Finding Love at Lanigid Hill | Pre-valentine Climb

February 16, 2017 Ace&Demi5 Comments

Every mountain is, rightly considered, an invitation to climb. ~ Henry Van Dyke

Situated in the far-flung barangay of Liloan, Cebu is a hill which is perfect for first-time climbers or for those who just want to get a dose of greeneries. They call it Lanigid Hill.

After a month delay of our plan to climb Lanigid Hill, it was finally realized last Saturday. It then served as a pre-valentine climb. Climbing with me were my single friends hoping to find love on top. 🙂

The hubby was not able to come with us because he went biking with his friends. So it was my first venture without him, sort of ‘the girls’ climb’.

We rode a motorcycle at the old Liloan Public Market and paid 100 pesos each. After a 30-minute of almost an uphill ride, we reached Mulao’s barangay hall. There we registered our name and paid the Php10 environmental fee. After few minutes of warm-up we then started our trek to the hill.

The ascent was a bit easy but enough to get those sweats flowing. For first-time trekkers like Gichelle, it was a strenuous one because of the steep slope and loose soil. But she made it! (Clap, clap!)

Some of the plants along the way had been cut off for the wood to make charcoals which is the locals’ main source of livelihood. But we think, they’re also planting new ones to replace those.

After 20 minutes of ascending, we finally reached the top of the hill. And this view of Mr Sun greeted us. He’s very up but the wind beat his heat.

For office people like us, the kind of moment at the top is priceless. With all the lush greeneries and thick vegetation in the area we can’t help falling in love.

My girls, indeed, found love on top.

After few hours at the top, we agreed to go down and have a quick visit to Mulao River. You might want to check out our adventure to this wonderful river on my previous post.

How about you? Have you been to this hill? How was it?

We hope you enjoyed reading this post!

‘Til our next adventure.

Keep safe!

Love, Ace and Demi.

The Vast Beauty of Mulao River

February 14, 2017February 14, 2017 Ace&Demi7 Comments

The river once told me: There is no hurry. We shall get there someday.

Slithering through the valleys of Liloan and Compostela is this splendid river that serves as the boundary of the two adjacent municipalities. It is called the Mulao River.

After our pre-valentine climb to Lanigid Hill last Saturday, we decided to have a quick visit to the said river. But what supposed to to be a quick one became a few hours of astonishment and exciting adventure.

Halfway through our struggle going down the never ending steep slope, we finally heard the gushing water and we felt relieved to know that we’re near.

We were welcomed by the enthralling beauty of this body of water.

The stupendous rocks that were artistically formed eons of year ago are just magnificent. I can’t keep myself from saying “wow” even though we’re forewarned not to make big noises while in there. The locals believed that some nature god or unknown spirits are living in the river, and they hate to be disturbed. I don’t know if you believe in it, too but I grew up in the countryside and have always believed in superstitions and myths.

There’s just something in the river that we can’t explain. As if the nature really showered all it’s care on this place. Imagine the enormous rocks of various shapes and forms. Made us wonder how they formed all these years.

Our main goal was to see the “Stone Ark”, yet the way to it is not easy. We had to climb the large boulders and jump from one rock to another. We mastered our art of balancing just to get through the cliff-like path. One mistake and you’ll get yourself hurt.

Finally, we reached our goal. This colossal rock, it’s not really surprising because all of the rocks in the area are this huge, but if you look at it, it indeed looks like a ship drydocked in an unreliable base. I say “unreliable” because the stone ark is REALLY big. (See the capslock there? LOL) And the base is too small for it. But lo and behold, this ark has been here thousands of years ago but not even the strongest flood shook and moved it.

Now don’t you call it amazing?

Just near the stone ark, we noticed the rocks looked different from the ones we saw. Here, the rocks resembled the waves in the ocean. The locals said that there are some nights they hear the ship moving as if it’s sailing, and they hear the waves that of the ocean. Could it be? (Now that depends on your belief.)

What more can we say? Mulao River is indeed enchanting. Along with the enigmatic beauty and mysterious stories of this river, it’s all worth the visit. And I really appreciate the locals for keeping this place a clean haven. I’m pretty sure the spirits and nature god are happy thus providing them a good harvest from the river.

Over to you. Have you visited this place? Or a place like this? Have you heard stories such as this? Share it to us.

We hope you enjoyed this travel diary.

‘Til our next adventure!

Keep safe!

Love, Ace and Demi

Terrazas De Flores Botanical Garden | A Sweet Escape

February 3, 2017 Ace&Demi17 Comments

Gardens and flowers have a way of bringing people together, drawing them from their homes. ~ Clare Ansberry

While the Chinese and Korean communities were celebrating the Lunar New Year, we found ourselves jaunting the highlands of Cebu City to escape the bustle in the metropolis and get ourselves an ounce of repose.

Together with some wonderful friends, we visited Terrazas de Flores – Cebu’s first ever botanical garden in terraces. Located in Barangay Malubog, Cebu City (900 meters from La Tegola, Busay), just across Malubog Integrated School.

This botanical garden started operating last October 1, 2016. Since then, it continuously draws the attention of many people from all walks of life.

With over 120 species of local flora that are arranged on a mountain slope to form a flower terraces, it’s impossible to leave the place without getting the dose of relaxation we needed.

In collaboration with the Department of Biology from University of San Carlos, the species and names of these local flowers were being identified, as well as its horticulture.

What’s more amazing is that these flowers are very common and are often ignored. We have seen most of them in the streets, in the wild, in our grandparent’s houses…but we did not really notice their beauty.

Could it be because they are meticulously arranged here? Or, it could be because they are well taken cared of by the local farmers whom the owner hired to tend the place.

Aside from the garden, the place also has a cafe where visitors can have a sip of their preferred beverages while enjoying the scenic surrounding.

From the cafe, one can see the view of the neighboring hills which are breathtaking.

You can also choose to stay in their beautiful cabanas while you enjoy watching the butterflies land from one flower to another.

Or, while you read your favorite book. 🙂

Or, just chitchat whith your friends. 🙂

Or, you can bring out your inner emo!?

Or, perform Yoga?! Why not, the place is quite and peaceful, not to mention the smell of the nature.

Everywhere here is so wonderful. You can’t help smiling and falling in love with it. Every corner is also picture perfect. You’ll love how the colors of the nature compliment each other.