happo ike discussions : reflections round 230

no matter how i look at it this scene just looks so surreal. the sky, the clouds, the mountains, the ice, the pond, the greens, the surface: the combination of all these elements looked like an illustration coming out straight from an adventure book. that clear water's reflection added the drama. and that reflection was the main protagonist of this scene. so, this is the perfect picture to submit to the #reflections contest: the scene i witnessed at happo pond halfway through our karamatsudake hike.

at this portion of the hike, we really took the time to enjoy the scene. it was better to eat where the view was at its best, this was the motto for that lunch. we could have easily stopped and ate lunch minutes ago but we really wanted to eat here. one of my hiker companions even mentioned that food somehow tasted better that day. i too agree with that, when my visual senses were satiated, my taste buds also followed suit. i had the best michelin meal of onigiri (rice balls) and sandwich in happo pond.

it was also while looking at this view where we shared some life stories. i learned a lot from our new companion, he was a japanese who has lived and loved the philippines. cebu in particular. i guess he was enamored by the jolly and friendly filipino spirit, who wouldn't. filipinos make sure to keep guests at ease, even an introvert like me always give extra effort to be a good host. i guess it is in the culture, and that is one i am proud to embrace.

now back to the pond, we did not just witness the area at one angle, we circled the pond and viewed it from all angles. upon seeing it all, it was not hard to conclude that the angle facing the high snowy mountains was the best of them all. just read my opening paragraph, you would probably understand how floored i was. that view will forever be etched in my heart.

the next part of this series will probably be the ascent to the peak so hope we make it there. here are the rest of the entries so far. click on each one for my thoughts on each leg of the hike.

as always, AMPING KANUNAY!

_{all content is by yours truly unless otherwise specified}

^{all photos are taken with a galaxy s23 ultra}