An hour of intimate conversation with the city. Only the shallow surface of an iceberg of a deeper intimacy of the city.
I lay here in my bed thousands of miles away from the gleaming Empire State. My mind always finds itself crawling back to the sultry thought of New York. Ah, New York. A film, a masterpiece all in itself. It's difficult not to miss you. It almost feels as though I'm a married man and New York, you're my mistress. Photos taken on the May of 2017.
Summer isn't over. Especially never in a tropical island. This is one of the many reasons why I enjoying living where I live. The options are endless where I live; you could drive or take the next boat south, north, east, west, and in no time, you're in paradise that will make you not mind being its Calypso. When you think you've seen everything, you're always going to find someplace new. And I never get tired of that; the idea of an island waiting for me, may it be one that has become familiar to my senses, or one that my senses still yet have to witness for the very first time; either way, that feeling will always excite me.
Last week, I got to venture to an island I've never been to before. Tucked in a private shore, you'd first get through rough seas and waves wanting to be as tall as the mountains before you reach Sicogon Island. A 1970s Filipino film, Throughout the journey, you'd be holding your breath a lot and clutching onto anything and everything as if your life depended on it; it may feel like the end of everything (especially when you plan on coming on months that isn't summertime here). Though just like life (that's cheesy but it's true), you'd be surprised to see how far and how much you've had to go through before you reach something so ethereal. If it were not for the service of the boatmen of Carles, this too-much-for-words trip would not have been made possible. In this one, we owe it all to Manong Marlo and his partner.
We spent the night in the island. If you're looking for primitive island life, this isn't the one (other islands in Panay can offer you that, like in some islands in Concepcion, etc., where there is no electricity, no signal, and only cottages and tents are accommodated; I had a really great experience in that one a long time ago), as Sicogon Island is gradually being developed by Ayala, and I hope and I pray this island will not go to waste because of again, human destruction. Hearing about "developments" like these are scary. If it is inevitable for me, a member of the less influential youth, to stop that these large tycoons from "developing" these sacred islands, then there must be something I can do. In fact, everyone plays a part. Everything has a ripple effect.
The island is barely populated, and it isn't very much yet a major tourist attraction. This makes me wonder why there is already trash, though moderate, in the sea and by the seashore. It must become every tourist and every resident's responsibility to pick after any trash they see wherever and whenever. I am making this a mental note as well. Always always always. People have to stop being lazy and being so self-centered and think about our planet and the future. The urgency of this problem can and should be easily identified and addressed by absolutely any human being. It is so important that everywhere else, there are people motivated and passionate about taking care of the environment, and that should count the big businesses, too, as they make waves more than just ripples.
I hope that if and when the time for Sicogon Island to rise comes (this also holds true to other islands), it will not enter the same fate Boracay is currently facing -- a "rehabilitation," which if I recall correctly, should be pro-environment, though why is it that its closing paved way for the rise of casinos and the unfair treatment of the residents? About this case, we had a talk at school which invited a resident of Boracay to share with us their experience from the closing. There were issues on the decline of jobs and the increase of the values of goods, as well as that the residents were . PNP surrounded the area. Volunteer helpers were not allowed to visit the island because the government fears that there would be riots if outsiders came. If there is nothing wrong that could possibly cause any form of riot, why would they impose such? Simple. Coming from the government, we are utterly disappointed, alas, not surprised.
Anyway, we stayed at Balay Kogon. The whole feel of the resort was truly majestic and heavenly. The interior was very minimalistic and tropical. There are beachfront rooms as well as hilltop rooms. The hilltop rooms were my favorite. It hit so close to being my dream beach house.
Other than basking under the sun and swimming in the emerald green waters, the resort also offers free kayaking services, which was really fun for me although I was just kayaking back and forth (I am no expert at this field therefore hopping to another island is not yet at my best interest, especially when this island is notorious for its gigantic waves). Kayaking is such a relaxing afternoon activity. You get to have the heat of the sun linger in your skin without totally getting bored from just swimming and swimming. Also, I am pretty sure that the place also offers hiking activities on the mountain right across the island. But because we made a visit on the wet season, the probability of getting that experience is more unlikely.
Bringing (even just basic) snorkelling gear is always great for beach getaways! Experiencing the ocean floor firsthand is a priceless adventure to witness. This island has sea urchins, sea cucumbers, starfish, etc. It is SO important to protect all ocean creatures at all cost. So again, keep your trashes to yourself, humans, and be extra careful not to disrupt our sea creatures by handling them or physically harming them!
