Labor Day is Family Day

It was a family day celebration yesterday.

My aunt and her family will be migrating to Canada and will fly this Saturday. It's a big move for the family especially her husband and kids. My aunt worked in Canada for at least six years. That's how old her youngest daughter is. She comes home at least every two years, sometimes two times a year. She had worked in other countries before but it was a series of unfortunate events. She may have not stayed here in the Philippines to see her children grow but all of her sacrifices through all these years have paid off and now she is able to put her family in a better situation.

My aunt is the youngest sibling of my mother. My mom was the one who sent her to school until she finished college. She stood as the guardian to my eldest siblings even though she is the same as my brother. Young as she was she was able to take that big responsibility. I will always remember her kindness and how much love she has shown me.

It would be an adjustment for all of us. She and her family have been the closest to us. Her eldest was like our youngest sibling and youngest part of the family. Most of his early childhood days was spent with us. He will always be that youngest sibling to us. He feels more comfortable opening up to us than to his parents. That degree of trust he has in us tells a lot.

Writing this makes me miss them already.

This month of May, my mom and grandfather are celebrating their birthdays. It is also the anniversary of my aunt and uncle. We had those special events celebrated yesterday as well. My grandfather is an Anglican. He called for a priest to held service at their home yesterday. Relatives from both sides of my aunt and uncle who are their neighbors and other neighbors and well wishers were able to attend the mass. Most of us though were there after the service. Some relatives I have not seen for a while were also there. It turned out to be a family reunion as well.

I intended to not post pictures taken during the celebration. That is up for my cousin to post.

I would like to focus on our fast and furious hike to the the waterfalls.

This three-tiered waterfalls is located in Camp 6, Kennon Road, Baguio City.

!steemitworldmap 16.364313 lat 120.598936 long Hydro 2 Waterfalls d3scr

It is about 30-40 minutes from #Baguio-City proper. It is a local destination for a picnic, a hike and for selfie. When in town, go to Jollibee Harrison and that is where the terminal of the #jeepneys going to Camp 6 is stationed. For PHP18.00 (around USD0.35) you will be at your destination. Tell the jeepney driver to drop you off Hydro 2. There is another Hydro Falls on the other side of the mountain which has one waterfall. You can go on both as they are just near each other.

There is a big boulder of rock that has been turned into a Lion's Head landmark in Kennon Road that is famously photographed. It is an indication that you are nearing Baguio City. REMEMBER, when you get past that landmark, then you are near Hydro 2. Around 2-3 minutes to the drop off of a small waiting shed.

Are you brave enough to cross this old hanging bridge?

Along with my brothers, cousins and friends we went to this place for a quick walk. We are experiencing sudden deluge any time before lunch almost daily. The sun would be shining bright and hot when without warning the heaven will open its dam gates. I have gathered a few people to come with me to the waterfalls, so off we go.

Another intention of mine is to go and take photographs and at the same time video of the place. It was like a 20-minute photo challenge and I find it challenging to switch between photograph and video and rushing before the rain comes.

It is normal to come across people going to the waterfalls and since you will pass by houses, animals such as dogs (askal or aspin) can also be seen here.

This river pincher did not escape my brother-in-law's hunting skill. These river crabs hide under rocks move fast but not fast enough. He was able to catch a handful of these not for eating but for the kids to play with. He put them in a plastic bottle which he gave to the kids and they were delighted by it. Aside from these crabs there are also tiny fishes that you can catch here. In our local language, we call this **gaki**.

These arrows also help you where to walk safely on the riverside. It is interesting though that the water level is not high even though it is raining almost every day.

I love the rock formations. The landscape changes every time, too, because when the water level goes up, it moves rocks around around.

There is a reminder that there should be no diving or jumping. The pool is a rocky place and it is hard to determine the rock formation at the bottom of the pool. There have been instances where accidents happened due to diving and jumping. It's wise to go in groups and inform somebody that you are going to the waterfalls.

Some can't help write on the rocks. Every time I come here it would be interesting to see what were written. This time, there were just a few. When we arrived at the waterfalls, after maybe 5 minutes, the rain started so we immediately took off.

Why must somebody has to write their name. In this digital world and social media, the evidence is in the photos. Take a selfie and post it instead!

Plogging, anyone?

Always remember this:

"Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but foot prints, kill nothing but time."

NOTE: This is another write up to another blog I made. You can check it out here.