"My sweat started to come out which signals that my metabolism (catabolism to be specific) is activated to a higher degree. It was a good cardiovascular work-out though."

I underestimated the act, I thought it was as easy as A-B-C. I have been wanting to gain lean mass but I usually fail, so retaining some body fats to gain body volume is my task. It was in Bangued, Abra's Victoria Park that made the day so tiring. You gotta ascend to the road going uphill and step your feet forward and upward to the long static but escalating concrete stairs. At first it was easy because it looked to be easy.

Victoria PArk, BAngued, Abra
I noticed this open theater in Victoria Park, Bangued Abra
No one was with me, I was alone so I was talking to myself to make me feel I was with somebody (my conscience, at least) just to make the climb easy. LOL!

I know some tasks and missions become easy when you're with somebody whom you can talk with, or to at least encourage you to go on. It was only my conscience that was encouraging me. I was wearing a tight-fitting jeans, a white shirt and the time was... Viola! It was 1:00 pm and it was just hot.

Poor me, I take advantage when my "connections" go somewhere. I learned from my mom that their women group (Note: aged 45 and above) is going to Abra with hired van. So, it was such a blessing that they allowed me to travel with them considering I am not a part of the group and hitching a ride has always been a reward for me.

Victoria Park, Bangued, Abra
The rays of the sun was just scorching creating intense sensation to my skin. I arrived at Victoria Park and some trikes have been there already asking me if I need their service.

At first, I was taking some photos before I crossed the street to the park. As I went near the arch, a tricycle driver asked me (in vernacular), "Why are you taking photos of ours?" 

I smiled and said, "No, it was not you, it is the arch that I am taking." Then the trike driver asked again why I am taking photos of the arch then I replied that I am a travel blogger and I capture photos to document my travel experiences. After that, he asked me to take photos of him including another trike driver who was with him because they wanted to appear to my blog. Haha!

Victoria Park, Bangued, Abra
I have a thin physique (at least now), so I only have little fats to spare. The road looks flat but it hurts my leg muscles gradually because the road also ascends gradually to the top of the hill. Should I have taken a tricycle ride, I was just too poor that I can't afford a possible overcharging from them (I always anticipate that) so I preferred to walk.

My sweat started to come out which signals that my metabolism (catabolism to be specific) is activated to a higher degree. It was a good cardiovascular work-out though.

Cassamata National Park
Cassamata National Park 
I know, aerobic exercises like walking, little hiking or trekking target burning our body fats on which I have a little (since I am payatot).

But hey! Going upward, trees are everywhere and the air gets cooler that gave me instant relief. I love the immersion to nature although I know I still have to take a more than hundred of steps to concrete stairs that will lead me to the top of the hill.

I am getting OA, I know. It is not a mountain, and more not to be a mountain climbing drama. It was just a hill with easy climb since there are roads and stairs but what I just wanted to bring out of this story is the fact that I was exhausted because of the non-stop walk and climb considering I don't have much body fats and for that, I consider myself to have burned some body fats because of the massive sweat I excreted and a degree of exhasution.

Of course, I still want to climb a mountain and I know I can do it. I am just telling that I burned some body fats as evidenced by massive sweat excretion, increased heart rate and toned muscle which makes this post so corny. blah. lol!

