Wanderlust

Our alarm goes off at 2:30 AM, luckily we have already packed everything the night before and we can take the bus to the meeting point at 4:00 AM, where Tito Alvin is already waiting for us. We have to wait for a while before we can continue with the jeepney.

Just before we start, more people want to join, so it's time to squeeze again. In the end, there are probably over 30 people in a vehicle that is maybe designed for 20 people. They call it natural lowering here. Unfortunately, we also feel it on every speed bump. We have to endure this fun for 2 hours and it is also difficult to sleep while sitting.

When we arrive in Siniloan in the morning, the sun is already high and our tour guide is ready. We set off and after crossing a river, we continue uphill on natural hiking trails for a good distance.

Walking in the midday sun without wind is not easy, but doable. Along the way, someone comes towards us on a horse, which is used here to transport goods or serve as a taxi replacement.

We hike through dense jungle with a variety of interesting and exotic plants on both sides of us. Further down the mountain, there are banana and durian trees (stinky fruit). We even see a papaya tree, and further up, coconut palms dominate.

Along the way, there are small huts like stations where you can buy something to drink and take a short break. At one station, there are two little pigs, a mix of domestic and wild pigs, which allow themselves to be petted.

When we reach the top, we go downhill again towards the first waterfall (Buruwisan Falls).

The water is relatively clear and we enjoy the sunshine. However, we only put our feet in the water because the guide assures us that the other waterfall is better for swimming. After a while, we make our way there. When we arrive at the 'Lanzonez Fall,' we enter the water.

We can almost stand anywhere, it is only slightly deeper under the waterfall itself. We are lucky because at that moment we are the only ones at this spot and we can enjoy the water. The water here is clearer than the previous waterfall.

A perfect spot for a picnic, Cedee starts cooking rice on a camping stove. (Yes, even on the go, we have rice) We have adobo and chicken with it. After being refreshed, we hike back.

On the way back, we stop at the highest point, the view is impressive and we are lucky with the weather.

We go downhill again, passing countless palm trees, towards the village. There, the tour guide picks Indian mangoes from a tree for us to eat immediately. By the time we head back to TayTay, it is already dark. We take the bus and because the traffic is incredibly heavy again, it feels like an eternity. We arrive home at 12:00 AM and fall into bed after being on our feet for 20 hours.

A happy and very tired

Paalam.