MADrid About You

One would think that Barcelona and Madrid are just neighboring cities and you can toggle back and forth in a jiffy. Apparently they are not. In fact, if you opt to travel by land, it will take you approximately 6 hours to reach. You can take AVE (high velocity train ) and travel time is only 2.5 hours but will certainly dent your wallet. And if you are like us who fancy traveling on a budget; I'd say fly.

Well not literally but take the domestic budget airlines. Pros : It is cheaper and faster with only 1 hour and 25 minutes travel time. #FTW right?
So we bid goodbye to BCN and made our way via Vueling airline to Madrid.

We arrived at Madrid and thought that maybe the train system is more convenient than BCN. We were so wrong. Same situation with BCN. With our bags in tow, we climbed countless stairs and came to a point that we just stood there, with our hands up in the air - We wanted to give up! The station where we supposed to get off was under repair and we had to walk all way to our Airbnb. It was about an hour of walking, stopping and heavy lifting. We made it though and decided to stay in for a couple of hours before we head out to dinner to meet our friends.


One thing I love about Madrid is its proximity to almost everything. You can literally walk around Puerto Del Sol and see almost every touristy spot on your handbook. The architecture of Spain will never fail to amaze you. We went to this Tapas place after walking through old alleys of Puerto Del Sol.
Good company, sangria and Tapas - this would sum up our first night in Madrid.

Madrid came from the Arabic word "Magerit" which means - plenty of streams. There are more sunny and more cloudless days of the year than in any other city in Europe. Whoever said that wasn't kidding. It's way too hot than we expected.  My self ventilating top and skirt didn't help much. My shoulders were burnt and at one point I felt like jumping into the fountain in the middle of Plaza Mayor. We walked around Puerto Del Sol and our eyes were met with beautiful houses adorned with balconies and trees. Took several pit stops for our #ootds and off we went to see Plaza Mayor. The way to the plaza led us down from Gran Via past a twist of small streets and interesting buildings and corners. We were told that somewhere along, we'll pass by the church of San Gines which houses the best churros and chocolate. Some say it's the oldest others claim it's the original though I won't disagree that it is indeed the best.

Plaza Mayor is the largest open space in Central Madrid. It's one of the major tourist attractions in Madrid showcasing an array of cafes and chic shops. Over the course of history, the Plaza took several name before taking in Plaza Mayor in 1939. Originally Plaza del Arrabal, Plaza de la Constitution, Plaza Real, Plaza de la Republica and then finally Mayor. It has had many different purposes  - public gatherings, bull ring, market, public trials and even execution. I wouldn't want to witness that for sure.

Walk along Calle Mayor, about 600 meters and the breathtaking view of  Royal Palace will welcome you. It is coined as the Versailles of Spain for it's immense courtyard and beautiful light posts.

According to history, it was the home of Antiguo Alcazar, translated as the Old Fortress.But this fortress burnt down and Philip V ordered the construction of what would become the Royal Palace of Madrid. The interior of the palace is considered one of the most beautiful in Europe. There were so many amazing chandeliers throughout the palace from places around the world like France and Italy. Some even had a fountain in them. They added so much character to each room! It took approximately 17 years for the construction to be completed.
The Royal Palace is open from Monday through Saturday from 10:00 to 18:00 and from 0:900 to 14:00 on Sundays and Holidays.The Palace gardens (Campo del Moro) are open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 to 18:00 from October to March.

A trip to Spain will not be complete without a short stint at the local footwear shops in GranVia. We stopped by 
Alpargatus for some espadrilles. Bought a pair for  € 22.00 - certainly a good price considering how expensive those are in Singapore. We capped the day with tapas and sangria for € 1.00 at a local sports bar. I remember eating a lot to compensate for the calories we burned throughout the day of endless walking.

That was Madrid in 48 hours. It was short but our stomach and eyes were both filled with an abundance of culture, gastronomical experience and beautiful history combined with architectural aesthetics. Madrid was our second stop but we did feel like staying a bit longer and learned flamingo if you may. Would surely love to go back and explore the city in a much slower pace. So for now, we bid goodbye and geared ourselves to our next stop - the land of divine art and ancient culture - LA DOLCE VITA.

Sagada's Bomod-Ok Falls

Hidden behind rice paddies and mountain villages is a well-kept tourist destination of Sagada. Bomod-ok or Big Falls soars some 200 feet high in the air and the path leading to this nature's creation is both an exciting and knee jerking experience that will leave you astounded and amazed.

