After surviving the storm, we set out on our first adventure through the mountainous hills of Bongabon, nestled by the majestic Sierra Madre mountains. As we started our journey in the morning, we were greeted by the Bongabon marking, offering a stunning view of lush forests and a flowing river below. Excitedly, we captured the beauty with our cameras.
Bongabon is famous for its natural charm, with abundant forests, rolling hills, and captivating landscapes. The clear waters from the Sierra Madre Mountains run alongside the roads, creating a picturesque scene.
During our ride, we came across the Labi River, a breathtaking sight. Although the recent storm had left it muddy, the river's wide basin still displayed its beauty.
Having gone without a shower for over a day, we were relieved to spot running water along the road up ahead. It was an ideal spot to freshen up. The water flowing there was refreshingly cold, a clear indication of its freshness from the nearby mountains. We weren't the only ones who took advantage of the opportunity; Some other people passing by also stopped to wash themselves.
Soon after, we set off on our journey, ready to conquer the rolling hills of the Sierra Madre mountains en route to Baler. The steep inclines signaled the start of our ascent, and we couldn't help but be amazed by the breathtaking mountain landscapes surrounding us. We couldn't resist the urge to capture the beauty on camera, pausing occasionally to take photos along the way.
However, a few kilometers into the climb, we encountered a setback. Edwin's bike experienced a mechanical mishap—the chain had broken due to overstretching during the arduous ascent. To our dismay, we realized that we had forgotten to bring a spare chain link, a crucial component for such situations.
With limited options, we had to think on our feet. We decided to improvise by shortening the chain without the missing link. It was a makeshift solution, and we hoped it would hold up for the remainder of our journey. Fingers crossed, we continued, determined to overcome this hurdle and continue our adventure through the mountains.
We were only 15 kilometers away from our starting point, but we had already lost a significant amount of time due to unforeseen mishaps. Feeling the need for a quick snack, we decided to make a stop at a local store. However, as I reached into my jersey pocket, panic struck me—I realized that my wallet was missing.
Frantically, I tried to recall where I might have left it. The memory flashed in my mind; I had left it somewhere in the house. This setback was disheartening, considering the distance we had already covered during our climbs. Thankfully, we noticed a motorcycle parked nearby and approached its owner, asking if we could borrow it to retrieve my wallet. In exchange, we offered to refill the gas and provide a tip. To our relief, the kind owner agreed to our request.
The round trip back to the house would be a total of 30 kilometers, adding more time to our already-delayed journey. Nevertheless, we were grateful for the motorcycle as it spared us from cycling the entire way again. Arriving at the house, we explained the situation to the owner, and fortunately, he had found and kept my wallet safe.
By 11 am, we were back with Jay, ready to resume our trip, albeit with a slight delay caused by the wallet incident. Despite the setbacks, we remained determined to make the most of our adventure.
So far, our ride had been going smoothly, but not long after, the rain started pouring down, leaving us with no choice but to continue our journey in wet conditions. As we reached the boundary and welcoming arch of Aurora Province, we took the opportunity to capture some pictures before pressing on. The rolling hills seemed never-ending as we entered the national park, but the rain worked in our favor. Cycling in the rain required less effort compared to the grueling climbs under a scorching sun.
Along the way, we encountered a brief traffic delay caused by road erosions that required excavation work. The undulating hills carved into the sides of the mountains provided a thrilling experience. The rain-soaked adventure put less strain on our bodies, allowing us to pedal for longer periods. Eventually, we arrived at the Villa Aurora Bridge, a picturesque spot where we couldn't resist capturing more photos.
Filled with adrenaline, we continued the traverse, facing another long stretch of rolling hills on our way to Baler. Finally, around 4pm, the demanding climbs subsided as we reached Diteki, just 20 kilometers away from our destination. We decided to refuel with a hearty meal from a local eatery before proceeding to our final endpoint.
Taking a leisurely stroll and enjoying the flatter sections, we savored Edwin's first experience of reaching Baler, Aurora. Jay and I had been here before, but via the Pantabangan route, which proved to be more challenging with its numerous steep climbs. The route through Bongabon was friendlier and offered more scenic climbs.
By 6pm, we arrived in Baler and took photos as evidence of our achievement. Unfortunately, due to the typhoon's direct hit, Baler was currently without power, making it difficult to find lodging for the night. Undeterred, we pressed on, searching for any available place to spend the night. Our backup plan was to sleep in schools or covered courts. Around 7pm, we noticed a lodging establishment by the side of the road, but there were no vacant rooms. We explained our situation and offered to take any available spot just to have a place to sleep. Thankfully, they offered us the pavilion hall, which provided enough space for us to sleep on the floor and clean ourselves up.
To our relief, water was not an issue. There was a hand water pump available in the area, allowing us to take a shower and wash our clothes the following morning.
