Mt. Banahaw Take Two

I was back at Mt. Banahaw yesterday with 4th year high school students from Jose Rizal University (JRU) and again, Lakbay Kalikasan.

This time, I made it to the meeting place earlier than the required time.  I woke up at 2:30 A.M. just so I wouldn't be late. However, this time, I was feeling unwell with a cold in one nostril and a fever that was threatening to break out. 

Our party took a different route to the one that my group last Tuesday took. This time, we went to the river last. Our first itinerary was what was supposedly the gateway to the mountain shrine where there we two tablets of concrete with inscriptions of the Ten Commandments. The place was called Prisintahan.

The experience was more rewarding in the sense that I got to do more. This time, I got to go in the uber micro mini cave and ahead of the entire pack at that! I learned to wiggle and squirm and twist and turn my body around like an earthworm just to make it through. (Now I can completely relate to earthworms!) I confirmed that I don't have claustrophobia neither any fear of the dark–we had to go through the cave on our own with nothing but dim candles to light our way. I had to stay inside the cave for about an hour longer than I would have if I had gone straight out of the exit at another side–I had to assist students up a rock wall with barely any place to hold on to without losing your grip and in through a small opening that leads back to the surface. I literally had to lift and push their behinds. (Glad that no one farted into my face!) That place was called Husgado.

Next we went up to Kalbaryo, where there were three crosses supposedly representing the ones on Calvary. It was a rather long, rocky climb. There were no trees and the sun was beating down on us–rather unwise that we started up around 11:30 A.M., I think. We paused midway and ate our lunch, rested a bit after eating, then started our ascent once again.

The view from the peak was quite rewarding. Too bad I don't have a camera that works right now. I made a mental note in my mind to return with one next time but, I hoped the next time would not come too soon for it was an exhausting climb. And it was scorching HOT! 

The trek down was faster, but of course, harder on the legs. I used the red umbrella I brought with me–I couldn't bear the heat anymore.

From Kalbaryo, we went straight down to where the river was. I only got wet up to my waist (I didn't want to wet my upper body since it was too cold and I didn't feel too good.).

That was our last itinerary for the day. We then went back up 270 steps and made our way to our bus.

I'm thankful Jep showed me a place where I could shower and change before we had to head back to Manila.

I took a Neozep tablet at Jep's instruction and therefore dozed off most of the way to Manila.

I was happy to have done more but, happier still to have made it safely home.

Thank God for His guidance and protection! And, for giving me the strength to make it through such a looooooong day!