Not only did Ran and I slept in an accommodation separate from the group, we also planned a trip of our own. We woke-up early, ate our free breakfast courtesy of our Airbnb, then set-off to San Gabriel, La Union, where we would see the Tangadan Falls.

I tried my best to look for a guide online and found one, but he was not replying. We proceeded anyway. Upon reaching San Gabriel, we were welcomed by a local tour guide who happened to be the one I was texting!

We left the car in an open parking lot near the San Gabriel Municipal Hall where we also paid our environmental fees. In going to the falls, we took the habal-habal.

From where our motorcycle service dropped us, we would still have to hike in order to get to the falls.

Hike? No problem, so I thought. I used to hike, but when the pandemic strike, I practically lived a sedentary lifestyle. This trip was actually my first out-of-town trip in two years, and the hike, short as it was, gave me a hard time. I was rusty.

The trail was neither long nor difficult, pero dahil nga sa tagal kong hindi naman naglakad nang malayo, it really gave me a hard time. When we reached our destination though, the natural beauty of Tangadan Falls captivated me, nakalimutan kong sumakit pala ang mga hita ko.

Ran decided that he would swim. I declined. I feared na como masakit ang mga hita ko, baka pulikatin ako sa tubig.

Pinanood ko na lang s’ya and took on the role of being his photographer.

After taking his dip, Ran and I decided to return. The trail back to the jump-off point was the start of my Calvary. I was really slow-paced with my trembling hips. Soon after, I had cramps. It was excruciatingly painful.

After a while of rest, we rode the habal-habal again and returned where we parked the car. From there, Ran and I decided to eat our lunch in one of the restaurants along the beaches of San Juan, La Union.

After walking along the beach, we returned to our accommodation to freshen-up. We then met with the rest of our companions again and started on our journey way back home.

Well, so I thought.