R.A.D.I.C.A.L.: Bonding Quest at San Isidro Cave

“The purpose of life, after all, is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” — Eleanor Roosevelt

Prologue:

May 31, 2011, I was so bored and I thought it would be better for me to do something during my indefinite break from my nursing career. For like reason, I went to Boac (capital town of Marinduque) to apply as a volunteered nurse at the provincial hospital. (This is the price I have to pay for resigning early at Lourdes Hospital. Just a jest! I love being a nurse!)…I thought, the process will transpire easily and quickly but it is far beyond what I expected. I got a little disappointed as it will take a week or so. Fortunately, an old friend of mine (Kia Recalde) with her non-living girlfriend (Kisses as she named her camera) was there to accompany me. Since I was a little upset, she shared an eye-popping tsismis which in the end landed in a serious sensible conversation. During our conversation, we came up with an idea of visiting the hot spots in our province. One of them is San Isidro cave which is completely undeveloped. I branded it as “the untouchable place”. We eventually planned our escape. Seeing its remarkable cave is a must! I've been lucky enough to bumped into her and got that shotgun lakad - mga biglaang lakad talaga na laging natutuloy. So the next day, I prepared myself for the quest!

June 1, 2011, at around 530am, I left Torrijos and went home to Masiga. That was almost two hours travel. I felt tired but excitement welcomed me so I started to pack my things. I started my journey at 830am by going to Poblacion ng Boac to meet my friend. I stayed at their house and rested for a piece. But then, a little charming hamster caught my attention (as in lababol talaga sya). I secretly opened the cage to cuddle IT…IT just turned out to be a monster!! That little creature bit me which led to superficial bleeding. Ouchy!!! (stupid me, hindi na ko magpapadeceive sa mga cuties talaga.tsk!)

So the escapade started...

Load yourself first before the journey begins, Miss Kia Recalde

We went to paradahan ng jeep going to Sta.cruz (travel time: 1hour and 15min kasama na lay over episodes with matching S and Z roads that made me feel nauseated that I almost puked)…

...then again another ride from Poblacion ng Sta. Cruz to Brgy. San Isidro (taking that rocky road with potholes and many curves and countless stop-over = another one hour trip)...

Two friends with one goal!

smile!! kahit sobrang init at sikip sa jeep!!

Pwede...pwede talaga...haha! Peace!

indulged myself with ice cream!! yum yum!!!

The body of this banana gave up in carrying its enormously large fruit - it just simply captured our attention.

This path leading to Kapitan Manuba's house.

…and a little walk (almost 30 min) to reach the house of the Barangay captain (who was our tour guide). Many many thanks to Kapt. Porfirio Manuba. We couldn’t have made it if not for your effort and patience. echos!... Since it’s a duo journey with two tour guides, it’s a bit pricey with Php250 each compared to php100 each if we’re many (let’s say 5-6 in a group) . Well, I didn’t mind the price just to feel the worth of our very long and tedious journey…

Another long walk...

I'm playing with my balinghoy leaf...

Road to Pardition! joke...

"Ang mga Batang Pari at ang Kalikasan" karatula

The San Isidro Cave blueprint and oh, si Kapitan!

Yeah boy!! almost there!

This is it!!

…At last! We reached the cave (as far as I remember, it was already 1230 afternoon when we started exploring the spectacular cave).

Now we go to the main story. Pictures will tell it all…

What do I expect from this cave expedition? Cold, dark, a bit scary that would mean a very exciting moment of my life and of Kia’s. This, I expect, will be LEGEND…wait for it, wait for it… DARY! LEGENADRY!! Haha!