Mountain Province is a shroud of mystery to me. I’ve always wanted to set my “itchy feet” on this place high up in the mountains. I was fortunate to join bryology class (bryology is the study of avascular plants, e.g. mosses), on their specimen collection at Mt. Data. Actually, I have nothing to do with mosses, since my field is microbiology, but hey, this is an opportunity to travel. As my contribution to the group, I was tasked as the official specimen photographer ehe. Btw, don’t forget to bring your jacket/sweater, it is really cold up here!
Going There
Since it was a class, we rented a van. If you will be riding a bus, the starting point is at Baguio City. If you will be going to Sagada, the Lizardo Bus is the only means to get there. The bus terminal is found at Dangwa Station.
Welcome to Mt. Province
Of course, we did not missed the opportunity to have a photo-op at the welcome arc of the province. Nearby the arc, there’s also a viewing point, and the view is spectacular! We also passed by the late Marky Cielo’s grave, which is just beside their house. He’s a young actor who died at the age of 20 last December 7 (my birthday!), still the cause is unclear.
So ecstatic to be here!
Can I take this view home?
Marky Cielo’s grave.
Mt. Data
The location for the specimen is Mt. Data, located at the town of Bauko. It is about 3 hours from Baguio City. Mt. Data’s high altitude and diverse plant life makes it an excellent site for specimen collection, especially mosses and lichens. We went to the forest, and there were no established trails. That was my first time to enter a “real” forest, and it felt like the forest in the “Twilight” movie ha ha ha. The sun can’t hardly penetrate because of the thick vegatation, the air feels damp and cold (I was surprise to see mists everytime I talk or breathe ha ha!), and it smell like fertilizer, probably because of the amount of decaying plants on the forest floor.
A new species in Mt. Data’s forest ehe..
The sisterhood of the “itchy feet”.
With our professor..
We we’re able to collect a lot of mosses, and I was so fascinated with their unique beauty! We also found a small pond, which remind me of the setting in the Jurassic period. On our way back to the van, we were kinda lost, but it was exciting ha ha ha!
Mosses with sporophytes (the spiky structures).
A fern ally..
Outside the forest, the view is equally breath-taking. The endless rows of vegetable field and rolling hills is like a scene from other country.
Vegetable fields outside the forest.
Endless fields and hills..
It was lunch, so before going to our next location, we visited the Mt. Data Hotel. We had our lunch at the house of our professor’s relatives, located near Mt. Data.
Mt. Data hotel entrance.
Yahoooo!
The bryology class (Ph.D. and MS Bio).
Then we embarked on a hike to the next location, but still part of Mt. Data. It was more challenging because it involves hiking up hill and trekking steep slopes. Again, the view never fails to impress me! We were able to collect more specimens in the second location, especially lichens.
Hike to the second location.
Collecting lichen specimen.
Moss species.
Lichen or slime molds.. I don’t know!
Over all, I really enjoyed the one-day experience. I vowed to return, and head further to Sagada (2 hours from Bauko)!!
To view my Benguet page, click here.
A species of Cladonia lichen (super-macro).
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Song of the day:
INSOMIA by Craig David. This song makes me wanna dance the night away!
