Lunch
11:15AM Start Descend
11:44AM Jump off, short break at Traders Cafe
12:35PM Bus ride back to Baguio
04:15PM Dangwa Station GL Bus Terminal, Baguio City
04:20PM Early Dinner at Pizza Volante, Session Road Baguio City
05:40PM Victory Liner Bus Station, Baguio City
11:47PM Arrival at Cubao, Victory Liner Bus Station
November 17, 2014
10:00PM Meet up at Cubao, Victory Liner Bus Station
11:00PM Bus departure going to BAGUIO
November 18, 2014
01:00AM First Bus Stop at Mabalacat, Pampanga
03:00AM Second Bus Stop
04:30AM Arrival at Victory Liner Bus Station BAGUIO
05:30AM Breakfast at Sab-Atan Restaurant
06:00AM Dangwa Station GL Bus Terminal
06:30AM GL Bus departure going SAGADA/Bontoc
08:30AM Bus Stop (15mins break) , Sayangan Junction KM 50
09:00AM Collideng Junction Arrival; Traders Cafe
09:22AM Start Trek
10:56AM Mt. Osdung Summit/Lunch
11:15AM Start Descend
11:44AM Jump off, short break at Traders Cafe
12:35PM Bus ride back to Baguio
04:15PM Dangwa Station GL Bus Terminal, Baguio City
04:20PM Early Dinner at Pizza Volante, Session Road Baguio City
05:40PM Victory Liner Bus Station, Baguio City
11:47PM Arrival at Cubao, Victory Liner Bus Station
![]() |
Powerbank, DSLR, Monopod, iPad, iPad mini, iPhone |
Kuya Ryan and I first met in this trip. We met up at 7 eleven near Araneta at a gas station and made our way to Cubao, Victory Liner Bus Station where we boarded the bus bound to BAGUIO. It was my first time travelling alone with a friend and it sure sent me jitters and I had butterflies in my stomach the whole trip. The bus left the station at exactly 11:00PM, I'm glad that they strictly follow the scheduled time and had not waited too long. We had 2 bus stops (or at least that's what I remembered since I slept for most part of the bus trip to reserve my energy for my first hiking adventure), The first stop was in Mabalacat Pampanga where I took my pee break (be sure to bring coins with you. It is paid washroom for P5.00) and the other is somewhere in Tarlac where I had to go out of the bus because I was freezing cold. Ironically, the bus was way colder from the inside than outside. I was even wearing long sleeves, stretched pants and a scarf around my neck but it wasn't enough to keep me warm.
![]() |
Victory Liner Bus Station, BAGUIO |
At half past 4AM we arrived at Victory Liner Bus Station BAGUIO. I have underestimated the cold weather and was very regretful that I did not bring a jacket with me. When I stepped out of the bus it felt like the breeze were needles penetrating my bones. We quickly went outside to peek, it was barely sunrise and my eyes are failing me to see the beautiful city of Baguio. Simultaneously, kuya Ryan bought me the infamous Strawberry Taho- it was perfect to warm my then freezing body.
![]() |
Strawberry Taho. A-must for the cold temperature of Baguio. |
We waited for another half an hour before we left Victory Liner Bus Station. We embarked a cab and was dropped off in front of Sab-Atan restaurant adjacent to the Dangwa Station GL Bus Terminal bound for Sagada. My body was shivering and Kuya Ryan can tell that I was pale and my skin is turning blue-gray while my veins are all visible to the naked eye. We rushed to Sab-Atan restaurant half-filled with what seemed to me as hikers too, all queuing to the GL Bus bound for Sagada at 6AM. Some were locals and I was surprise to see a number of foreigners geared up with mountaineering backpacks and complete gears. Kuya Ryan said it's best for me to eat before the hike so I would've energy to burn on the trail. I decided to feast on HOT BEEF MAMI to warm me up.
![]() |
Hot Beef Mami |
At around 5:30AM the ticketing station opened and we bought our ticket to the bus bound for Sagada (bus fare is at P95.00). It will pass by the KM 313 Collideng Junction in Halsema highway (the highest road in the Philippines) where the jump off to Mt. Osdung lies. When the bus rolled, falling to sleep was not an option. It was one hell of a bumpy ride. I'm glad kuya Ryan made me take Bonamine before hand since it was a zigzag road and the bus driver is was in a rush probably to get to stop overs on time.I was both holding my breathe and enjoying a little bit of the view, (It was too foggy and the cold air was suffocating me) add the fact that the bumpy-lightning-fast-ride is making me nervous. It felt like we were going to fall off the cliff anytime. We had one (15 minute) bus stop at exactly 8AM before the Collideng Junction.
We alighted at KM 313 Collideng Junction where I saw the familiar Trader's Cafe from the blogs that I've read. "This is it!" I exclaimed. We immediately changed to our hiking attire, wore sun blocks and protection to the sun's heat, which is barely felt due to the cold weather of the Benguet mountains. Traders Cafe offers washroom and General Merchandise, so it's a one-stop shop for hikers before making their way to the summit. The locals were kind enough to offer us to hitch atop the mountain. We boarded and waited a little, but changed our mind on the last minute. I told kuya Ryan it would be senseless to call it "hiking" if we were to ride our way there haha :D I wouldn't want to narrate my first hiking experience turned hitching experience instead LOL.
