We've come to the last part of my Trek to Mt. Binabag series. Mt. Binabag is a mountain in Carcar City, Cebu, Philippines. The trek has been relatively chill but the travel to the base of the mountain had its challenges. The start of the trek involved some detours and some extended rest and chat times. The hardest part of the trek was the upward assault near the peak. You can read more about it in my previous posts through the links below.
We took our time exploring and enjoying the peak when got there. Aside from the cell towers at the peak, a curious sight was this hut or cottage that seemed to belong more on a beachside than on top of a mountain.
It was dilapidated but still standing. The structure was made from wood and the roof was dried Cogon grass. There were seats on each side of the hut which suggested it housed a company of people before.
I went in and found out that the hut was not anymore an ideal place to hang out. Parts of the seats were missing and the roof was badly damaged. Still, it offered some relief from the harsh noon sun outside.
The view from the hut on one side was the mountains of Carcar and the west side of Cebu. The view on the other side was the plains of Carcar and the sea on the east side of the island. This was all new to me and there was so much awe but I wondered if it was like this every day, would I get bored?
Living on top of a mountain sounds like a dream. You get to witness stunning views of nature around you. The wind would always be cold. There's no traffic and no loud neighbors. But it's not a perfect dream. You'd be giving up a lot of things for it.
We started the trek at around 7 AM and we reached the peak at past 9. It was short and we had all the time to enjoy being on top of the mountain.
The ground at the peak was strange. Bermuda grass blanketed the ground which reminded me of a lawn of a well-tended house. There were also some plants that looked like short pines.
The wind was strong at the peak and our hairs were constantly being blown away. I still had long hair back then and I was forced to tie it in a neat bun. That's me with the Hive shirt on, with my girlfriend on the other side and our friend Jeff in the middle.
I could imagine what life would be if my house was on top of a mountain. The winds would always cool me down. The view would always calm me down. The grass-covered ground would, well, always ground me.
The clear blue skies would make me look forward to spending my day outside. When there is so much beauty that surrounds you, would you want anything else?
I untied my hair and wanted to feel the strength of the wind. My girlfriend had a headband and she was able to keep most of her hair out of her face. You can see us beaming with our smiles. A few seconds after the shot, my hair was all messed up and all over my face.
We walked over to the other side of the peak to see how wide the place is. We passed through rows of dragonfruit plants protected by fences. We climbed a small hill that brought us even higher and we could see the towers on the other end of the peak.
There was another mountain beside the hill and it looked like it could also be a good spot to enjoy the stunning views. The ground on this side of the peak was rocky and more solid and I think the spot would be an ideal place for setting up camp.
One side of the hill ended on a cliff and I went close to the edge to see how far the drop would be. It was pretty far. Looking down, a voice inside my head tells me to jump. I don't listen to it, of course. Whenever I'm in high places, that voice in my head always gets loud. Before, I used to be really afraid that I might listen to it and actually jump to my death.
Now, I'm not so afraid anymore. I even feel more alive when I'm in high places. I used to translate the feeling of adrenaline as being in danger but the rush now gives me excitement and energy.
I'd say the other side is better. The view is better and I think it's a nice spot to build a house. I've always wanted a house that's surrounded by nature and with stunning views.
I want the privacy and the tranquility of being secluded. However, I also want the convenience and ease of future living. I want hot showers, smart appliances, and food deliveries. When you're on top of a mountain, those things can be hard to get.
We had to be back before noon and as much as we wanted to enjoy the place, we had to take our last moments at the peak of Mt. Binabag. I also enjoyed imagining my house on top of the mountain.
Here are some shots of me on top of the hill on the other side of the peak. Some clouds were gathering and growing a bit thick. It looked like rain was coming and so we headed back to the tower-side of the peak.
There was this bench near the towers with a view of the sea as the background. My girlfriend and I asked our friend, Jeff to take a photo of us before we started our descent.
We took a different route going down which Jeff said would bring us back quicker. I looked back to the towers and they seemed thin and frail but I knew how strong they were because they could withstand the harsh winds at the top.
We went down with the view of the plains and the sea below and I can't believe we'd be able to get there in just two hours. Just like most treks, the trip going down is easier and faster. We still got confused with the trail going back but we were able to find our way.
I didn't have a lot of expectations about this trek but I was impressed. I know I'll be back to climb this mountain and the others nearby.
Thanks for the experience, Mt. Binabag and see you again!
That's it! Thank you for reaching this part and spending time going through my post. I've been sharing my mountain travels for the past weeks with some Liketu posts in between. I've also started my Personal Development Digest.
In my next posts, I'll be taking a break from sharing about my travels. Instead, I'll be posting my Book Reviews. It's been a while since my last book review post. Be sure to look out for them.
See you in the next one. Cheers!
I can imagine when you mentioned a home with this unobstructed view, the beauty of waking up to this daily. That's what impressed me about Cebu, this kind of view is possible and I had no idea Carcar has this hidden gem. Was it easy following the trail on your own or it's better to hike with a local guide or someone who knows the trail?
Hidden gem, indeed! I didn't know Carcar had good trekking spots. I'm learning more about the city as I'm becoming a frequent visitor (my gf lives there). I heard there's a cave in the mountainous parts of the city and the government is planning to promote it better.
The trail wasn't difficult to follow but we made a few wrong turns along the way. If you want to get to the peak fast, I suggest you get a guide. But if you want a bit of an adventure, you can just ask the locals the general direction and follow the trail towards the top of the mountain. I'm sure you'll get to the peak eventually. 😅
Carcar has gone a long way in a short period. I remember taking visitors to the Lechon market but it's a good sign to learn of the government's plans promoting it and the beautiful spots there. Just read your previous posts about your adventure, it's cool to get lost sometimes. Thanks for the hiking tips.
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Such a beautiful green place! How i miss the Philippines! Most beautiful country in the world!
Wow. Really? Thank you! When did you visit the country?
I visited 2 times, in 2017 for one year, and the last time was 2019 I guess. I loved it to much to leave 😅
You can always return! Did you visit Cebu?
I hope so! I stayed very long in Cebu, I loved the people there. I always stayed at Hey Fellas hostel, but it doesn't exist anymore. I did really like the islands around Cebu tho!
Hiya, @LivingUKTaiwan here, just swinging by to let you know that this post made it into our Honorable Mentions in Daily Travel Digest #1496.
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