The way to reach the
great Pongas Falls wasn’t exactly an easy walk as it offers a daring adventure,
that anyone who’s not a huge fan of trekking would not welcome the idea, add the
fact that the sun was at its hottest when we commenced with the hike at around
2:30 PM. It was an unfamiliarly quiet afternoon o’er the warmly welcoming rice
terraces breathing waves of fresh air. The mere views at the jumpoff point and the trails were already a sight to behold.
After 30 minutes of
walking, we passed through the peaceful village of Ankileng depicting their
wealthy northern tradition. The locals were very welcoming as we’re greeted
with the sweetest smiles. In the littlest ways, we were able
to meet interesting people and were briefly immersed to their
culture – a moment of feeling free, happy, and balanced with the world. The whole
setting was a picture of that simple living to which I was born to with, and which
the cityscape I now live to is lacking.
Minutes later after feasting
our eyes with those breathtaking views of green landscapes, passing through cliff
edges, hanging bridges, and boulders, we were welcomed by the mountainous
trails arched with towering pine trees, before having a glimpse and finally
experiencing the falls itself, no more, no less. Much to my surprise then,
validating the claim that such a tramp was not as easy as it seems, we found
ourselves alone in there.
The hills to the east
starts to reflect the setting sun turning into a deep plum. I was dead tired and my eyes were impatiently drooping but those thin gauze of
clouds seemingly wrapping the green mountains were too
beautiful to mind the unnecessary pains.
True enough, many things, mostly the greatest ones, start out with some pinches
of hardships. Right there, I found myself hugely amazed over again.
