The Great Mirror of Heaven and Earth “Lake Holon” T’boli, South Cotabato [North & South Cotabato Adventure]

uwanderer (55)in #travel • 7 years ago (edited)

Hi steemians, it’s my 38TH day in steemit. And as promise, we will journey together heading to Lake Holon as part of our North and South Cotabato Adventure. So buckle up and seat tight as we traverse unpaved roads and terrains to witness first-hand the marvelous Lake Holon.

Lake Holon is the most famous tourist attraction of south Cotabato province. It is now competing to its relative sister which is Lake Sebu also found in the northern part of Cotabato. Its popularity are known to all adventurers and nature goers.

Photo credit by Martine Nanong

Fast Fact

Lake Holon has an older named which is Lake Maughan. Long before the first settlers inland body of water, the Lake People or known as T’boli tribe have witness the rising and falling of water of Lake. It was named after Maughan for the reason the lake was all dried up and failed to return from its previous form. Until one time a brave maiden ask the old Gods to bless their lake once again from its bounty. The old Gods saw the sincerity of the maiden and grant its wish to bless the lake. The old gods ask the maiden to offer a prayer ever sundown and sunrise. And the maiden gladly replied the old gods with gratefulness. The old god wave his hand and the earth tremble and mountain collapse itself and a strong burst of water from bellow started filling the lake until it fully reach its present form. From that day on the maidens of the tribes offer their prayers to the old gods as praise and worship of its kindness to their people.
Lake Holon got its named as a native description of a vast body of water in one place. Possessing a calm and mystic water from the deep.

Lake Holon boast 360 panoramic view of rugged Cliffs, evergreen forest the kisses the lake itself and crystal clear cold water perfect treat after the long laborious trek. Lake Holon itself is the primary home of the prominent ethnic tribe of the south which is the T’boli tribe.

After spending our first day at Asik-Asik Falls, the group of adventurers pack and ready themselves to their next destination which is the Lake Holon. They started loading their big bags and boarded the chartered vehicle. They traverse the long road to south Cotabato. They made a quick stop at the tourism office to register themselves and paid the required fee. As soon as everyone is done. They hop in the vehicle and started their long journey to the jump off of Lake Holon.

Our journey to the jump off was reach challenging due to unpaved roads, ongoing construction, one lane passage, steep road and rugged terrains but overall, we were safe and unharmed. We reach the jump off area and started packing our bags and head to the registration area. As we reach the registration area we come across with ate Magda one of the native officials who assist tourist heading to Lake Holon her primary task is to assign local guides and provide briefing of Lake Holon. She is also a proud member of T’boli tribe.

After the briefing we were assign to our respective local guides who accompany us from station 1 to station 5. The group decide to choose the salacafe trail because we have a tight schedule. The other trail is named kule trail which is far more challenging than salacafe. The first and second station are merely minor ascending trail on the third station we are welcome by the T’boli community and the road is a bit easy as we push to the following station the trail is kind of difficult because of its steep terrain but still manageable.

One the last station were the view deck is located we rested for a few minutes as we wait for our fellow trekkers to stop by. I took a quick picture then hydrate myself to continue my trek descending to the campsite of Lake Holon. Descending was quite difficulty due to soil erosion and damage trails due to heavy rain last evening. But nothing is impossible to a person who is an adventure fanatic. As the last stage of descend I saw the campsite and typically shock with the amount of people camping which gave me the hint to hurried myself up before I lost the tent space in the camp site.

The panoramic scene at the view deck

At the last stage of descend to campsite the number of people camping are enormous it reach from both end of the campsite

As soon as I reach the campsite I automatically pitch my tent. Cook my dinner and settle things up. Grab our cameras and took some photos then indulge myself with the cool water of the lake. Almost two hours of swimming and bathing the cool water when the rain pour itself to us. We decided to enjoy the rain for a couple of minutes and head to our campsite for dinner. We shared our dinner and some stories of current and present adventures. It was a perfect evening. When the sky offered us a magnificent site. A thousand start right before our eyes as the wind breeze embrace our body. It was really an awesome experience. Each places offers unique features and surprises that will totally blow your mind. We ended our evening with good vibes. We slept earlier to catch our strength and ready ourselves to the last journey of our north and south Cotabato adventure.

The following morning we pack our stuffs and grab ourselves some breakfast. While others are still packing I took some photos and feast my eyes to the stunning beauty of Lake Holon. Another breath taking experience that made my adventure life into an awesome one. An inspiring story of nature and its remarkable creation that I would love to share to my students and fellow aspiring adventurers which reminded me of a quote “Collect memories than properties”. When everyone is ready we started trekking back trail from the jump point and it was a rush ascend and descend for our next destination is Lake Sebu and its Seven Falls.

Rock piles near the Lake of Holon

Beautiful morning at Lake Holon

Picturesque view surrounded by rigged cliffs and lush evergreen trees and moss

Perfect post card view you can share to everyone

Thank you for stopping by and reading this post. I hope you enjoy your journey with us. Stay tune to our next adventure which is the famous lake Sebu.
Friendly Travel Reminder

Card games and Alcohol beverages are prohibited at the said sacred area. It will be confiscated at the jump point.
Guides are assigned per group after the briefing. If you believe you’re not capable to bring all your stuffs to hire a porter to carry your excessive stuffs. Porter fee is 20Ph per kilo.
Water source are available per station but if your tummy are sensitive better bring your own water.
Toilets are available near the campsite. Its 50Php per use.
They have convenient stores located near at the camp site.
They have tent for rent good for two person for 100Php
T’boli community are half Christian and half old nature believers please show respect during their gatherings and worship prayers.
They sell Tilapia one bundle for 50Php
Observe cleanliness. Leave no trace of garbage in the campsite and trail.
Souvenirs are available at the T’boli small community and jump off area.
Certificates are available at the Tourism office after completing the whole experience of Lake Holon.

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