Sunday, May 12, 2013

Mambukal Resort, Murcia, Negros Occidental: Two Months And Seven Falls On The Way

Mother's Day, and it feels good to be unexpectedly "home".

While we celebrate the family's rare togetherness over a more-than-the-ordinary lunch, I am reminded of my early expectant months three years ago and the adventures my hubby and I purposely got into to take my mind of our unplanned pregnancy.

Back then we were light years away from being prepared, financially and emotionally.
 
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Definitely not a walk in the park for a preggy hiker. First waterfalls.
 
As if in protest against the universe's scheme, instead of spending our savings renting an apartment during my first trimester, we voyaged to the Visayas region of the Philippines for our last backpacking hurrah of the year (And in case you're wondering, we camped at my granma's house when we got back). The eleven-day trip witnessed us catching up with friends, weaving through urban jungles, marveling on historical structures, riding a motorcycle on rough roads, strolling along blinding white sands, and hiking semi-unforgiving trails. Morning sickness and heaps of hissy fits in between.

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Hubby was ecstatic to see all these bats at the beginning of our trek.
 
Out of all the intense activities we got caught in, our Mambukal Resort hike takes the Most Awesome Award. Or the Most Maniacal, depending on your outlook in life. Why so? Two words: Seven Waterfalls. You're probably shaking your head and/or rolling your eyes (I know my mom will if I tell her about this.) thinking, "You can't possibly have done that". Or, "Meh!". Again, depending on your outlook on life.

I did trek all the way to the seventh. Proudly, without falling like a log.

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 Towards the sixth.

The jeep-plus-bus ride from Bacolod City to the resort didn't cause much pain in the preggy backpacker's arse. Okay, just a little discomfort in the bladder. But you see, that's the easy-breezy part. The anguish only began soon as we set off for the actual hike.

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"Are we there yet?", a question asked every minute.

Parts of the trail were, hopefully still are, sheltered by trees. I called for respite a little too much every so often in the shadows, which our guide granted without protest even if it meant possibly missing out on more guiding gigs later in the afternoon. He knew I was two months on the way.

None of the falls in Mambukal are as mighty as Negros Oriental's Casaroro Falls, which we visited days prior, but they're still worth the half day. Seven Waterfalls may sound and look intimidating, but they actually aren't. The trek to each one doesn't require special climbing skills. Just patience. And that, I have a lot of even when I was pregnant.

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He just couldn't resist.
 
But even with all these words of assurance and encouragement, I know that not a lot of pregnant women will take such risk (Which is a wise move.). You know, I wasn't just feeling rebellious that time, but I'd like to see how far I can go as an expectant mother. Because what I did, using "ordinary" public transport and trekking relatively long distances, are nothing out of the ordinary for so many expectant moms in both big cities and quaint towns. I thought, if I conditioned myself not to be too picky/lazy/whiny in the early stage of my pregnancy, the following months will be much easier. 

And you know what? It worked. 

Happy Mother's Day, my fellow mums! It may be a man's world, but it would be nothing without a woman.

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8 comments:

Pinoy Adventurista said...
May 17, 2013 at 3:58 PM

this brings back the memories of my first trip to Bacolod... sa Mambukal kagad ako pumunta... :)

Gay Emami said...
May 17, 2013 at 8:34 PM

Adventure agad agad! Idol :)

Filipina Explorer said...
May 21, 2013 at 3:12 PM

Girl, you really are one of a kind!

Nung buntis ako, hindi ako pinayagan na ng asawa ko umakyat ng falls sa Pundaquit. I waited for him sa lowest basin at nakuntento na lang sa pictures niya. Hindi na rin ako nag-attempt mag trek to the falls in Nagsasa although the locals say the walk is relatively easy.

And can I just reiterate how lucky you are to have an enabler husband who lets you push your boundaries when it comes to traveling. What I would do to have a mate like that! :)

Gay Emami said...
May 21, 2013 at 9:24 PM

Haha! Yeah, very lucky with the hubby. But of course, we stayed a bit safe by not doing anything strenuous 6 months onwards :)

Sam Door said...
May 29, 2013 at 11:29 AM

You can take long walks on the beach boardwalk, enjoy a helicopter ride, eat at many fine restaurants, and enjoy seeing celebrities face-to-face, while out on the town.

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Lovethephilippines said...
June 3, 2013 at 12:33 AM

Such a beautiful place

Aileen Siroy said...
July 17, 2013 at 7:20 AM

I've always wanted to go. This entry just inspired me again to go, maybe, this October. : )

pinaytraveljunkie.com said...
August 5, 2013 at 10:42 PM

Good to hear! Excited for you :)

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