Mt. Kanlaon

My husband and I took our end-yearly trip with his bike. We prefer the rugged type rather than drive in one of those comfortable SUV's. With our backpacks, thick jackets, and helmets on, we geared up with couple of shirts, a bottle of water each, a spare tire and an air pump. This time we headed towards San Carlos all the way to the top of Mount Kanlaon via Don Salvador Benedicto.

Along the mountain highway, as we climbed up a spur of Salvador Benedicto, the cool breeze and the scent of pine trees, it is not unusual for a young eagle soaring over the clear skies. I’ve thrice seen the raptor while crossing the mountain roads back and forth Bacolod and San Carlos. It could be a Philippine eagle. I gather it is the only bird of prey with blue-gray—as opposed to yellow, orange or brown—eyes, known to live in just four of the country’s 7,100 islands, only about 500 pairs of the eagles exist today (source: National Wildlife Federation).

The route gives the traveller a view of a mini "Chocolate Hills" which can be seen along the Negros Translink Highway in Barangay Prosperidad. Hills differ from sizes & stretches up to Barangay Nataban. It is about 18 kilometers from the city proper & would consume 30 minutes travel time approximately. Fourty-five minutes before reaching San Carlos, you will find Alinsyawan Falls in Aglolood, Panlampas. The local government has built a place by the highway to view the waterfalls. It is frequented by nature lovers and local tourists. Passing through San Carlos, we thought of going straight to Kanlaon where we found a small inn to eat some fresh mountain-cooked lunch. After that, we went to view the awesome Mt. Kanlaon. It was breathtaking!

Mt. Kanlaon remains to be the highest peak in Central Philippines. Rising up to a summit elevation of a staggering 8,088 feet or about 2,465 meters, it is one of the most active volcanoes in the country and is part of the Negros Volcanic Belt. Also called the Cuernos de Negros or Horns of Negros, Mt Kanlaon is surrounded by several craters and volcanic peaks. It is also the host of many waterfalls such as the two waterfalls of Sudlon and the Quipot Falls.

We traversed through river crossings, bumpy and rocky roads, passed through beautiful sceneries of rice paddy plantation near Barangay Lumapao. We were probably on the highest peak of our trip. On the way down, we had a flat tire thrice. So with our handy air pump (that doesnt really work) and spare tire, we manually changed tires with some team work magic. When we were back down the intersection of Prosperidad that divides the road between Cadiz, San Carlos and Kanlaon, we found a Vulcanizing. Funny, they spelt the word, "Bol ka nay sing". It was a pity that I missed to take a snapshot of what I thought the cutest, and funniest signage I have ever seen!

I may have an inflammed butt from the long trip but it was quite an adventure. Worth remembering for a lifetime.