Our Final Fantasy

Our last stop- Makiling

Like any adventure and as in our previous dates, things must eventually come to an end. Our adventure with Mother Nature has expanded our horizon with each new experience but, alas, this all-so-enriching activity came to its finality as we trekked the last stop, the Makiling Botanical Gardens.

“MAKILING BOTANICAL GARDEN, anyone?”...”No thanks!” the team thought in unison. The mere mention of the phrase 'Botanical Garden' had each of us hypothesizing the level of expected boredom we were to feel discussing plants, seeing plants, discussing plants, and seeing more plants. Well guess what, dear readers...difficult as it may be to admit, we needed to state for the record that “WE WERE WRONG!”

Let us share why.

(c) Gabbie Fonacier

As we approached Makiling's pride, and got closer to the gardens, we started to witness the beauty unveiling before our very eyes. We were more than amazed. We were more than shocked. We were...what's the word...dumbfounded! As soon as we dealt with the guilt of being judgmental and kicked guilty-feelings aside, we began to experience a taste of heaven through the garden's beauty.

As we and the rest of the 'Tree' gang made our way to the garden's entrance, each trekker followed his or her own hike pace – some ran like they were engaged in an Amazing Race, others were leisurely walking and chit-chatting with other trekkers, while the rest simply enjoyed every moment and wandered around. A word of caution though, you can lose track of time and get immersed in the depths of the gardens as the eye-catching sites captivate you. We certainly felt like we were being treated to a new wonder as we walked further along the path. Imagine fuchsia-colored blossoms, mushrooms of varying sizes, moss-lined walk ways, beehive-looking plant stalks, and trees and greens everywhere.

(c) Gabbie Fonacier

And while we may not have seen cow-milking action, or fascinating stuffed animals, or a high-tech population counter, the garden experience left a lasting impact on us. Here are some of our discoveries that maybe you can learn from too. Lesson 1: always stick with you buddy and don't let yourself or your mind wander beyond where you can be found. Gardens such as this are full of surprises - literally and figuratively. Lesson 2: “Don't judge a book by its cover.” That's pretty self-explanatory, right? We fell into this trap going to the garden and we were astonished with what it presented to us. And of course this doesn't just apply with judging places. The more important application is to people. Lesson 3: Be thankful for everything – our country, its natural resources, learning, teachers, classmates, friends, family, and...readers reading this blog right this minute!