This is probably the best climbed I have experienced. Wait, let me change my mind: This is the best climb that I have experienced.
Few days after moving to Zamboanga for a new job, I was terribly missing Manila. I missed my friends, my girlfriend, the busy streets, the modern and independent lifestyle, the food, and many more. But most of all, I missed the accessibility of going to new places. In Zamboanga, there are only 4 flights available: Manila, Cebu, Davao, and Tawi-Tawi. Ive, been there already. There are also bus trips from Zamboanga to different provinces but they don't excite me anymore because I've been there too. Manila is a perfect sanctuary for travelers. You can easily go to everywhere in the Philippines and abroad, if you have the the money.
I decided to go to Manila for a vacation. I booked a ticket months before the flight to get the cheap ticket. I saved money to to make my vacation worthwhile. I told my girlfriend that I'll be seeing her. She was so excited knowing that we'll be seeing each other. I was excited, too. She even made my itinerary for my Manila vacation. I had no idea of her plans. I didn't ask her any further. I wanted to be surprised.
When I arrived in Manila, I met my girlfriend and she told me that we are going for a climb in Mt. Maynoba, Tanay Rizal. She told me that we are going to see a sea of clouds. I was skeptic because I didn't know any place that in the Philippines that has Sea of Clouds except in Baguio or Sagada or other high altitude places. But still I was excited.
We left Manila around 10pm in the evening. She said that we have to go to the summit before sunrise so we can witness the presence of the sea of cloud. That means that we are going to climb during the dawn. To me it was strange. Climbing a mountain on a dark dawn was pretty scary.
We arrived at the mountain foot at 3 am in the morning. It was a 2-ride trip for about 4-5 hours: a jeepney from Manila to Tanay, then a tricycle from Tanay to the Mountain foot of Maynoba. It was dark, really dark that you can't climb without bringing a torch or a flashlight. We didn't bring flashlights but the people were kind enough to lend us. We started out ascend minutes after arriving. We had to catch the sunrise to see the perfect view. Getting to the summit also takes 3 hours, so we might miss the sunrise if we go slow.
The climb was exhausting yet we felt full-filled. We reached the summit before sunrise. YEY! We were on time! Sunlight was already leaking from the mountain so the view of the clouds is visible. I couldn't contain my happiness when I saw it. It was so beautiful. It was like a dream. I was like in a psychedelic drug. Double the ecstasy when the sun peeped from the mountain. It was the perfect golden hour. The view was so beautiful that I hugged my girlfriend with gratitude that she brought me in that place.
It was in deed the best climb that I have. Definitely an adventure to remember. :)
