"By time, I may forget them, so, I have to write a story about that experience that I may still remember those precious memories every time I do the recalling of happy moments."

It is my curiosity that has brought me in this place. The energy is overwhelming that it gives me anxiety not being able to see the burial caves. I may have been exhausted in this mountain hiking but the reward just outweighs the effort. It is my curiosity that motivated me to do these things; it has given me the courage to finish what I started and to survive this expedition with wonderful stories to share, unforgettable scenes captured in photos, priceless memories stored by my brain and the emotions for these experiences tattooed in my heart.

Finding a shelter in Mt. Data

Amazingly, parts of these expeditions are the stories of people I meet along the way. If you are following this series of posts I dubbed as ALAB ORIENTE DOCUMENTARIES SUB-SERIES, you know how I struggled to climb this mountain. I ran out of water, also energy, just because of this abrupt decision of seeing the burial caves and the without any idea what is awaiting me out there.

I don't have enough knowledge of mountain hiking, and physically, I wasn't conditioned to do this. Reiterating, it was pack and go with no such plans.

Encountering people along the way can be both good and bad. You know what I mean. They could be either helpful or ruin your experience. As we go down the trail to the burial caves situated at the of Alab Oriente, we encountered these people.

From afar, I can't keep myself to stay relaxed. I mean, I should not give my trust always to strangers, although I have trusted strangers many times, I am thinking about my younger brother who is with me right now. Going closer, our guide recognized these people. We are safe.

Friendly strangers at Mt. Data

Our guide shouted, "I have visitors from Ilocos." These individuals welcomed me with a huge cheerful smile. They are currently having a late lunch.

So what are they doing here? I learned that they are tilling their highland rice fields then resting for a while as they take their lunch. Poor me, I haven't eaten my lunch yet. They offered me mangoes from Nueva Vizcaya, their dessert. Wow! I love it. I am eating with them now. I told them we have a lot of mangoes in while they have a lot of pine trees here. And although there's lot of mangoes in my home province, eating with these welcoming people has made the mangoes so special and inexplicably delicious making the experience even more meaningful.

This is the way we rest, if there's no shelter

I usually write a separate post for human encounters along the way in this blog. Because it is through this blog where I can save the memories of those times I am meeting people like them. By time, I may forget them, so, I have to write a story about that experience that I may still remember those precious memories every time I do the recalling of happy moments.

One of them told me, "Remove your shoes and try to plow the field, take photos and tell your friends you plowed a field in Alab." I responded with a smile as I pick the second to the last slice of mango. I realized I have been eating all the sliced mangoes on the plate.

These people are accommodating but they are hesitant to pose before my low-profile camera. "We are shy to pose," said by one; because they looked dirty and untidy with their mud-covered feet.

Mt. Data @ Alab Oriente | Bontoc, Mountain Province

Mingling with strangers while my guide (rightmost) is slicing a mango

They offered me food, but I refused politely because I know the food they cooked was just enough for their group. I was hungry, extremely, but I chose to decline the offer. They need the food more than I need. They have to get more energy to plow their rice fields.

Can you notice the stairs below? I climbed that. I mean, real stair, not these huge ladders for rice.

I should have plowed that but I just didn't have enough energy. I have been invited to plow the rice fields with them but I know I can never do it. I am not a farmer and I never tried farming. I might ruin their effort if I do so. Besides, my feet are aching already and I don't want to trek with muddy feet -- it might add to the difficulty, although I am already halfway to the finish line.

After that great moment with these locals, we have to continue the expedition. As I have mentioned in my earlier posts for this series, I am going to see the burial caves that are so mysterious.

Ganga Cave Marker @ Alab Oriente | Bontoc, Mountain Province

The way to the Ganga Caves

The expedition that seemed so endless in this series is nearing its finale as we are now going to the ancient burial caves covered with mysteries and legends with weird way of burial method if we compare it in our time.

Ganga Caves @ Alab Oriente | Bontoc, Mountain Province

Believed to be an ancient dweller resting inside a thick pinewood capsule

Yes, I saw this! Creepy! Creepy! I now have goosebumps, and the reason for the goosebumps now is the thinking that I am in a different dimension. A dimension of the dead. This time, seriously, I am thinking of ghosts under the sunlight.

This coffin I spotted was so alone, until.... Ganga Caves is a collective name for the three burial caves in Alab. As I explore the first cave, what I saw was whoaaaa! Why and how they made this?! Really mysterious, it is a feast of the dead! I suddenly missed the strangers I met a while back. It is a separation anxiety to that effect but I have to continue the journey. The past hour, I was with people who are so alive. This time, I will be surrounded by dead people, and skeletons... /To be continued...