Bakbakan Time! (a.k.a. Get Ready to Rumble!)

Here, we pose for a souvenir photo at the entrance to Mainit Falls, not knowing that we were about to go on our most challenging trek to date.

I walked into the gate, looked to my right, and was immediately awestruck by the calming beauty of this babbling brook.

Mainit means "hot," and refers to the hot springs in the area, a popular tourist destination.

Can you spot the young lady sitting by the rocks?

There she is!

Before starting our hike, Dr. Lina Regis of Ateneo de Naga took a moment to explain the fragile nature of an island ecosystem.

"Out with the old and in with the new," said our katutubo guide, Rolly, as he showed us the discarded shell of a native forest beetle.

We started our hike up this very steep, muddy incline, thinking that we trailing behind the rest of the group.

I am convinced that Nature is the best art director there is.

I got the shivers just imagining what kind of animal lives inside this hole.

Talk about leaving your baggage behind!

We got to the top of the hill and were greeted by this stunning view of dense forest cover, which reminded me of Jurassic Park, (the original one, not the sequel, which Anthony walked out of because it was so bad).

We gamely (and innocently) posed for this picture, not knowing that the rest of our group had decided not to pursue the hike because of the muddy trails caused by the rain showers that morning. Not in photo is our friend Ed.

Rolly shows us the wingspan of the largest butterfly he has seen in the area.

I tiptoed quietly, hoping not to disturb this little fella who was napping by the firewood. Of course, I woke him up!

Anthony approached his new feline friend with care and caution, having had an unfortunate experience with a cat in the past.

This cat refused to give me a smile and instead, turned her head shyly away from the camera.

The miscommunication starts here, as we thought our guides were taking us back down to where we started but instead, were being led deeper into the forest en route to the hidden Bakbakan Falls.

I complimented Anthony for managing this narrow plank with the grace of Baryshnikov, to which he exclaimed, "This certainly ain't no pas de deux."

Apparently, in these parts, when a katutubo says the hike will take "four minutes," what they really mean is forty-five.

Trust me, this moss-covered rock is a lot more slippery than you think.

It was at this moment when I shifted my rating for the hike from "easy" to moderate."

World-explorer Anthony showcases his new outfit which he says is, "perfect for hiking and guards against mosquitoes and other forest critters."

I told our guide I'd take his picture, and in a split second, found him perched on this wooden trunk, which, I must agree, made for a very good portrait.

I think I'm really beginning to enjoy this "nature thing."

First we heard it from a distance, then, after a sharp turn, were suddenly confronted by the striking Bakbakan Falls, which stands around three stories high.

We rewarded ourselves with a swim in the cool water of the falls, and took turns standing under the raging water which provided a hard, natural massage.

I took a deep breath to savor the clean mountain air, until I realized I was standing on a nest of thousands of black forest ants.

Knowing how much Anthony loved the great outdoors, I took one look at him and instantly sensed how happy we was at this moment.

Why, hello Mister Millipede!

And you're telling me we might lose all this to mining?

We followed the river as we made our way back to base camp, stopping frequently to admire the towering trees that lined our path.

Here we pose with Tita Suky, the only female in the group that made it to Bakbakan. We're proud of you, Tita!