Pagsanjan-Majayjay- Lucban

A Secret Hideaway

Taytay stream (our actual photo)

At 4am we're up already, we're getting ready for a trip we didn't actually imagined before, but we are not hesitant to to do it. We were riding a motorcycle. We've departed at 455am, starting point was at Cabuyao, Laguna. We arrived at Sta. Cruz around 558am, took our breakfast at jollibee since it's the only fastfood open at that early morning. We headed to Pagsanjan hoping to see its falls by land, but unfortunately, we can't.

dugout canoe (shooting the rapids)

Pagsanjan falls is reached using a canoe, you can start at any point you want once you reach Pagsanjan town proper, you'll see posters everywhere, or just ask the locals there and they will lead you down stream. During our visit, a boat ride will cost you php1250/person. 

Behind waterfalls (Devil's cave)

(>,<) I usually conduct some research before I go in different places, it's my first time not to do it since it was a road trip. Anyway, we still enjoy being in Pagsanjan even if we're not able to see its falls (maybe not the right time for us, some other time maybe), it's a wonderful place, the people are nice & friendly & very approachable.

Thanks to the three wise men we approach during our trip, for leading us in a safer way.

I remember the wise men told us: "it's better to head Areza rather than taking this path (pointing towards the road going Luisiana, Laguna), there's a lot of "nice" people there".

inside the parish

So we head back towards our original route, the Majayjay/Taytay falls via Pagsanjan-Majayjay road via Magdalena, Laguna. At merely 830am we reached Majayjay town proper already, we took a rest on the grounds of St. Gregory Parish - one of the oldest church in town. I've been there before but it's my first time to step inside the church itself because it's closed each visit I made (maybe the right time for this ;) at last!).

We started riding again at 9am towards Brgy. Taytay, before reaching the said barangay, we asked some locals if where else we're goin' to find another site other than taytay falls since it was labor day, school is still on vacation and most of all summer!, 'coz for sure there's a lot of people floating (ahaha), roaming, chatting around the main site of taytay fall, in other words...I just want my surroundings to be fresh, clean, noise free, overwhelming 100% beauty of  nature only! ;D

So that's it! we're trying to find another site where there's only few people swimming & roaming around!, locals told us that there are 3 best spots there: the Taytay falls, the Malinaw, and the Dalitiwan.

We conducted a quick survey of the said spots. Dalitiwan is crowded too, so as Taytay. We headed to Malinaw, it was good but it was an overlooking view when you pass over the road bridge. We decided to go towards Taytay and pay the entrance ticket for only php20/person.

We've been in Taytay falls last year, same time as well, so we've decided to hike down on the opposite side of the falls, (quite exciting, really awesome! ;D ). We were guided by some locals who used to go back and forth with their horses transporting their crops (fresh white radish & tomatoes) directly from their farms on the mountain side. 

We removed our shoes and head down the mountain side with our meals and water hanging onto our backpacks. A local told us to do some noise or shout to send as warning for those locals climbing up, and so they could hold their horses back and give way for those who are climbing down. The path is designed for one person only, there are lots of big, sharp, slippery rocks along the trek and a lot of poos too! ;)

People there are friendly, every time we encounter one they would ask: "where will you go? I thought you're looking for the falls, it's on the other side."

And 'Oh! you can find a place there were only the two of you are the people" and smile...

We started walking at 955am, reached the said spot by the locals at 1038am. Finally, we've spotted our very own place at 1058am after searching, observing & evaluating the whooole site!

Yipeeeee! time to get wet! and feel the coldness of the crystal clear water! We ate our lunch, soak, soak, and soak again into the water! grrrrrrr!!!!!

But it seemed like the rain will pour in any moment, so we've decided to climb up. At  1255pm, we've reached the parking area, at 1pm the rain fell down.

camouflage!

It's still early to head back home so we asked again if how far is Lucban's Kamay ni Hesus (Hands of Jesus) from Taytay. We left the area at 1pm and arrived at Kamay ni Hesus at 155pm. We started climbing the shrine's stairs at 203pm and reached the foot of Jesus at 220pm. We climbed down and left Lucban at 238pm.

At exactly 4pm we've reached  km 38 v 7, we stopped and look for a shed and wait 'til the rain stops, we were there for almost an hour 'coz the rain is pouring hard with almost zero visibility (it's raining cats and dogs!!!!!!! oh my!). At 455pm the rain is gone, and we hit the road again...and...we're home at around 610pm.

It is quite an extreme day, but still quite a short time to spent with some one whom you didn't imagine that "he's already the one".

Time is always brilliant when you're with someone whom you feel happiness on your own way.

You can do things you didn't imagine you can when you were with someone who gives you strength to  do everything.

You'll have your strength when both of you are being real and being in your own self.

Show your true self and fear nothing.

Will us forever loving Jah.

Jah bless.

marleigh =)

(may 2012)