There are times that we don’t arrive where we want
to go but then, it’s just a detour for yet another 2 in 1 adventure. Some
things are better unplanned and moments become more blissful when you least
expect them to happen.
Johnny:
We can’t possibly go there with just the two of us.
Kat:
Why not? We just need to ride on a bus and a tricycle then hire a tour guide!
It will be fun!
Johnny:
It’s impossible.
There you go. I had to
accept the fact that Tanap-Avis Falls is a lost dream. So, instead of hiking
and trekking on the mountains of Burgos, we had to hastily find another
destination to quench our weekend thirst. After all, we deserve it. Teaching is
a stressful job, mind you! Anyway, we thought of traveling to Nueva Era, Playa
Tropical Resort in Currimao and Hannah’s Beach Resort but because of financial,
distance and friend/tour guide-is-busy matters, it all boiled down to a beachy escapade in
Saud, Pagudpud.
Come to think of it,
the last time I went to Saud was during our summer vacation three years ago
with my weird yet cool Sabsab friends. I can vividly remember because we
deliberately disregarded our 1st LET review session so as to laze around the
beach and enjoy our last days together before we log in to our first teaching job.
I thought that Saud is not a bad idea after all.
I and Johnny hopped in
an unairconditioned bus heading to Pagudpud. We paid Php 70.00 and endured two
hours of butt numbing exercise till we were dropped off near the municipal hall
where we hired a tricycle to take us to our hotel. We stayed in Ace Guest House
and Snack Bar as recommended by Mariedel, our Sabsab friend who is living in
the same municipality. We were given a big discount because the owner is her
colleague. Thanks God for connections!
At exactly 5 PM we
walked toward the beach which was about 100 steps away from the Guest house.
Surprise, surprise! I became Johnny’s photographer all over again. Everytime we
go out, I had to be behind the lens while he stands and poses as if he’s a
star. Well, he is because he is the main attraction of my photo album titled
WILDLIFE AT ITS BEST! Just kidding. LOL
After his narcissistic
photoshoot, I convinced my friend to walk until the seashore’s edge. It was so
far but so worth it! We saw three windmills standing tall on the hill, a mini
hut, coral reefs, seaweeds, crabs, lake and the glorious sunset! That was our
first time and I bet most of the tourists had not gone to that part consequently
losing the chance to witness a beauty out of the ordinary.
Coconut Trees!
If only I can stay here forever.
Foamy
Road to the edge
Resting on my Coconut couch
Goodbye means Hello
Sunset by the beach
Perfect view!
We retraced our steps
and finally dipped into the chilly water. Our night has not yet ended for we
went out with Reylan, our classmate wayback college together with his business
partner. We shared funny stories about our lovelife, former classmates,
professors, grades, teaching dilemmas and future plans while filling ourselves
with sticks of carcinogens, uric acid and cholesterol. Beer, barbeque and
grilled chicken necks are definitely guilty pleasures! After that, we
transferred venue and ate a pot of hot lomi in an I-forgot-the-name restaurant.
Did I tell you that I am suffering from short term memory? First day, so far so
good.
Second day. We woke up
at 5 AM, sipped our coffee on the seashore, ate breakfast in a nearby
carinderia and swam for two hours. We returned to the guest house and prepared
to go home and face reality. How I wish I could forever take in Vitamin Sea…
Floating like a jellyfish
Water brings me shivers
Johnny:
Mariedel said that they’re on their way to Avis Falls.
Katrina:
What?!
Johnny:
Shall we go?
Katrina:
Are you freaking kidding me?!..Come on, let’s go!
Funny,
life may have twists and turns but at the right time, we will be directed where
we are supposed to go.
We
rode on a bus heading to Laoag and stopped on Brgy. Nagsurot as instructed by
Mariedel where we will be fetched by her husband. We waited for like 30 minutes
and the good thing was that while waiting I saw Rizza, my high shool classmate
who is now a policewoman. FYI, she graduated as a nurse. She looks so pretty
and happy. I wondered, what if I took up the course I really wanted…would I be
also smiling like her?
We
hopped in a “kurongkurong” and traveled for 20 minutes until we reached the
tarpaulin which says Welcome to Tanap-Avis Falls.
He
said that we will trek for an hour. I expected it because I have read travel
blogs regarding the falls two weeks ago. I brought neither jacket nor sun block
lotion but for the sake of adventure, I was more than willing to burn my skin
and get my knees scratched. At first, the hike was easy. I just have to climb
steep slopes, humungous rocks, balance and pass through narrow bridges. With my
training on hula hoop, jumping rope and weight lifting, I would make it! But as
we were steps closer to the falls, I was losing my energy. I was always lagging
behind Johnny and Mariedel’s betterhalf. I could not compete with their long
strides because I’ve got short leg problems dudes! But I was firm in my
decision to reach the top! After 25 minutes, we made it! We were fast, we were
strong, we are survivors! Hurrah, I made it friends!
So,
here are some of the photos I took during the trek. Multitasking at its finest,
that’s why I was bit turtlelike in climbing. Haha. They are in chronological order.
enchanted
crystal clear
virgin
incomparable
breathtaking
the road that must be taken
Divine beauty
Live
in the sunshine, swim the Sea, smell the wild air. Hellen Keller said it right.
Life is a daring adventure or nothing. Life won’t be fun without any sense of
boldness and being wonderfully lost in nature. I and Johnny were frustrated
because our original plan was not followed but we do realized that somehow, we
were brought where we truly belong.
Indeed,
SAUD ang pag-ibig ko and kasi AVIS kitang mahal!
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