Part 7: Mount Batulao...*
On the day of the trek I hoped coach would have allowed us the luxury of some extra sleep - sadly for me I was sorely mistaken!!
We were up at 5.30am and ready for another fitness session on the bay.
And not an easy one at that, but thankfully I was fairly acclimatised to the heat by now and it didn't drain me as much as before, or so I'd thought!
It was still gruelling nonetheless.
Then it was time for a delicious guilt free, American pancake breakfast.
Coach said we needed the energy for later - we all joked at the table as several of the group were pulling out of the trip one by one all making excuses to get out of going - later on I would know exactly why.
The heat was getting more intense and typically it turned out to be the hottest day since I arrived in Asia, by quite some distance too. Just my luck, and thoughts of my first experience with the group entered my mind, I really did not want to show myself up again like before.
I prepped my backpack and equipment best I could after going through coaches check list. No mountain boots, no gloves, no water proofs, no clue and a borrowed tent - what on earth was I thinking?
My pride kicked in again, and with the new tattoo quote ringing in my ears, I was sure this would get me into trouble in the future. By now it was lunchtime, we all rendezvoused at the Manila coach station for the bus to Batangas. Only 4 people showed up out of the whole group including Alfred - I think that spoke volumes of what awaited me, which only made me feel even more nervous.
There was a 2 hour wait just to get tickets, and then a 3 hour bumpy bus trip south. So at least 5 hours before we would even make it to the foot of the mountain!
The massively overcrowded bus was as uncomfortable a trip as you could possibly imagine, with people literally sitting on my lap - not the ideal preparation for the climb.
On the journey, I was wondering what to expect as I was taking in the scenery when we left the city - the hustle and bustle of Manila was changing for more rustic and far more provincial surroundings.
Farmers walking cows and donkeys on the roadside as we passed tiny villages every 10 or 15 miles.
When we finally reached our destination, my feet were itching from several mosquito bites I got on the bus, and It was pitch black outside. The bus driver dropped us in the middle of nowhere on a lay by - there was a deafening sound of crickets and I could not see anything other than the odd car passing by.
As he slowly pulled away and the doors hissed closed, I could not help but think that what was in store for me. This was so not the time for any last minute nerves or excuses. No turning back now. Although I couldn't even if I wanted to
On my left there was a man stood in the dark who introduced himself as Ally.
He was to be our guide and would lead us to the camp. Unlike me he looked suitably prepped and dressed appropriately for the trek.
'Ready?' He said.
'Huh, as ready as I will ever be'
I replied.
And before I knew it he began to lead us up a narrow path way away from the road where we were just dropped off.
I switched on my head lamp and was promptly asked to turn it off to save battery Power - I could not see a thing.
My backpack which was more than double the weight of anyone else's was cutting into my shoulders already.
The idea of taking 8 litres of water and all my toiletries seemed a good one at the time, my inexperience were beginning to show me up.
We were less than 30 mins in and the heat was incredible. The sweat was pouring down my face, my eyes where burning and I was blowing hard already.
Initially I struggled to keep up pace with the others. Quitting was simply not even an option for me. Where would I even go? The thought of embarrassing myself, much like my back pack weighed heavily on my mind.
Although thoughts of ditching my equipment and some of my water to lighten my load entered my head, but that would have been unwise.
One thing my boxing training has given me is endurance - or so I thought but It would be put to good use on this climb without doubt.
We passed some small huts and homes with families looking on and chuckling to themselves for some reason. But I did kinda look a bit silly with my basket ball getup.
Small kids where holding out their hands asking me for candy, so I gave them some biscuits, to lighten my load if anything.
This was great, and I was beginning to feel like I was experiencing the real Philippines now, away from the main city.
Our guide asked us to stick close and keep up as the pathway steepened.
He was relentless and told us it would be an approx walk of 5 miles to the over night camp half way up the summit where we would be camping for the night - the path narrowed and became more rugged with loose small rocks.
One of our group was struggling with her backpack so we had to share some of her load. That was the last thing I needed at this point to be perfectly honest and we soon decided on stopping for a short break to take on the unexpected extra load but I didn't want to be the one who moaned about it.