The jump off point starts at the Information center where all the groups gathered for briefing and to meet the tour guides. Here you'll get to choose your trekking stick which certainly is my priced possession throughout the hike as it saved me from countless slips and pitfalls.

The hike starts with narrow but well-maintained cemented pathway and stone stairs which serves as the hiking trail.Extra caution is advised as the steps tend to be slippery and steep that a misstep could lead to several meters fall.

After a series of narrowed pathways, the scenery changed to vast and verdant rice paddies overlooking the village of Fidelisan. Walking in Cordillera's rice paddies was more than just an experience, it was a dream come true. I remember flipping through pages or flow charts with pictures of this man-made terraces and have always thought of how it would feel like to actually walk on them. And this trip to Sagada paved way to turn those into reality.

The view starts to get scenic as we inch closer to the falls. Though the trail is descending, expect some knee-jerking and more than an hour long walk to reach the spot. Sunblock, shawl, hats, trail mix and water would be your best buds throughout the entire hike.

Countless stops for photos and a couple more breaks to catch our breathe, we finally reached Bomod-Ok Falls. It's everything I remember sans the crowd. The big rock facing the falls which I effortlessly climbed 10 years ago firmly hold its ground. I did attempt to climb up but failed miserably. Why can't I be as brawny and fit as I was back then. Sigh. SOA.

The water is inviting, freezing but everyone's almost thrilled to jump in. It's tempting and the cold splashes were enough to rejuvenate our tired, sore muscles. There are no changing quarters or restrooms in the area but you can always improvised by using shawl or sarong. If you're not adept at swimming, you can always lounge at the side of the falls where the water is shallow. If you are brave enough to climb an almost vertical rock and you're confident that you won't slip or fall, then go ahead and dare yourself to an epic adventure. Again caution is important as your neck is sure to break should you happen to slip.

This spot has also served as a source of livelihood for the locals. Here you can buy swimwear, drinks, banana-q, chips and more. It would be good to grab a bite before you head back as you need to fuel up as the ascent is certainly not an easy feat.

We took the same trail back and it was far more challenging. It takes patience and a lot of pit stops but our appreciation for this beautiful landscape is endless. As we traverse the upward path, we saw how Sagada and its local ingenuity are able to preserve its culture by working hand in hand with nature. We saw hard working elders plucking and sowing earth oblivious of the heat and pain of bending ( insert : Magtanim ay di biro... ).  It's a humbling experience that made us realize the value of work and effort they put in for us to have grains on our plate each meal. And it was also heartbreaking to realize that their role in our society is often given the least priority.

Walking back to the jump off point offered some thoughts for me to ponder on. They say that it is the journey that matters and not the destination. But Bomod-Ok is a case of both. The trek to this hidden spot is must do activity as the view is nothing short of spectacular. Worth every muscle pains and gasps. It is best enjoyed with people you value most and even with strangers you'll get to spend a few hours with. In any type of journey, hike or adventure, it is imperative that you approach it with an open mind and sheer optimism because every experience you set yourself to embark on will always be a rewarding one. And in the case of Bomod-Ok Falls, every strenuous step is worth it and you'll be surprised at the many things you'll discover along the way.

Xo,

Jhesy 

Adventure Above Clouds | Mt Pulag

They say that if something scares you, it might be a good thing to try. I have always toyed with the idea of doing something extreme, extradonaire and way beyond my pre-set limits. Yet, I have begged off from a lot of opportunities owing it to the excuses I would tell myself when fear of unknown sets in. So when the opportune time presents itself in the form of a mountain expedition on Heart’s day courtesy of my best friend with an attached photo of Kim Jones' look away shot against the backdrop of Mt Pulag’s sea of clouds, - surely an offer I can't resist. 

The Elusive Sea of Clouds

And so I found myself at the airport clutching the straps of the huge TNF backpack I borrowed from Gatch. It's almost midnight and as I stared at the glass door window, I figured that there's no turning back. Judging by the glaring eyes at the subway as I pushed my way in, my entire ensemble certainly looks legit for hiking. It started to dawn on me that for the first time in what seems like an eternity, I was finally doing something out of my comfort zone.

My most recent trip to Mt Pulag was with Travel Factor. And there’s a good reason why my friend and I booked at the last minute. We were supposed to travel with a group of 20 pax but due to unforeseen circumstances, they all had to cancel out leaving the two of us to push through with the climb. Say yes to adventure right?

