I Don't Have a Fear of Heights, Just Afraid of Falling.

I have always loved nature and the outdoors.I fully immersed myself in natural stress-relieving effect of fresh air and the healing beauty of Mother Nature. It is reality in life that stress is inevitable.As we ride along our daily routine to make a living could be satisfying and being able to sustain the necessities is a good thing. But after a while, I always find it hard being stuck in four corner walls, teaching.Well,I always break loose...before I lost myself.

The Baslay Peak

On One Saturday morning, after a cup of coffee,I really felt the need to get out and do something challenging so I contacted one of my hikemates to check if she haven't got any appointment that day. I know she would emmediatley jump off without a second though.She was quick to gave invitation to our circle of friends and luckily they were also available since it was weekend and everyone was excited. We decided to Hike in Baslay Peak in Dauin considering food and a good coffee after a sweaty hike is quite rewarding. This is located about a 30 minute drive south from Dumaguete. The photo above is the scenery before the main entrance gate of Baslay higland.The unpaved road end about 500 meters so rough that we got off and leaved the motorbike in safer ground. We had enjoyed the walk under the shades,steep, rough,and rocky incline to the top.

Baslay Highland Brew Coffee.

Are you a coffee addict? I highly recommend this, they have the best coffee and great cafe ambiance, friendly crew,fresh air, not crowded,and overlooking.

Bambo Fortress

When reaching the main gate, first thing you'll notice is the gigantic three story bambo fortress.

Coffee Beans Raised Beds

You now have an idea how fresh their coffee is. Baslay Highland have their own coffee farm.100% organic,roasted and brewed on site. I also grew up with coffee,my family had 2 hectars of that trees and one of the excitements to look forward to about coffee is the blooming season.Coffee blossoms scent is like jasmine smell but theres nothing like experiencing it in actual.Something I can't keep myself from picking its twigs with bunch of flower on it when I was a child. I was so excited to smell it again upon seeing coffee farm along the trail.See the path behind? it's where the trail is heading.

My Buddies

You'll probably notice them in many of my postings here.The gentle man in the photo is one of the bikers and hikers masters and a nurse by profession which is a good thing when it comes to safety. They're All beautiful people.

The main hike of Baslay Peak

At the start, the trail is seemingly easy but it gets narrower and always steep.It was a foggy morning. I was so delighted when we are passing thru the coffee farm, for me, it feels like home and suddenly I became emotional for this brings out the remembrance of my late dad who was once passionate in coffee farming. I was just so emotional that day, I just needed that break.

Coffee Fruits

Because of its size, it is also known as coffee cherry/ berry.Its fruits grows in bunches,green in color when raw then turns deep red once it is ripe.
I was in fact, helping my mom harvesting coffee last year and I'm looking forward doing it again.

They are ready for harvest even though the color is green as long as it is already mature.

I really enjoyed checking around and taking pictures of the coffee, smelling its flowers like the first time. They have to yelled at me "girl are you coming"?🙂

The Child in Us

After 25 minutes of hike,
this appears on our sight and it's on our way.This tree is about 3 meters from the ground and about 15 meters long.I guess it is a common experience, kids do enjoy playing on fallen trees.Until now I still find joy whenever I do.

I spotted them when I was cycling. I can't let this go without taking photos, I see myself in them when I was a kid.Would you allow your kid to do this things? Absolutely yes for me. It's a great way to detach from the gadgets and learn to socialize is a way better.

It is more ascending and we are getting near one of the spots where we can rest. We are already cathing our breath.

Familiar of wondering dude plants? It has green, silver, and purple leaves. They are voluntarily creeping on rocks here. They are actually quite expensive when sold. Best when it is planted in hanging pots or trailing.Am myself is also a plant lover, can't help but noticed them on their best colors and growths.

Our friend Edmar was bringing his bicycle along but he follows behind, he's into technically challenging trail. there's no way I could ride up that trail, rocky and sometimes requiring a jump over to get across. He's carrying the bike most of the time and ride whenever possible. This time we are getting steeper reaching the top which means carrying the bike is the only thing possible. I keep checking him out of curiousity, I want to get to that kind of thrill level.

Lichen Fungus are also growing in trees and on rocks.They are small yet the colors and formations are very catchy. I'm a fond of tiny living too! There were wild orchids as well in this mountain as well as hawks, wild cats,and boars.

Lichen funji

This lichen fungus in its dominant behaviour beautifully spread its beauty on a rock.There were few, but this one is quite the size.

We made it to cliff with all its panoramic view facing the west. Just majestically beautiful.My knees were shaking I can't even stand straight,fear of heights is one thing I like to overcome.