CROSSING THE HANGING BRIDGE OF ASIN RIVER, BENGUET

We were on our last day of the convention of systematic biologists and the organizers decided to hold the culminating activity in Asin Hot Springs in Tuba, Benguet.  The roadtrip was a one-hour of zigzaging drive downhill along steep curves and a rainy afternoon.  My car was already producing axle joint sounds and we were praying that no untoward mishaps will occur.  Fortunately, we made the trip safely and made it back up to Baguio the next day.  We spent the night in Pooten Hotel and spent the night in utter relaxation in the hot spring pool that soothe our bodies of all the weariness and aches away.

The next morning we were greeted by peace and quiet from the surrounding countryside, the silence drowned only by the gushing river flowing beside the resort the the routine grazing sounds created by chickens roaming the resort.  I gathered my equipment and got ready for this morning's photo shoot.

As I gazed around the place I began to stare downstream and admire the natural beauty of the place where anthropogenic structures blended with the surroundings with the minimum impacts to the place.  Not far from the resort is a small community marked by a hanging bridge that crosses the river.

 

As I gazed upstream, the river was dominated by huge boulders scattered everywhere and the water was a bit brackish brown due to the continuous rain that prevailed throughout the duration of our stay in Baguio.  Not far from the resort is another big house, probably another resort upstream.

I made my way along the riverbank to get a traditional posterity shot of the place.  Come to think that this river will find its way alongside the Kennon Road downstream where the view becomes more breathtaking and spectacular.

My next mission was to reach the hanging bridge.  Daybreak soon lit up the place as I walk along the dirt road getting to the place.  Both sides of the road was blanketed with vegetation which makes the place a little bit eerie especially during the night where no light is present.  Vehicles rarely traverse this road making the cool morning air very fresh to breath in. It rained the night before and the road was muddy but I encountered joggers while walking downhill towards the bridge.

When I reached the bridge, it was a crude suspension bridge fastened by steel cables on a concrete foundation.  The walkway was made up of thick wartime perforated G.I. sheets.  It just sad that these kind of metal sheets are no longer being manufactured today.  These suspension bridges which are scattered throughout the country are living testament to the durability of these metal sheets that are still in use until today.

Of course, I never forget to get the traditional posterity pose before crossing the bridge.

Looking over on the left side of the bridge is the upstream part of the Asin river.   Since the elevation of the place is still relatively high, the current of the river was a little bit strong and because of this, the water was a bit brackish where most of the water came from the upper part of Benguet and Baguio.  Nevertheless, the water is still clean but we our stay here was to enjoy the hot springs of Asin which really took our weariness away.

As I began to cross the bridge, the heavy load I was carrying made the metal sheets creak loudly as I noticed that these sheets are just hooked up with each other and are not attached with any fastening wire or nuts and bolts.  So as I made my way across, the bridge started swaying a bit so I need to hold the railings on both sides.  The crossing was a little shaky but nevertheless not scary for me.  I just hope that nothing unfortunate will happen during this time or else I am extremely unlucky.

As I gazed downstream, my fear dissipated as I was awed by the rugged beauty of the Benguet countryside as I breathed in deeply the fresh, morning air.  I suddenly realized that I was indeed breathing deeply.  Good thing the freshness of the air help dissipate my fear as I precariously made my way across the suspension bridge going to the other side.

On the other side of the river, a small rice terraces greeted me, a thin blanket of fog covered the canopy of the vegetation in the background and the rice was recently harvested as evidenced of the burned husk beside me.  Life was very simple in this Benguet community and this brief moment made me appreciate the simplicity of life and the natural beauty that nurtures the place.

I got a last shot of the river and the surrounding forest and I hope that if ever I get the chance to visit this place in the future, the place will still be as beautiful as when I first laid eyes and step on this rugged, clay ground.

When I got back to the hotel, most of the guests are still probably as sleep.  So I still took the opportunity to get as many pictures as I can for this blog.  My car was the only vehicle parked on this front and the other delegates have not yet arrived.  This is the best time to take pictures because you get a clear shot of scenes devoid of people that often ruins the picture especially when they are seen taking pictures as well.

Well, this ends my blog.  Thanks to the Asin Pooten Resort for providing such a wonderfull accommodation n here in our stay in this secluded Benguet community.  Apparently every place has its share of risks and dangers.  That is probably why they still need to show that the place is CCTV protected to ward off potential lawless elements.

So what's the health significance of this experience? A lot!  This formed part of a new Baguio adventure away from the stereotypical places of the City of Pines.  We drove downhill along steep curves and rain-soaked roads which somehow elevated my levels of adrenaline and increased my excitement further.  This rush of feel good hormones has good health benefits ranging from cardiovascular effects.  The fresh air good for the respiration and muscles from the walk in the woods. Overall, I felt rejuvenated and younger (hi hi hi hi) from this experience.  So my advice to everyone, travel for a healthier outlook and live longer from this experience.