Every mountain has its own charm, but it’s most stunning during the golden hour. 💛 Luckily, I witnessed that magical sight atop Mt. Batulao last February. 😍 I’m not noob to hiking, but climbing it for the first time is nevertheless special. ✨
True to being “maiden mountain” of my 33rd year, the beauty of Mt. Batulao remains unbeatable among the peaks I conquered this 2023. 💯 As a noctural orophile, trust me when I say that an early morning hike is always worthwhile. 🙌🏻 Lack of sleep, 🥱 cold sweat, 🥶 uncertainty caused by darkness, ⚫ plus the danger of rolling over a cliff 🙃 will all be outweighed by a jawdropping view from the summit. 😍 The best part of my Batulao experience is threefold: 👌🏻 waiting for the sunrise, observing the sky change its colors, and seeing the jagged peaks light up. 🌄
For me and my hiking constants, Mt. Batulao is also our “mother mountain” as it gave birth to “Tunghay Lakbay”. ⛰️ “Tunghay” is a Tagalog word for marvel, while “lakbay” means travel. 🤓 That eureka moment was like the sun’s kiss on our foreheads. 🥰 Mountain climbing is not just about enjoying a good view. Part of it is marvelling at stories of people traveling with you. 🤗