Taking that first small step can be the hardest part of any adventure, but it's also the most important. Whether it's overcoming the temptation to hit the snooze button or taking the initiative to plan your next adventure, that small step can lead to incredible experiences and memories that last a lifetime.
Forcing yourself to get up at dawn and pushing past the urge to stay in bed can be tough, but it's a great way to start your day and set yourself up for success. You'll have more time to enjoy your adventure, and you'll be able to experience things you might have missed if you had slept in.
A short backstory...
A few days before the weekend, my friend Ofelia asked if we could hike the Spartan Trail, but I declined due to safety concerns. Instead, we agreed to hike to Linao Lake in Naga City, Cebu, a place we had wanted to visit for a few months.
Since we were unfamiliar with the trail, we asked our mutual friend, Raul, to guide us. Raul, who we fondly call Tatay, was available and agreed to accompany us on the hike.
The weekend
@iamcjestrada and I left the city at 6 AM for a one-hour drive to Naga City in southern Cebu.
Our plan was to go directly to Ofelia's house, where CJ could park his motorcycle. An hour later, we arrived at Ofelia's house, and she graciously offered us coffee and bread to start our day.
We then headed out to our rendezvous point at Jollibee Naga to meet up with our guide, Raul, who we affectionately call Tatay.
After waiting a few minutes for Camille to arrive, we hopped on a jeepney and traveled 10.7 kilometers to the jump-off point.
The jeepney ride took about 15 minutes, and we arrived at Balirong.
After arriving at Balirong, we hired a habal-habal to take us to a place the driver called "Ilahang Sephin", which I later found out was Josephine's sari-sari store. It was a funny moment that made us all laugh.
We then walked for almost 2 kilometers on a road that leads to Linao Lake. The road also serves as a shortcut to different municipalities such as Pinamungajan and San Fernando.
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The beginning of the road leading to Linao Lake was smooth and cemented, but it soon became bumpy and rough, eventually turning into a small trail surrounded by vibrant and lush foliage.
Linao Lake
Upon arriving at the lake, we were greeted by locals selling snacks. The lake is accessible not only by motorcycles but also by some cars.
We saw a few visitors with motorcycles there too. We decided to hop on a bamboo raft for PHP10.00 per person while having a casual conversation.
The place is perfect for camping, with trees scattered throughout the camping site where you can even set up a hammock.
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However, the only downside is its accessibility. I don't want to sound selfish, but the fact that it's easily accessible means that all kinds of people can go there anytime they want, making it crowded and noisy at times.
Luckily, when we visited, we couldn't find trash littered everywhere. The area was clean, and trash cans were readily available. The caretaker also made sure to maintain the cleanliness of the place.
Did you know?
In Bisaya, the term "lake" has many translations such as "linaw," "lanaw," or "danaw," among others.
After leaving Linao Lake, we took a different trail and passed by another nearly dried-up lake where some locals were fishing.
Due to the presence of carabao grass and carabaos around the lake, we jokingly called it "Carabao Lake." HAHAHA
When we arrived at Josephine's Sari-sari store, our group ordered "Paklay" from the locals who were cooking in a small hut, while I bought two sticks of "longganisa bbq" from the sari-sari store.
I'm not fond of eating much while hiking since it can make walking heavier. LOL.
Tatay Raul asked Camille if she was okay with going to Manayon Peak, and she immediately said yes without hesitation.
We walked during the hottest time of the day, around noon, on a cemented road for several kilometers before finally reaching the trail.
Suddenly, the weather changed from hot to rainy in a matter of minutes, but only CJ and Ofelia had umbrellas with them, so the rest of us decided to just enjoy the rain. I think that's a technique I've read about somewhere.
If you don't want to get wet, don't go outside; but if you do go outside and get wet, just enjoy it.
We sought refuge in a sari-sari store located at the foot of the hill and waited there for the rain to ease up. Unfortunately, it persisted, and we eventually decided against going to Manayon Peak due to the difficulty of descending from there.
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Instead, we walked along the road that led to our jump-off point. Our adventure continued even on our descent from the mountain, which seemed endless and posed a challenge to walking without slipping.
It was a bit awkward when we arrived in the city as we were all wet, even though it was not raining there. The weather was just unpredictable. Our adventure came to an end as we returned to Ofelia's house to feast on roasted chicken and spaghetti.
We also had the opportunity to play with Ofelia's pet dog, Woodsy.
Overall, our weekend hike in Naga, Cebu was an unforgettable experience filled with stunning scenery, unexpected turns, and lots of fun. It goes to show that even when things don't go as planned, we can still make the most out of the situation and enjoy the journey.
