My first time alone with our baby, Fujifilm X-A2, was a fun trip to the mountains.
In a stroke of serendipity, Marj of dakilanglaagan invited me to chase the picture-perfect sunset at Mt. Naupa.
Mt. Naupa, located in the city of Naga, stands about 584 meters (you’re allowed to fact-check this). It is among the mountains in Cebu that a beginner can climb with relative ease.
I used ‘hike’ instead of ‘trek’ because this is a charted territory, meaning it’s ‘beginner-friendly’ as long as you have a guide. Meet Sir Jude Morales, our lead hiker, and his adorable daughter,Mae, the youngest of the squad.
We were also blessed to have with us a bunch of hiking pros who made socializing and trotting up and down the hills a breeze.
It’s also extra comforting that I was not the only beginner in the group. Shared inadequacy brings first-timers closer together.
Smile, first-time hikers! 🙂
What to Expect from Mt. Naupa
Look forward to meeting new, equally adventure-thirsty people.
Be ready to roll in the grass – sometimes the effect is an instagram-worthy shot like this. What do you think?
Prepare for photographers who feel entitled to direct your pose. Guilty me. (Great job, Arjuna!)
Brush up on your ninja skills while waiting for sundown.
Catch the glorious sunset and block the view for visual effects.
Be challenged by this uber-cute hiker whose smile captured the hearts of many. Her father said the route is child’s play or ‘chill’. She easily proved her dad was right.
That fierce look signals she’s ready for any altitude. Mae and her dad went up another hill – no mountain is too high for this kiddo.
Mae: My Favorite Subject
If you haven’t noticed, I took more photos of Mae than any other hikers.
Her smiling eyes can’t deny how much fun she’s having. To an amateur photographer, that’s irresistible.
I also caught a glimpse of this bond.
The gift of adventure is one of the best presents a father can give his daughter.