Another early morning post here because I’ve got big plans for the day–I’ve hired a boat to take me and a group of friends out to Sempoloc cove, a secluded area accessible only by water outside the bay. More on that tomorrow.
Yesterday’s big event was a hike out to Balon Falls, on the far side of Subic town. Hadn’t been out that way for well over a year, so it felt almost new again. Let’s tell the story through pictures, shall we?
The falls, around the mountain, and through an Aeta (native people) village.We used the Hashmobile as our mode of transport. Uncomfortable, but convenient.Let’s roll!Only in the Philippines…we had to detour around the rice dryer (aka paved road) to reach our destination.Parked, off-loaded, and ready to hit the trail!The first of several water crossings. Yep, more wet feet. You could technically dance across on rocks, but one misstep, and you are soaked. Why risk it?Let’s march single file!Jesus, look at that belly. Me loves the beer a bit too much these days.On the rocks.Um, yeah. Those are these famous Balon Falls behind Shyrel.It’s dry season, so not much water to “fall” down the rocks.We came, we saw, we marched on!I guess I’m not woke enough to know what they mean by a “diversified farm”, but at least we were welcome.He wasn’t real friendly.Some farm folk.Another water crossing.Much better to walk around than over this hilltop.Taking in the view.Some of the locals we encountered. Shyrel is handing out school supplies to the kids. Another remote farmhouse.A group shot.Cookie time!Yeah, way out there in the back Easter mountain is hiding in the haze.More water to maneuver over.Keep on walkin’!“Jenny” in the jungle.Jenny in the woods.Jenny on the road. Yes, I’m growing rather fond of her.Village life.A gathering of like-minded individuals.Road work.Walking the carabao.This guy popped out of the woods carrying two just-harvested papayas. The girls promptly purchased them from him, making all involved happy..Laundry day.I hadn’t been here in over a year, but I apparently made some kind of impression. Good or bad I can’t tell from this rendering.Headed back to the truck.Loaded up and heading back to Barretto.
That was the best part of the day. I felt like shit later in the afternoon but went to darts anyway. Played like shit, got eliminated, came home, and went to bed at 8:00 p.m.!
Better this morning, up at 3:30 and preparing for my big day on the ocean.
Brownies and blueberry muffins baked and ready to go. Also bringing sausages to grill up for lunch.
Looking forward to a nice change of pace. See y’all here tomorrow!
5 thoughts on “After the falls”
Good hike, and nice food pics at the end. Stay hungry.
Oh, and sorry to hear about darts.
What impressive falls!
We’ve got waterfalls here in Korea, from small to fairly big, but you have to go a bit out of your way to see them.
I’ll be curious to read about your cove adventure. Have fun!
School supplies for the native kids: Do they have schools up there in the “mountains” or do they head into town? I assume no school bus to take them, so a long hike?
Guess I forgot I’d already posted a comment, hence my second comment! Senility. See the latest news that COVID can lead to mild brain damage? That’s different.
Kev, technically that makes three comments, but who’s counting? Yeah, I read that about Covid impacting senility. It might be true in my case–I have deja vu and dementia. I keep forgetting the same things over and over.
Brian, there was an Aeta village nearby that we passed through later in the hike. I noticed there was a school there, so these kids are lucky. Where I was yesterday has no school (nor electricity) and the kids have to be shipped off to school in Subic via Banca boat at the parents’ expense.
Good hike, and nice food pics at the end. Stay hungry.
Oh, and sorry to hear about darts.
What impressive falls!
We’ve got waterfalls here in Korea, from small to fairly big, but you have to go a bit out of your way to see them.
I’ll be curious to read about your cove adventure. Have fun!
School supplies for the native kids: Do they have schools up there in the “mountains” or do they head into town? I assume no school bus to take them, so a long hike?
Guess I forgot I’d already posted a comment, hence my second comment! Senility. See the latest news that COVID can lead to mild brain damage? That’s different.
Kev, technically that makes three comments, but who’s counting? Yeah, I read that about Covid impacting senility. It might be true in my case–I have deja vu and dementia. I keep forgetting the same things over and over.
Brian, there was an Aeta village nearby that we passed through later in the hike. I noticed there was a school there, so these kids are lucky. Where I was yesterday has no school (nor electricity) and the kids have to be shipped off to school in Subic via Banca boat at the parents’ expense.