Conquering Mount Tapyas
Let’s be real: “Conquering Mount Tapyas” sounds heroic.
Poetic, even.
Like something you’d whisper dramatically before sunset, hair blowing in the wind, boots laced with destiny.
The truth?
It’s 700 STEPS.
700.
Of.
GLORIOUSLY.
BRUTAL.
UPWARD.
TERRAIN.
But here’s the magic, we didn’t just climb it.
We documented it.
Every. Single. Hundred.
In Palawan’s stairway to heaven.”
📸 The Photo Diary: A Visual Journey Up Mount Tapyas
📷 Step 100 — “We Got This!” Energy
Smiles? Bright.
Hair? Perfectly tousled by the breeze.
Legs? Fresh.
Confidence? Sky-high.
We posed like we were on the cover of Wanderlust Monthly.
“Is 700 steps even a thing?” we laughed.
Famous. Last. Words.
📷 Step 200 — “Still Vibin’… Right?”
Still smiling. Still posing.
But… is it getting warmer?
“Nah, it’s just the tropical sun being friendly!”
We adjusted our caps. Took selfies with extra peace signs.
Denial? Strong.
📷 Step 300 — The Towel Era Begins
Sweat? Officially activated.
Handkerchiefs and towels emerged like survival gear.
Poses became shorter.
Breaths? Slightly heavier.
“It’s just… a warm-up,” someone panted.
We believed them. Barely.
📷 Step 400 — The Slowdown
Pace? Snail-approved.
Conversation? Reduced to grunts and motivational quotes.
“One step at a time…”
“The view will be worth it…”
“Why did I wear jeans?!”
Photos? Fewer. But we still managed a thumbs-up. Barely.
📷 Step 500 — Thirst Mode: Activated
Water bottles? Emptied like sacred offerings to the mountain gods.
Lips? Parched.
Energy? Dwindling.
We started bargaining with the universe:
“Just let me make it to the top and I’ll never complain about stairs again. Ever.”
(Promise broken approximately 3 days later.)
📷 Step 600 — The Snail Crawl of Glory
Legs? Jelly.
Morale? Low… but stubborn.
We moved like sleepy turtles with backpacks.
No more posing. Just… surviving.
Each step felt like a tiny victory.
“We’re almost there… right? RIGHT?!”
📷 Step 700 — PARADISE. UNLOCKED. 🌅
And then…
We turned the final corner.
Dropped our bags.
Gasped.
And just… stood there.
The view?
Worth. Every. Drop. Of. Sweat.
Panoramic. Breathtaking. Soul-stirring.
Coron’s islands scattered like emeralds in turquoise waters.
The wind? Cool. Forgiving. Triumphant.
We didn’t just reach the top
we earned it.