On the second day of our stay, we decided to go island hopping. The closest islands to Sicogon is the more well-known Islas de Gigantes. I have been there before and the trip going there was not as pretty as the destination, either. (Personally, the seemingly life-and-death situation is a hundred percent worth it, considering I have witnessed the exceptional beauty and have made it in and out alive.) Legend has it that the place was called such because gigantic sets of human bones were found inside a cave in the island.
The island hopping package included the Cabugao Gamay Island, where once, to get to the top of the rock boulder turned viewing deck on the island and witness the breathtaking bird's eye view of the clashing of the pristine sea on both sides on the white-sand shores mounted with palm trees and limestones, you'd have to go through a cave leading up. That was how it was 3 years ago. This year, an open stairway was developed for ease. The name of the island was adopted from how the island represented a shape of a crocodile. All of this was according to the boatman we had 3 years ago.
Another island you can visit is the Bantigue Sandbar and the Tangke Lagoon. Unfortunately, this year, we were unable to see the Tangke Lagoon (which I have been awaiting to see again), as it is currently being developed. It opens again around this year October, and I hope I get to visit the place again.
Food wise, the whole stay offered an abundance of fresh seafood, obviously, though their specialty shined more on their scallops. You'd find scallop shells in almost every island!
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| Sicogon Island, Carles, Iloilo, Philippines |
We spent the night in the island. If you're looking for primitive island life, this isn't the one (other islands in Panay can offer you that, like in some islands in Concepcion, etc., where there is no electricity, no signal, and only cottages and tents are accommodated; I had a really great experience in that one a long time ago), as Sicogon Island is gradually being developed by Ayala, and I hope and I pray this island will not go to waste because of again, human destruction. Hearing about "developments" like these are scary. If it is inevitable for me, a member of the less influential youth, to stop that these large tycoons from "developing" these sacred islands, then there must be something I can do. In fact, everyone plays a part. Everything has a ripple effect.
The island is barely populated, and it isn't very much yet a major tourist attraction. This makes me wonder why there is already trash, though moderate, in the sea and by the seashore. It must become every tourist and every resident's responsibility to pick after any trash they see wherever and whenever. I am making this a mental note as well. Always always always. People have to stop being lazy and being so self-centered and think about our planet and the future. The urgency of this problem can and should be easily identified and addressed by absolutely any human being. It is so important that everywhere else, there are people motivated and passionate about taking care of the environment, and that should count the big businesses, too, as they make waves more than just ripples.
I hope that if and when the time for Sicogon Island to rise comes (this also holds true to other islands), it will not enter the same fate Boracay is currently facing -- a "rehabilitation," which if I recall correctly, should be pro-environment, though why is it that its closing paved way for the rise of casinos and the unfair treatment of the residents? About this case, we had a talk at school which invited a resident of Boracay to share with us their experience from the closing. There were issues on the decline of jobs and the increase of the values of goods, as well as that the residents were . PNP surrounded the area. Volunteer helpers were not allowed to visit the island because the government fears that there would be riots if outsiders came. If there is nothing wrong that could possibly cause any form of riot, why would they impose such? Simple. Coming from the government, we are utterly disappointed, alas, not surprised.
Anyway, we stayed at Balay Kogon. The whole feel of the resort was truly majestic and heavenly. The interior was very minimalistic and tropical. There are beachfront rooms as well as hilltop rooms. The hilltop rooms were my favorite. It hit so close to being my dream beach house.
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| Hilltop room. |
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| A rest area nearby the hilltop room. |
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| Best place to see the sun rise and set by the sea |
Bringing (even just basic) snorkelling gear is always great for beach getaways! Experiencing the ocean floor firsthand is a priceless adventure to witness. This island has sea urchins, sea cucumbers, starfish, etc. It is SO important to protect all ocean creatures at all cost. So again, keep your trashes to yourself, humans, and be extra careful not to disrupt our sea creatures by handling them or physically harming them!
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| Kayaking. |
The island hopping package included the Cabugao Gamay Island, where once, to get to the top of the rock boulder turned viewing deck on the island and witness the breathtaking bird's eye view of the clashing of the pristine sea on both sides on the white-sand shores mounted with palm trees and limestones, you'd have to go through a cave leading up. That was how it was 3 years ago. This year, an open stairway was developed for ease. The name of the island was adopted from how the island represented a shape of a crocodile. All of this was according to the boatman we had 3 years ago.
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| Mi Familia |
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| Tangke Lagoon. November 2015. |
When a foreigner thinks of New York, one's thoughts are ultimately drawn to the idea of jungles of skyscrapers proudly eager to be as mighty as the sun, the infamous noise and raucous crowds that just send you berserk, the poignant smell of the subway stations creeping on your nostrils, the aftermath of reckless, intoxicated people entertaining you on the subway, the blinding nightlife promising you to never want to see the sun to rise again.