At the foot of Mt. Osdung, we had a lot of "photo-ops", since there were just us two, we would either exchange turns in taking pictures or use kuya Ryan's tripod and run back and forth to capture the scenery. As we walk, I was speechless, I realized how much I've been missing out in life. For a girl who resides in the city all her life, walking in the midst of a mountain trail with the most awe-inspiring scenery was like a dream. Even when armed with the latest gadgets that has exceptional camera specs, these weren't enough to justify the beauty that I'm seeing before my eyes. I was literally taking pictures every steps that I make, I am hoping to capture this breath-taking scenery and share it to everyone.
![]() |
Look at that. Beautiful beyond words. |
![]() |
Our Lady of Fatima Chapel |
![]() |
Pakpakitan Elementary School |
Halfway to the summit we were on foot with some short steep trails and endless view of cabbage terraces. The scorching heat can be felt even with the frigid air, glad to have worn sun block, although I could have brought an umbrella since it's an open trail. Several trucks, jeepneys and private vehicles passed by us as we saunter. There were no other hikers that day but us. We walked pass Our Lady of Fatima Chapel and Pakpakitan Elementary school, there were a number of students who just finished classes, they were staring at us and greeting us with lovely smiles. I couldn't understand what they were saying but kuya Ryan, who happens to speak their dialect spoke to them briefly. We past by a shack with a group of men, I assume were farmers, they greeted us and offered a drink. Kuya Ryan kindly refused the offer and reasoned that we needed to come back to Manila on the same day and couldn't afford a drunk soul on the way home. After about an hour of long walk we finally reached what we thought was the summit. So we had the mandatory Summit picture.
![]() |
So we thought this was the SUMMIT |
I was skeptical, the summit looked a tad bit different from the one I saw at http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/. Kuya Ryan might have thought the same thing and as if we spoke telepathically, I looked at him and was about to say what I thought, when he blurted out "parang hindi ito yung summit"; we laughed in unison. We continued walking for another 100 meters and reached a dead end, the neighboring house was empty and there was no one nearby we could ask. Feeling dauntless, I surveyed the area and saw a narrow ascent alongside the house. The dog was barking furiously from inside the empty house. I braved the trail and found myself in a cabbage field. I walked purposefully on the cabbage plots, tiptoed on the field until I reached the summit which is a meager islet in the center of the cabbage garden. Finally! We reached the summit at exactly 10:56AM (not bad for a first timer). The view was perfect and from afar, one can see Mt. Timbak and Mt. Pulag and a whole lot of vegetable terraces.
![]() |
Cabbage Garden |
![]() |
And Yes! That's the SUMMIT of MT. OSDUNG |
![]() |
Mandatory Summit Snapshot |
![]() |
Lunch at the Summit |
Despite the easy trail and considering it was a minor climb, I still felt awfully drained. I was so exhausted at this point and hurriedly find a place to seat and rest. After a few photo-ops. Kuya Ryan took a pee break somewhere and specifically instructed me not to follow. HAHA. I scanned my bag and looked for my packed lunch. I ate hungrily like a coyote, then took some selfie while chewing down my lunch. I was re-energized in seconds and was prepped up for descend. I made sure all waste are kept in my trash bag. Meanwhile, kuya Ryan took pictures and urged me to take one last look around before the descend. We started our descend at 11:15AM and just did a back trail. Going back was easier. We were back at the jump off in less than 30 minutes. We stopped by at Traders Cafe because kuya Ryan was craving for cold soda, after a little bit of cooling down we went outside and halt a bus bound for Baguio. The bus back to Baguio was crammed. We seated in the middle of the bus, I felt so agitated all throughout the trip and was not able to sleep at all. When we reached Baguio, it was gridlock, the bus was barely moving and so we were behind our scheduled itinerary. I was looking forward to our Baguio side trip to Botanical garden, Teacher's camp, Mine's view park and SM Baguio. Unfortunately we arrived at Dangwa Station a little past 4PM and realized we won't be able to make it back to Manila on time before my shift starts if we were to push through with our Baguio side trip. Instead, we just had an early dinner at Pizza Volante and at 5:40PM we rode the Victory Liner Bus bound to Pasay with so much memory and bittersweet smile on our faces.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
-
MT. OSDUNG DAYHIKE Kibungan, Benguet November 18, 2014 "Follow a map to its edges, and keep going. Forgo the mountains, tr...
-
MT. TIBIG DAYHIKE Lobo, Batangas February 1, 2015 Sunday "Perhaps we all need time to be free, time to be alone in na...
-
December 2- 5, 2015 Our first double-date-tour trip with Kae and John. Parasailing. Helmet Diving. Paraw Sailing to name a few of the w...