Hello, Hivers!
It's almost Halloween 🎃, so I think it's the perfect time to share something about our Halloween camping experience from six years ago.
It all began as a crazy idea, initially a joke during our group chat conversation. While others were either heading home to their respective provinces or attending Halloween parties, we wanted to spice up our Halloween by camping outdoors.
At that time, Sirao Peak was still open to the public, and we chose it due to its proximity to the city and the breathtaking view, especially at night with the city lights twinkling below.
There were 12 of us on this camping adventure. We started our journey at JY Square, Lahug, where we rendezvoused. The location was convenient, with a supermarket and a public market nearby, and motorcycle taxis waiting.
To reach the peak, we decided to walk from Busay Holiday Pool and descended on a steep concrete road leading to Brgy. Malubog. It was drizzling when we arrived, adding to the challenge of walking on a slippery slope.
Back then, we were camping novices; some of our tents were even beach tents, haha!
We continued our hike towards the abandoned golf course of Malubog. The gloomy weather was a blessing as Malubog can get scorching hot. By the time we started ascending to the peak, it was almost dark.
The Malubog abandoned golf course features a picturesque landscape covered in grass throughout the entire area. So, we decided to have a photoshoot along the way.
|
|
|
|---|---|
|
|
|
And there's more. Haha!
|
|
|
|---|---|
|
|
|
We arrived at the peak while there was still some daylight, so we immediately pitched our tents. The view from the peak was stunning, overlooking Cebu City and neighboring towns like Consolacion and Liloan.
Night fell, and since we were inexperienced campers, we opted for pre-cooked food from the city. We also had a bit of booze to warm ourselves as the temperature dropped significantly. It continued drizzling, forcing us to huddle inside one tent during our camp socials, haha!
We were the only group camping at Sirao Peak that night, with 7 or 8 tents pitched. 
Sadly, I didn't have a decent camera to capture the city lights.
During our socials, one of our friends heard knocking on the tent. Some even heard footsteps outside, even though we were all inside our tents. We hushed down, haha! Spooky stories about Sirao Peak circulated, but I didn't believe them until I experienced them firsthand. Just kidding, but we were a little bit scared!
Morning came, and the cold embraced us at the campsite. We were surrounded by fog, which obscured our view of the city. We had a quick breakfast, just bread and canned tuna. Lazy style, haha!
We waited for the fog to clear and then had a photoshoot on a big rock overlooking the city.
After a quick breakfast, we leisurely dismantled our campsite, carefully folding tents and stowing away our gear.
|
|
|
|---|---|
|
|
|
Descending was challenging due to the wet trail. It was still gloomy when we came down from the peak, and fog covered the summit from below.
After a short descent from the peak, we took a photo of our muddy feet. The muddy trails tested us, but we embraced the adventure, wading through puddles and slippery terrain. Despite the dirt on our shoes, we couldn't resist capturing the moment by photographing our muddy feet, showcasing the evidence of our outdoor escapade.
|
|
|
|---|---|
|
|
|
We exited through the shortest way, to Ayala Heights where we waited for a jeep or a van. Luckily, a jeepney passed by, and we almost filled it as we descended to JY Square, Lahug.
About the Author
Meet Kevin de Arca, a Data Analyst by profession and an adventurous wanderer at heart. With a passion for exploring new places and cultures, he uses traveling as a way of distressing and making unforgettable memories. He is always wondering where to wander next.✈️ 🏖 🌅