Never in my mind that I would consider myself do mountain trekking. Heck, I mean you'll just go up the mountain and enjoy the view then you'll descend and thats it. Little diderot that mountain hiking has a lot of benefits pala like 1). Loosing weight 2). Build endurance and strength 3). Foster camaraderie and friendships and many more.
After the Batulao and Pico de Loro trek now I'm hook.So last december when matel invited us for a trek in Mt. Malindig we immediately said yes. I've never been to Marinduque and the trek excites me. Sense of our friends confirmed for this trip but on the week leading to the trip one by one they backed out.Yikes! Sino kaya kakausapin namin duh? Thats my predicament! Waaa!
ordinary bus from alabang to lucena!! tipid mode!
Even our friend Nina backed out. On the trip due to work. And that only leaves me, chacha and cherifer to go to Marinduque and do the trekking.
Kaya naman pala even though we were outnumbered!
Day 0
We rode a bus in Alabang going to Lucena to catch the 2 am roro trip. But wit the pace the bus were at I was afraid were not gonna make it. It was an ordinary bus that stops whenever there s passenger along the high way.
Kakastress drilon!
I almost scolded the conductor for picking up too many passengers BUT turns out, after he town in Batangas the trip was smooth and straight na and we finally arrive at Lucena port by 11pm.
Ataters lang talaga ako.
Matel and the rest of the gang arrived an hour after us and after we exchange pleasantries we decided to bu the ticket but what shock is the first trip in e morning would be at 4am pa!
Say whattttt????!
Well wala naman kasing magagawa so we decided to take a nap on the terminal's 2nd floor where some other passengers are also sleeping. We had a quick nap and by 4am were off to Marinduque.
It was a 3 hour trip. Sme of us decided to sleep inside the ferry, others decided to spend the morni and sunrise at the top deck of the ferry. I was awoken by the commotion of the people snide the cabin, it was sunrise a kasi and the view outside is spectacular.
Love it!
Ro-Ro row your boat to Marinduque!
Moon light over the ocean
Good Morning Marinduque!
Upon arrival, matel's hired Jeepney is waiting for us and off we go to Boac for breakfast.Was surprised to see that Boac has some preserved old houses. Amazing!
In fairness Boac is clean and not too crowded unlike other province capital which is crowded and noisy, this place has very laid back style.
Vigan styled house
Old vs. New
Preserved house cum cafe
Majestic bahay na bato / government office
Trekking starts at 1pm.it was scorching hot and since we just had our lunch, after 5 minutes of walking s we were (or maybe it was justly me) panting like dogs! Pagod much!
Masamang pangitain Ito!
Thank god after we were freshen up by the fresh buko juice our guide provided us (we pass through his coconut plantation kasi) we were energized and we continued the assault to the camp site.
Since it was mid afternoon and the sun was all out, it was so hot and it was even hotter because the trail to the camp is an open area (.e. no trees, only grass)
Mabuti nalang maganda ang view. Puede narin.
I remember Bellaroca is on Marinduque din pala. Note to self: Must go there next year.
The hills are aliveeeee.....
And another thing that struck me was my trekking attire. Ako Lang ang naka maong pants while the others are in their full trekking gear. Na fashion conscious tuloy ako. Lol!
Kung andito Lang a fashion pulls most probably nahuli nako. Lol!
Thank you Nike for my arm sleeve =P
Also the people advice us before we went climbing that we should not greet the cows on our way. Superstitions believes that some of them daw are Diwata. Not that i don't believe on the extraordinary being but meron bang Baka sa bundok?
I was wrong. Dead wrong! Lot's of cows are grazing the mountain slopes!!!
And I was afraid! Waaa! (Note: no picture was taken with the cow, afraidy aguillar ako!)
We were relieved when we arrived at camp site. It was an Army barracks which also serves as a guard house for the radio station transmitter for Marinduque. Double purpose.
If only we're not in camping mode or the 3kilo tent that I brought I would rather slept inside the barracks than in my tent. It was freezing from 5pm onwards and the winds was howling through the night.
Camp Site
I didn't bring along my jacket for I thought we would have a summer night but was wrong again.
It was a cold summer night. Literally! Waaaaa!
Electric fence
Morning come, thank god. After a hot coffee and lots of hotdog we decided to make the assault to the peak. Boy I tell you, it was hard!! Slippery, lot's of branches and slides, insects and what not.
Arte much no?
But conquer it all! Galing namin!
Thank you very much Marinduque, you sure has some magic hidden your sleeves. there's more than just Moriones and Bellaroca. I'll make sure to come back to your island. You're simply be-witching!
But conquer it all! Galing namin!
I have to admit I was skeptical a first with the climb and was disappointed with the view at the peak but what inspires me to d another trekking is the friendship I develop with my other co trekker and the experience of getting to know the cultured other province. All the pagod and gators was all worth it. Will I'd it again, of course! Shalli join their trek again, why not give a chance.
L-R Joseph, Denis, Matel's sister, Christian Lauren, Kenneth Qitter, Franklin
Christian, manong guide, Lauren and Matel
Lush green trees at the peak!
Thank you Matel for organizing the trip =D
We start the descend by 11:00 AM
Photo-op sa bangin!
Thank you very much Marinduque, you sure has some magic hidden your sleeves. there's more than just Moriones and Bellaroca. I'll make sure to come back to your island. You're simply be-witching!
Good-bye!
