Northern Visit

We decided to take a day trip to the northern tip of the Philippine Islands. We had to leave early for our 2 hour bus trip, but the day was dawning clear and was already warm. As we traveled past ocean views and lush green mountains, we noticed the gray clouds that seemed to be only in the north. Surely they were just passing clouds that would clear before we got there. But as we arrived at the northern end, rain started falling on the bus.

Not deterred from our sightseeing, we hired a tricycle for a day tour of the area. Our first stop was the Kabigan Falls. Not that the tricycle could get anywhere close, but the driver dropped us at the guide shack, and even gallantly let me use his rain slicker. The guide took us up a muddy and meandering path through farm land and up towards the mountain sides. I have been getting better at climbing mountains after this year or so of retirement, but this time I also had to watch out for water buffalo dung. Man, those patties are huge!




 We had to cross fast moving streams using the local bridges: tree limbs laid across the water and sometimes held together by wires. Wider sections even had a smaller branch attached higher for a hand-hold. But we made it up to the  falls, a beautiful sliver of water that descends straight down for 120 feet to the bottom, throwing up a fine spray that mingled nicely with the rain. Our guide was a very nice young lady who explained about the reforestation that was being encouraged in the local area, even as she was getting me to avoid the dung heaps on the way down. She owned the farmland we walked on and proudly showed us the groves of trees that her family had planted over the years.




After giving my driver his wet slicker back, we clambered into the tricycle for the rest of the whirlwind tour. He was determined that we should see all the sights possible in the time we had available, even when we insisted that it didn't matter if we missed something if he would just take it a little slower, please. As it was, we passed along the waterfront in a cramped, enclosed contraption that you couldn't see out of, anyway. At least it was dry. The driver was good enough to stop at several spots long enough for us to pop out and look at the view before squeezing back in again. He showed us a couple of beautiful beaches and rock formations before we stopped for lunch at a resort on the Blue Lagoon.

Despite the weather, we were impressed by the cleanliness of the town. Signs were posted warning of an anti-littering law, which we had never seen here before, and we even saw a recycling bin. The people seemed more easy-going and the streets were a lot less chaotic. The air was fresh, if a little dampish.

We may come back and stay awhile. Surely it is not really rainy season in the north yet.

W