Skip to content
  • Destinations
    • Country
    • State
    • City
  • Travel type
    • Adventure
    • Romantic
    • Family-friendly
    • Wild Life
    • Business Trip
    • Road Trip
    • Student Trip
  • Travel Tips
    • Budget Travel
    • Traveller Stories
  • Interests
    • Food
    • Hotels
    • Music
    • Photography
    • Shopping
    • Sport
  • Arts & Culture
    • Festivals
    • Events
    • Museum Tour
    • Monuments
    • Pilgrim Centres
  • Seasonal Ideas
    • Summer
    • Winter
    • Fall
    • Spring
Menu
Tripzumi Blog
  • Destinations
    • Country
    • State
    • City
  • Travel type
    • Adventure
    • Romantic
    • Family-friendly
    • Wild Life
    • Business Trip
    • Road Trip
    • Student Trip
  • Travel Tips
    • Budget Travel
    • Traveller Stories
  • Interests
    • Food
    • Hotels
    • Music
    • Photography
    • Shopping
    • Sport
  • Arts & Culture
    • Festivals
    • Events
    • Museum Tour
    • Monuments
    • Pilgrim Centres
  • Seasonal Ideas
    • Summer
    • Winter
    • Fall
    • Spring

Search

Hit enter to search or esc to close
Home  >  Festivals • Food • Pilgrim Centres  >  Philippine adventures-Mount Mayon- Travel meets kindness
Posted inFestivals Food Pilgrim Centres

Philippine adventures-Mount Mayon- Travel meets kindness

Posted By Aditi Krishnan Posted on April 9, 2015
Share on Facebook Share on Whatsapp Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Share on Email Share on Pinterest

Climbing an active volcano is a thrill so long as it doesn’t erupt on you while you are summiting. The cantankerous Mount Mayon dominates the landscape in the Bicol region of Luzon in the Philippines. Puffy white wisps of regurgitated smoke often crowns the peak but for miles around the mountain is clearly visible. Professional outfits offer treks up Mount Mayon but these are not inexpensive. While whale shark spotting in the region, I heard of a local farmer who acted as guide to budget climbers. He only advertised through word of mouth I was told. I jumped at the chance. I was soon on the phone using every bargaining skill I had acquired over the years.

Mayon at twilight.
Mayon at twilight.

“Sure I will take you” said Orli, the guide. And then we haggled over the right price finally settling on around 40 $ for the climb.

“  We can start tomorrow morning, We can leave early around 5.am”

“Sure, “ I said and hung up satisfied.

Assuming I had gear he had given me clear directions on how to get there. I was on the next bus out.

“Where is your tent?”, Orli inquired when he met me at the bus stop.

“What tent?” I asked puzzled.

There are absolutely no hotels or hostels or any other accommodation options at Mayon’s base. With a backpacker’s characteristic optimism I had supposed I would find something. My shoulders slumped.

Orli seemed unfazed. “ It is ok,” he reassured me “ You can stay at my house.

Sensing my hesitation he went on, “ I don’t live alone. I have a big family. ”

Grateful for the clarification I accepted. I smiled when he added, “ It is free for you. You stay a couple of days. No charge”

10363485_10154265702485173_286294346853099695_nBalancing my unwieldy backpack on my back, I clambered on to Orli’s motorcycle.  Just before we entered the sole road leading up to the mountain, the volcanic station at its edge blared a warning in red to potential climbers “ Mayon: Alert level 1, No Entry”. That sounded ominous.Nervously I tapped him on the shoulder pointing to the sign.

“ Is this a bad time to climb?”

Orli dismissed the sign with a shake of his head. He was nonchalant in his response. “ Oh that. That sign has not been taken down since last year. A bunch of people died when the volcano erupted without warning last year. Ignore it, “ he smiled carelessly.

I gulped. I was about to not only inflict myself on a random stranger’s family, there was a good chance I wasn’t coming back down.

Orli’s family turned out to be farmers that owned extensive tracts of agricultural land all around Mount Mayon. The land and its produce apparently weren’t of much value and the family including uncles, aunts, cousins and their families lived in little shacks at the base of the mountain.

“I am sorry. I hope you don’t mind but our house is very small “ Orli unnecessarily apologized even as his mother thrust a plate of food into my hands.

The only room with the mattress which belonged to his parents was given up so I would be comfortable. No amount of politely declining shook their resolve to treat their guest well. His immediate family snoozed on the ground in a tiny crammed living room.

