Showing posts with label Alegria. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alegria. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Mt. Lanaya...Conquered!

It was an answered prayer - climbing without the rains and winds on our feet. The 4th climb with BRB and yet a first fair weathered climb. Yay! No sleeping wet experienced at OsmeƱa Peak. Cold winds and slippery trek in both Talinis and Canlaon climbs.

Group picture just before the ascent sans Jame, Pong and Flo2x!
The day started with Migo and I in a rather tiresome argument. The call time was 6:00 AM yet we were still having our breakfast by then. He must have been so pissed because it was the first time that I witnessed him snap and raised his voice when I kept reminding him that we're ALREADY super late.  The thought of not going crossed my mind.

When we joined the group at South Bus Terminal, I was not in my usual jolly self. I know I needed the time to calm myself so I wanted to be separated with the group. Like an answered prayer, when we board the bus bound to Alegria, most seats were occupied.

The trip took about 4 hours. The sleep must have taken my angst away because on the bus stop in Barili, I was feeling more like myself.

The Stop Over

The initial plan was to have our stop at Alegria Plaza for lunch. But for an unknown reason, it was later changed to Stop Over bakeshop

At the stop over. While the others are busy on other things, I had Migo took my picture. 
We waited about an hour for Pong to joined the group. When he arrived, we then proceeded to Nanay Lucing's house to meet with the guide and have our names listed on the mountain's log book. We had our lunch there. They were so nice to offer us free "humba" and "ginamos". 

Photo with Nanay Lucing and family!

Ascension

Then the suffering...the journey rather...started. :P The first 15 minutes was so-so. The next few minutes was
literally hell. I felt so hot. It was like my body is burning. I had to stop every 5 minutes of walking. I pity those who walked after me. They had to stop because I hold the line. :| I was a little shy I had to do that to them...just little though because I know in the next few minutes, my body would adjust and I wouldn't be that slow anymore. 

For me the whole ascension trail was divided into three parts. First is the path to the house that has a captivating view. Then the endless climb in rocky, leaves-laden, loose soiled path with too much ants. And finally, the plain path where Charry got bitten by bees. 

The hardest part was the 2nd. I feared for my life twice on it. The soil was so loose and a little bare. No roots to hold on to. I had to use my knees to get me through it. I actually crawled. It was a first! And before reaching that life-and-breath-taking path, we had to endure the the constant nuisance of ants. We can't rest in a place too long because ants' would get in our shoes and bite. The only consolation I had on that was the view when I reached the top. It was so beautiful it makes you forget all the hardships in getting there. 
On the 1st part with Gliana, Charry, Dave and Banky.
July, Ali, Florence, Dea and Dave (nibalhin dayon ug sides. Hmph)
Me and my pack.
And this is the beauty that awed us in the first part. 
The Actual Climb
The hardest part was the 2nd. I feared for my life twice on it. The soil was so loose and a little bare. No roots to hold on to. I had to use my knees to get me through it. I actually crawled. It was a first! And before reaching that life-and-breath-taking path, we had to endure the the constant nuisance of ants. We can't rest in a place too long because ants' would get in our shoes and bite. The only consolation I had on that was the view when I reached the top. It was so beautiful it makes you forget all the hardships in getting there. 
Resting time!
Saka na pud!
Na-injured si Banky! Mukaon lage ug saging! Hmph!
The Camp


Up Next: The Summit + Descension

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Hello Mt. Lanaya...3 days to go!

Photo from PinoyMountaineer.
When I caught the Climbing fever last year, I eagerly list the mountains to climb in Cebu. Lanaya is on the list. There was no date as to when I could climb this mountain. Not this time. Yay! Finally have a date. :) Weeeeeeee!

Lanaya, here I come.
Hope you'll be kinder than Canlaon.
Aja!

Sunday, October 16, 2011

The Detour leading to Villa Isabella, Samboan

The Plan:
05:30 - 06:00 AM Rendezvous at South Bus Terminal
06:30 - Departure to Alegria (Batong Malunhaw)
09:30 - Batong Malunhaw
11:00 and beyond - Enjoy!

Actual:
05:30 - 06:00 AM Rendezvous at South Bus Terminal
07:00 - Departure to Alegria ( Batong Malunhaw )
10:30 - Batong Malunhaw 

Unfortunately,Batong Malunhaw is under renovation. The group made a unanimous decision to go to Samboan over Badian not knowing that it's still 2 towns away. Alegria. Malabuyoc. Ginatilan. Samboan. Actually, we're counting on the transportation, whichever comes first, bound to Badian or Samboan, that's our pick. Lucky for us, a Ceres bus liner bound to Bato pass by. Yahoo! We're on our way to Samboan with a faint hope that Villa Isabella, one of the candidate resort for the trip is actually fit for accommodation. I actually prayed hard.

11:00 - Departure to Samboan ( Villa Isabella )
11:30 - Villa Isabella

I don't know how they were able to know where Villa Isabella is located. I was just joining the crowd when they took off the bus. We walked a dirt road unto a dilapidated sign, that says "This way to Villa Isabella". The group were divided as to where the sign is pointing. In my mind, "Gosh! This is so like a horror trip. Waaaah!" Then we saw a back gate that leads to the pink cottages that looks exactly like the one we saw on Facebook. I feel a little relief. We went inside when no one answered our call. Waaaaa! Not long after, a middle-aged man appeared saying he would call the care taker. I thanked God for the discovery of the place and prayed again that all would be OK. Everyone was tired and hungry to transfer and look for another place again. The care taker took longer so we decided to do things ourselves. Some went to the market. The others were content with chatting and feeling the sea breeze. I went to check out the place and took some pictures. Some prepared lunch. When the care taker arrived, I was a little uneasy chanting my prayers silently again. I was so happy we got the place. We had 2 rooms each cost PHP 1500. They were huge so we were considering of getting one room only but the care taker insist. We took 2. it was only the day after that we realized it was the best decision to get the 2 rooms.

Up Next: Villa Isabella: The Groupie Traveler's Haven