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This blog is an amateur photographer's attempt to show how beautiful the world really is. He is drawn to the colors of nature like a moth to a candle light. What are showcased here are nature's grand display of colors at sunrise and sunset, beautiful beaches and off-the-beaten track locations in his beloved Philippines, waterfalls and some of nature's great sculptures, architectural gems, and other views from around SE Asia that he was fortunate to see at one point.

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August 10, 2009

mt. romelo: buruwisan falls on a stormy weekend


[Wild Side]
Buruwisan Falls on a stormy weekend

Its 2 am and the rain was incessant. After a little over two hours of trekking, I was soaking wet. The narrow trails we are on are beginning to look like small streams. With a visibility of just a few meters, the trail, with its overgrowth, looked less and less familiar. Cold and tired, we conceded to nature. We found a small clearing, pitched our tents, and decided to wait for first light to pursue the trails again. Our usual 3-4 hour trek will take longer this time.

This is not the first time I’m doing a night trek to Mt. Romelo, a favorite destination because of its waterfalls. But it’s the first time a typhoon is “passing by” (Typhoon Jolina) while we are trekking. My group has been assessing the situation several days before and concluded its still going to be a safe trek, even with the heavy rains.

We broke our camp at 5AM and continued trekking. The chilly wind was enough to keep my senses alert, beats having a strong coffee in the morning. The forest floor is littered with santol fruits (wild mangosteen) which probably fell due to the strong downpour last night. Along the way we picked wild guavas for a quick breakfast. Real breakfast will have to wait until we reached the campsite.

Checking the Drop
a fellow trekker checks out the drop of Buruwisan Falls

We found the Buruwisan campsite empty, but not for long. Other groups arrived by mid morning and several more arrived the next morning (Sunday). Some attempted a night trek but failed as well.

Buruwisan Foggy Afternoon
foggy afternoon

By mid day sky darkened and thick fog fell on the place like a white curtain. Unlike my previous visits there where one would probably find me exploring one of the falls at such time of the day, this time I was content on staying put in the campsite and enjoying a hot cup of coffee.

The Milky Way
the milky way, with a touch of chocolate

The river near our camp (located at the top of Buruwisan Falls) has swollen and is rushing wildly. I’ve been there on rainy days before but it was the first time I saw a change in the character of the place.

I was able to go down to Buruwisan Falls the next morning. After a couple of shots I decided to climb back up to the campsite. Exploring the other falls would be quite difficult with the current conditions of the streams, and I would not risk the photo gears I have with me.

Where Buruwisan Flows
the sun peeked, giving Buruwisan a lovely glow

This trip yielded the least photos but some of the images quickly became my personal favorites. I think some of the shots I took during this trip are my best photos of Buruwisan so far.
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Lantaw
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21 comments:

Oman said...

i agree. the best photos nga bai. can't wait to go there sometime.

Lantaw said...

next time bro you have to come with us :). some of my friends went there (again) last weekend but the atmosphere was unlike the previous week. water's back to "normal"

escape said...

the last shot bai is so enchanting. applause from dong.

Lantaw said...

thanks bai! :)

Gaelyn said...

These are amazing captures, especially under the conditions you described. What a trek.

Sylvia K said...

Your gorgeous shots never fail to amaze me and take my breath away! And, as Gaelyn wrote, they are all the more amazing considering the conditions! Wow! Fantastic!

Stay dry!
Sylvia

Photo Cache said...

Unbelievably gorgeous, both the place and your captures.

I posted my entry here: www.ewok1993.wordpress.com

sheng said...

Amazing, perfect, magnifico, head-bowed talaga ako sa iyo sir, ganda! Need i say more?

Arija said...

OH -me-gosh, I love your photos!

Reader Wil said...

It is a very beautiful spot! I admire your perseverance to continue on your trip! The photos are gorgeous!

Marites said...

wow! ang tapang ninyo naman. I wouldn't risk trekking on such conditions but you are right, those are stunning captures. galing!

The Nomadic Pinoy said...

your stunning shots of Buruwisan falls belies the fact that it was stormy weekend when you got there - it actually looks so serene!

Lantaw said...

Gaelyn, yup it was pretty exciting :D

Sylvia K, i'll try to stay dry on the next trip to somewhere :D

Photo Cache, thanks!

Lantaw said...

Sheng, kung natuloy kayo sa Mt. Parker parang ganyan din ang adventure dun :D

Arija, thanks! :)

Reader Wil, thats what makes outdoor photography exciting :D

Lantaw said...

Marites, we don't take on crazy risks naman, puro lahat calculated yun :D

The Nomadic Pinoy, thats the great thing about the falls. they are deep in a glen and out of reach from strong winds. it feels like one is in shangrila :D

Marju said...

Really beautiful photos!!

SandyCarlson said...

That is one gorgeous set of photos.

Ishmael F. Ahab said...

Totoo ba to? Tubig ba talaga umaagos dito o ulap. Wow naman. Sana may time (at money) ako para bisitahin to.

Lantaw said...

Thanks Sandy and Ishmael!

@Ishmael - the water looked like that because of long exposure (longer shutter speeds) :)

Ebie said...

Ganda naman ang lugar! At saka ganda ang mga kuha mong litrato!

jehzlau said...

Wala akong masabi kundi.. ang ganda! O__O

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[name=lantaw] [img=https://c5.staticflickr.com/9/8237/8458831412_c95b7dbbae_t.jpg] [description=Loves to shoot nature's grand display of colors at sunrise and sunset, beautiful beaches and off-the-beaten track locations in his beloved Philippines, waterfalls and other natural wonders] (facebook=https://www.facebook.com/lantawphotos) (twitter=https://twitter.com/lantawphotos) (instagram=https://www.instagram.com/lantaw/)