Ambuklao Adventure III: "The Adventure Lives On"

When I hear the word “Ambuklao”, what comes to mind is the Ambuklao Dam, the wide lake we pass by along the way to, say, Kabayan, and tilapia. Recently, I’ve heard about the place being opened for several adventures, such as kayaking. Then came the opportunity to join the 3rd run of the Ambuklao Adventure series, and me and my friends grabbed it.

This is a three-day adventure, from October 24 to 26, 2014 (Friday to Sunday). However, my mates and I already had the 26th blocked out for something else. Which means we only get to enjoy 2 days of this adventure. Thus, we decided to make the most of it since we’d only got to do two out of the three days.

The Ambuklao Adventure is a joint project of the local government units of the Bokod Municipal Government, the Ambuklao Barangay, and SN Aboitiz Power Group, in coordination with the Provincial Tourism Office of Benguet, ABADEG (Association of Bokod Adventure and Eco-Guides) and the Shakilan ni Ikulos (Indigenous People’s Organization).

Friday morning, assembly was in the office of the Department of Tourism – Cordillera Administrative Region in Baguio City, and we proceeded to sitio Jangjang of Barangay Ambuklao, where we had a short orientation and briefing. There were 11 registrants, several locals, medics, guides, and some local officials joining us.

For this adventure, my name is Jen. Not by choice, though, because I put in my nickname on the form, but they wrote up the card before seeing what it was. 🙂 To be honest, I could never picture myself as a “Jen”. It sounds like something a nice girl would be called.

Ambuklao Adventure 3 2014 in Bokod - j 1Just a short background: Ambuklao is a barangay in the municipality of Bokod, Benguet. According to one of our lead guides, its name was derived from the Ibaloi word “ambokdo”, which means “neck-level”. This is because, in the past, the water level of the river separating the place from the next barangay can rise up to neck-level. The Kalanguyas, one of the three ethno-linguistic groups of Bokod (aside from the ikarao and ibalois) have taken to pronouncing it as ambuklao, and the name stuck. (I take responsibility for any erroneous info I disclose here, because I have one of the spottiest memory known to man).

The adventure officially started by the bridge-crossing in Jangjang. This hanging bridge was hella long. At 290 meters, the Jangjang-Balengasay Footbridge is waaaay longer than the one we crossed in Bakun.

All pics are mine, UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED ON THE CAPTIONS.

Bridge crossing at Jangjang.
Bridge crossing at Jangjang.
Pic by Mark Eric Licdan
Pic by Mark Eric Licdan

Stepping off the bridge then brought us straight to our trek through the Bobon Trail, which is basically following a path on the side of the mountain, with the Ambuklao Lake on your left.

The trail could get muddy at some parts, dry in others, slippery in most, and rocky in several areas.

Pic by Adventure organizers.
Pic by Adventure organizers.
Pic by Adventure organizers.
Pic by Adventure organizers.

Ambuklao Adventure 3 2014 in Bokod - j 3

Picking guavas along the trail. Pic by Lorelei Antero.
Picking guavas along the trail. Pic by Lorelei Antero.
Pic by Mark Eric Licdan.
Pic by Mark Eric Licdan.
Pic by Mark Eric Licdan
Pic by Mark Eric Licdan

Ambuklao Adventure 3 2014 in Bokod - j 4More than halfway through the trek, we were picked up by a boat and brought to the Pijaga, a mini-dock where everyone converged for a 15-minute boat ride to Balette.

Ambuklao Adventure 3 2014 in Bokod - j 5Ambuklao Adventure 3 2014 in Bokod - m 6Finally, we arrived at Balette.

Pic by Mark Eric Licdan.
Pic by Mark Eric Licdan.
Pic by Lorelei Antero
Pic by Lorelei Antero

Balette is an area for fishing but, before showing off our fishing skills, we had lunch first and we had… guess what? Yes, fish. Tilapia, to be exact.

The most delish tilapia I’ve ever had. EVER. I confess to having lost count how many slices I gobbled up.

Ambuklao Adventure 3 2014 in Bokod - j 11

After this hearty lunch, it was time to try our hand at fishing.

Ambuklao Adventure 3 2014 in Bokod - j 10The organizers had prepared rods and lures for us to use for our 2-hour fishing expedition. Some got lucky, others didn’t. One of the guides had a makeshift rod made out of an empty plastic bottle of mineral water. The string was tied around it. He put bait on the hook, released it, then told me to hold on to it.

After 3 minutes or so, he took it from me, then told me “we caught something”. True enough, WE DID!

Pic by Adventure organizers.
Pic by Adventure organizers.
Pic by Lorelei Antero.
Pic by Lorelei Antero.

When we were done, we took another boat ride to the Umongan Docking Point. While waiting for our gear (it was on another boat), we had a lazy time chilling by the water.

At the Umongan Docking Point.
At the Umongan Docking Point.
Oh so clear and cool. The temptation to just sink into it was too great.
Oh so clear and cool. The temptation to just sink into it was too great.
And some of us succumbed. Although this really made me laugh.
And some of us succumbed. Although this really made me laugh.
Pic by Mark Eric Licdan.
Pic by Mark Eric Licdan.
Pic by Mark Eric Licdan.
Pic by Mark Eric Licdan.

When our gear arrived, we started on the 30-minute trek through rocky terrain towards the Bantey Camping Grounds, where we will stop for the night.

Ambuklao Adventure 3 2014 in Bokod - m 8
Pic by Lorelei Antero.

Ambuklao Adventure 3 2014 in Bokod - j 8One of the best parts of going on these types of adventures or activities is getting to meet new people. Just think: in the normal course of things, you would probably never get to meet them, much less talk to them for more than 3 minutes. However, thanks to a shared interest in the great outdoors and a thrill-seeking spirit, you get to cross paths, spend time together, share more than a few laughs, and know that you have become more enriched just by having rubbed elbows with them. It totally adds to the whole experience.

At the Bantey Camping Grounds. Pic by Adventure organizers.
At the Bantey Camping Grounds. Pic by Adventure organizers.

I can’t wait to post about Day 2 of this unforgettable adventure! See you then!!

(For more photos taken during Day 1, visit this Facebook photo album. Access may be limited by certain privacy settings, though.)

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