Time sometimes flies like a bird, sometimes crawls like a snail; but a man is happiest when he does not even notice whether it passes swiftly or slowly.
Ivan Turgenev
Pasacao, Camarines Sur Philippines
The pictures were taken by the camping site. You could see me smiling all the way. Nature gives me that I am in heaven feeling.
By this time, the boys were hungry, thirsty and tired from the trek. Filipinos when they go for an outing – food and drinks is included. Well, not me…The lighter the better. Bringing your home with you is such a hassle.
Thinking where to go next..Perhaps Caramoan Islands..
Buying some drinks for the me and the gang……
buying 1 kilo avocados – You know what that is for? Avocado smoothie. …Yummy!
Fresh produce from Mt Isarog National Park
A Nipa Hut in the camping site
A rooster in the camping site
This is part two of my trek to Malabsay Falls.
Malabsay Falls, approximately 40 ft. high scenic wonder is located on the slope of Mt. Isarog in Barangay Panicuason, Naga City.
Going down to where the falls was definitely more challenging that I taught it was. We had to walk on narrow and steep pathway. I was thinking of going by myself but thanked God, I decided to take the 4 gang of boys with me. Seeing the falls after the long walk was a truly a rewarding feeling. I was planning to go swimming with my bathing suit but chose not to. I dived immediatly to the falls even with clothes on. Who needs to be all glam up anyway?
To have a clear picture of the magical place, here are some of the shots that I took of the place from the step of the rain forest down to the falls:
Enjoy and click away!
Love the pic with the goat (Kambing) looking at me. We were heading down from Malabsay Falls when we saw a herd of goats (Kambing in Filipino). I got really excited because this is the first time I saw wild farm animals in Mt Isarog besides a Carabao. This is not Africa so to see something like this in the Philippines is truly magical. Well, at least for me.
My trek to Malabsay Falls
Mount Isarog National Park harbors rainforest, endemic wildlife, waterfalls and is also home to nomadic Negrito (Agta) tribes people. I will write about my encounter with an Agta Tribe later on.
Mt. Isarog, an inactive volcano, rises in the heart of the province of Camarines Sur, the central part of the Bicol Peninsula. It is the highest forested peak in Southern Luzon. The Philippine government declared it as a national park since 1938 to preserve the pristine rainforest in the area for the enjoyment of local and international tourists.
I took my brother, my nephew and two other guides with me. The weather was cloudy and it rained while we were in the falls. The trip also took back memories of my childhood. Our parents would take all of us to visit this majestic mountain from time to time. According to my father, during the Japanese occupation, the soldiers would trek this mountain to go to the falls to shower.
I only paid P50 for the entrance fee for the five us. (Only a little over a dollar) How cheap is that!
Going to the Naga Carmelite Monastery is like going back in time. When I was younger and everytime my family goes to Naga, we always make a point to come see the nuns. Parents and all the kids together with my long extended family. One thing I remember the most is their communion garlic flakes…The way they raise money for the monastery is by baking communion flakes for all the parishes.. The left over, they add garlic flavor powder to the flakes and sell it the public. As kids, we would get it free. My sister told me that they also sell the flakes to feed the Tilapia fish. When I got there the first time, I saw people buying big bags of discarded communion flakes to feed the fish. That was my biggest regret because it could have been a great photo op. Oh well, next time…
My aunt together with two other nuns would stay in our place every time they are in Manila to do business for the Monastery. They are the only ones allowed to get out of the monastery and so they usually stay with us. When my mother passed away, they offered the wake to be held in the monastery since my parents opened their home to them. Tita Ging was always there for all the family…She never turned her back on us.
For that, I dedicate this post to my dearest Auntie Ging. Thank you for everything.
