Chasing Mountains and Memories: My Unforgettable Journey to Bantay

 

Last weekend, I traveled from Buquig, Bantay to Tayac, a place known for its mountain views and peaceful scenery. Three of my friends live there, while one lives nearby, and I was the one coming from the farthest area. The place is surrounded by tall hills and trees, giving it a calm and refreshing atmosphere - a perfect spot to unwind. It was our long-awaited meet-up, and we were all excited to finally spend a fun day together in nature. At first, there were supposed to be seven of us, but there is a conflict from the schedule, so it became 10am. When I arrived, one of my friends was already waiting for me outside. After my brother left, I climbed onto a motorcycle, which was quite difficult because the seat was very high, it felt like a challenge to even get on! Since there were already two of us on the motorbike, we decided to fetch first the other who also knew how to drive. That way, we could use two motorcycles and travel comfortably together. The ride was full of laughter and excitement. We didn’t really have a clear destination at first, so we just explored the area, surrounded by mountains and trees. The air was fresh, and the scenery was breathtaking. While traveling, we saw a river and planned to go down, but the path was too steep and rocky, so we decided not to continue. Instead, we agreed to visit one of our friend’s houses to rest and eat first before going to our next stop. At the house, we shared a simple but happy meal together. We ate, sang, talked, and laughed - just like old times. The place was full of joy and stories, and we even started filming our vlog to capture every moment.

Afterward, we continued our trip to Tagaytay, a river located farther from town. The journey was long, but it was worth it because the water was clear, and the surroundings were filled with mountains and trees. It felt peaceful, like a hidden paradise.

After that, we decided to go to Bida-Bida, a small local spot where they sell delicious empanada and refreshing drinks. The place was beautiful and cozy - we ate under a roof made of kaoayan, shaped like a small triangular hut. It gave off a warm and rustic vibe, perfect for bonding with friends. While eating our empanadas, we chatted endlessly and laughed about everything that happened during the day.

The next day, our plan was to meet at 7 a.m., but I woke up late. We needed to start early because we were going hiking that morning. Around 10 a.m., we finally began our hike. The trail was steep and tiring, and the ground was wet, making it slippery and harder to walk on. Even so, the excitement pushed us forward. After several minutes of walking, we finally reached the top. The fresh air greeted us, and the view was absolutely beautiful despite the heat. We laughed, talked, and took lots of pictures to capture the moment. It felt rewarding to be surrounded by nature after all the effort it took to climb up. However, going down was the most challenging part of the hike. The path was sloped and uneven, which made it difficult to step safely. One of my friends was really scared to go down, while I tried to enjoy the moment — even though I slipped several times along the way! Two of my friends went ahead first, and we just followed carefully. Despite the difficulties, we managed to reach the bottom safely, though tired and sweaty. The one driving the motorcycle was already exhausted, so I decided to ride an e-bike instead to rest a bit before our next stop.

Our next plan was to visit a resort, but since none of us knew exactly where it was, we decided to stop by a karinderya to eat. We shared a simple but delicious meal while waiting for someone to pick us up for our next destination. That destination turned out to be another adventure — a hiking and aerial activity site. I have a fear of heights, so I was hesitant to join, but my friends encouraged me to try. My heart was pounding loudly, and my hands were shaking from nervousness. I tried to participate but couldn’t continue with the aerial activity because I was too scared. Still, I decided to conquer my fear a little by trying the zip line. Everyone was cheering for me, and even though I was terrified, I made it to the other side! I even got a small cut on my knee, but it was worth it. The feeling of accomplishment and the support of my friends made the day unforgettable. That second day in Tayac taught me a lot about courage and friendship. It wasn’t just about hiking or riding the zip line — it was about facing fears, pushing limits, and appreciating the beauty of nature with people who make every moment fun and meaningful.