21 Days of Bliss (part 3)
Day 12, Thursday May 10, 2018, we left Bulusan's morning chill topload on a jeepney to Irosin. The party is going home and myself, Sham2x, Nibram and Milbin have decided to extend the trip a bit longer. Another jeepney topload ride to Matnog where we boarded a ferry to San Isidro, Leyte. The rest head on to Calbayog where they would ride a ferry back to Cebu. The four of us waited quite a long time for whatever we can ride on: jeep, bus, van, or an open pick-up or truck to hitch a ride on until one stopped and took us in. It was the start of our extended journey and we were smiling up to the ears even with the rain grateful for the free ride. Little did we know, we will be treated with more 'priceless' treats of rides and food on this extended trip all thanks for Sham2x's Auntie. ;-)
With gracious Ate Pangging in Catbalogan.
Our destination is Calbiga, Samar to go caving on one of the largest caves in Southeast Asia. We got to Calbayog and hopped on another free ride on Auntie Ann2x's delivery truck to Calbayog where we were graced with free accommodation and unlimited supply of 'priceless' crab meat, shrimp and other seafood! The same delivery truck will be passing by Calbiga the next day, there goes another free ride for us! We did not have to spend another time until we got to Calbiga and booked ourselves an overnight stay in Langon-Gubingob cave system. We arrived at the entrance at dusk, we made packed lunches of crab meat, shrimp and adobong pusit and had them for dinner. We entered the cave around eight in the evening and boy, it was grand! I've only had a few moments where I am in utter awe of the majestic sight in front of me and this was certainly a good addition to that list. Not to mention the sight is not just in front of me but surrounding me. I can't believe how small we are! Another first experience for me: sleeping inside a cave. The crickets were curious and clingy, so cute and borderline annoying at the same time.
View of the cave entrance from the view deck.
(I wish I had the patience to take better photos.)
Waking up after five hours just felt like a nap, we ate and continued on scrambling and making our way through the mud trying to make as little impact as we can on some formations we had to step and hold on to. It's so magnificent! Every new chamber felt more beautiful than the last one which made it quite difficult to make a step as I just wanted to stop and stare, stop and stare and stop and stare again. The grand finale at around ten in the morning nearing our exit was an astonishing skylight in the Langon side of the cave and it was sublime! Even when our guide warned us about the 3-hour hike after the exit to the nearest town which means we have to keep going because we might ran out food and water, we did not care. We definitely had to take our time taking all this enchanting experience in.
Goofing around before heading out.
Here is a clip of the exit.
The hike did not disappoint as well. We signed up for a caving trip and had a bonus of what seemed like a 'major' day hike! To some, this might be awful but we were rather pleased and delighted despite it being kapoy. I guess nothing can ruin your day if you've just been in the Langon-Gubingob cave!