I was drenched through to my pants in sweat and drank half a bottle of water in one go. Barely able to catch my breath, the guide called us
'Lets go' he smiled.
And off we continued - he didn't seem like he was in no mood to be slowed down by by anyone, least of all me.
I was ducking underneath branches and twigs, which were slapping me in the face - this was getting seriously hard work, especially in this sticky humidity.
But I was determined and slowly buy surely began getting more into a steady stride as I upped my pace digging deep.
It took me a while, but I guess my fitness didn't abandon me like I was beginning to fear - at this point I was more than holding my own at long last.
We had to go down on all fours as some sections of the path where getting considerably steeper and more treacherous, but my back pack was so heavy I nearly keeled over.
I don't know why but I started singing the marine credence from Full metal Jacket - it gave me an extra yard!
And then I had the group in stitches with my Mr Internet providings, phone-jacker impersonation. I didn't even think anyone hear had heard of him here. But before I knew it, all of us were talking in mock Indian accents, which was quite surreal.
This was hilarious and took our minds off the pain we were all in. Either they were being really polite, or my humour going down quite well. But I do have a tendency to make jokes when I'm nervous!
The mountain peak was coming in to view ever so slightly as the sky became clearer. All the stars were so bright and the moon lit up the path more, it was beautiful - wondering to myself what it would look like in the day.
Translated, Mount Batulau literally means 'rock of light'. It was given this name by the villagers because of the way the mountain glows at sunrise when the sun hits it - quite a site I was told and I could not wait to see it for myself. The path twisted and turned, always going upwards though.
There was a slight clearing and we reached an out post made of Bambo so we all paused for another brief break.
There were goats and donkeys just roaming freely here, I could also make out the faint lighting of another group of trekkers about 2 hours ahead of us further up the peak.
After finishing off another bottle of water we continued onwards and upwards.
The next part of the trail was a blur really and no one said much before as all of a sudden, no one was speaking. A couple of hours later I could hear faint music, and then after a bit of tricky manoeuvring climbing an awkward rock face, I felt pure relief as we reached the base camp where we would pitch for the night.
All of a sudden I forgot the excruciating pain I was feeling in my shoulders and calf muscles as I dumped my stupidly heavy back pack on the dusty floor.
There was an instant buzz and vibe when we arrived there. Tents where already pitched and Trekkers were sat around a camp fire - music played whilst two large barbecues were cooking delicious food.
I could not believe it as the camped travellers called me by my name. 'Heeeeeeeey Vince...welcome' they said. Alfred had briefed them before apparently and they were already expecting a foreigner, but perhaps not one so ill equipped and dressed the way I was. One or two amongst the large group looked at me funny but they give me quite a welcome, plus I was notably touched as Don the group, and expedition leader introduced himself, greeting me with a huge man hug
They took my back pack and asked me if I drank whisky to which I replied 'sure'.
Next thing Don handed me a small cup carved from bamboo - they were all drinking from it.
He explained it was Filipino tradition to all drink from the same cup.
'One cup, one love' he said.
I don't think I will ever forget His words.
They all cheered and laughed as I downed the whiskey in one gulp.
This was going to be quite a night.
Don asked me what I was doing when I started pitching my tent.
And I could not believe my eyes as he insisted on me having his, which was already pitched.
'I will sleep outside' he said.
It was really decent of him to do that but he would not take no for an answer.
Then the food was ready and they again insisted that I ate first, handing me plates full of tasty, well cooked pork, chicken and rice. Their hospitality really blew me away.
I sat talking with Don and he explained how he organised trips like this one to 'bring the Philippines to the people' as he put it.
Fiercely proud of his country and heritage he said how much he enjoyed showing people like me the Philippines.
And he meant every word.
Sadiq, the prankster of the camp was already drunk and jokingly asked me if I knew John Lennon.
Out of nowhere he randomly put a Spiderman mask on and danced to the Harlem shake - it was quite a sight!!
Several whiskeys, and a whole lot of fun later I decided on trying to get some sleep because we where getting up at 415am.
That would give us enough time to make the final climb to see the sunrise from the summit.
I could not wait...