Climb from a Different Perspective

We had a climb last weekend (March 12-13, 2005) at Mt. Susong-Dalaga, Talim Island, Rizal. It was supposed to be enjoyable and fun but on the contrary, I did not.

A brief backtrack.

A week before the climb (March 6, 2005), Leo, Ava, Panget and I have already been there... to recon, in preparation for the official climb. As usual, I had a hard time walking, but the later part was fun when we started to really climb. When we reached the summit, the place was breath-taking... with the 360 degrees view... "ang isa sa pinakamagandang summit na naakyat ko!". I then, started to get excited for the next weekend's climb when we get to see the sunset and sunrise. We just stayed there for an hour or even less just to eat our lunch, still I had fun.


March 6, 2005. Mt. Susong Dalaga, Talim Island, Rizal.

Then came March 12, a week after. The day of the open climb. I am so surprised that on our way to summit, the talahib along the way is gone, the trail to the summit is harder with nothing to hold on to. And it really frustrates me to see that the campsite was covered with ashes. And the long talahibs are gone. In a week's time, it's all gone. I don't have pics of the current situation of the campsite, I felt so weak and brokenhearted to take pictures of the place. I almost wanted to go home. The group just decided to camp there despite the depressing sight of it (at least for me), which is a good thing. Sunset came, and it was so beautiful.


Sunset at Mt. Susong Dalaga, Talim Island, Rizal

The guests were all cooperative, overall the itinerary was followed. The group had fun. But then why did I not enjoy?!?!?! Simple, I am the Expedition Leader (EL). I was so tensed, stressed and anxious even of the simplest detail. One of my friends said, "the problem with you is, YOU WORRY TOO MUCH". Yeah, I was worrying too much... to the point I threw up and cannot eat a single decent meal. I have other reasons too... reasons I don't wish to share to everybody (sorry guys, sekretong malupet!)

From this experience I learned that I am not a leader in a making. I am really a "flows with"... a "supporter". I have this negative habit of pleasing everybody... everybody but myself.

Right now, I am depress. Mainly due to the aftershock of the climb.

... And I feel very very bad that I have to pass up the opportunity to go to Sagada this holy week (again, dahil me masasagasaan na schedule).

Five Days in Paradise

This is my very first time to travel with Air Philippines, the trip was bumpy but all my worries was replaced by awe upon seeing the view. Once again, I found myself looking at life from a different perspective. The flight was an hour delay. Upon arriving at Puerto Princesa Airport, the first thing I did was to ask someone to take my pic. I can't stand still, I was so hyper and so excited with whatever Palawan will offer me. We met Jerome, Jei's friend outside the airport, from the airport we went straight to Jei's house at Seaplane 1. We had lunch, then, off we go to the Crocodile farm.


First Day. February 25, 2005. Puerto Princesa Airport.

As usual, upon arriving at the Crocodile Farm I look for a signage of the place and strike a pose. hehehe (Mukhang Picture talaga!) We had a tour around the place. The skin of the longest and largest crocodile (17 feet and 6 inches ata) caught in Palawan can be found at the lobby. We watched a video about crocodiles (meron palang fresh water crocodile at salt water crocodile). The tourists/visitors can touch crocs for Php30. Anna was courageously held one. I tried too. See our pic? That's Anna the gurl wearing a black cap beside me.

First Day. Crocodile Farm. First Time to touch a Croc.

Next stop, Iwahig and Balsahan. Iwahig is a prison in Palawan. A prison where the prisoner can live as a free man. The place was almost a paradise. There is a place there called Balsahan. It reminded me of Pagsanjan and Cambalyao in Laguna. There is a souvenir shop here where the prisoners of Iwahig sells their handcrafted souvenir items (keychains, displays, bags). Again, Anna and I was able to touch a real live python with the help of the Manong who is in the souvenir shop. He even showed us scorpions (nakakulong sa 1.5 Plastic bottles). There is another Manong who showed us his turtles. They are sooo cute.

