This is the second installment of my 2010 Summer Adventure in Dumaguete, Oriental Negros. :) As I mentioned in my first installment, I went back to my hometown last May 12 to spend time with my family and celebrate the completion of my undergraduate experience. I was resolved to making the most out of this vacation (READ: thoroughly researching tourist spots and landmarks in the internet for a couple of months) since I have not visited my hometown for a whooping two consecutive years, due to my studies. I saved three months worth of salary from my part-time job just so I can spend lucratively, visiting places and exploring the wild.
Two days after I arrived, I persistently bugged my cousins to think of a place where we can go. I was really itching to go out of the house and discover some of the things that I rarely see in dirty polluted Metro Manila. My cousin Ryan suggested a place and after a little discussion, we finally decided where destination number one will be!
My cousins were actually a little hesitant since they think of me as this city girl who might not be able to deal with the type of transportation that we have to take in order to go to that place. They mentioned that we have to ride a habal-habal (look at the side picture for explanation) for 30 minutes because there are no other vehicle that goes there since it is very far up in the mountains. I laughed at them real hard and told them that they are being ridiculous. It is the type of adventure that I have been looking for. I want to try something different, something I don't usually get to do in Manila.
A habal-habal is a ridiculously long motorcycle common in some provinces in the Philippines. It is a motorcycle modified to seat more that two people and trek far and rock-strewn places in the countryside. The fare depends on the distance of your destination or it can also depend on kayo-na-ang-bahala (lit.translated to it's up to you) system. The latter is basically giving the amount you think is appropriate for the trip. I hate this system because sometimes you will feel bad for the driver and give him more than the appropriate fare. For more info on the habal-habal, click here. :)
My cousins were actually glad that I am not the bratty, finicky girl that they expected me to be and so we decided to go to destination number one: Markbelt, Nasig-id. I did not have any idea how or what it looks like because as far as my cousins described it, the only picture that I can form inside my head is a bare dam with a barren hill on the sidelines. This was actually due to the fact that in Cebuano, mountains are referred to as bukid which has a totally different meaning in Tagalog (bukid= ricefield/farm).
To tell you frankly, I was actually nervous to go there since I was not sure if I will really enjoy that kind of place. My aunt also warned me that we should be careful and not make noises there because the place is inhabited by supernatural beings like engkantos, which are like the Filipino version of dwarfs and elves.
To tell you frankly, I was actually nervous to go there since I was not sure if I will really enjoy that kind of place. My aunt also warned me that we should be careful and not make noises there because the place is inhabited by supernatural beings like engkantos, which are like the Filipino version of dwarfs and elves.
And so after we had lunch, me and my cousins Sherry Mae, Eldrick, Ryan and Lloyd went off to Markbelt. I brought my very multipurpose shawl just to cover me from the burning heat of the sun. We had to walk from our house up to the highway so we can get a tricycle (look at the side picture for more info about this) to bring us to the habal-habal terminal at the town center, Zamboanguita.
A tricycle is one of the most common mode of public transportation in the Philippines. It , as it's name describes, is a motorcycle with a side car attached to it. It can usually seat 5-6 people and is often used for short distance travels. The normal fare for a tricycle ride is PhP 7.
For more info on tricycles, click here.
Fortunately, we easily found a tricycle when we reached the highway. We embarked on a ten-minute ride to the town center and took pictures in the process. Below is a picture I took of me and my cousin Eldrick.
The trip took about 45 minutes and believe me, it was a great deal of fun! It was the most insanely enjoyable 45 minutes of my life. The path was stony so we rocked like crazy. It felt dangerous and at the same time amusing. I do believe that 1/4 of the fun of this whole adventure is because of that insane habal-habal ride. I took pictures of the farms and barren land while we were on board . I also took videos of Eldrick who was trying to explain the sceneries to his imaginary viewers.
The countryside was quite fascinating. There were ricefields everywhere, carabaos grazing under the heat of the sun, and behind us, a majestic view of the sea can be seen. It was breath-taking. It was like something taken out of a photograph and I have never imagined to see something like that in my life. I also found it very interesting that the farther we go, the bigger the ships in the sea looked. Maybe it was a simple law of Physics or something but I didn't have any idea what it is because I hated my science subjects in the university. It could have been diffraction, refraction or something, who cares, right? Haha.
It seemed like a never-ending ride on a steepy hill. I had no idea where we were already because it seemed like we were totally far from civilization. Nipa huts were everywhere. There was not a single trace of public vehicles (except for the habal-habal of course) and all I can see were trees and dry land surrounding us. It was like a whole new country for me...I was really really amazed.
After the long and bumpy ride, we finally reached a cemented path that curved its way to a secluded place surrounded by more luscious trees, bamboos and coconuts. There were a few houses and most of the inhabitants there were sitting outside our house, staring at us as we passed by, probably recognizing that we are outsiders. Well, we were kinda noisy during the whole ride, laughing and screaming like crazy, enjoying the time of our lives. The motorcycle slowed down on what seemed to be the edge of a cliff and it came to an abrupt stop just in time for me to see a vast valley, its sloppy hills bare. We got off the motorcycle and went down a steep hill towards the dam. I could not see the damn at first, only a cliff with a very rocky bottom. We walked for about five minutes and right after we made a turn, the beautiful view of a peaceful lake welcomed us. I was so amazed with the scenery in front of me and I could not even find the right words to describe the place. I took a picture just to save myself from the trouble of explaining it.
Below is the picture of the dam. According to a sign there, it is 430 feet. ( Wow, grabe lang di ba?)
After the long and bumpy ride, we finally reached a cemented path that curved its way to a secluded place surrounded by more luscious trees, bamboos and coconuts. There were a few houses and most of the inhabitants there were sitting outside our house, staring at us as we passed by, probably recognizing that we are outsiders. Well, we were kinda noisy during the whole ride, laughing and screaming like crazy, enjoying the time of our lives. The motorcycle slowed down on what seemed to be the edge of a cliff and it came to an abrupt stop just in time for me to see a vast valley, its sloppy hills bare. We got off the motorcycle and went down a steep hill towards the dam. I could not see the damn at first, only a cliff with a very rocky bottom. We walked for about five minutes and right after we made a turn, the beautiful view of a peaceful lake welcomed us. I was so amazed with the scenery in front of me and I could not even find the right words to describe the place. I took a picture just to save myself from the trouble of explaining it.
Below is the picture of the dam. According to a sign there, it is 430 feet. ( Wow, grabe lang di ba?)
Below is another picture of the dam. On normal occasions, it is usually full instead of having that greenish much that you can see. We actually went down there. God, it was so scary while we were going down that very steep path, it feels like you can fall anytime. (Imagine gumugulong ka downwards..iskeri. ) But the hardest part is the way up. It took forever because it was uphill and you can't see the top. My cousins climbed with ease thought coz they're used to these kind of places.
I asked my cousin to take a photo of me just for souvenir. Forgive my vanity.
We rested for a while under a tree. Despite how sunny it may seem, we cannot really feel the heat because the wind was blowing so hard. It was quite relaxing. We ate our nutritious baons which consist of junk food while my cousins Ryan and Eldrick made their very own music video. After that, we had our photo session. :)
Around 4pm, we decided to go home already. It was so hard to find a habal-habal because they rarely go this place. It is advisable (if you ever go here) to bring your own vehicle and avoid waiting for 48 years for a ride back home. Here is a picture of me and my cousin Sherry Mae while we were waiting for a ride.
All in all, the trip was super enjoyable. It was one adventure I will never forget and I will surely go back here once I am finally able to buy my own vehicle. Hihi.
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