TRIningning: Comeback Hiking Experience (Batulao, Talamitam, Apayang + Caleruega Church)
Another unplanned activity for Nelsisa!
I was supposed to join our IT Division Project Team in an out of town planning but it was re-scheduled a week beforehand. I immediately sent a viber message to my dormmates to check their availability on that day, and Nikki, whose goal was to go on a hike every month, agreed to hike with me. No definite mountain to climb. We just finalized the details six (6) days before our activity upon reading a blog about a twin hike in Mt. Batulao and Mt. Talamitam. The next discussion was,
“Anong oras tayo aalis bukas?”
We departed from our dorm at 2:30AM and boarded a bus going to Nasugbu, Batangas. We asked the driver to drop us at Evercrest or highway going to Batulao. Nikki and I used to talk every night (with Jhyng) but for some reason, there were still lots to talk about, and so we didn’t sleep the whole travel time. We were dropped with a group of hikers in Evercrest and rode on a tricycle to where the starting point is located (100php for two). It was only 4:30AM when we got there and we thought it’s too early to start so we waited until 5:30AM. It was still dark and can be dangerous for us girls since we also didn’t hire a guide, and just trusted what was told in the blog — no need to hire a guide because the trail is easy to follow. We also trusted our instincts, and prayed for protection and binded the spirits that may cause us harm, accident, and illness. Mt. Batulao has 12 peaks with three (3) stations where we were required to register, all have fees with a total of 80php (30, 20, 30). Unlike the two mountains I’ve been to where there were lots of trees (Mt. Maculot and Daraitan), Mt. Batulao is an open area which enables us to view and appreciate the “green” areas surrounding Batangas, and is consists of mostly “talahib”. We always went ahead over fellow hikers to prevent photobombers, and to maximize our time so we can really hike at Mt. Talamitam. And yes, we managed to reach the peak early and enjoyed the view from the top at 7:45AM. We stayed there for 15 minutes, and hurriedly go down with a motto, “Bawal matapilok, bawal madulas, bawal madapa, dahil walang sasalo.” Rapelling was a bit challenging for me, though. But I nailed it! We were literally running down, and I called it “habulan sa talahiban”.
Side trip at Caleruega Church
It was my third time to visit Caleruega and I discovered that there were additional attractions inside including another chapel at the hilltop. It was not that solemn, unlike my first visit, maybe because it became a tourist attraction.
We headed back to Evercrest by tricycle after a short visit and had our lunch before going to Mt. Talamitan via jeep for 15php. To go there, ride a jeepney with a signage “Nasugbu” and ask the driver to drop you to Talamitam.
I was already tired and sleepy at that time and I’m beginning to talk less than usual, but I told myself, “I can do it! I just need a short rest.”
Mt. Talamitam
We began our hike to Mt. Talamitam at 1PM. Registration cost is P40.00. The registration officer was insisting that we hire a guide but we ignored them. We went on the hike with confidence. The trail was surrounded with trees at first. It was steep and my heart was beating faster, so I said, “Kalma lang heart, wala ka pang paglalaanan at ipaglalaban.” We may be routed and took a wrong trail if not with Bryan, whom we hired as guide eventually, because the people there were warning us we might get lost, and assured us that it’s up to us how much are we going to give to the 15-year old boy.
The trail going to the peak was also open. A wide area, which confused me and made me think, “Nasa Pilipinas pa ba ko?” It’s similar to what we’re seeing in the picture of New Zealand. Wonderful! I was walking slowly and yes, “pinipilit kong kayanin”. Luckily, there were vendors of refreshers in the area. We stayed in one of the stations and bought halo-halo for sugar loading, which I believe, will somehow bring a portion of my strength back. It didn’t frustrate me. It really helped, and so we continue the “ginusto naming twin hike”. Bryan was asking us, “Sa’n tayo Ma’am, sa mahirap o sa madali?” And we answered him, “sa madali lang, kasi medyo pagod na kami.” What really mattered was to reach the peak. The view from the top of Mt. Talamitam was amazing! From there, you will see Mt. Batulao and another mountain (I forgot the name). Truly a New Zealand-like view.
Mt. Apayang
Mt. Apayang is located beside Mt. Talamitam, and we were having second thought of making our twin hike, a trilogy. But since we were there, it’s our chance to challenge ourselves! we told Bryan, who was a first timer also in Mt. Apayang (but he knew the way), that we want to be like Angel Locsin.
If you look at the top and think that it’s hard, it will really be hard for you. But if you try and just go on, you’ll never realize you were already there, and that’s what happened. “Peak na”, Bryan told us. Nikki and I were like, “Hindi nga? Peak na?”
Entrance was P20.00. Do not expect a super good view anyway, and ensure that you have a guide. A cobra surprised us as we went down. Scary!
While on our way down, both Nikki and I can’t believe that we made it, that we survived the trilogy. We surpassed the two mountaineers who wrote the blog entry that we followed! Our whole body was aching but our spirits were high and were glorifying God for guiding us in our hike. “Para sa’tin talaga ‘to”, we uttered. The weather was favorable. We were not following any itinerary, basta hawak namin ang oras, we were happy and feeling “chilax”, no pressure, just enjoying and appreciating the moments.
‘3’ for Trilogy Hike! 👣👣👣
The thought of KINAYA KO, yun siguro yung fulfillment na nakukuha sa pag-akyat ng bundok.
It’s a reflection and comparison of our journey on earth and/or way towards our goals, where there are easy and hard trails or pathways (rocky, slippery, smooth). Oftentimes, you will feel tired and close to giving up, where along the way we will slide down and when going up, we do not have something to hold on to. Along the way, we will wait for someone to reach where we are or maybe, we’ll look back to a person or to where we’ve been. We will get frustrated because something we planned and expected/assumed didn’t happen. The weather can be unfavorable too! But no matter how steep the trail is, and whatever unique experience we have, we will always be at the PEAK! We will realize it’s worth the effort! Something beautiful and precious is to be unfolded.
I am neither a pro to this kind of activity, nor a a dreamer of becoming one. But there’s really fun and challenge here, and indeed, every hike is something to look forward to. I got to know more about myself, and I got to realize that I haven’t reached my limit. There’s more to give. There’s more effort to exert. I am able. I am capable.
So congrats to us for surviving tri-peak hike! So proud! We made it! 💪💪💪
#ComebackHike #HikeAlaAngelLocsin #TrilogyHike #WhereDoBraveHeartsGo #TwinningN