In search of Valhalla | Long Time Gone

As is my custom, I met up with the Wednesday walking group this morning. The German/Austrian/Swiss contingent asked in heavily accented English if we were good with hiking to what sounded like Valhalla. I’m no expert on Norse mythology, but I said “sure, why not?”. So, off we went.

***I wasn’t exactly sure what I’d signed on for but grew a little concerned when we all boarded a Jeepney bound for Olongapo City.***

I asked what this “Valhalla” place was and was advised it was the highest elevation in Olongapo. Oh boy, these guys must really miss the Alps.

So we exit the Jeepney and proceeded to literally walk down the Long road to the Gordon Heights section of town.

***And it was a damn long road indeed, most of it featuring a slight incline. But as I kept telling myself , this is easier walking than going up a creek bed.***

***I smiled to myself when I spotted this little Korean restaurant out in the middle on nowhere….***

I asked an Aussie who was with us if he had ever heard of this Valhalla place we were heading for and he responded “I’ve never even been to Gordon Heights” and he also mentioned that he thought our European friends were saying “Tra-la-la”. It was all a mystery to me.

***After a goodly long walk on the long road we achieved Gordon Heights. And kept on going.***

And then I thought I had figured out the mystery name of our destination:

***Babala…yeah, that makes sense! Sounds like Valhalla (kinda) and seemed more likely than the sing-song Tra-la-la. I was so proud of myself!***

After finally reaching the end of the Long Road, our German guide announced “up here”…

***And thus began our long ascent up the stairs that kept going….***

***…and going and going. I was sucking wind by now and my German friend offered these encouraging words: “Almost 1/3 to the top now”. Bastard!***

Eventually the stairs turned to trail as we continued our journey to the top. And then I discovered just how wrong I had been!

***I’ll be damned, it was Tralala after all…***

We kept going and finally reached the summit. Where I was surprised to see this massive structure:

What made it surprising is there are NO roads up here. Everything required to build this had to have been carried up on someone’s back. Made me a little ashamed of feeling so used and abused while I was climbing with a light backpack.

The basement portion also serves as an elementary school. Seriously, who builds a school smack dab on top of a mountain with no vehicle access whatsoever? And I pitied the poor teachers who have to commute to work by climbing a damn mountain. Oh well, not my problem!

Oh, I forgot to mention the weather. Overcast when we started out. Turning to a light drizzle as we climbed (which was kinda refreshing) and finally to rain up top.

***Pretty much marred the view I’d worked so hard to attain.***

I wrapped my phone in a ziplock baggie, so no pictures of the descent which thankfully went without incident. It got a little slick and muddy in places but I managed to keep my feet. The down was much easier than the up, which is not always the case.

Anyway, it was one of those once in a lifetime experiences. I seriously doubt I’ll ever bother hiking that trail again but I am glad for having done so today.

***Me and my shoes got quite the workout!***

***I’m no Kevin Kim, but it was a helluva walk for an old guy. Ha! We had some 20-something guy along and near the end of the day he declared me “in shape”. That made me laugh!***

Turns out I’ll be going back to Gordon Heights tomorrow. But I sure as hell ain’t walking! That’s what we call in the biz “foreshadowing”. Stay tuned for more on my Valentine’s Day plans!

Shit! I had this song in my head all damn day and it turns out it doesn’t include “tra-la-la”. I must be getting old.

When I think of all the worries
People seem to find
And how they’re in a hurry
To complicate their minds
By chasing after money
And dreams that can’t come true
I’m glad that we are different
We’ve better things to do
May others plan their future
I’m busy loving you
(One, two, three, four!)
Sha la la la la la live for today
Sha la la la la la live for today
And don’t worry ’bout tomorrow, hey
Sha la la la la la live for today (live for today)

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