The coolest coordinators ever! ( Rico, Milet & Peter )

The cold morning breeze of Baguio greeted us and as I hugged my fleece jacket tightly, I was told that it is nothing compared to cold we would soon feel at the summit. We were then ushered to the jeeps to take us to DENR office for briefing and then set off for the Ranger Station. Top load ride -  one of the memorable experiences I’ve had going to the campsite. As the driver trudge on the rough, steep road; I let the cold wind brush through my face as we marvel at the lush greenery, vegetation and stretch of Cordillera Mountains. Everything was a beauty to behold that I even told myself that if I won’t be able to make it to the summit, what I’ve seen throughout the jeepney ride would surely suffice.

Due to the number of climbers on weekends, camping on Camp 1 and 2 is prohibited (one of the reasons my friends opted out as it would entail longer hours to reach the summit). Weekend climbers stayed in the Ranger station along with the locals with close proximity to carrots, broccoli and potato plantation. Here you’ll find everything you’ll need from basic hiking gears, hot water down to the freshest carrot juice you’ll ever get your hands on.

And as our first day came to a close, the sky was painted with tinge of yellow and orange. We were treated to a magnificent view of the sunset 2000++ meters above sea level. I was gasping in awe and was literally going near the edge of the cliff feigning to reach the sky as the rest of us marvel at the majestic view before us.  I uttered a silent prayer of gratitude and hoped that the summit will offer the same clearing and breathtaking view similar to what we’ve seen.

Sleeping the night off was a real struggle. Lying down inside the tent made it hard for me to stay still. I had changed to my hiking clothes and had gloves, bonnet on yet the subzero temperature made it difficult for me to get a good shuteye. I was fidgeting yet careful not to wake my tent mates but quite amused to hear snoring sounds from across our tent. (Maybe the cold didn’t bother them anyway). At 1:30 am we set forth for the summit. Armed with headlights, trail mix, camera and hiking gears, we braced the cold, dark trail. The moon unabashedly showed off her gleaming light and the night sky exploded with billion of stars. Climbing Mt Pulag for the first time wasn’t an easy feat. The first 30 minutes was exhausting and challenging as the air becomes thinner and temperature progressively drops as you go higher. By 5:30 am, we found ourselves at the Grassland Summit where majority of the climbers have already secured their spot to witness the sunrise. At dawn, the dark silhouette of the mountains adds to the beauty of the imminent sunrise. We waited patiently as sky slowly breaks into hues of warm orange and yellow. Rays of sun break on the horizon through the cold cover of clouds.

Front Row Seat

Borrowing lines from Tangled, it was warm, real and bright. - And the world has somehow shifted.

Then a sea of ghostly mist drifts by on the grassy rolling hills of Luzon’s highest peak. The sometimes-elusive sea of clouds showed up in all its grandeur. Everything was surreal and it was the most impressive view I’ve seen in a long time. I thank God for His provisions and for giving us a window to glimpse over His beautiful creation.

As I turned around, the face of the mountains turns gold as the early morning sun kisses it. The magnificent view of the grassland unfolds as we trekked to reach the summit. After an hour and a pack of oatmeal cookies later, we finally reached Mt Pulag peak. Towering 2922 meters above sea level, I made it to the 3^rd highest peak in the country - I literally and figuratively conquered a mountain for the first time.

The descent proved to be a breeze but the never ending trail of the mossy forest led us to resort in taking a motorcycle ride (habal habal ) back to the campsite. It was thrilling and undoubtedly risky to take the rough road sans a helmet. And as I gazed at the steep cliff on the other side of the road, I prayed that I would make it back to the site alive and in one piece.

Team #Pulove

My sole purpose for climbing Mt Pulag was to witness the sea of clouds. While it is no doubt, magnificently beautiful, I was amazed to discover that more than the majestic view are the myriad of stories and experiences shared with the people I’ve spent hours and few days with. The wee-hour walk under the galaxy of stars with the people I shared a connection with was equally magical.

Mt Pulag sums up the best of what the Philippine mountains has to offer. It is coined as playground of the gods for its unique flora/fauna offering an experience of a world that is cold and beautiful. The weather here can be erratic and the elusive sea of clouds may not always show but what you will discover is that the destination is as beautiful as the journey and the goal goes beyond what you thought is the end. The magic lies in the moments, adventure and experience shared.

Xo,

Jhesy