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Lake Holon: A Weekend of Adventure and Stunning Views
Can you fall in love with a place? Because I swear Lake Holon just gave me butterflies. Standing atop the Lake Holon view deck, I was mesmerized by its jaw-dropping scenery. With its towering peaks and dreamy shades of blue and green, it’s a stunning sight and a place where exhausted souls recharge. I rubbed my eyes to see if the view in front of me was real. And it was as real as the air we breathe. So, I soaked up the scenery and snapped photos. And when I looked at my phone, the images were surreal and heavenly (no filters needed). For years, I had dreamt and yearned…
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Mount Amuyao: The Infinite Stairway To Heaven
Why the hell do I do it? Why scale a mountain that promises agony and infinite gut-wrenching possibilities? And why lace up my hiking shoes, carry a hefty backpack, and drag myself up a behemoth like Mount Amuyao? Here’s the deal: Every ruthless, giant mountain I’ve faced serves a buffet of above-average pain and uneasy moments. I’ve dealt with twisted ankles, aching knees, cuts, bruises, cramps, dehydration, and blisters that look like props from a horror movie. Yet, I push on and invite all the agony. Why keep pushing through the grimacing and wincing? Am I a masochist? Why do hikers like me willingly sign up for a world of…
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Mount Malindang: Embracing Unfiltered And Unexpected Moments
Life has a strange and funny way of teaching us lessons. Society constantly tells us that we need to set expectations and goals and have dreams. But what if we let go of all those societal expectations? What if we embraced the world and life as they are and not as we hope to be? Doesn’t it sound liberating? As I hiked my way up the terrain of Mount Malindang Natural Park, I rediscovered a lesson that I had lost amid life’s chaos. When you live without expectations, you’re at peace, constantly happy, and stress-free. And you are free to enjoy things as they are. Each cool mountain breeze, rustling leaf, mishap, and burst…
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Mount Tabayoc: An Adventure Above The Clouds
Imagine you’ve just gotten off a dizzying, high-speed 9-hour overnight road trip after a flight. You’re tired, dizzy, and sluggish, and suddenly, you’re climbing the sixth-highest mountain in the Philippines – Mount Tabayoc. Sounds like a recipe for disaster, right? Well, not exactly. With its steep, challenging “monkey trail”, I knew the hike to the top of Mount Tabayoc wouldn’t be a walk in the park. And I could have skipped this part of our Luzon trip and relaxed on Lake Tabeo – the base of our Mount Tabayoc hike. But guess what? There was no way I was passing up this opportunity. I deserve a fun, memorable and challenging…
