Hey Hey! How are you guys? I was trying to channel my remaining energy to go over my hike last Sunday, but I knocked out as soon as I got back to the lab dorm. I am making it up by doing this now XD
So... This hike has been a random solo adventure actually and was probably the first time I ever did a solo backpacking thing, and I am pretty damn proud of myself for that XD
Remember how I was just at the lab dorm this Saturday? Well, on that very evening, I went to the pick-up spot somewhere near my area and the night proceeded in travel ^^ I believe the drive going to this mountain in Zambales was about a 4-hour drive, and that's pretty fast even if it was the evening.
By 5am we were at the entrance of the mountain, having coffee and a few snacks and after a while we began our climb.
So for the first part of the hike, sure there was a 100-meter concrete stretch which they call your last glimpse at civilization for a while. After that, you enter a forest which stretches the entire hike up XD
That forest basically stretched about 2 hours. I wasn't sure about the distance, actually since I wasn't keeping track. I was just happy munching, sharing trail snacks and stories with one of the mountain guides. We had 3 guides, and the middle one spent a lot of time chit chatting with me because I seemed like a really light person. Oh, if he only knew XD
At the clearing, they set up this little shop that sold energy food, some eggs for protein then soda and coffee for that caffeine rush people can't seem to go without. I was opening up my pack of sandwiches when I got surrounded by dogs XD ending was... I ended up snacking with the dogs because they just would not leave me alone, even after we snacked and even as we went higher up the mountain and onto the view deck.
I think along the way up the trail we saw a carabao and apparently you can ride the carabao for a fee.... and so I paid the fee Xd
And it may have been one of the most amusing decisions I've made this year XD Look at me being such a happy kid but also scared for my life that the carabao might push me off XD Either way, it was sooooo fun!
And I did pay extra to have the carabao carry me to the top. I am aware i could have hiked but how often would I ever get to ride a carabao? It's not like I have a province and own a carabao, so I really made the most of my time XD
This was the view from the top and I was sooo happy it wasn't sunny or anything so I could bask in the mountain air and lie down on the grass. Surprisingly, the dogs I fed lied down with me and I... kind of dozed off XD and was left at the trail. Lucky there was a group of other hikers that ended up adopting me XD
The group that adopted me was actually headed down. I wasn't sure where else the group I was went? But The group that adopted me took me to one of the falls in the area and I was happy about it. I didn't even mind getting lost,, I was just happy to see water XD we spent maybe 4 hours there? swimming, talking and they eventually did feed me too UwU it was wild because I never expected that much kindness from strangers. But I'm glad they were kind and even offered to take me down the mountain
I did get down safely, and I did eventually find my group while we were eating more substantial food. I did get an earful from the mountain guide I originally was with... But that was definitely and adventure I would do again XD
Well, that was my weekend. How was yours?
