Mountain refuge (4)
Location :
Balanan Nature Resort ( accommodation
overlooking the lake )
up the mountain of Siaton ,
Negros Oriental , Philippines
~~~~~~~~~<<~~~~~<<@
This was my recollection on our first visit of Balanan of last year.
It was dry , hot and very humid day when we started journey to
Balanan lake, aiming to spend the night there. However, as
we get nearer Balanan, it gets stormy, raining cats and dogs,
strong gales lashing up the trees. One bamboo feel over in front of
our car, it was terrifying as the rain /wind was raging and poured in
like a tap, no exaggeration , it war strange, never seen like, you feel
anxious or scared . Hubby has to get out and pull the bamboo out over
the car , luckily no damage. It could have been disaster if it was a
massive tree. Than God, it wasn't that bad. He got back in
so drenched, then we continued under pouring rain.
The kids were terrified and would like to go back to Dumaguete.
However, turning back may not be any good idea , as we never know the
road condition after the raging storm , the best thing is to continue
whilst there is still daylight left . When we reached Balanan , we were
advised not to continue as the river crossing was flooded ( oh dear )
and rather to leave the car at the village community centre and continue
by foot to our accommodation. They were kind enough to gave us three
village guides helping us with our bags .
So we trek through narrow mossy slippery passages between the
gorges up the mountain to reach the guest house . This is the only guest
house up the mountain . There's a unique one over the lake, but
that was the tree house without electricity , a place you'd hardly fancy on a
stormy night . It was such a relief to reach the accomodation , have a
shower then dinner.
Balanan guest house is government owned . The Balanan Lake caretakers
managed the place. The people that minds the Guest house were very helpful to us
from start to finish. Praise God everything went well on this visit despite the storm and also I gave part the credit to the caretakers of our enjoyable stay .
Not the least to say, there was a Gideon Bible in the rooms for guests :)
Mountain refuge (4)
Location :
Balanan Nature Resort ( accommodation
overlooking the lake )
up the mountain of Siaton ,
Negros Oriental , Philippines
~~~~~~~~~<<~~~~~<<@
This was my recollection on our first visit of Balanan of last year.
It was dry , hot and very humid day when we started journey to
Balanan lake, aiming to spend the night there. However, as
we get nearer Balanan, it gets stormy, raining cats and dogs,
strong gales lashing up the trees. One bamboo feel over in front of
our car, it was terrifying as the rain /wind was raging and poured in
like a tap, no exaggeration , it war strange, never seen like, you feel
anxious or scared . Hubby has to get out and pull the bamboo out over
the car , luckily no damage. It could have been disaster if it was a
massive tree. Than God, it wasn't that bad. He got back in
so drenched, then we continued under pouring rain.
The kids were terrified and would like to go back to Dumaguete.
However, turning back may not be any good idea , as we never know the
road condition after the raging storm , the best thing is to continue
whilst there is still daylight left . When we reached Balanan , we were
advised not to continue as the river crossing was flooded ( oh dear )
and rather to leave the car at the village community centre and continue
by foot to our accommodation. They were kind enough to gave us three
village guides helping us with our bags .
So we trek through narrow mossy slippery passages between the
gorges up the mountain to reach the guest house . This is the only guest
house up the mountain . There's a unique one over the lake, but
that was the tree house without electricity , a place you'd hardly fancy on a
stormy night . It was such a relief to reach the accomodation , have a
shower then dinner.
Balanan guest house is government owned . The Balanan Lake caretakers
managed the place. The people that minds the Guest house were very helpful to us
from start to finish. Praise God everything went well on this visit despite the storm and also I gave part the credit to the caretakers of our enjoyable stay .
Not the least to say, there was a Gideon Bible in the rooms for guests :)