Mosquito Bites and Hidden Emeralds
June 26th. I woke up this morning insanely itchy. Pretty sure I got completely eaten alive by mosquitoes during the night. But the weirdest thing happened—after about an hour of agonizing itchiness, it just completely faded away. The human body is seriously so strange.
While I was getting ready for the day, someone asked me, "There's a beautiful lake nearby, wanna go?". Obviously, I said yes. I hopped on the back of their motorbike, and we rode for about 2 kilometers. Suddenly, this breathtaking emerald-green pool appeared right in front of us. It was absolutely stunning.
If I were just walking my usual route, I never would have found this place. I feel incredibly lucky that I was with this specific person who knew exactly where this hidden gem was.
The Endless Rollercoaster
After heading back, it was time to officially start the day's journey.
And let me tell you, today was brutal. The elevation changes were an absolute joke. I walked for about 15 to 20 kilometers, and it was almost entirely relentless ups and downs. It really took a toll on my body.
The Ultimate Reward: A Chic Traditional Hut
But somehow, after about four hours of pushing through, I finally made it to my destination—a little homestay or guesthouse.
It's super tiny, basically a renovated traditional Philippine hut. It has this incredibly stylish vibe, kind of like those chic little cabanas you'd see next to a luxury resort pool.
The best part? It's ridiculously cheap, and the atmosphere is perfectly relaxing. After such an exhausting walk, staying in this cozy little spot feels like the ultimate reward. I'm definitely going to take my time and just chill here today.