I’m referring to yesterday’s climb to the top of the beloved Kalaklan Ridge. It’s been a while, and with a break in the weather, it seemed like a good opportunity to revisit. Swan had told me she was going to skip the Friday group hike, but when I told her of the Kalaklan plan, she immediately changed her mind. She loves it up there even more than I do. Of course, as nice as it is up top, it is still a challenging ascent. We took a Jeepney to Kale Beach (about 3 km from Barretto) and started our climb there. There is no easy way up, but I find this one the most to my liking.
My fellow Friday climbers, Gary, Swan, and Chris.I found this warning sign a bit disconcerting. Apparently, you need to avoid having lightning strike you in your balls.Let the climbing commence.A brief respite before the hard up part.A view of Olongapo City from the ridgeline.Chris enjoying the view.The bay view from the other side of the ridge.A Swan in the wilderness.Stragglers.That’s what happens to trespassers. They’ve enclosed the vantage point shelter since our last visit. I liked it better when it was wide open.Hello down there, Barretto!Posers.Down is easier than up, but perhaps more dangerous given the slippery conditions.Hello, Easter Mountain.We took a detour around this carabao, just to be on the safe side.Treating the local children with cookies, candies, and lollipops.Seeing this loaded-down old woman bouncing her way up in flip-flops as I struggled to keep my footing going down was a reminder that I’ve lived a mellow life.Back on the pavement, such as it is, once again.Our jaunt on the ridgeline.Stats from the hike. Two hundred seventy-eight meters up ain’t bad for an old fucker like me!
After some R&R, it was time to deal with the SOB. Sadly, it has really gone to shit lately, and last night was no exception. Down to five teams now, and only two of them put any real effort into their performance. I’m not sure what’s going on, but they had fewer than twenty paying customers in attendance last night, so I don’t see the SOB competition surviving without significant upgrades.
The competitors on display prior to the show.My neighbor Jeff, a retired Marine, liked the camouflage outfits the Whiskey Girl team wore. He bought them each a lady drink for posing with him.The Green Room team showing their ass.No balls on the pool table.The Whiskey Girls in action. They were my favorite, but finished second to Green Room.The wine-drinkers at my table, Swan, Joyce, and Davina.
As usual, I was over my limit by the end of the show (free drinks from six to eight, and I got there before five to secure a good table), so Swan and I headed for home to sleep it off.
But I woke up early enough this morning to watch the full moon go down.
On the morning dog walk, I encountered a croaked frog.
Death awaits us all.Which way do you go when there are TWO forks in the road?
I’ve reached January 2011 in the LTG archives. I am now retired and back in the USA. My first week home did not go well.
Today’s YouTube video features The Filipina Pea providing some little-known news updates.
The jokes are on me:
That holier-than-thou sense of humor is Almighty.I didn’t make the meme, but I’m delighted to share it here.I SEE what you did there.
