Lhasa Cove-Playa La Caleta Nature Adventure
Twilight Express
By Jonathan Soriano
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF PLAYACALETA.MULTIPLY.COM

NOCTURNAL PLEASURES

The group was still exchanging stories just as I left them (when I returned); it was getting dark and, in fact, somebody already lit a gasera.  One thing I didn't forget bringing was my flashlight (just) as our tour guide reminded, so I went to our hut and (collected) it.  On my way back, I saw Ron (not his real name), the guy I had been eyeing since this adventure started, doing some ocular inspection as he tried to figure out where he could set-up his tent, saying that it should be further up the beach to avoid the rushing tide the following day. 

Seeing my opportunity, I made my calculating move.  I casually but carefully asked if I could join him, explaining that it would be my first time to camp by the beach.  There's plenty of room, he said, and babbled on, but I was not paying attention to what he was saying, as my libido was in overdrive.  Thought balloon: Shut the f*ck up, and let's do this – Now!

VIRGIN ATTRACTION Largely undiscovered, this venue still has the qualities of provincial Philippines, waiting to be discovered.

I grabbed his neck and kissed him.  I met no resistance.  We continued smooching, fluids were exchanged as temperatures rose. We were both lost in (the moment).  It was getting out of hand so we thought of a more suitable place where we could "roll in the hay."  We (separated) from the group and climbed the flight of stairs up the big hut with only my flashlight illuminating our path.  We locked ourselves in one of (the bigger hut’s) bedrooms, turned the light off, and ripped each other's clothes.  We were literally groping in the dark, but we somehow managed to have our lips locked and our bodies entwined.  We were in the throes of passion, despite frigid winds seeping through the bamboo floor. 

"Clang! Clang!" 

We ignored the bell as we simply couldn't get enough of each other, but we kept hearing it nevertheless.  So we stopped and laid naked for a few minutes; then we thought it was best to rejoin the others.  After a few clumsy moments of putting our clothes back on, we went down and had dinner with the rest of the group.

The dishes prepared were winners again:  shabu-shabu made of udon noodles, shellfish, corn, and I'm certain something had siling labuyo since my tongue was on fire when I accidentally bit one.  There were also inihaw na bangus and tortang alamang at talong, though what I liked most was the insaladang dahon ng kasoy, with the diced raw mangoes, minced red onion, chopped ripened plum tomatoes, and the star ingredient, a confetti of cashew leaves.

After about an hour of lingering around and making small talks, the “baranggay tagay” was readied; (but) we escaped before everything went crazy.

The bedroom was already full, but Ron and I did not mind, for we had the veranda all to ourselves, with the dark cloaking us from outside view.  We used the tent tarp to line the bamboo floor and nestled on it.  We had no problems re-igniting our passions; hedonistic conflagration was fervently instantaneous.  Minutes later, we were totally naked without any concern with our immediate surroundings; the unabated kibitzing, the light banter and the drowning laughter next door was immaterial; even our sleeping companions feet away from us was a non-issue, as we devoured each other's flesh.  We continued (giving life to our) carnal (desires); the proverbial apple was being consumed voraciously as Ron slowly opened up like a flower.  Bataan finally fell.  Our bodies were locked in position like a machine primed to pump precious oil; our undulating thrusting motions became more rapid, more rugged, more forceful, penetrating deeper and deeper into the recesses of inner sanctum; and after much of heavy panting, continuous perspiring, and erratic quivering, we climaxed into a silent rapturous explosion of nectar-sweet molten juices. 

We were triumphant.

We were on cloud nine.

We were euphoric.

It was quite an effort to get up.  For one thing, I felt that my knees and elbows were bruised; also my thighs and lower back were sore.  Ron said his lower back was also sore, as well as his legs.  I didn’t know about him but that was my very first time doing it on a bamboo floor.  With bruised joints, aching muscles and seemingly broken backs, we headed to the waterfall all naked.  There was no point in putting anything on since we are taking a shower anyway, and, besides, no one could see us in the dark.  And much as we liked to go in the water together, we couldn’t; we had to take turns holding the flashlight steady, otherwise it would have been impossible to come near the falls, let alone bathe in it. 

While patting ourselves dry, I suggested to Ron to mingle with our neighbors by the shore first, but he said he was tired already so we simply went straight back to our huts and called it a night.  Drained with energy, we fell asleep in an instant. 

HOMEWARD BOUND

We were told to get packing after lunch as our adventure was drawing to an end.  Exhausted still from last night, I decided to spread a banig on the veranda floor to get some (sleep) before packing-up. 

“Clang! Clang!” 

I didn’t know how long I slept, but the last lafang was served, and this time, I couldn't recall what the dishes were; not to say that I didn’t like them, but I guess I had a lot on my mind.  The last 24 hours were a blur of serendipities. 

Shortly after lunch, everybody was ready to go home.

We could see the shore from where we came from (only yesterday), still riddled with seaweed, and from there, we traced our way back to the highway, again passing through the forest canopy, the crisscrossing brooks, streams and creeks, and the multi-layered rice paddies.  The Natib mountain ranges, tormented by high-tension wires, were already in sight so we knew that the highway was just a few meters away.  I noticed big puddles teeming with multitudes of ink-black tadpoles; a rare sight that brought back childhood memories.  Finally, we stepped on asphalt, and, in no time, we rode the jeepney and sped off.  Our vehicle went past the Filipino-Japanese memorial shrine, past the Mariveles and Natib mountain ranges, and about half an hour later, we were back in Balanga.   Soon, we were back in Cubao.

Like Douglas McArthur, I vowed that I shall return. 

THE VERDICT

Lhasa Cove is perfect for nature lovers and nudists alike, simply because it is a secluded place; and because of its seclusion, one is spared from encountering the garden variety of tourists.  The operative words for this adventure are Spartan and rustic.  If you plan to visit, do not – I repeat: do not – expect a five-star resort (complete with bellboys and chambermaids). There, there are only kubos, with no electricity or no running water, wvwn if there are basic facilities, such as a dirty kitchen, a shower room, and a rest room (though you have to fetch your own pail of water to use from a big barrel outside, where the water comes from the waterfall). 

The cost of a weekend stay is very affordable.  When I went there I paid only P1,700.00.  Please note, though, that package costs are subject to change.  Having said that, however, if I will base the expense on the food served (two breakfasts, two lunches, and a dinner), I’d say it was well worth it.  One will spend a fortune in a swanky resort on food alone; this adventure, in contrast, already includes board and lodging. 

But there are other expenses, including the roundtrip bus ride from Manila to Bataan (P400), contracted jeepney and boat ride (from P170), and food while travelling (from P45).  But when summed-up, it still only cost less than P2,500 – still quite a steal.

So book your adventure now.