Whether one perceives NYC to be an epitome of a dream come true (which for me will always be despite its shortcomings), or the complete opposite, the thing about New York is that beyond the city life, there is just so much more to see. Sure, the city never runs out of hip culture stuff to see and do, of flavors from about every single mile of the world, of percent-off sprees, and maybe, even love. The city is indeed a place where all of the world and all of the human interests are compressed, but not so much compromised, into just a couple of subway stops, or even just a few blocks.
But what is the city missing, when it offers as much as everything? Upstate, that’s what.
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| Minnewaska State Park. May 2017. |
Most probably, when one speaks of nature, New York isn’t one of the first few things that pops on an individual’s mind. Even I myself was surprised to know that New York is more than just Frank Sinatra's song or Alicia Key's song, or all those movies and tv shows set in the city. Well, I hope that is about to change after this. Because, for a fact, New York’s beauty extends from its enthralling man-made architecture to the captivating mountain trails with overwhelming mountaintop views, the harmony of the rocky terrain and the green scene, the clashing of tranquil, crystalline lakes and rigorous rivers and falls.
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| Lake Minnewaska |
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| My aunt and the Awosting Falls |
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| I could just live in this place, take pictures and drink coffee all day |
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| I'm gonna want to have hiking as my hobby when I grow older |
From Queens, I, along with my grandfather, my aunt, and my uncle made a more or less hour drive to get to Minnewaska State Park. The park, located somewhere in Ulster County, New York, usually opens at 9, and we got there just in time it opened, so that we were about the only people there to bask in the entire scenery (although somewhere near noon, we had to share the place with some other people, and my favorite other guest was the big and beautiful Golden Terrier I met while hiking up the boulder).
We visited the place last May 2017. Sad to say, the waters were not warm enough yet for any of us to enjoy a swim (the waters are usually opened during the summer), although I really wanted to because the water was just so clear; it kept tempting me to take a dip in the serenity of the lake encompassed by boulders of rocks and the beautiful greenery. That would have been a lot fun, also because it reminded me of the scene from IT (2017) where the kids were just swimming around the lake, all happy. It just gives me the carefree vibes.
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| Aunt and uncle being goals |
There were no tour guides, or at least we didn't have any, but there were guides to follow a certain trail of your preference. There were three trails, if my memory serves me right, the easy, moderate, and the difficult. There was a color coding for this, but I couldn't quite remember which color went with which level. We took the moderate level. And yes, we made the effort to see most, if not everything, the place was willing to offer.
Our first stop was Lake Minnewaska.
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| This is how clear the water looks |
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| My favorite photo of me from our trip. My uncle takes really good photos, too. |
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| Coffee and this view. Always. |
Then we took our first hike up to the boulder that overlooks the Lake Minnewaska. That view, to this day, is still one of my favorites. Truly underrated, it was just an overall magical experience like no other. Nature rocks! Literally.
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| I found this bridge really cute |
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| This bridge was really pretty. I love wooden bridges, I bet you could tell by now. |
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| Grandpa and my uncle cheering from up above |
Then, we took another hike. I didn't know the name to it but although it was Spring, little did I know that this place as well had a view of its contrary equinox. I've never really experienced the Fall season, but at least now, I've gotten a dip of how it looks like and I am already in love.
Then there is this other lake. At that time of day, it was quite gloomy. So our view of that lake was rather more melancholic than our previous encounters. Nevertheless, the beauty, of course, was consistent.
Our final stop was the Awosting Falls and Lake Awosting. So far in my life, I have seen countless waterfalls and fell in love with every encounter. About Awosting Falls, this one was different from the rest because of how the falls veiled a wall of conglomerate rocks behind it.
This is Minnewaska State Park through my lens; a mere representation of its beauty. Just among the many picturesque natural landscapes found in the Empire State. It’s not always in the city that you will find love, especially not this kind.
Then there is this other lake. At that time of day, it was quite gloomy. So our view of that lake was rather more melancholic than our previous encounters. Nevertheless, the beauty, of course, was consistent.
Our final stop was the Awosting Falls and Lake Awosting. So far in my life, I have seen countless waterfalls and fell in love with every encounter. About Awosting Falls, this one was different from the rest because of how the falls veiled a wall of conglomerate rocks behind it.
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| My aunt and uncle being goals. Again. |
This is Minnewaska State Park through my lens; a mere representation of its beauty. Just among the many picturesque natural landscapes found in the Empire State. It’s not always in the city that you will find love, especially not this kind.