Oval Era Hotel Bangued Abra
Oval Era Hotel, located near Victoria Park
<img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDS7PjRN1AE/T8HNjhua8ZI/AAAAAAAAD2g/riBpOMkzHQY/s640/CIMG0054.jpg" width="480" /></div><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><imageanchor style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yMOJ1e4S8tU/T8HMOKFk2sI/AAAAAAAAD2Y/mFap46y4KQ0/s640/CIMG0053.jpg" width="595" title="Unconditioned park marker"/></imageanchor></div>Well I reached the top of the hill and it was just rewarding that the view you are seeing is majestic. It was the Abra valley, the Abra River, the Ilocos Mountains at west and the downtown <a href="http://www.edmaration.com/search/label/Bangued" target="_blank">Bangued</a>.<br /> <br /> It was about to rain actually and the sky turned to gray with the gloomy clouds appearing like paintings.<br /> <br /> <imageanchor style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Downtown Bangued abra" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cht_91FI3h4/T8HPGO50ZkI/AAAAAAAAD2w/YS4tkxxIbwU/s1600/CIMG0049+copy.jpg" width="595" title="View of Downtown Bangued from the top of Victoria Park"/></imageanchor><imageanchor style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MyTqjcT0GVI/T8HPAetUoWI/AAAAAAAAD2o/beNNgMPwQ5Q/s200/CIMG0045.jpg" width="200" title="Selfie at the top of the hill"/></imageanchor><br /> The park was quiet. I saw a couple at the top of a little tower having sweet moments while I was making myself relaxed while savoring the sweet and quiet moment of the view I was looking at!<br /> <br /> Yes I burned some fats I am sure of that, not just because of the physical efforts in climbing the hill but also the intense emotion that I experienced when I saw the breath taking view of the mountain, the valley and the river under an unfair weather condition, lol!<br /> <br /> </div></div><h1 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Bangued #TownExploration Series</span></h1><pre class="alt2" dir="ltr" style="border: 1px inset; height: 215px; margin: 0px; overflow: auto; padding: 6px; text-align: center; width: 590px;"><a href="http://www.edmaration.com/2013/03/kawayan-festival-featuring-abra.html"><img alt="Kawayan Festival featuring Abra-inspired Terno Fashion Show" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LJBy9vPENvo/UTnQimj4o4I/AAAAAAAAKXM/9zpGqAn6zlA/s640/CIMG3017.jpg" style="background-color: #eeecec; padding: 3px;" title="Kawayan Festival featuring Abra-inspired Terno Fashion Show" width="200" /></a><a href="http://www.edmaration.com/2012/04/abra-province-profile-my-take-for-this.html"><img alt="Abra Province Profile | My Take for this Notorious Province" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-az-o1gQ6C9Q/T5VUE1O-D3I/AAAAAAAADOM/As4LyYVX54I/s640/CIMG0046.jpg" style="background-color: #eeecec; padding: 3px;" title="Abra Province Profile | My Take for this Notorious Province" width="200" /></a><a href="http://www.edmaration.com/2012/05/peace-for-abra-roasted-cow-for-peace.html"><img alt="Peace for Abra | Roasted Cow for Peace" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YGgbJwDson0/T72M-bM_JvI/AAAAAAAADw8/aqdJddi5U-c/s640/538508_267532323335126_100002350828037_581624_433989858_n.jpg" style="background-color: #eeecec; padding: 3px;" title="Peace for Abra | Roasted Cow for Peace" width="200" /></a><a href="http://www.edmaration.com/2012/05/bangued-abra-victoria-park-where-i.html"><img alt="Bangued, Abra | Victoria Park: Cassamata Hill National Park" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iqJ84wrE17A/T8GhcJhkoCI/AAAAAAAAD0k/IFJW_rp_R5E/s640/CIMG0051.jpg" style="background-color: #eeecec; padding: 3px;" title="Bangued, Abra | Victoria Park: Cassamata Hill National Park (You are currently viewing this article)" width="200" /></a><img height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YVHTHcGBL9U/UXO7THWkMNI/AAAAAAAAK9U/2724oY_ZpzM/s1600/67067_312256012236670_672301789_n.jpg" title="ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | www.edmaration.com" style="background-color: #eeecec; padding: 3px;" /></pre><h1 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Map Showing the Location of #Bangued</span></h1><a href="http://www.edmaration.com/search/label/Abra" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PzVD1BgEV2c/UTtbke2P4MI/AAAAAAAAKaA/EgwNyRJy_DA/s1600/Bangued.jpg" title="Map of Bangued | Abra, Philippines (Click to view other posts for ABRA PROVINCE)" width="595" /></a></div><h1 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Click this map to view other posts for ABRA PROVINCE</span></h1></div>
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Axact

EDMAR GUQUIB y DEL CASTILLO

Born and Raised in Vigan, Philippines. Hardcore Ilocano-Cordilleran. Professional Nurse on Weekdays. Coffee Addict. Travel Blogger in Between. For collaboration or partnership, email your business proposal at admin@edmaration.com.

