I've seen many beautiful things in my life, but this was more than that. If you tell a Pinoy you'll walk some place they immediately question it. Anything over 3 km and they'll think you're Peter O'Toole. But to maquinit hot springs I went.
Upon my walk to the hot spring there's these kids playing basketball so naturally I join. The rim I swear to you, is smaller than the ball hahaha. It was fun: our 1 v 1 became 3 v 1 but their parents laughed as I dribbled rings around them. They particularly enjoyed when I dunked over their children. I lost but it was enthralling! The neighborhood people stopped and stood by and watched. Secretly, I think they wanted to test their skills on me! Anyways Francis and his crew beat me 3 to 2 in a wild end to end game.
I learned a new phrase! Saan Po ang Maquinit?? When I finally reached the hot spring after my now hour and a half long saunter, I couldn't believe it. For a mere 200 pesos (mahal!!), you're given the spa of a lifetime. Always crowded but never full, feel free to float your way around the place for an hour or three.
Based on many inquiries (I ask different people the same question a lot, so I can practice my limited Tagalog) the hot spring is best visited after 4 p.m. During the midday sun it's simply too hot. It's such a wonderful experience, and for me, the perfect end to the day. I am lucky to have gone around this time, the full moon is out. The constellations are on plain sight. It's truly a wonderful event to take in. And good practice for me in one thing I'm working on; comfort in being alone. Well, I was winning for a while.
The heat, dehydration, the numerous couples added up and after an hour I decided it was time to go. I made some friends on the way out, and seemingly all the Filipinos here are visiting from Manila. It was on the walk back when it happened. The roads go from pitch black to well lit like that, but never did I feel unsafe.
Oh man I lost my train of thought! I was walking down the road, and two locals said hi. They all say hi. Always. They decided to join me on my walk. But before I had encountered them I saw it.
Oh man I lost my train of thought! I was walking down the road, and two locals said hi. They all say hi. Always. They decided to join me on my walk. But before I had encountered them I saw it.
This picture does this no justice, but it stopped me in my tracks. The trees had opened for a moment, as if Moses himself had previously come to this spot. The moonlight was so perfectly reflected on the quietly rippling water, it created a wonderful effect where time stood still, and so did I. Minutes must have passed where I just stared, mouth agape, and took in everything the world had to offer me. I enjoyed every moment until the next party tricycle passed with its loud music, and continued my walk back to town.