Priceless Moments at Mt. Naupa

Mandatory group picture at Mt. Naupa

I have held the mountains accountable for whatever I have become right now. Compared to many, I am but a novice in the field of mountaineering – I don’t even have the proper gears and equipment to begin with. But I don’t know what spell has been casted by the mountains upon me, that no matter how tired or lazy I am, I just couldn’t resist the call of nature. Just like what happened last Saturday.

I was already sold out to the idea of staying at home over the weekend – to unwind and… just to stay at home. For somebody who has been on the outdoors, staying at home becomes a new experience – free food, comfortable bed, and movies to go with. However, by the afternoon, I began to feel bored and restless. I knew deep down, I have to go somewhere. And just like a fatefully twisted chapter of a novel, the people I have been climbing with insisted on going to an overnight camping at Mt. Naupa. Obviously, it didn’t spark anything in me. First, I don’t favor going to the same place over and over again. Second, as aforementioned, I don’t have proper mountaineering equipment. But you see, when the traveler in you comes in, you don’t have any choice but to give in. And so a memorable journey began.

Chillin’ out with them boys before ascent to Mt. Naupa (c) Jet Acido

We met at Sto. Rosario Church at 7:00 in the evening and rode a jeepney bound to Pardo where we rode another jeepney bound to Tungkop, Minglanilla. Because it was a rush hour and the people of Talisay City were celebrating the feast of St. Theresa of Avila, we arrived at Cogon Chapel – the jumpoff area to Mt. Naupa – at 9:15 in the evening. Jet and Lawin were already there, hanging with the locals over a bottle of liquor. By 9:30, we then commenced to the summit. Most of my colleagues inquired if we were not scared with what we did and Dakilanglaagan as I am, I answered a resounding NO. First, it wasn’t my first time to do a late night trek. Second, I have witness the beauty of Mt. Naupa when the stars were gathered together to give light as we headed home during our previous visit last February. Third, I have experienced enough creepier things in life to entertain wild thoughts and stories of locals. Fourth, I knew I was with a tightly-bonded group. Whatever reason it maybe, that late night trek allowed me to witness the beauty of being both scared and elated at the same time. Of course, it’s hard not to entertain crazy thoughts along the way – much more of you are leading the group. But again, the moon was shining brightly, the city lights were totally heartwarming, and the thought of camping gradually became exciting to me. Our desire to reach the summit heightened upon seeing groups of campers at the peak. A sigh of relief came out on all of us. I knew we were all geared for the final assault.

Let’s start pitching!

The tale of the gutsy egg omelette HAHA

arffffff~

Come and take me away!!!

By 10:00 in the evening, we arrived safely at the campsite. Yes, it only took us thirty minutes! Can’t believe it myself either. Probably because there was no sun to bring too much exhaustion or we were just scared of what will happen if we took longer hours on the trail. HAHA.

Sabi mo kasya tayo? Paasa ka bes. Outside the kulambo tuloy tayo 😀 😀 😀

We then pitched our tent, cooked for dinner (egg and hotdog that does not look like a decent egg and hotdog meal at all 😂😂😂, and spent the rest of the night looking at the view exhibited in front of us. Words began rushing through my head. I can’t even get a hold of them. It was too overwhelming, plus the music played on Jet’s speakers was too sentimental. It’s hard not to cry. HUHU. Because of such sight, instead of squeezing ourselves into the thin sheets of the tent, Lawin, Idas and I, decided to sleep outside the tent.

My kind of mornings

My body clock woke me at four thirty in the morning. It was all dark, but the hues of the rising sun started to envelope the gloomy skies. It didn’t take long for the sun to start showing its hidden glow, began illuminating the sleeping province of Cebu.

How’s your morning Jet?

The sunrise, fog and the sunrise chasers 🙂

Morning babe ❤

Let’s get it on! HAHA

Hachiko? HEHE.

For the concluding statement of this entry, I’d like to quote the schmaltzy exchange-slash-bromance thoughts of Lawin and Jet.

Jet: Wa jud ko nagmahay nga nianhi ko bai. (I didn’t regret coming here, bro.)

Lawin: Ako sad. Mao ni ang mga priceless moments sa atong kinabuhi. (Same here bro. These are the priceless moments of our lives.)

 

*Not from Cebu? See how TravelBook can hel you!

Advertisements