The slogan read ‘WOW Carmen’ along the highway in the farthest town of Agusan del Norte before seizing one of the tallest mountains in Caraga, Marcos Park in the town of Carmen. The ‘WOW Philippines’ slogan of the previous administration to lure visitors coming in from different parts of the country and even foreign visitors beginning to stick the beauty of the Philippines but here comes…It’s More Fun in the Philippines.
Carmen was one of the ten town of Agusan del Norte in which the eleventh town Cabadbaran was newly-installed city in the province.
Carmen was blessed with natures. Aside from scenic jade waters in the coastlines and coral reefs like witnessing Bolihon Beach Resort, it has mountainous landscape that brought the feast sweet mango scattered in the terrain and called as ‘Mango Country’ wherever you are in the province. And here the escape route to the tallest peak called Marcos Park is the boundary between Agusan del Norte and Misamis Oriental.
Dreaming the highest peak is just a wildest dream craving the heart of an adventurer. Someone cannot resist whatever place in the planet is a witness of the whole world under the feet. The world is the most beautiful place to live. Peoples are getting the vision for the highest peak in the world reaching the coldest and tense pressure of the Himalayan Region the Mt. Everest summit which were conquered now by many Filipinos.
Everyone has a dream of reaching the tallest mountains like the inspiration I have for dying of dreaming the tallest mountain in the Philippines, Mt. Apo in Davao. Remembering the tallest in Southeast Asia, Mount Kinabalu which was the hot item for mountain lovers and climbers visited from different countries of the world located in Sabah, Malaysia.
If there was no mistake in the history, Philippines owns this gift of nature Mount Kinabalu. Since Sabah during the pre-Spanish time owned by Philippines as part of Sultanate of Sulu. But when Spain started colonizing the Philippines from top to bottom it was excluding Sabah which then colonized by British Empire as part of the whole state of Malaysia. I bet legislators should not drop the claim of Sabah. Well, some pieces of history started to explode in one’s mind.
Explore The Top Of Carmen
Picking-up to capture the highest peak in Carmen was just an easy task. Taking bus from Butuan City for one-hour plus and drop in the boundary lane, and you are done. Take a walk from the highway without losing the strength, and even losing a parcel of energy, it will recharge when reaching the top. That is the wonder of nature actually. Many of the mountain climbers are struggling behind but manage to moves forward before embracing the glory of natures that new found feelings started to emerge eternally.
The rest house set the eyes as standing at the highest peak alone and this structure can be seen when the bus started climbing the mountains lair. The route to Marcos Park was just a curve of streets behind a steepest hill while started to emerge a vast ocean underneath. Estimating the entrance of Marcos Park is at the middle of the boundary lane between the two provinces.
Started walking a sand and gravel road in hundred meters distance after dropping the entrance. The moment is deep quiet when taking the steps forward to the top and heard only the cracking of the leaves and the swaying of some branches of trees along the side when winds passes by. The mountains are the end products of the winds blowing from the sea. The whole world makes some commotion when winds strangled trees and grasses likes dancing fields in the terrain.
Not seeing anyone standing in the distance, seems walking slowly in a no man’s land. The path was covered with wall of land and grassy area in the left side putting thrill of the hidden world under as moves forward to the park. There was no ocean in sights, no mountains, no troops of trees in the distance yet, the world under still hiding like thieves. The travels are in the peak of emotion impatient to uncover the beauty that the world has shown at the top.
Sunlight beams in green mountains that reflect the clear blue sky. Going into Marcos Park was a perfect day for first time visits eager to reach those elevated portion of the planet. This mountain I stand was little bit extra ordinary and the windy afternoon started embracing chest and refreshing the lungs from the clogged urban life.
The road seems overruled by growing grasses along the side not yet cut or trimmed. This is how natures measured its creation. The growing grasses added tone the beauty of natures swayed by the wind blows like an army bowing when someone passes their path. This place was a replica of Himalayan Region when monks preserve the natural world surrounds them living most quiet places on earth where trees and flower blooms, and peoples blend with natures.
Mountain shows extra ordinarily as started gaining confidence of eternity when moves closer to the rest house. When making a turn to the right, the hidden world below started to emerge like a boom. Then come the vast ocean which called Butuan Bay emerging in a distance.
The art of creation cannot be measured in single phase. This piece of earth and heaven is started to exist not just in dreams but in reality started to occupy one’s soul in pink of health. A moment owning the real treasure in life is within reach. It will be there forever and became part of memory as time goes in the history.
This place was made for soul-searching and pass the world for those who are heavily laden that living in urban life. The image of tranquility conquered the soul like flash of light then started meditating. Visiting Marcos Park was a healing process when human and Mother Nature starts communicating to regain strength and peace of mind.
A glance of the structure at the close distance became a symbol when making a turn in another direction. Reaching the tallest peak where stands a structure of Chinese temple look-a-like design I guess it could be fit for those who want to make peace and meditate, or for those who want to make romantic moments when sunset began to descend the western part of the province.
Stand still and stunned those never ending horizon, bodies of calm blue water, trooping mountain ranges in a distance, big trees became small trees, and the green environment bonus includes the island of Camiguin. And the magical world at the top revitalized oneself as young and healthy dwellers in this planet, and problems seize away like magic.
Wonderful feeling that no one can borrow and steal and change every creature from those wonderful creations. Go back the traditional way of living and eternal happiness somewhat clearing the hearts and minds for those living in stress and pain of life. Living in a society where man-made creations are the majority and influences the whole generations the treats of modern living.
At last the world of Marcos Park came embracing for someone dreaming the highest peak in Carmen. The moment of exploration began and seize before the eyes the beautiful world that surrounds never been before seen the young years of life. The eyes of adventurer truly a window of the soul capturing the beauty of Mother Nature below.
But living in Caraga Region making aid to those man-made activities because the hidden gift started to emerge like a healing process. Here, at the top in Carmen town called Marcos Park is another world making sights and sounds for those adventurers out there who want to make or break, and moves life forward.
Wife stole the show.
Two creatures against sunlight.