Still First Day. Iwahig at Balsahan. First time to touch a live python.

After our trip, we went straight home to wash. Then, we had our dinner to one of the famous dining place in Puerto Princesa, Ka Lui. Their interior was very relaxing. And the food, it was yummy. We ordered their Combo Meal of Seafoods. Masarap at Malasa the Tuna Belly. We are surprised to find out that the desert (fruit salad sa balat ng buko) was included in the meal set. We all went home that night with a very full stomach and with a happy heart. We slept early for the next day's trip to Sabang.

Still First Day. First Dinner in Palawan. Ka Lui have great ambiance and good food! Yummy!

Second day in Palawan, we went on a road trip (Rough road na maalikabok!) to Sabang. In Sabang, we were able to have a semi-climb (when we decided to have a trek going to the underground river using the Jungle Trail), explore the Underground River (feeling ko nasa Sports Unlimited ako nun!), and Mangrove Boat Paddling (bumaba kami ng bangka para umakyat sa mga roots ng mga puno ng Bakawan). This is also the first time I cooked dinner (pero sabi nga ni agnes, what's there to cook with tocino? piniprito lng yan) and I am proud of myself!

Full Pack Second Day. Sabang. Jungle Trail. Underground River. Mangrove Paddle Boat Tour.

The next day, we start our day early. We even had a stop-over at the Bilihan ng Banana Que that cost only Limang Piso, yes, only five pesos for a 2 and a half bananas! I was sooo amazed! I wish I can bring back to Manila a box of Banana Ques. hehehe. Then, we rode a bangka at the Honda Bay to go to Snake Island. It was a every wet ride! I'm kindda panicking because of my Canon S1 (baka kasi mabasa ndi pa bayad!). We passed by the Starfish Island. Then finally, Snake Island!!! Robert, Agnes and I went walking along the whole stretch of the island. It took us 1 hour walk going to the end and another hour to return back to our cottage. After that Agnes and I tried snorkelling. It was Agnes' first time to snorkel and she had fun. There are a lot of different kinds of fishes, of different sizes, shapes and colors.

Third Day. Snake Island. The Bombshell!


Snake Island. The trip along the island.

Sunset came and I took the opportunity to explore my camera. Nice shots!

Sunset at Snake Island, Palawan.

Anna and I had a heart-to-heart, girl-to-girl talk that night while waiting for falling stars. Although I just met her, I find her really nice and charming. We called it a night when finally we can no longer stay awake at 2am. Anna and Robert had to leave later that day for Manila.

I had a wonderful sleep after a very long time. But when I woke up, I found out that "my" cookset is gone with Anna's daing! waaahhhh anyways, I just decided to let it pass as a joke. The next day, we tour around the rest of the places we had in our itinerary. Vietville. Lourdes Hotspring. Baker's Hill. Of course, I didn't pass up the chance to eat meryenda at Jollibee Puerto Princesa. And had dinner at Chicken Inato. That night Agnes, Jei, Leo and I had a massage. ohhh what a reward... ;-) it was heavenly!

Fourth Day. Vietville. Lourdes Hotspring. Baker's Hill. Chicken Inato.

For our last day, we were trying to fit in the Butterfly Garden, unfortunately, it didn't! oh well, we just visited the Cathedral to say our thanks to our Almighty. Then, we passed by the Palawan Museum. We then checked in. There at the airport we spent our last hours in Palawan, buying pasalubong.

Last Day. March 01, 2005. Palawan Museum. Last stop before going back to Reality.

The whole trip was fun. I felt recharged upon going back to Manila. I saw a wishing star that night at Snake Island, I didn't tell Anna. Don't want her to feel bad cause she didn't see one. I wished for something that night... The same thing I prayed to God that day we visited the Cathedral. In God's beautiful time, I know deep in my heart, if it's meant to be it will happen, but if not, I know there is some"thing" better God planned for me.