Smells Like Team Spirit

There was this sound of rustling leaves last night, like there was someone outside our tent.  I felt like I was awake the whole time. Moreover, we were all sleeping over the ants’ kingdom uninvited. It was really uncomfortable. We were not able to choose a better campsite as it was already dark and we were all exhausted. We all got up early and hurriedly packed our stuff to get back on track. Two of my friends were way far ahead, and we had learned from them which way to follow. It was time to go.

The path calmed down a little but there were some places were the trail could not be easily traced. The tall grass covered most of it. I could have probably gotten lost if I attempted to follow my other two friends. It was like the spiral way was never ending and each turn we did exposed another mountain, it was a bit frustrating. We were all so eager to get to the end of the line, hoping to see some beach somewhere, hoping to see some light.

At last, there was a sign of civilization at the foot of the mountain. There are some locals living beside the river, what a relief! The locals told us about our two friends who passed here last night, and that they were waiting for us. And so we explained why we were not able to continue anymore. We found out that there is really no beach right here. Thankfully, the guy helped us out. He called a tricycle to take us all back to town. 

We were reunited in Nasugbu town, and this time we decided to go to one of the islands. So we took the boat and headed to this Twin Island. Having seen some of the nicest beaches in the Philippines, I couldn’t expect more out of Batangas beaches. There are a number of locals living by the shore. The surroundings are not that maintained and not that appealing.

Luckily it was a bright sunny day, and I feel like a newborn. We have reached this rocky piece of island with no trees for shade, it was hot as hell. We camped here for the day and swam to our hearts’ content.  We saw some signs of marine life, but it looks like it is on the verge of total depletion. Well, this place was good enough for me as I just needed to feel the ocean and just relax after all of yesterday’s hard work. Just drown all the madness away and take pleasure in the vivid landscape that surrounds me.

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The team spirit was redeemed in the end, and overall we had a great time together. United we swim, divided we drown. Into the woods and back in the ocean, we had tried and tested nature’s sheer power over us. The nature cannot be controlled. We just have to give our utmost respect on it, and the universe will conspire in our favor. Despite our limitations, we are not inferior to nature. We are part of it. 

How to get there and back:

(Pico de Loro to Twin Island, As of October 21, 2012)

- Bus from Baclaran (under the foot bridge) to Naic, Cavite – P66.00

- Tricycle going to Magnetic hill – P100 each

- Entrance fee of P20.00 in Basecamp 1

- Take the trail going to Brgy. Papaya from the summit

- Take a Tricycle going to Nasugbu Town – P125 each

- Rent a boat to Twin Island – P1800 (7 persons or more)

- Bus from Nasugbu town back to Manila - P155