Right before the lockdown was declared last year, I and my baby girl Donna were able to experience the cool and exciting trek at the highest peak in Cebuโ The Osmeรฑa Peak!
I am always craving for adventure. When I landed the job where I am working right now, I make sure to spend my day-off worthwhile. I'm so happy to have two days off in a week, unlike my previous job where I only had a day off on weekdays. Now I feel so lucky because my day off is every weekend. I am also blessed because I got to meet my best friend and home buddy, Donnaโmy baby girl. I call her baby girl because she's the youngest friend that I have.
Last March 8 of 2020, we went to Osmeรฑa Peak, Dalaguete. Our call time was 5:00 in the morning at Cebu South Bus Terminal but she arrived around 5:30. So, we rode a bus and left the terminal at exactly 6:00. The bus fare that time was P145.00 and the travel time from Cebu City to Dalaguete is two and a half to three hours. Upon our arrival, many โhabal habalโ drivers approached us and asked us if our itinerary was The Peak. We nodded and they named the price. The fare was P100.00 per person, back and forth. By the way, habal-habal here in Cebu is one of the means of transportation where the driver of the motorcycle will negotiate with its client if how much will be the fare and it also depends on the distance of your destination.
That was a 20-25 minutes ride till we reached the starting point of Osmeรฑa Peak. We rented a stick for P10.00. We also paid P30.00 for the environmental fee. Thereโs also a tourist guide who can assist your climb, but we didn't get one because Donna already knew the pathway. It was her second visit at that time.
It was cold and foggy. I am so excited and thrilled to climb. The pathway is rough and narrow. Thanks to the stick, it made our climb easier. Along the way, there were root crops and a lot of vegetables. We were amazed by how people took care of the place. We were also astonished by how a man carries the one big basket full of vegetables on his back.
In the middle of our climb, we felt the heat and sweat running through our faces. So we removed our jackets. It was 30 minutes of trekking till we reached the top. It was still so foggy. We can't see the view clearly so we waited for the fog to slowly disappear. It was almost two hours of waiting. And finally, we were able to take photos of the rock.
Quick historyโ Osmeรฑa, Peak is located at Mantalongon, Dalaguete, Cebu. It is considered the highest peak in Cebu standing at 1,013 meters above sea level. Itโs a popular destination for hikers because of the breathtaking views it offers and the picturesque rugged hills almost similar to Boholโs Chocolate Hills.
By around 12 Noon, we decided to go down to have our lunch and we almost forgot also that our driver was still waiting for us. We asked him if there's a nearby restaurant, then he told us that there is a flower garden three kilometers from where we're situated. There we can have our lunch. We just have to add P50.00 for the fare. With no doubt, we agreed!
He brought us to Mt. Talongon Flower Garden. If I'm not mistaken, the environmental fee that time was P50.00 or P60.00. The place is so quite and peaceful. They have this honest store and just limited stocks displayed inside. We weren't able to take a photo of it because we were so hungry at that time. After we ate and freshened up, we then had a tour around the place. We didn't mind the heat. We just enjoyed taking photos of the beautiful garden.
We were both tired and we already feel the pain in our legs but we still decided to visit Mama Mary of Simala. That was our last destination of that day. Thank goodness there were just a few people at the place. This trip was worth it. We're happy because we visited not just one awesome place but three astonishing tourist destinations in Cebu in one day. To more travel adventure with my baby girl. Forever grateful for the friendship that we have.
Thatโs it for now. See you on my next eEventures! ๐ Keep safe and God speed. ๐
Until then. Bye!
