MT. ULAP: BENGUET (01/20/19)
I felt the need to blog about this since this is my first legit hike experience. Special mention to The Boyfriend and Friends for being patient with me throughout the whole adventure!
Around 5pm, I arrived at Clyde's crib to wait for Hans before we finally go to our meeting place, Greenfield District near Shang. While waiting for Hans, my boyf taught me how to play Pusoy Dos and that included my frustration because I always lost to him lol. Hans arrived around 7:30 and we decided to go to the meeting place to meet Jobab and have dinner first. So everything started from our departure place, around 11pm.
If I were to be asked, the only bad thing about the whole experience was the fact that we didn't have a comfy trip. The van was packed and sitting at the first row with three TALL GUYS made our trip a little less tolerable. I felt bad for Jobab and Hans that's why I was looking after them the whole time (of course aside from my boyf) lol.
We arrived at Banguet around 4 in the morning, and me and Clyde was wearing our couple hike long sleeves yieeeeeezzzz (just to signal dem ladies, back off! He's already taken haha). After getting simple instructions from our guides, we started our hike. Here's a pic of me and my boyf starting off.
First few meters of walk and I already felt like my heart is going to pump out anytime sooner! It has been a long time since I've worked out and had a morning run as my exercise and it feels like everything came back to the starting point. Reality knocks me out and first few mins of this trail made me realize that I need to force myself to begin living healthy again.
After about 30 mins, we decided to rest and take a look at how the mountains made me grow some excitement on what more to expect for the next few hours. I was starting to sweat already but was confident with my waterproof make up so I asked my boyf to take a picture with me lol.
After an hour of ups and downs, we finally reached our first peak. I had to admit, I was already tired that time because as described by our tour guide, that was the longest peak trail. But I was still happy and excited specially because it's my first time to be on top of a mountain. So we grabbed the chance to take pictures while we were still energetic. And I almost forgot, I put all credits to these three guys I'm with, for making the girls and gays look at me with jealousy. Being surrounded and guided by three good looking guys isn't really a big deal, really (with sarcasm). π
Going to the second peak was more challenging. There were slopes already and our guide warned me to practice my balance because there will be more slopes on our way. When we finally reached our 2nd peak, we were given a chance to rest for a couple of hours because of the picture-taking waiting time. Clyde, Jobab, Hans and me had more time to bond and share stories while waiting. Here's a picture of us and our group at the second peak.
Reaching the third peak was the most challenging part for me. Factors affecting includes: first, I was already tired and I can literally feel how fast my heart beats angrily; second, the whole third part was composed mainly of uphill traces and I can feel how the gravity battles with my weight, it was pulling me down and even my light weighted bag felt so heavy against my back; third, I'm having problems with breathing already so I kept on pausing and begging Clyde to give me another minute of rest.
But that didn't stop me from trying to drag myself to the 3rd peak, and I can say that everything paid off when we were already at the top of Mt. Ulap, dancing with the clouds.
After the third peak comes the HARDEST PART, it was difficult going down the mountains with just a pair of shoes I needed to pray over and wish that won't slide off the rocks and kill me in a matter of seconds. Now, I had to admit, this part is the highlight of my whole adventure. I was at the point of my life where I already gave up taking precautions and watching every step I make because I just want it to be done already. As promised tho, here's a special shoutout to my boyfriend who never left me throughout the whole hike. Love, thank you for holding my hand and making me feel secured just whenever I feel like I'm about to give up already. You just proved that I can no longer have a better boyfriend because I already have the BEST, and that's you. I love you, Clyde Lim (ayan ha, wish granted π). Enough with the triple cheese, here's a pic of me, my hagardo look, and my boyfriend. I'm not even shy to post this haggard picture because why not? I SURVIVED MT. ULAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That ends my whole adventure with The Boyfriend and Friends at Mt. Ulap. If I were to be asked about my realizations after that trip? It is...I'm not gonna climb any mountain again. HAHA kidding! It was a fun experience and I thank Clyde for bringing me into a portion of his world, and have a taste of it. I was able to reflect and relax throughout the whole hiking experience. Here's the true realization, for me, it was not just about climbing the mountain and surviving the challenge, it was more of the bonding and new ties that I've created, and of course, the people I've been with behind the freak and fright. To all of them, thank you guys for being patient with me! π Gonna end this blog with my finale pose (credits to my poging photographer/boyfriend).
