home to our mangyan brothers and sisters is the province of mindoro, on the southern tip of batangas province. apart from the tamaraws, this province boasts itself as the nearest diving capital to manila. so diverse is the marine life here that vacationers could hardly find their own spot in the major beaches, particularly on the peak summer months. Fortunately, this gem island province also protects numerous coves and bays, some of them still untamed and far from the diving hubs. some independent resorts settled themselves apart from the populated sabang, la laguna beaches, white and aninuan beach. thier isolation and privacy and silent perfect beauties lie waiting for indulgent tourists.
And true enough, one of them offered me a place for my senses..
the resort had its own port, ready for its speedboat delivering visitors from the muelle pier, the main port entry to the norther mindoro. lined in the port are sitting, and dining areas.
on the edge off the water sat the lazing area where comfortable couches invitingly rested around. opposite this communal area was the very unique bar area furnished literally around a buri tree.
still overlooking the beautiful bay, was the swimming pool where half a dozen lounges laid ready for tanning enthusiasts.
and indeed, the best facility were the villas, all with their own lofts and beautiful bathrooms and relaxing porches..
not long ago, i was here and it was an experience of peace and comfort.
one noon, i was on to my first speedboat ride.i was to believe that indeed i was being transported into one beautiful memory. for one day, i lived isolated from the world. just the awesome beautiful surroundings and the new experiences. i was to explore the nearby coves, view the beautiful sunset on a footpath slightly elevated right beside the cliffs and the characteristic rock boulders.most of the night, i spent wading in the pool. i tried to learn and readied myself to a day of snorkeling and exploring. i slept in the singing of the fireflies and woke up in the sound of the waves. i started my day in the raft, watched the fishes,touched and felt the sweet coldness of the sea. i had a sumptous breakfast. just enough for i was to explore the seas on kayak, and ala robinson crusoe visited one unprotected bay.I was frightened when without warning there was the sudden rise of tides, and i could still hear myself screaming and i could still see myself in a swift run through wild sand to recover my kayak.
i was no swimmer. i had no vest. and it was open sea.
i experienced vulnerability. and yet there was peace.
"photos borrowed from travelsamrt.""
Just a week after we chilled in taytay falls, we scheduled a trek for cavinti twin falls. We thought this was a good follow-up. And it proved to be a day of hard labor.
The trip going sta. cruz and then to nagcarlan was fairly unincidental. After a stop-over and a few photos of the nagcarlan church, we rode the puj for japanese garden. With fantastic view of the cavinti lake and a few river crossings, one could see how beautiful this ecotown is. An hour later, we reached the park where we started the trek.However, we had not prepared for the drought that followed. What was supposed to be an hour trek and 1130 eta, had come to a 330eta, 2 kites, a town and two friendly folks after.
In the park, visitors will have to pass thru the paved rd up to the the fenced boundaries were it's necessary to crawl or pitch our legs up thru the wires. Before we came here, it was advised to ask the permission of the caretaker before venturing further. But there was no one else on the area and downside was nobody told us were to head. we were right on the first 200m. but we realized we missed when we reached the other side of the hills and met the townsfolk of the next town. what happened was that we followed the trail of the logs their carabaos were hauling. wise, huh.
So we retraced our tracks and took another trail, retraced, new trail, retraced until my unexercised legs gave up. So while my company was looking for a local guide, i rested and prepared our lunch of tuna and salted egg.
We didn't find help early on but with great views around us, it's not so bad being trapped here. Really, the place was beautiful ad napping under a well-shaded place under the tree does regenerate one's strength. we didn't rest long though coz the wind was teasing us. It quite excited me coz we actually came ready to make and fly kites which was first time for me. really memorable and childish. hehe.
Finally at 3pm we saw a man! and he went guiding us towards the twin falls. It was not as breathtaking as i hoped it is, but it was not raining much and the force of the water could hardly make up a good cascade. The water we thought we could plunged into after the heat wasn't flowing invitingly. Honestly, it was the success of getting there which made do for the lost hours. It was still a sight in itself though and after filling ourselves with a few photos, we headed back.
We were water-short and I ended up munching, juicing tomatoes to quench my thirst. whew! thanks God the guard in the japanese park shared with us much of his reserved.
