May 1 is labor day, a holiday here in Philippines. It is a long weekend as May 1 falls on Monday. On this day, most of the employees will have time to relax and will have time for their family, friends and relatives. Some people made their family reunion, had beach outing and some had travels and vacation.
My husband's workmates planned to have a weekend trip going to Kapatagan, Digos City. They looked for 14 person enough for one van. One morning, my husband called me and asked if I want to go with them. I asked where will be the destination, he said Kapatagan. I hadn't been there ever since and I told him if he wants too, we will go.
This is their plan. What made me excited about it is a visit to Camp Sabros. I saw a lot of posts about it and it seems really a good place to visit but the plan didn't turned out according to the plan..
We departed our place with a prayer at 3:30pm as planned and expect to reach our destination around 6:30pm to 7pm BUT as we are in the middle of our travel, it is around 5 int he afternoon we noticed an unfamiliar sound brought by the vehicle. The driver drove slowly until we are safely parked on the side of the highway.
The driver tried to starts the van again, he tried many times but he was failed. The van didn't start again.
We don't have any choice but to get out while waiting for the rescue. Glad their is something we can sit on.
The driver called the van for rent owner and informed her what had happened. They promised to go to our location and bring a mechanic. We traveled two hours already so it means they will travel like that or more to reach our destination.
It's 6 in the afternoon, we felt hungry and some wants to have coffee. One of us asked some hot water in the nearest store along the road, glad they helped. We had some food like puto and sweet corn.
We talked about what just had happened and we are so thankful because we are safe.
It's past 7 in the evening and we decided to have our dinner. Fortunately, we brought food for our dinner and I have 10 disposable spoon and 5 paper plate that we used in eating.
One of us bring fish for kinilaw (a raw fish mixed with spices like onions, ginger and vinegar) and they just mixed it there.
We enjoyed our dinner along the road despite of what happened.
While waiting, we find different spot to rest. Some lied along the road, others get inside the van and one assemble their tent.
We felt safe and relax until the rain came and we ran to get into the van. We take some nap until the owner came at 10 in the evening.
The mechanic found out that the timing belt was damaged and needs replacement. They don't have that and no shop is still open that late night.
The owner decided to bring us at Digos Terminal (around one hour drive) using their pick up. We're 16 including my son so they decided us into two. We are in the first batch and we reached there at 11 in the evening.
The terminal is so quiet that time. No van, no tricycle except some that passed along the road.
We found this small ticket booth and decided to stay here so my son could sleep in the chair.
Others decided to rest on the chair, others on the floors and we find our own spot to rest.
We experienced sleeping along the road and we realized how hard to be homeless. Along the road, you cannot sleep well because it is so cold, there's a lot of mosquitoes plus some rat were passing by.
At 4:40 in the morning, the bus came for the first trip going to Kapatagan and we are so happy. We decided to pay for all 24 passengers seat so the bus will go.
We reached our first destination, a place of our colleague's relative at 5:42 in the morning.
We walk for about 10 minutes and at last we were able to sit and put down all our bags.
We are so grateful that despite the struggles we have encountered, we reached there safe and sound.
The nature welcomed us reminding that life is still beautiful.
Here is a morning view there with the gigantic Mt. Apo.
Since we don't have a vehicle to be used for a tour, we spend our time enjoying the country life, roaming around on different garden that the people have in that place. (I will make a different post about it too.)
Here's a glimpse of what that place is.
That's our planned trip that didn't worked so well because our van broke down but still we are grateful for the gift of life.
In life, we plan, we work according to our plan but there are circumstances that we are not in control. If it happens, do not murmur but instead look for what is best, look for what is good, look for the positive side and above all learn to enjoy what is given.
Thank you so much for reading this far. You may follow me to read the continuation of this holiday trip in a separate blog post. Have a great week everyone.
