STEP TO THE TOP | Osmeña Peak, Dalaguete, Cebu
April. Summer time already. I was just at home in Oslob thinking what if I could have no any memorable things to remember this year of summer since people are so getting their selves busy on the election campaign.
I was lying in our living room that time having the time scrolling on my Facebook account when one of my college classmate, Rose chatted me. She told me to come and visit her (since we were often talking at school about places to go where to spend the summer for the reason we were just few kilometers away with each other) because one of our other classmates, Claire was at her home.
Claire was at Rose's residence because she wanted to see the ever picturesque Osmeña Peak. When I heard the name of the place, I was in a sudden enlightenment and excitement to go with them because I wanted to experience mountain adventures. They were also so grateful to have me if I would come.
fact: We called each other by the pen names 'Taler' (funny name of a private something) in school.
Since I didn't do anything at home so I agreed to see them. Rose told me to bring with me pocket money just in case for something we wanted to buy.
Riding in a bus on a warm afternoon, I head to Dalaguete. I brought a camping tent with me and a cute handy cam.
I finally got to meet Rose and Claire later upon my arrival. I told them about the tent but Rose told me that we were just going to stay for the night at their rest house in Mantalongon since it was a walk away to the Osmeña Peak. Claire opened up that we would going to build the tent on Rose's front yard instead.
Together on a motorcycle, we rode to Mantalongon. When we reached there, we decided to buy something for our dinner which we were going to take at Rose's rest house.
We bought a little piece of pork, bags of mallows and a kilo of rice.
Reaching Rose's rest house, we settled everything. I was so surprised how large and cozy the place was. It was a two-storey rest house. Rose told us that the house was just going to be used only during the holidays for her family and visitors. Obviously there was a caretaker on the house when it will be left with no people most of the day.
I and Claire built the tent on the front yard while Rose prepared the things for our dinner.
Later on, we were making our dinner. We grilled pork and the mouthwatering aroma grew us more hungry.
Couple of minutes after our dinner, we then wore our jackets because the temperature began so freezingly cold. We went out to my tent and we played cards.
Claire and Rose brought out the mallows and made some hot sweet smores.
After a long hours of playing cards, telling random stories and digging in our smores, we decided to sleep.
funny moment # 1: At first we decided to sleep inside the tent but in the middle of the night, we were awaken by the howling of the dogs and decided to sleep inside the house.
We woke up early at 4 in the morning because we had still to walk the way to Osmeña Peak because Rose told us that it was better to hike it up since it was still early.
On the way to the mountain, we brought with us some peanuts, bread and some crackers at least we were not be empty-tummies. Of course with lots of water.
funny moment # 2: I thought it was only a few walks away but for Pete's sake, we walked approximately for more than million steps away.
We reached the peak after an hour and a half of hiking, imagine that!
But our exhausting and enervated walk were paid off by the amazing and attracting view of the ever ravishing Osmeña Peak. Before we could see the alluring view, it was foggy that time when we arrived.
After an almost of hour of waiting for the fog to vanish, finally the surroundings became calm and the view of the peak started to be more clearer and clearer. It was then we began to capture some wonderful pics.
All I know: Osmeña Peak known as the highest peak in Cebu is a favorite among hikers for its picturesque view of the countryside. It offers a breathtaking view of the sunrise, sunset and the white coastline hugging the coral blue sea and jagged hills. It straddles the Mantalongon range in the southwest and offers a 360 degree view of nature, including the islands of Bohol and Negros.
We stayed there for about 45 minutes or so. It's already started to get hot at around 9am. So, I told Claire and Rose that we need to go down and back since it's starting to get hot.
It's a very great experience we have there in Osmeña Peak. I'd be willing to go there again if there's time. And I'll try the longer trekking this time. So much for the long way of hiking. I'd like to thank Claire and Rose for letting me join their trip. To Rose for the lovely accompaniment and everything. Thanks guys! Till next time!
