Chapter 11
Mga bandang alas singko ay napagdesisyonan naming mag hot spring dahil gusto raw nilang magbabad sa maaligamgam na tubig matapos ang mahaba at nakakapagod na biyahe. It will be our first tourist spot destination here in Camiguin.
The guides told us na nasa paanan ito ng Mt. Hibok-Hibok dahilan ng pag-init ng tubig. The water would be around 40 degrees.
"Ardent Hot Spring," I read its name.
Pagpasok namin ay nagpa-picture kami sa tulay na nasa gitna ng mga lagoon.
"Ang dami palang tao," sabi ni mama habang tinatanggal ang jacket. Isa siya sa mga gusting magbabad sa hot spring but I think she didn't expected na maraming tao.
We are surrounded by lush rainforest and the water is clear and blue. According to my dad na binata pa nang huli siyang nakapunta rito, wala raw masyadong nagbago sa pools.
It seems like the rainforest and the waters are singing me a lullaby. By just looking at it from the bridge, I feel good and refreshed. I can't wait to take a plunge.
The leveling of the pools looks amazing. Para silang hagdanan ng mga lagoon. Nagkukumpulan ang mga tao sa pool na nasa pinakababa, medyo kaunti na sa pangalawa hangang sa pinakaitaas ay wala nang tao. Mas malamig daw kasi sa mga mababang pools kumpara sa pools na nasa itaas.
Isinawsaw namin ni Yale ang mga daliri naming sa tubig ng mga pools, mula sa pinakaibaba hanggang sa pinakaibabaw. We want to test the water to see if where we will take a plunge.
I can hear many languages spoken by the tourists from different nations. I hear Spanish, Italian, French and I can't determine the others. Karamihan din sa mga dayuhan ay kasama ang mga kasintahan nila. They're making out on the pools and on the cottages as if no one else is around.
"Where do you like to swim?" My dad asked when they were finished finding chairs and tables.
Yale, pointed the pool at the very top.
"Pero masyadong mainit doon, anak."
"Hindi naman po masyado pa," sagot ko.
He dipped his finger at nakumpirma nga niya na hindi masyadong mainit.
I am a bit surprised that the water isn't as warm as they describe, but maybe it's because of the weather or the season. Whatever the reason, I'm happy that it's not that warm. At least hindi kami mapapaso.
I already wore my swimwear, tinatakpan ko lang ito ng jacket. So when I removed my jacket, I'm ready to go!
I wondered all around the lagoon. Pulling and kicking myself forward. Sinusuri kung aling bahagi ang mababaw at malalim. Alin ang malamig-lamig at ang mainit-init. I floated to look at the trees and to feel the warmth of the water.
Right there, I felt the wind and the water is giving me an embrace from behind. Like they're telling me that everything's going to be alright.
***
Kinabukasan ay gumising kami ng bandang alas singko para mag agahan. May ino-offer na meals sa tinutuluyan namin kaya doon namin piniling kumain.
Umagang-umaga pero marami na ang kumakain. They are all tourists, just like us, who wants to be early for a stroll and adventure in this island.
Ang mga nakaupo sa katabi naming table ay katabi namin ng kwarto. We just met each other last night. Galing silang Cagayan de Oro at bandmate nila ang music pastor namin sa church. What a small world.
Ang mga waiters, cashiers, mga iba pang empleyado at maging ang mga may-ari ay pamilya ang turing sa mga tumutuloy dito. We often chit-chat with them and they give us some tips and advices in touring the island.
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