ACTUAL ITCall time: Novastop Fairview: 03:00 AM
TRAVERSE TO DARANAK FALLSBUDGET BREAKDOWN
TO DARANAK
BACK TO MANILA
According to our tour guide, the mountain has been known to tourists for years but its popularity hugely rises this year (2015-2016). This is also the mountain so far where most of the climbers were locals. I rarely seen or met foreigners on our way up or down. HIGHLIGHTS COLD FOGGY MORNING BEAUTIFUL SUNRISE!On our way to Batolusong, it felt like I am going home to Ifugao. The scenery and temperature as well as the smell of the air made me feel like I was heading home. It was just a beautiful cold morning for us. SEA OF CLOUDSWe didn’t get to see it fully as we were a bit late when we arrived on the spot. Still, we get to see parts of it and it was indeed very beautiful. There was also a fresh continuously flowing water halfway up. You may refill your drinking bottle if you wish to. JOY RIDE: TOP LOAD RIDE TO TANAYThis is something that is normal for me since it was an option back home when I was young until now. We have to wait for a jeep and because it is usually fully loaded especially on Saturdays, the driver has to fully utilize his jeep meaning he has to fill in the jeepney including the rooftop. This is not allowed of course in most places but in Tanay, it was allowed and it was one of the memorable highlight of our climb. We were waiting for ages for a jeepney to the point that we are tempted to rent a tricycle who charges expensively but we were assured the usual interval is 30 minutes.We waited patiently.
Unfortunately, the first jeepney to arrive was fully loaded. However, we really wanted to go already as we haven’t eaten lunch yet so I was joking around if we can be on top load. Much to my surprise, we were actually offered the top load if we wanted to. Without hesitation, we haven’t really thought about possibly falling down or whatsoever considering we got nothing to hold on to but the rear end part of the jeepney. For my two companions, it was a first time and it was a memorable fun and dangerous experience for them. But for me,it brought back childhood memories. It was a happy and memorable unexpected experience. We didn’t even complain of the extreme heat of the sun because were are enjoying ourselves with the amazing view from the top. PERSONAL FEEDBACKOn our way to Kai- Ibon Falls though ,I’ve noticed thrash on our trail and almost everywhere —cans and plastic wrappers within Kai Ibon Falls. It was a public place and everyone is free to enjoy the falls but unfortunately, thrash is everywhere. I have tried to pick up a couple of plastic litters on our way up. I hope all climbers specially locals should practice the courtesy to leave the place clean and keep all our litters to our packets or atleast the tour guides take responsibility to remind the climbers. The locals should take responsibility to set an example. Next time, when we go to a climb, I should have a stick to pick up litters on our way up to help in cleaning. MT BATULUSONG COULD HAVE BEEN A REFRESHING SIGHT ,SADLY THERE WAS A BUSH FIRE PRIOR TO OUR HIKE HENCE THE SIGHT...The heat was unbearable on mid day and it is less windy. You have to walk long before you can get to another man made shade. If only there were trees around, then we can just have a shade under the trees as there’s no need to create an improvised shade. The mountain is struggling obviously and will be a problem in the future if the local government will not do something about it. HONESTY FROM LOCALS (SPECIALLY DRIVERS)If there was one thing I really dislike, it was some of the locals who are taking advantage of us. We were asking for directions on how to go to Daranak with a very limited budget but instead, they kept offering us their service. We can hire them for 600 pesos and not willing to give us some alternatives. Despite everything, we’ve manage to find our way out. We commute via Jeepney and find out that it only costs us around less than 3oo pesos all for the three of us compared to the 600 pesos they were offering. I can’t help but compare Tanay’s local drivers with my experience in Palawan. The drivers and most of the locals in Palawan were very impressive and helpful but what really draws my attention is their honesty and patriotism. They make sure visitors were not being overpriced. They even suggest places that can suit your budget. They can tour you around town until you find the perfect dine in place and they don’t even charge extra. Ikaw na lang yung mahihiya and as a result, ikaw na mismo ang magdadagdag dahil nakakatuwa sya. I just wish that they should not take advantage but instead be honest at all times to gain visitor’s trust and not just like pack of vultures ready to pick on you once you get down from the mountain. My experience might be an isolated case and this is very personal. I do not speak for everybody and for every climber. I just speak for myself. IT WAS A BIT CROWDEDIt was crowded because it was a weekend and a holiday. As a result, we have experience long traffic going up and even going down as you need to give way TIPS
Over all, it was fun, tiring and memorable experience. It was also a moment of prayer for me. While tourism helps in the livelihood of the locals, I pray that they should also care and stand up by protecting their mountain, their place and their source of living. I also wish they do not take advantage to visitors and to practice honesty at all times. I hope they patronize their own place by protecting and guarding it and setting an example for us to follow. To climbers, I hope we always take the responsibility to not leave or drop anything anywhere. I also plead to climbers to avoid vandalism. It is sad how sometimes, I see an inscribe name of people on some of the trees. We are blessed with these beautiful mountains and it was for our eyes as they serve their purpose. It is therefore our responsibility to take care, preserve and nurture it. photo credits to ate Rose
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