Post A Comment:

29 comments:

  1. kuya, sa daming pictures ng stairs and long roads parang hihimatayin ata ako if ako ang nakapunta dyan sa victoria park! at gusto mo rin bang maging new owner ng (ibang) fats ko ? hahaha!

    i love hitching a ride too para makatipid somehow haha :D

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  2. akin na ang fats. padala mo nalang LBC. hahahaha!

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  3. is it rude to take a picture of the people in Abra without asking permission? I'm just curious, just in case mapadaan ako diyan.

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  4. Eric, I don't think so.. hehe.
    Maybe they are not just used with people capturing photos in public places, Abrenians are not accustomed to tourists yet I guess.

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  5. wow. i can just imagine. i bet daming mapipiga sa sinusuot mo...hihi

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  6. wow! you are one passionate travel blogger! ka bilib! great memorable experience though!

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  7. kuya ibig mong sabihin inakyat mo iyon alone,mula talaga sa baba?di ko kaya...

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  8. i don't think it's rude but you should as them first....if it happens that they are in the view u are up to,i dont think is rudenes for that at all.

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  9. The road reminds me of Ermita Hill of Baler!

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  10. Looks like a good place for a run.

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  11. Anonymous said...
    kuya ibig mong sabihin inakyat mo iyon alone,mula talaga sa baba?di ko kaya...

    May 28, 2012 3:06 AM
    ----
    oo, akala ko kasimadali lang, haha!

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  12. Park i mean huge park like this is always the best place for running and walking.I hope it's for free to go inside coz i know some other parks requires entrance fee.

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  13. eigroj, don't ya worry it is always free!

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  14. By the looks of it, this must be a heck of a climb really. Not sure if i can...

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  15. You should try climbing the 700 steps of Mt. Tapyas, Coron! One hundred steps up the mountain already had my legs going 'no more!!'... :P

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  16. u should have counted the steps, that way u wouldn't be bored...

    i'll just be contented with ur pictures of Victoria Park, no sweat!

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  17. Waaah looks tiring yet so much fun!! I'd love to travel and hike to places like that. Lalo na pag friends kasama :D

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  18. you know Ed!
    You can take my excess fat anytime.. lol!
    Though I think, I'm ok with with it personally..
    It ain't really to be too lean or to be fatty.
    I guess you can label me to be somewhere in between.
    This had been a nice exercise huh!

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  19. wow, galing mo ! nakaya mo how many steps na yun ! just take care always and stay healthy! :)

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  20. Lakwatserongunggoy: It wasn't a vacation, I just spent 5 hours exploring Bangued, Abra then went home after :)

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  21. I would die if I will try to climb this one.

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  22. We have to enjoy a place like this. I love eco-adventures, visiting natural parks, etc.

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  23. Given the chance and opportunity, I would love giving it a try. ^_^

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  24. I have never been to Abra but will surely visit the place one day but not that soon. Nice place din pala ang Abra and that view from the top looks magnificent... yun nga lang, daming steps :D but well worth it naman :D

    I love open theaters. Hope they maintain Victoria Park's open theater para lagi siyang maganda :D

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  25. Sa picture palang ng mga hagdanan at daan (Na pataas pa) parang di ko na kakayanin.. hehehe...
    Pero kapag nandiyan kana siguro... makakaya mo lalo na kung marami kayo.. :)(Dabarkadz)

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  26. such great photos~ nice reading your blog! xx

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  27. As an experience traveler, it is ALWAYS a good habit to ask whenever you want to take a picture of someone. IT'S COMMON COURTESY. As a blogger you might want to keep this in mind. This is not just for Abra people but wherever you go. RESPECT goes long way.

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  28. Anonymous | That's so true anonymous! :)

    As a blogger, that is already tattoed in my mind. If I capture a photo of someone, I ask permission, in everywhere I go :) I bet, you are referring to this article? The people thought I was taking a photo of them, but it was actually the welcome arch of the park that I was capturing. Then after explaining, they were the ones who volunteered to be taken a photo on which taking a photo of them never became a part of my plan (7th and 8th paragraph) :)

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