Orli in his family home
Orli in his family home

Before we turned in, Orli gave me a tour of all the farms that we tramped across plucking fresh vegetable and fruits and chomping on them as we enjoyed splendid views of Mayon and the surrounding mountains. We visited the local shops after and bought treats for his myriad younger cousins who playfully squabbled about who got what as they walked ahead of us.

We capped the satisfying day by driving up to a vantage point a little higher up the mountain. Joined by his friends and cousins we opened bottles of beer under a million sparkling stars. In less than a few hours I had been openly welcomed into a complete stranger’s family.

The next day, the climb itself was not arduous winding through thick forest.  Orli pointed to mossed over sign posts. Apparently decades ago a road ran all the way to the top. Now nature had taken back over. We came to a clearing to enjoy panoramic views from high above. We sat down to a lunch of rice and chicken adobo.  From here on it was a steep ascent on just rock. This was the final stretch that was also the most challenging part of the ascent.

Unfortunately, even as we ate without warning black thunder clouds descended on Mayon’s peak. Fat pellets of rain beat down on us. Orli decided it was too dangerous to attempt the precarious climb on slippery rock even though the summit was less than 20 minutes away. “You can never tell when it rains, “ he said pragmatically. I gave in to mountain wisdom.

I consoled myself that it didn’t really matter much. It would have been much of the same view from a slightly higher altitude. A tad reluctantly we turned back. It only rained for half hour. We were soon back on the gourd farms with a bright sun shining down on us. His aunts were already ready for us with cake and coffee. It crossed my mind summit or no summit, the whole experience was worth much more than 40$. The kindness, the camaraderie and the benevolence of random strangers…on that there is no price you can levy.

Feature image-Mount Mayon, Philippines. Image courtesy – ArtPhaneufPhotography/ Shutterstock.com

Tags: climbing farms Guide kindness Luzon Mayon volcano
Previous Article New York City on the cheap (Part 1)
Next Article The Galapagos on a budget.

Related Posts

Top 5 Hotels in San Diego
Posted inBusiness Trip City Family-friendly Food Hotels

Top 5 Hotels in San Diego

San Diego is one of the most pleasant big cities in the nation. Certainly, the year-round

Read More about Top 5 Hotels in San Diego
Posted By TripZumi Posted on September 4, 2020
0
Most Visited Cities in Asia
Posted inArts & Culture Business Trip City Family-friendly Monuments Pilgrim Centres

Most Visited Cities in Asia

In Asia, all aspects of life are seamlessly intervened in an intricate web of cultural vibrancy

Read More about Most Visited Cities in Asia
Posted By Nausheen Posted on August 24, 2020
0

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Recent Posts

  • Top Accessible Travel Destinations For Your Next Holiday
    Top Accessible Travel Destinations For Your Next Holiday Nausheen September 18, 2020
  • The 5 best places to surf in India
    Top 5 best places to surf in India Nausheen September 14, 2020
  • Top 5 Hotels in San Diego
    Top 5 Hotels in San Diego TripZumi September 4, 2020
  • City 360: Prague - The Czech Republic
    City 360: Prague – The Czech Republic Swetha August 31, 2020
  • Couple Challenge: Which type of a traveler are you? Go by the list (OR) Go by your heart
    Couple Challenge: Which type of a traveler are you? Go by the list (OR) Go by your heart Swetha August 27, 2020

Subscribe Now to Our Newsletter, It’s Free!

Get the best content delivered straight into your inbox!

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
Follow us on Instagram

    About

    Explore. Experience. Engage

    Uncover new travel opportunities & travel spots with our truly inspiring thoughts. Get motivated by our innovative ideas to plan your next trip.
    Happy Travelling!
    Know more…

    Social Media

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • YouTube

    Categories

    • Adventure 23 Posts
    • Arts & Culture 21 Posts
    • Best Places 14 Posts
    • Business Trip 12 Posts

    Recent Posts

    • Top Accessible Travel Destinations For Your Next Holiday
      Top Accessible Travel Destinations For Your Next Holiday September 18, 2020
    • The 5 best places to surf in India
      Top 5 best places to surf in India September 14, 2020
    • Top 5 Hotels in San Diego
      Top 5 Hotels in San Diego September 4, 2020
    • City 360: Prague - The Czech Republic
      City 360: Prague – The Czech Republic August 31, 2020
    Copyright © 2019, Tripzumi. All Rights Reserved.