Still wet and cold from the swim, and having a lot of time in our hands, my parents decided to stop by Ardent Hot Springs for a dip (the perfect way to end the day).
The last time I visited Ardent was two years ago, and it wasn't that much of sight anymore. Even though people go there for the spring alone, that doesn't necessarily mean that you do not maintain the cleanliness of the area. I sighed. I was tired from the swim. And it pains me to see that they're going to have a dip without me. Sometimes it just sucks to be a girl when it comes at the most inappropriate time (if you know what I mean then good). "C'mon Yel!" Ardent Hot Springs did not consist of several individual pools of hot water, and there was only a hole to allow the hot spring water from the volcano to gush in (we asked where the water came from and they said it was from the volcano. Don't know which one); it consisted of three pools (differing in depth and temperature) all filled up by rushing hot spring water (it wasn't a hole, more like a mini fall). The pool down below was the one with the highest temperature.
There was the opening of the door and I opened my eyes. We were already there; and I slept all the way! Outside of the gate was pretty much the same: stalls selling souvenirs and beach clothes, and food and drinks. We walked up the gate, paid for the entrance fee (which I think was less that Php30) and went inside. The ground was covered in cotton (or something that looked like cotton). "What's that Yel?" my brother asked. I saw these before in school. They came from a fruit growing on a tree right beside the school library. The fruit were just 2 feet away from my reach if I was standing at the edge of the roofdeck (the roofdeck is one the fifth floor).
The last time I visited Ardent was two years ago, and it wasn't that much of sight anymore. Even though people go there for the spring alone, that doesn't necessarily mean that you do not maintain the cleanliness of the area. I sighed. I was tired from the swim. And it pains me to see that they're going to have a dip without me. Sometimes it just sucks to be a girl when it comes at the most inappropriate time (if you know what I mean then good). "C'mon Yel!" Ardent Hot Springs did not consist of several individual pools of hot water, and there was only a hole to allow the hot spring water from the volcano to gush in (we asked where the water came from and they said it was from the volcano. Don't know which one); it consisted of three pools (differing in depth and temperature) all filled up by rushing hot spring water (it wasn't a hole, more like a mini fall). The pool down below was the one with the highest temperature.
There was the opening of the door and I opened my eyes. We were already there; and I slept all the way! Outside of the gate was pretty much the same: stalls selling souvenirs and beach clothes, and food and drinks. We walked up the gate, paid for the entrance fee (which I think was less that Php30) and went inside. The ground was covered in cotton (or something that looked like cotton). "What's that Yel?" my brother asked. I saw these before in school. They came from a fruit growing on a tree right beside the school library. The fruit were just 2 feet away from my reach if I was standing at the edge of the roofdeck (the roofdeck is one the fifth floor).
"It's a seed." there was a small seed hidden in the cottony substance. I'm guessing that the cotton was made to protect the seed and allow it to disperse, similar to that of the narra's. Perfect time to forget my botany. I racked my brain for its name. Ah well. My brother won't understand anyhow.
"What's the white stuff?"
"Cottony something." I wasn't sure it WAS cotton. But it was similar to cotton in appearance. I was starting to get sleepy. While my dad was looking for a shed to put our things, I was trudging behind trying to get my brain working again. What are those things on the ground?
"Let's go in!" my dad said enthusiastically. I smiled.
"I'll stay behind." I told them. They already know the reason why, my brother (who was asking about the seeds earlier) apparently forgot and asked me why. I couldn't tell him in a public place now can I? He always had this habit of repeating what I told him a bit louder than usual. Making such information a secret pointless. I just glared at him; he walked away without pressing me any further.
They went to the pool at the farther end where the water is at its hottest. I doubt they would take long; it's inadvisable to stay in a tub of hot water for too long. It would make you nauseous, and instead of relaxing, sport a huge headache. They were only gone for less than 30 minutes. "Hey! Let's get a foot massage!" my mom suggested. There was a small 'house' right beside our hut that offered such services. You don't necessarily have to have a full body massage, as what other people would think. A foot massage alone was accepted. But the masseuse told my parents that they should dry off before they get a massage. Besides, they would be open till 10PM, and would be happy to offer their services when my parents come back from Bahay Bakasyunan to change. It's a good thing that they weren't only after the money and would have given my parents a massage right then and there. They thought about what's best for the client; not wanting him or her to suffer from any effects of having a massage without drying off. My dad nodded his head and told my mom that they might as well come back later.
We left the hot springs and I happily drifted back to sleep.
I woke up upon arrival to Bahay Bakasyunan. My brothers' energy reserves were fully charged once we arrived to our room. They wanted to go swim in the pool. While they were stripping into their swimming trunks, I made a turn for the bathroom. Where do they get all this energy? I asked myself while scrubbing the sand off my body. After drawing a conclusion that my brothers originated from an aquatic lifeform, I turn the tap and got out of the shower. When I came out my mom and I were the only ones left in the room. My dad and my two brothers have gone to the pool. I waited for her to get ready and we went down for dinner at the resort's restaurant.
My dad was lying down by the side of the pool, he looked like one of those crocodiles that bask in the sun only that he had his belly up and the sun has already set at the horizon. His eyes were closed, my brothers splashed pool water at each other, clearly enjoying their late afternoon swim. They're really not tired... after calling on a waitress to see the menu, they guys went back to the hut to bathe and change. While my mother was busy browsing through the menu, I was fixated on the view before me. The sun was setting, radiating a brilliant pink and orange glow that bounced off the surrounding clouds. The clouds cast dark blue and purple shadows. It looked like a gigantic painting where the orange, pink, blue and purple colors harmonize on the canvas.
"What do you want Yel?"
"Hm?"
The first bite was all it took for to fall instantly in love with the resto's garlic chicken. It was so delicious, any more and I would have already turned into a glutton. The rest of the night went by. After dessert, my brothers and I rushed back to the hut to watch TV. :)