It was exhausting, but it left me wanting to explore. after all, i don't get much of nature like this back in makati. Especially when we capped the day soaked in a private hot spring in calamba city. Nothing like a good trek and a spa after.
I looooove waterfalls…. Among others.
We went for a weekend in Taytay falls, in the town of Majayjay to chill out.
And I almost froze (grrrr!!).
Since it was early am yet it took us only 2hrs to reach the Sta. cruz Market where we took a jeepney going Majayjay. Since none of us had been to the falls before, we had to rely on our instincts. Fortunately though, among the passengers was a family who was going also for a swim in the falls.A lady was helpful to give us directions, however, we may have gotten so entertained with her accent and lost what she was actually saying.
So a few more inquiries and we were off to the Majayjay chuch where a few hundred meters more was a gasoline station where jeepneys going to the falls stop and load passengers. While waiting for the ride to fill up, we were entartained with the raucous family with the children just laughing and giggling. It felt like a teaser for the fun we were up to.
The ride was steep, the jeepney almost came to a crawl in some parts, with sudden turns on the road. But who would complain when all around us was verdant scenery of greens and blues and whites. The air was cold and fresh. Our eyes feasted and the first time we saw a river, we already wanted to jump out and swim. The water was very clear and the more we came closer to the falls, we saw more river crossings and by the time we arrived we were already lusting! for the waters.
The base where we paid 20 pesos for entrance was complete with various sells the campers and backpackers would need from sari-sari, vegetables and fishes to choose for viands, cooked meals, and grill stand. There were also rooms and tents rented out. For socials, there was a videoke machine, stacks of beer enough to regurgitate the whole town.
We had to hike another 15 minutes thru a paved path going the main falls.To the right is a steep angle onwards the river and to the left was a creek of water which was very tempting. Could imagine being thrown into it and freezing, yaay!
It was all so perfect except for the throng of people who came here to camp and swim. I wondered how the falls and the river could maintain its cleanliness when it seemed to me that the whole town came here to party. There were scores of tents pitched on our visit and almost all kinds of people gathered together to enjoy this offer of nature. It was obvious that on weekends, it is a favorite!
The falls is at the foot of Mt. Banahaw and is braced both sides by mountains. The water most importantly is very clear and clean. The falls falls on a wide basin that is only about 5ft-6ft, even more shallow on the sides. The place is very ideal for swimming. Among all this, the place is famous for its chilling water, It is also believed that water flowing from the underside of the mountain below this falls is clean and actually good for drinking but for weak stomachs.
For me though, it was the sheer power of the falls and the sound of each impact that always had the effect on me. It was beautiful.
Up above the drop, we were told was another basin and a smaller falls. We were enticed to climb up the steep mountain side so we could escape the crowd. the trail was muddy, the kind that I always slip off. I had to grab a few hardy roots and branches to make it up.
Though the waters were calling us, it was the will of discovery which triumphed. We heard that this falls has seven cascades and we decided to follow a trail on the right of the mountain and started to climb. It was steep and wearing only my slippers, i had to use all four at times. There was a group of teen-agers who followed us and upon seeing that the trail was getting steeper, aborted their quest. For us, who were in nature hard-headed, we continued. From time to time, we heard soft rumblings of falls, a river maybe but we never did see a drop. Until finally, there was no trail, just the sound of the water and the light of the sun penetrating thru the thick greens above the mountain.
We reached the peak but we never saw the seven cascades.
Deciding that maybe the falls were on the other side of the mountain, we started our descent. After a couple of vines and crawls, and insect-bites, (ouch!) we came again to the smaller basin. This time, we attempted swimming. We chilled the ponkans that we brought in the water, and yummy, they tasted so delicious. I did not stay though in the water. I can not. Only a few minutes and I already felt my teeth chattering. Grrrrrrrr. I was ready to chill but to freeze?
After everyone each had a fill of the feel of this falls, we climb down to the main falls and clowned under. It was 3pm but there was no way for us to feel the heat of the sun. We were far away from the heat and stupor of city traffic. We spent a few more minutes just feeling everything and it was sooo good.
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