foggy mountains and a nippy waterfall bath

It was Labor Day, on a Tuesday. I forced myself up from bed at 5:30 a.m., conscious of the fact that I was already late on call time.

A portion of my soul was excited, but my sleepy dog-tired body seemed unyielding. Only one thing kept me going: seeing beautiful mountains and feeling the chilly fog strike my face.

The call time's 6:00 a.m., I reminded myself while I felt ashamed of insisting on my friends that we had to meet early. I arrived at a quarter of six, and just as I thought, I was the last person to arrive. So, I tried pampering them with the camera (oh, how these guys love to be spotted by the lens! i can see that they crave to see their smiles frozen on frame!!!) Then after some group shots, we hurried off to the bus terminal.

Bringing along my favorite ube macapuno cake, tugged with five frenzied friends (that's f.f.f!), I was not concerned of the fact that I dragged these people to my zest for "uncertain" adventures.

I got the place pictured on my mind, or should I say, just the facade of it. I was never been inside before. I only passed through the place whenever I travel to Northern Mindanao. I've learned about it from a featured article on one of the local newspapers, then I stamped it on my mind that I had to be there.

So, I got five friends who were unfamiliar of the place. And me, who's partially familiar. We got on board a non-airconditioned bus, since the aircon kind was more expensive. I got them believing that we would be going to a cold place and there's no need for aircondition. It's crisp air, paved roads, and charming views - -that, I assured them.

I sat at the window side, so that I could keep track of where we're supposed to go down. It was remorseful because I planned of sleeping while on travel, but of course, I coudn't afford to get lost! (not when I feel accountable for the "joy" of my friends!).

One of my friends was too excited because it's her first time to ride a bus (she meant, a real travelling bus, not a mere school bus). I noticed that almost all windows of the bus were closed or half-closed. Separated in three rows, it was only ours which were blatantly open. After all, that's what we call natural aircon!

We were the only noisy creatures on board. I could feel that the other passengers would have thought in their agitated minds how they wanted to throw us out. But they were kind enough not to even speak a word.

After two slow hours, we found ourselves outside the place. Oh, the people on board the bus felt like celebrating as we rushed out like little children. Bad thing, one of my friends left his trash on his seat! That was real baaaaad. And shameful.

The place was called Seagull Mountain Resort. The name itself is familiar, since another Seagull Resort is also found in Davao City. Same owner but the latter is a beach resort. I then set the camera's timer so I can join the "photo op" and acted as if we were in Baguio City.

As we arrived, we found some big bike riders having coffee. After paying an entrance fee of P99, we roamed through the place, found ourselves in the midst of pine trees and log cabins, then to a deserted area which seemed like a memorial park with an invisible graveyard.

We found ourselves a hut which was a bit isolated from the rest of the resort. We took a nap for a while, enjoying the cool breeze of the mountain. Then our stomachs started to rally. But we only had junk food and my cake. We didn't even have utensils. So, I towed two of my friends to the restaurant. Food was sold reasonably. From the menu, we picked pancit guisado and lumpia shanghai. Then of course, plastic utensils. We spent some P250.00 for that. And No rice... to remind ourselves that next time we go on adventure trip, we have to bring food to cut on expenses.

Since our order was yet to be cooked, we sneaked to the swimming pool area. But it's quite small, and a number of tourists and their kids already occupied much of the space. So we ventured farther, following the signs that lead to the waterfall.

The way to the waterfall seemed like an endless walk that makes you doubt if it really exists. I was anxious of mosquito bites, and of course, those creeping creatures called snakes. But thank God, none was found along the way.

I grew impatient while hiking but my two friends were saying that they could already hear the sound of the water. Bad that I got clogged eardrums! Then, alas, we reached the place. I saw the waterfall and I was sure this is the temptation I will yield to. We looked for a table and informed those who were left in the hut to come down.

The water was irresistible. I never let the chill prevent me from climbing through the rocks and just let the water fall on me. It was my first waterfall experience and was enough to exhilarate me.

Then I treated myslef a plunge in the pool (water comes from the waterfall's source), where the water is as cool as refrigerated. I got myself accidentally drink the pool water while trying to do a Nestea plunge. It was awful and I felt sick of disgust!

After two hours in water, we started packing up. At 2:00 p.m., we were already on the highway to wait for a bus. Still, we opted for non-aircon.

Then one came, and it was full-packed. The barker asked if it was okay for us to just stand by the isle. We relented without hesitation. It was a long and winding road and again, we were the only noisy people in the bus, seemingly oblivious of our condition.

While on "standing ovation", we even had the gall of discussing a part two of that adventure. Date? May 14, since we denied ourselves the right to suffrage. Next stop? Maybe a river, somewhere in Calinan.

We were only able to sit down, after an hour and a half, with our veins developing to varicose. We arrived Davao at 4:00 p.m., all tired but were only afforded a one-hour break as we had to prepare for some serious production for our church weekly announcement.

Till then!