an adventure continued

 Disembarking from the passenger ferry,

Mark bartered with three motorcycle drivers to negotiate a fare 

to hire them for the morning.

Once agreed on a price, we jumped on and zipped off down the road.

After a quick stop for enough gas to last the day ($2.50 per bike)

we headed to the highest point on Samal Island,

Mount Puting Bato (Mount White Rock).

These photos cannot do the 30-minute trip justice.

After all, good photos are only obtainable when you aren't bouncing along rutted dirt roads 

at a 45 degree angle.

After what seemed like hours of fervent prayer and holding on for dear life,

I found myself whole-heartedly agreeing with Mr. Baggins:

“Why O why did I ever leave my hobbit-hole?" 

said poor Mr. Baggins, bumping up and down on Bombur's back.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit

 At long last we reached the Tayapok Trail, a 25-minute hike to the top of the mountain.

(Notice our drivers outpaced us by driving up the trail)

A brave heart and a courteous tongue.   

They shall carry thee far through the jungle. 

– Rudyard Kipling

But success was denied us;

the top of the mountain was off-limits that day.

Mark tried to rouse a keeper for the padlocked entrance gate; 

(that's him on the bottom left, peeking into the gatekeeper's lodge)

we would have been more than happy to pay the 15 cent entrance fee!

All to no avail.  

I guess they hadn't got the memo that we were on our way.

So Michael pulled out his R/C plane instead.

 What a great place for a flight!  

Our drivers were fascinated by the mini air show.

In the name of God, stop a moment, 

cease your work, 

look around you. 
 - Leo Tolstoy

- Stay tuned for one more post to complete our birthday adventure!