This summer the weather may have been an ever-changing and unpredictable event but then again with all our guts we went out of town. We simply do not know when it's going to rain or when it's going to be a scorching heat sunny day. No preparation or whatsoever we tried a reservation to ourselves without question or pause (singing, hehehe) last weekend to go trekking in the mountainous area of Negros Occidental.
Negros Occidental has been blessed with vast numbers of natural spots. Nature-tripping is always been a getaway for many Negrosanons to escape the noisy, polluted and populated cities surrounding the island. Yes, we can go to Mambucal in Murcia, Buenos Aires in Bago, Gintubdan in La Carlota and many others but there is this one more place that I have never been but always comes across my mind - Patag.
"Patag" is simply translated as flat in english language but the irony of it and confusion is inevitable. Patag in contrast to its name is located in the mountainous and suburb area of Silay City. It is roughly 26 kilometers away from the city proper.
Enough for the long intro but seriously speaking our trip was full of fun and was unpredictable and breathtaking (literally). I believe no words can proper describe the trip that took place only in a day.
The Road Trip
At around seven, one rainy morning (May 09), the Terrano tore north of Silay City. Thanks to Francis Reboton for the ride, by the way. We finally came to a halt at around 9 o'clock in a hospital that was claimed to be former working location of some Japanese guerrillas during World War II. And that was it. We can't wait to seeing the creation of mother nature working on its own.
It was sunny and foggy altogether in Patag. The cool breeze played along with the sound of the river flowing and circling the place. Francis parked his car in one of the resorts found in the place while Jill Paro, Boojie Ong, Ronald Go and I exchanged looks and considered this place as definitely a great place for relaxation and at the same time great for hiking for those who are crazy about nature-tripping and adventures. We can't help it but we took pictures of us with the back draft of greens and whites by the mountains. Archie Lagtapon negotiated with our Guide who will accompany us in the trails. Off we went carrying backpacks as if we were hikers, followed the Guide wondering where he's taking us.
The Long and Winding Trails
In a single file, Jill Paro entertains the Guide by asking too many questions about the place. Brian, the Guide, stopped and then we saw him pounding a rock on the trail ahead of us and lately we realized he's actually beheading a small native snake crossing the grasses. No turning back at this point and time, we convinced ourselves. So we went hoping the mother of that now dead snake is not hunting us. But according to Brian, snakes when born are actually left alone by their mothers and live in the wilds on their own. Sigh, we were relieved. The trails went up and down while we ignore the pit on the side. We also crossed the river using only boulders as footholds. We pose ourselves to take pictures and to have quick rests, 10-minute intervals for a 40-minute trek.
The Waterfalls of Pulang Tubig
Then there it is a 50-meter-or-so waterfalls welcoming us wide open. The splashes of the water makes a cold wind that makes us shiver. It was the best and highest waterfalls I have ever seen in Negros. We put down our things and started to take pictures of the whole place.
An hour later dipped ourselves in a cold pool waters supplied by the waterfalls. It's so cold that we shiver ignoring possible hypothermia. But, we enjoyed it. A lot! We had a lunch for another 30 minutes and went on again to take pictures. We were awe-struck to the unexploited place - untouched. It feels like we are completely detached from our busy lives down the city. It's truly a summer getaway.
We trailed back at around 3 o'clock in the afternoon. Still, taking pictures along the way. We can't simply get enough. We then went to a shrine, a WWII Veterans Memorial. Again, more clicks and flashes framing ourselves to pose. It was fun.
Since we simply can't get enough, we went on swimming in Ladlad resort to buy some time before we take off. That was the plan. The water in the pool is so cold that no one tried to go in first and the fog is crawling just above the mountains and trees. It's coming towards us thus aggravating the shivers of our lips.
The Dam Waterfalls
We were fixing our things when one of the locals there convinced us to go to another waterfalls besides Pulang Tubig. Well, curiosity's killing us so we followed Mars, the other guide. The trail, this time, is narrower than the trails going Pulang Tubig. That time, we feel retreat but we thought since we already started trek we went on and on... It was only a 15-minute walk, the guide said. Good thing along the trails, we saw a foot walk, cemented. We followed it to our surprise we thought of going back. There's no way we can cross the dam. The water is overflowing.
We can imagine how slippery it is. But, hey let's go! We went on with crossed fingers.
The trek is actually worth it. Another waterfalls fueled the river. It's as if welcoming us, the sound of the waterfalls go louder and louder as get nearer and nearer.
Then I heard clicks and more clicks of the camera. As if professional photographers, we held a photo shoot. Practically, every side of the waterfalls were taken a picture and more poses projected. We had a lot of fun. We went back to Ladlad full of smiles on our face.
At exactly 5 o'clock in the afternoon, we went down and again clicks and flashes invades the hospital. Near the hospital we pose ourselves for the last time and dropped by a chapel to say thank yous for a very fulfilling long trip happened in a day.
