Traverse to Kawasan Falls
If you have read my very first post on this blog, you might have remembered that I mentioned I want to
try doing the trek to Kawasan Falls and unpredictably, fast forward to a few
weeks, my wish got granted! Happy me! :)
After taking enough pictures before leaving Osmeña Peak, we packed up and set out for our trip to Kawasan Falls in Matutinao, Badian. It was around 7:30 when we left the campsite. Having a local guide come with you and give you the right directions during the traverse would cost Php 1,200. Frugal as we are, we chose to do a guess-trek instead without hiring any guide to accompany us. We actually just relied to whoever we met along the way whom we're able to ask directions from. Lo and behold, we received our first set of directions for free from a kid we came across as we left the peak. Next is from the man who was carrying a huge vegetable basket.
As earlier planned by the group, we prayed the Stations of the Cross during the trek. It was actually the Season of Lent at that time. As we went on our journey, through prayer, we also reflected on the sufferings endured by Christ for love and for us. We remembered Jesus Christ who saved us and died for us. After every few minutes or whenever we felt exhausted or weakened to continue, we paused and prayed one station.
Traveling to Kawasan Falls was truly a very long journey. We initially descended on tracks still enveloped by the fogs and later on faced few challenges as we climbed many mountains, went uphill, downhill and walked along cliffs. But on a positive note, we saw more picturesque mountain peaks, scenic landscapes, and the view of neighboring islands.
As we went on, the bags we carried began to feel heavier. That’s why I have a good piece of advice to those who want to try this – TRAVEL LIGHT. Really. It would be so beneficial.
Along the way, we met locals who were able to lead us to the correct path and for that we are so grateful. They actually appeared in very timely circumstances, whenever there are two-way trails and we’re confused on whether to choose left or right. That is when they come. We actually considered them as our “Simon’s”. Simon the Cyrene, is a stranger who had offered help to Jesus by carrying the cross. They were like him because they were strangers we passed by and gave us help too but in the form of pointing the right directions. I think locals are used to trekkers passing by their place so they're always ready to willingly help. Praise God for all the Simon’s He generously sent us.
We endured
walking and passed by vegetable farms from time to time but cabbages are
what’s mostly abundant. The weather during that day was good. Praise God!
If it wasn't, it may have added burden to us or we might haven’t pushed through
traversing at all.
When we were more
than halfway our travel, we passed by a basketball court with several houses
nearby and a sari-sari store which sells food reminiscent to what we enjoyed
when we were kids. All of us were 90s kids so all were able to relate amusingly
as we bought some and ate. It is evident in our happy faces in the picture. J
After that quick
break in there, we carried on and the following trail had seemingly become thinner.
We passed by cliffs that really made us go slowly but surely in our steps. Gazing
down at the view below urged us to try our best not to inch our feet too close
to the edge. The sight however on the succeeding tracks got nicer.
There
was a time when we have gone in what seems to be the middle of the jungle, with
trees and various greeneries so close to us on both sides.
Next to that portion, we went uphill once more
and had a refreshing view of the sea and the adjacent islands again.
Then
later on, it was all downhill.
Around
12nn, we finally reached Barangay Candiis. That means we were now getting much nearer
to our destination.
In that small hut,
we rested and waited for habal-habal (motorcycle) that later brought us to the spot where
we would continue hiking again to reach Station 3 of Kawasan Falls. It was a
15-minute ride and it felt good to be back on the road again after having spent
many hours with just nature’s wide-ranging scenery all around you.
After trekking for
about 10-15 minutes from where the habal-habal dropped us off, we finally heard
the sound of gushing water and arrived at Station 3! FINALLY! That is the top
most level of Kawasan Falls. Oh what a joy it was to have reached it after that God-knows-how-many-miles-and-footsteps it took us to get
there!
I thank the Lord
for this another new experience. It’s one for the books! I thank Him too for
giving us enough strength and good health for that. Through His grace, we were able
to continue to struggle valiantly while enjoying His awesome and overwhelming creations
and the fellowship we have with another as not just friends but brothers and
sisters in Christ. :)
I hope you get to
indulge yourself into new experiences too this summer and squeeze in some time
for occasional trips to wherever you haven’t been yet. ;)
PS. That 6-hour fellowship
traverse awarded us with body malaise and muscular fatigue that lasted for
about 3 days. Haha. But I tell you, it’s worth it! You might wanna try it with
your own set of friends. #squadgoals ;)
PPS. More photos
are quickly coming up on my next post featuring Kawasan Falls! Stay tuned!
Photos taken by: Me, Jethro and Abi
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