How I Spent My 25th Birth Day Alone at Atok, Benguet

Last March 10, 2018 I went to Atok, Benguet to celebrate my birthday alone.
A month before my birthday I was really thinking of where am I going to celebrate it. Thinking If I'm going to hike or go and explore an island.

And then a Facebook friend I met in Baguio City when I had a four (4) day seminar there posted a blog about how she get her way with her friends to Atok, Benguet and what to see in that place. So I got really interested and that moment I knew where am I going to spend my 25th birthday.

So two (2) weeks before my birthday I was really eager to find someone to be my travel buddy going to that place but seems like everybody's not wanting or can't go with me because some don't feel safe when traveling by bus or commuting (by the way I'm used to commuting because I don't have a car), some have their own reasons why they can't go with me on my birthday even if I told them that expenses are on me.

So I felt sad because it means I'm going to celebrate my special day alone but still I really want to go on that place. I was really excited. I contacted the Municipal Tourism of Atok, Benguet listed on the blog but she barely answer a text message and not answering my calls so I just asked her to send me the number of the tour guide she will assign to me. And she did, she texted me the number of the tour guide.
Then Friday before the day of my birthday came. I still have to go to work because my boss was out and I have things to do so I can't miss work. My things are not packed yet.
I had to undertime at office and went back home at 4pm not knowing the last batch of bus going to Baguio is also 4pm and when I reached home it was raining hard. But I didn't lose my spirit. I still want to go to Benguet.
I packed my things and go to the bus station since no bus available going to Baguio in Victory liner terminal - Olongapo, I rode a bus going to Dau, Pampanga. There, two buses are going to Baguio, Genesis and Victory liner. I was so hungry for dinner so I ate fast at Jollibee near the bus terminal then when I came back, the victory liner bus just left so I have no choice but to ride the Genesis bus.

So I left Dau at 8:00pm and reached Baguio at 2:30am.

Since it's too early yet, no bus are bound to Benguet and my goal is to reach the Municipality of Atok before 4am because I want to be there on top of Mt. Timbak a.k.a. Mt. Singakalsa - before the sunrise so I asked the taxi driver where can I go to find a cheap ride going to Benguet. He told me he can send me there for 2,000 php but I refused his offer so he gave me an option. He sent me then to La Trinidad, Benguet and there's the UV express van waiting for passengers. I rode the UV for like 2 hours, it was fast. The way up going there is tricky but I reached Atok, Benguet safely (thankgoodness!).

Few minutes later after I texted Mel (the tour guide that the Municipal Tourism Officer assigned to me) about my arrival, she approached me and told me to eat something first before we go to Mt. Timbak our first destination. So I ate pancake and hot mami (noodles soup). I get hungry fast but don't get fat so I bought some biscuits and chocolate too for later.

Then after a short while, Mel introduced me to Roselyn, another tour guide who will be my official companion.
While on our way to Mt. Timbak, I was really sleepy because I didn't sleep all night while traveling but I don't wanna close my eyes because I don't wanna miss the beautiful view of Benguet.

When we finally reached our stop, the driver of the SUV said he will just wait for us down there.
So We went straight to the registration area and sis Roselyn introduce me to sis Edna, One of the caretaker/ tour guide there at Mt. Timbak

Then we began to trek. It was for only 20min. going to Mt. Timbak top but since the air is so thin, its hard to breathe that caused me to get tired fast. It was really cold there during the breaking dawn. I'm thankful because I was wearing my thermal jacket. I'm a thin girl so I can't bear much cold.

A pic of the vegetable terraces going to Mt. Timbak.

Those white flowers are called daisies.
They are being sold too.

Finally, we reached the mountain top and I was really amazed. The view is utterly beautiful and it gave so much joy in my heart and I was really so thankful that I didn't listen to my friends when they say not to go there on my birthday. I was patiently waiting for the sun to shine while enjoying the sea of clouds right in front of me. It feels like I'm in a dreamland that moment!

I waited for like 10-15minutes for the sun to greet me on top of Mt. Timbak on my 25th birthday.

And here's a silhouette pic of me

After warming my face with the sun-rays kisses, sis Edna lead us to the mini-Calvary - four crosses where the devoted folks used to pray because according to sis Edna it is sacred.

An old quack doctor who cured and helped many people in his time once said that they (the folks at Mt. Timbak) should take good care of their place because one day allot of tourist will come. Indeed, it came true and I am one of the lucky tourist who visited that breathtaking place.

I would like to thank the beautiful-soon-to-be-a-dentist, Febbie @febbiefull for posting a blog on Fb about Atok, Benguet (and also for sharing me this amazing platform/ community), and also to my tour guides, sis Edna and sis Roselyn for being so kind and warm to me.

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