This is my first-ever entry for #LOH's weekly contest! For this entry, I chose to make a blog for question no. 2! Enjoy!
Also, I just recently hopped into the Discord Server! 🥳
I still have a hangover from the long holiday. Extension, please?!! Perhaps this is the continuation of my previous blog Gentle Summer. But this blog covered my exploration of the outdoors and nature.
Good thing I was so stuffed with the BBQ Boodle fight lunch, this gave me the energy to walk to the falls.
First thing's first! We had to cross this hanging bridge! 😆 Oh, man. My legs were wiggly. I do not like heights! I think of the worst situations, haha! But I think that is pretty normal when we are in a scary situation.
God forgive me for throwing so many F-bombs that day (I know it's Black Saturday). I need to release my fear or else I might faint on the bridge.
My dad was so silly jumping around and stopping in the middle! So annoying~ 😆 It was quite windy too, so the bridge was bouncy -ugh!!!
I just looked down, focused on my steps. "Don't overthink, don't overthink!" I whispered to myself. I did not take pictures of what was below out of full concentration just to get out here. 😅
Initially, this bridge is a project of the municipality officials for locals to have easy access to the water for irrigation. There is an environmental fee of PHP 20 (USD 0.37~) for every person, except for locals. This fee will go to the maintenance of the area.
3 minutes feels forever phew~ finally crossed! Bad news, I was thinking, I have to cross this again! 😆 We were laughing and giggling that we made it to the other side of the mountain.
The ground was cemented narrowly for people to have a faster journey to the mini-falls. They also put metal railings on the edges for extra safety.
A lot of dry leaves and branches were scattered on the path.
Wondering how I took these shots without people? I photoshopped it! 😆 Just kidding! I let them pass first and patiently waited. Yes, the dedication was there! 😎
It was not that hot at all since there were many trees as canopies. The air was cool too!
Finally, it is the end of the cemented trail! I can finally see and hear the water rushing~ It was a relief that there no hanging bridge again. 😆 Look at that tree that grew on the rock, so cool!
Such big rocks! We investigated the rocks closer and it felt like the composition is sulfuric and porous similar to lava rocks. I wonder if this place once had an active volcano.
Look at the comparison of the lady to the rocks. What if the rocks suddenly moved? New fear unlocked! 🤣 Damn, the imagination in my head was messing me up.
When crossing mini rivers, we were so careful not to slipped. Algae and moss grew in patches, and it is slippery when stepped. I suggest to wear proper footwear to avoid accidents. The irony is, I am saying this but was wearing rubber slippers. 🤣 It's okay, I am alive typing here, haha.
No one slipped on the way, phew~
Is this the portal to isekai? 🤣
We were welcomed by this humongous tree after trekking and crossing the waters. Is this the next level mark? Felt like a leveled-up mission on a Fantasy RPG game, huh?
We were joking that we were about to enter the world of the Encantadias. Some people believe that big trees like Balate are home of elementals. The roots are thriving and entwined.
Finally we reached the falls! 💦
All my physical pain went away when I saw the falls. It was majestic! I have not seen real falls for many years. There were few people camping on the rocky part of part to look out on the kids. It seemed that it was not that crowded, which is a win for us!
This is the canopy shading the falls. It is very lush, covering almost the swimmable part of the falls. The sound from the raging flow of the water from the top is refreshing~ Though it was concealed by the kids' giggle. 😆
The waterfalls looks small in the picture (Because I used the wide angle mode making the center compressed), but in reality, seemed it is about 20 feet. My nephews are enjoying the cold water! I'm the lookout (tita) auntie.
This is the opposite side of the falls. The water will lead to the irrigation for watering the fields. At this time, locals planted tobacco, corn, and peanuts.
We stayed for two hours enjoying the cold water. I did not swim, though, just soaked my feet, waddling. 😅 I also noticed that the locals and visitors were very disciplined when it comes to keeping their trashes. The place is well maintained!
"Your last lanngoy aso, kids!" (swim like a dog) I shouted to my nephews to signal them that we should get back before dark and also, the wind is picking up.
Once in a while we should go out and appreciate what nature has to offer. A beautiful gem pocketed away from the busy cities~ 🥳💎✨ It was a heck of a trekking on reaching this spot, but all the tiredness was instantly lifted up the moment we saw this beauty.
It was indeed a epitome of a my Holy Week vacation.😌✨
Now time to cross the hanging bridge again... 😩😵💫🥺
I survived, though! 😂
I would like to thank thekittygirl for making this cute GIF! Thank you, Kitty! 💗✨
That is it for this blog. I will see you next time!
📸 All photos are owned and taken by me, otherwise credited.
©️jijisaurart
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