Hiking Challenge Accepted: Exploring the Mountain 1st day Adventure

                   
 

                                                                                           Checking out from Mt. Apo Highland Resort

Lake view from our room.

If in the Highland Resort cottages has hammock and benches under

this one has a bed under. ;)

my boyfriend and I decided to check in to the Lake Mirror resort instead of spending another night  in the same resort.

Before heading to Lake Mirror, the guy from the resort provided us a guide that would take us to whichever places we wanna go.

In the map that I have posted prior to this blog there was  Three Falls delineated. My boyfriend and I wanted to go to the falls since I personally haven't gone so close to one,only from a far. So we chose the Virgin falls to go to.

The lake, where u can do boating

We parked our car in the the campsite and immediately left for our little adventure.

So here are the list of our activities for that day:

Hiking to the Virgin Falls

Going to the Hotspring

Zipline at Camp Sabros

         We opted to ride on the motorbike of our guide headed to the Waterfalls. 

       Heading there, we've witnessed how remote the place was with people who uses horses for transportation and the primary source for the living is by farming. However, knowing that  these people gets little pay from the works that they do from their day-to-day living, I have come to realize that they actually have contributed more in general for the maintenance of the environment compared to some urban areas that provides enough pay or even more to those people who inhabit the area which mostly has not contributed or may not be enough for a contribution for the land's rehabilitation.

 Despite the inequitable way of living, the smile on their faces are very bonafide.

This is how the way down to the falls looks like

Hiking under the  vehemence of the sun, capturing pictures of the surroundings had completely omitted from my mind. We hiked for almost an hour or more together with our guide (which we forgot the name again) I never anticipate that it would be that far and it was pretty challenging for my part as I was wearing slippers. The cool part about our hiking is that the path is steep.And every time I'd feel pain with my legs, I'd tend to ask to our Kuya guide, "Are we almost there?" or "Are we there yet?" hahaha

 You would need a long stick while your doing this which never passes our mind when we had our chance. Also you should bring water because it's not just the kind of walk like roaming around the mall from the ground floor until the top for 10 times. Hahaha.. I never thought I could do this in my entire life!!

     So here it is, the Virgin falls, the water was icy cold, but my boyfriend forced me to soak myself in the water. I was really shaking. But it was sunny, so I soaked myself to the area where sun strikes its ray. Over all, the long walk was worth it. What we had when we got there was a tetra pack of fruit juice and our strawberries. And my better half just enjoyed his morning swim. While I was just observing the water. But nothing to worry, there are no snakes.

VOILA! The Virgin Falls!

     We didn't stay for long in the falls since we still have two more activities to do and we want everything to be accomplished. Hiking back, it was the hardest for my part. So I asked my boyfriend to piggy back carry me. Since I can't take it anymore. But that was from I think 3/4 of the way when my legs decided to give up.

A fifteen to twenty minute drive from the falls to the next destination which was the hot spring, my boyfriend and I have seen people harvesting their crops. The weather wasn't so sunny anymore but that doesn't meant it won't make you dark.

There was an entrance fee for this resort also for cottage rent which isn't that much, it's for the maintenance and improvement of the area. 

There's this hose that came from the top that directs to each basin which makes it warm. I think it's connected to where the spring is.
There are lots of hot springs by the way. You just have to set a proper schedule for your plan trip because each tourist spots aren't just close with each other.  Same as with the falls.

The cottages are just the usual bamboo huts that are very common here in the Philippines. But every hut has different techniques to be created. 

So after this, we headed to Camp Sabros because he really wanted to try the zipline. Well I was actually having second thoughts about it but I'll just try to face my fear.

Contact Number Highland Resort/Lake Mirror: 275-7955

Room Rate: 1800php 

Additional Note: Make an advance reservation during the peak season which is summer here in the Philippines. From March- May.

We visited the said place January of this 2015.

A Boast of Mt. Apo's Treasure : Mt Apo Highland Resort

Mount Apo, the highest peak in the Philippines, an active stratovolcano with an elevation 9,698ft above sea level.Located betweenDavao del Sur province and Cotabato province in Region XII.


After soaking ourselves in the sea, we immediately headed to Mt. Apo through Kapatagan,Digos trail.Weeks before heading here, I have booked for two nights in Mt. Apo Highland Resort. Room rate is 1800 php.

It was our first time to visit the place, it was actually my idea since I wanted Benni to have some adventure and not just to get stuck in the city.
It's just more fun to be in a place where you're at eased with how the nature comforts you. Right?

Selfie, heavy traffic in downtown area.

We arrived approximately 9 o'clock in the evening again almost famished from Samal, driving all the way to Digos, and the funny part was we almost got lost, we headed straight to Bansalan, good thing I'm good with asking for directions, since we don't have a map and we don't have GPS!. So we were told that it's after Dasureco from the way out of Digos, but if you're from Davao proper, it's before Dasureco, there's a gasoline station along the highway of the road going to the resort. The hard part was, it's 27 kilometers from the highway. Huhuhu..Prolonging the agony of my starving tummy.

Stepping my feet out of the car, damn, it was freaking cold! Colder than what I thought! And I forgot to bring jacket. How smart.. It was so damn cold that I can't even speak properly. -_- And the dude that I was with, well, it was just nothing for him. Since he's used with this temperature.

Unfortunately, the restaurant of the said resort was already closed during those hours. But when the guard asked me if we already had our meal and then I said no, he immediately called for the cook. Yeahey! So we had our late dinner!!

Tired and full, I immediately hurried back in our room and just cant help but to smoke since it was freaking cold. Good thing they have ash tray! ^_^ But on the other hand that cuts my happiness was an upset boyfriend who keeps on blabbing with my smoking habits. Oh well. ^_^

 

This is the pathway, heading straight is where the

Civet coffee farm is located. We haven't tried the coffee because first: I am not a coffee drinker, 2nd: He has his reasons.

 As you noticed there are lots of pine trees. So while walking in the morning checking out how the area looks like you'd smell the pine tree scent. It was very pleasant for my lungs. HAHAHA

This  is the way to the resto. The road is going down obviously, good thing I brought my shoes.

Not suitable for the place though but at least it protects my feet.

As you can see, they have a hammock with benches and table

 The cottages are really unique looking, it has a glass sliding window that faces the mountain for you to be able to witness the sunrise. But unfortunately I haven't witnessed how the sun popped out since I was busy sleeping. But it was enough for me to see that the weather is cooperating with our trip.

The Philippine Eagle. Isn't it cute?

They are in the brink of extinction though. The last time I've seen an eagle was when I was still a kiddo in Eagle farm located in Davao. I believe this little fellow is still young because it still looks cute. Hahaha Well honestly speaking a fully grown eagle looks scary as the Kalaw in Hof Gorei. (If you have read my previous blog) Or maybe this is a different breed of an Eagle?? A hawk maybe?  Haha I am not sure me not an expert ^_^. It seems very docile

This is the restaurant, the food prices are affordable, they have lots of cats roaming around making weird noises during the time that we were there. (I'm a cat person by the way) 

My PETA member boyfie checking out the crocodile skin

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A bag full of strawberries my love

 They actually have strawberry farm, they sell strawberries

 for 600/kg. We bought half a kilo, not bad to start the day with fresh fruit.

Look how unique they grow their strawberries. Also I forgot to take a picture, they have beehives and I'm sure they sell honey.

The whole resort was surrounded by different flowering plants and different trees and vegetables.

Enjoying the heat of the sun! Excited to start our tripping!
Next stop, checking out of the resort and checking in to the other resort which is the Lake Mirror Resort.

#happyadventure