The Perks of Trekking

February 16, an ocular for the TUMCSI Faculty was set. Baluti Island and Cauayan River in Quezon Province were the destinations. I expected a really challenging trek as I was told that we would be wading a river and climbing cliffs.

We took the never ending zigzags of Antipolo and almost three hours later reached Real, Quezon Province. The aftermath of zigzags was terrible that I barely ate lunch.

After lunch, we proceeded to the place of the activity – TREKKING. To explore Cauayan River and see the Seven Falls were the objectives.

Fresh air and the smell of plants freed me from exhaustion. The water was not crystal clear yet the sound it created blended well with the group’s laughter as we adventurously waded the strong currents.

Along the way these were seen.

Slimy stones in the river and the rocky trail failed to defy my vigor. So we reached the so-called tough climb. We had to get to the top of the falls by climbing  the slippery cliff. There was nothing to hold on to except for a thin makeshift rope. I said so, because it was an old electrical wire and seemed to have been snatched from someone else’s appliance. It appeared as if it couldn’t accommodate my weight. Nevertheless,  I bravely took the challenge and triumphantly reached the top of the falls.  Two more followed and joined me and the three tour guides for the picture taking atop the falls. It was really fun.

It was not the height of the falls that posed challenge but the slippery cliff and very narrow trail to its peak. One wrong move and the climber would certainly fall to the rocky ground below.

My company decided to stop there as we would still be going to another place – Baluti Island.

From the River we proceeded to the harbour and took a boat to the island.

We sailed for almost 20 minutes and docked on the resort’s bay. The place appeared to be unattended for some time as the cottages looked as if they have been shattered by storm.  

We surveyed the resort, nonetheless and took pictures there and because I just could not contain my curiosity I did not let the time pass without asking the guide why the place appeared that way. He replied that renovation typically takes place a month before summer, the season when people naturally get to the beach resort for outing. Further, he said that it was because there’s no reason for the owner to maintain the place while there were no customers coming in. This response made me think of the disadvantage of resort business.

 We took the pleasure of exploring the lagoon and the spot where mangroves  thrive.

The cool water was refreshing and we had fun chasing the elusive frogfish. One of us even climbed up a fully grown tree.

It was my first time to see a live sea urchin.  It disgorged a thick yellow substance as it seemed to be inhaling.

The best part of the trip was this:

The freshly-caught tanigue (Spanish Mackerel) which was cooked in three varied dishes –

Fried Tanigue

Kilawing Tanigue

and the Sinigang na Tanigue which I was not able to take a picture of.

These  were catered before us during dinner. That took place as we left the island and washed ourselves at the barangay chairman’s house. The fish was prepared and presented without garnishing. Despite that, the taste of each dish out of it was distinctive and truly savoury.  Each of us enjoyed the dinner that we found our tummies bloated afterwards.  

The barangay chairman’s incomparable hospitality provided us a really filling meal and a great time for bonding. 

The trek and the people – The Road Patriots – who made it possible truly deserve our thanks.

This has been another remarkable trek in my list and a very unforgettable dinner for all of us. Can’t wait for the continuation on April. Thanks to Robi and Mr. Jun Manzano for the documentation. Without the pics, I would have not given a vivid narrative of the event.