It was one of the nicer group hikes we’ve done in a while. It started with a Jeepney ride three kilometers out of town. Then we climbed to Kalaklan Ridge once again, and we all agreed that this was one of the easier (but not easy) ways to get up there. Next, we had a very pleasant walk along the ridgeline path before beginning our downward journey to the beach via the Olongapo hillside graveyard. I haven’t ventured through all those above-ground tombs in ages, but the views are to die for (sorry!). I checked out some of the gravestones as we passed and was a little surprised that the majority I saw were born after me, and it made me feel both lucky and old. When we reached the beach, I was relieved that the tide was relatively low. The last time I attempted this beach walk I reached a dead end when the waves were crashing into the rocky shoreline blocking my path. We still had to do some wading yesterday, but we found a way around and walked the beach all the way back to Barretto. Good times!
On our way to the meet-upFriday’s hike participantsLet the climbing beginThe fat guy is bringing up the rear, as usualOnward and upwardLooking back down from whence we startedBurn those calories!Almost to the topEnjoying the relative flatness of walking the ridgelinePeople do live up here. It appears to be a hard life.First cookie delivery of the dayAt the upper reaches of the graveyardThe view from hereFelt like I was auditioning for a part in The Walking DeadI’ve never seen a cemetery like this oneNo one is really buried hereSadly, none of the residents can enjoy the view as much as we did.This is the oldest birth date I saw here. A plaque said he served in the US Navy during World War I. So, he lived under Spanish, American, and Japanese rule and lived to see the Philippines gain its independence. What a life!The whole family is together hereAcross the highway and down to the beachWith a brief stop to see the lighthouseCookie delivery on the beach!There’s a way aroundThey say no man is an island, but a fisherMAN can be…Flower powerI tried not to step on anyThis is where I got blocked last time…Gary is descending rocks the hard wayIt wasn’t the last time we got our feet wet yesterdayTold ya!Another deliveryIn the village of Bantay Bayan. Thinking of owning this place and living an isolated lifestyle is a fun fantasy. I’d call it “The Rite Spot On The Beach.”I can see Easter Mountain from hereFilipino graffitiAnd now an interlude on some wide-open beachesA brief rest stop at Kon-TikiThen on with the beach walkUntil the sand turns to rockThere were two options: over the rocks or in the water.You can see how people voted with their feet.I did bothScott chose the wet routeBack in Barretto and passing the The Floating Island ResortThe final delivery of the hikeFinishing our hike on the highwayJust shy of 7K beginning to end
But I wasn’t done with the beach yet. After some rest and recovery at home, Swan and I headed for Baloy.
The beach that is BaloyAnd there’s that toes in the sand smileWhere else are we gonna go?Rock me on the waterGood times!Not much of a sunset with the cloud cover, so this will have to do.
Kokomo’s owner, Steve, is back from his brief visit to his Australian motherland, and we had a pleasant visit. There were only a couple of other customers this time, but the girls occasionally got up and danced anyway.
The Kokomo’s crew strutting their stuff. Sorry for the crappy photo.
I had initially planned to grab a bite to eat somewhere other than Treasure Island for a change, but once we were back on the sand, I went with the easy option.
It really is the best place on Baloy overall.
Neither of us was in the mood for a big meal, so we went with one order of chicken wings.
That’s the sixteen-piece serving. I had three, Swan had four, and the rest came home for the helpers to enjoy.And I’m back on track and staying under budgetNot a bad day’s work.
I’ll just leave this here:
About damn time!
Today’s YouTube video comes from the Pea, and it’s a good one. It discusses the differences between women of the West and the East. I voted with my feet long ago. Give it a watch and see what you think.
Humor time:
For the record, I have no such secrets. And I’ve been to Thailand.I don’t know about that. And I’m a lesbian trapped in a man’s body.That pun is of Biblical proportions.
Okay, there is a birthday celebration for the wife of the Kokomo’s owner later today, so we’ll be heading back to Baloy Beach again. Life is good.
4 thoughts on “From the mountain to the sea”
Is Kokomos one of the tranny bars, mate? I’d imagine they’d injecting oestrogen in those chickens as well then mate
Looks to have been a great walk. Lots of variety in terrain. Keep on deficit-ing, and you’ll reach your weight goal by next year!
Thanks, Kevin. That’s the plan!
Sorry to disappoint, Aaron, but there are no trannies at Kokomo’s. Good luck in your search!
Is Kokomos one of the tranny bars, mate? I’d imagine they’d injecting oestrogen in those chickens as well then mate
Looks to have been a great walk. Lots of variety in terrain. Keep on deficit-ing, and you’ll reach your weight goal by next year!
Thanks, Kevin. That’s the plan!
Sorry to disappoint, Aaron, but there are no trannies at Kokomo’s. Good luck in your search!