Marlboro Hills : A Hike towards the Sea of Clouds | Blue Soil Hills : A Trek beyond Nature

Do you ever imagine what heaven looks like ?

Have you ever been so amazed that a simple sunrise can put a smile on your face.

Here's a story of us finding a piece of heaven on earth .

It was a cold Tuesday, November 19, 2019. I remember waking up at exactly 3'o clock in the morning, It was damn freezing the temperature drop by 11 degrees Celsius and YES ! This is the big day. My first hike, I think its the excitement that woke me up and once again the anxiety hits me so hard. The what if's once again swirled in my head. I just stare at the laptop contemplating for an hour until I decided to wake up my sleepyhead boyfriend snuggling next to me. It's already 4'o clock and we prepared all the things that we need and after 30 minutes our guide Kuya Dave is already waiting for us downstairs.

We took a jeep to head off the drop point. We paid 50 php ($1) for the environmental fee and register our names on the outpost there. It was dark so it's necessary to bring a flash light, the ground was damp wet and muddy because of the rain last night, but good thing the sky was clear. I can say the hike uphill is easy and not that challenging at first, I mean it's recommended for beginners like me. It was I believed a 30 to 45 minute hike uphill, It actually depends on your pace.

When we arrived at the view point we still have plenty of time to set up. There are also shops at the view point where you can eat breakfast, they offer hot porridge with egg (lugaw) which cost 70 pesos and instant coffee's. They also have keychains and purses that they sell as souvenirs, and good Lord ! There are dogs. Yes Doggo's ! Unlimited petting and back rubbing for this friendly Doggo's.

One good tip from Kuya Dave if you wanted to visit Sagada and enjoy the hike to Marlboro Hills It's better to go during weekdays, there are no crowds pretty much you can enjoy the view cause there's not a lot of people hiking. He also mention that it's jam packed during weekends and holidays. The total expenses for this hike is 1600php ($32) for the guide and 1500 php ($30) for the vehicle. It cost us a lot cause it's only me and my boyfriend but if you're going as a group you can split the Fee's and It depends on how many are you in the group.

And At last the bleak of golden light rising from the horizon. Shining it's glorious light on everything it touches. As the sun rises, my heart was filled with joy for the past 23 years that I existed, this is the first time that I saw how beautiful life can be, As the warmth of the sun touched my skin I realize how can someone describe each sunrise as a gift of hope. At that moment I felt alive and somehow I exist.

After being dramatic with the sunrise and stared at it's majestic view. We head out to our trail to the Blue Soil Hills and this is the challenging part, It's a 2 hour and 30 minutes hike. Again it depends on your pace how fast you can go downhill.

First stop was Marlboro Hills Camping site, where we marvel on another captivating view of little rice terraces and the mountains surrounding it. Along the way you can pick wild berries that you can pretty much eat. Also there are tons of rock formation and lime stones. It was still damp, muddy and slippery going down, I almost slipped I thought I would stumbled down the mountain or would slipped and hit my head on a rock and fucking die ( lol overthinking sucks. )

After the anxious trek downhill we arrived on what they called "Flat Land" ( I honestly don't recall but think of it as a massive Flat Land in the middle of the forest.) We just took a quick snap and continue our trek.

And this is my most favorite part of the trek. The forest, I was so amazed I almost drop my jaw. It's like I was transported to a different world (I felt I was on the setting of Apple's TV Series " SEE " and imagined Jason Momoa would jump in front of me LOL !! ) But no seriously, It's amazing how enchanting that the trees suddenly surround you, It almost feel that you are one with nature, how the fog made the place eerie but peaceful , as you appreciate the rustling leaves, branches creaking, the smell of pine and suddenly you found yourself appreciating the small things that can heal your souls.

One hint you'll know your close to your destination, you'll see small specs of bluish sand on the trail. When our guide told us " We're almost there." A sudden gush of relief spread all over my face. And truly everything is worth it when you reach your destination. The majestic view of Blue Soil Hills blew us away. The bluish-green color is due to the high copper sulfate content of the soil. Although It's not allowed to climbed on the hills or step on the soil. Please Respect the rules and be a responsible tourist.

After reaching Blue Hills we head back to our vehicle that will drop us back to our lodge. And yes this happened, First time on a top-load cause my boyfriend wants it and I don't have any choice. So the whole time I was freaking out and anxious about falling but at least I tried and did It and yes I will definitely do it again cause why not the view is still spectacular.

The day was not over yet and our next big stop is at Bomod-Ok falls.