Northloop D2 | Dec 22 – 23, 2025 • Benguet

We started the day early since we couldn’t properly sleep inside the cramped car, Ochre being a pain on top of that. We already decided to head out to Benguet so we got moving before 4AM. Stopped for gas, had to look for a Shell branch near Bolinao, then grabbed food at a McDo drive-thru. We were in Baguio by around 8AM, tired and still sleepy. Just drove around waiting for SM to open, even parked near Wright Park to kill time. At 10 we roamed around SM mall and bought some necessities.

We were also looking for a campsite nearby and found Camp Ragsak in La Trinidad, Benguet. Arrived at around 1PM and were glad they had available space since reservations are recommended. We were almost done setting up when Asis and I decided to move. The campers on both sides were loud. One group brought a loudspeaker, the other was blasting music from their phone. We raised it to the staff and he went to ask them to turn it off, only for one of them to say “hayaan mo sila” (just let them be). If the staff can’t even enforce their own rules, that’s a problem. But we didn’t want to waste time being stressed about it, so we just moved.

Camping is supposed to be about connecting with nature, not bringing your loudspeaker. Common sense and basic etiquette, really.

Since we were walking in again, finding a good available spot was tricky. Most were already fully booked for the holiday break. But I managed to find Green Narra Campsite in Tuba, Benguet. A bit pricey but the place was nice. Only three families camped there and they were all chill and quiet. After car camping the night before, we finally rented a proper spot with a canopy, table, and bench chairs, and also a tent. Our car was just parked right in front. Well maintained with a sink for washing kitchen stuff, tables near the reception, clean bathrooms, and a forest creek. Pretty small for a campsite but cozy.

The weather was cold and foggy. Thank goodness it didn’t rain. We finished off the last of our steaks and finally got to freshen up. They also lit a bonfire for guests, free of charge. We were inside the tent by around 8PM. I tried to get some work done but the internet was too intermittent so I just gave up. We slept better this time though, even if I could feel the gravel through the groundsheet since we had no bedding or foam. So unprepared. I also kept waking up from the cold since I gave my sweater to Asis, who didn’t bring a jacket or anything warm, leaving me with just a windbreaker. My bladder also woke me up in the middle of the night and since it was dark and I was scared, I had to wake Asis up just to walk me to the toilet. ꉂ(˵˃ ᗜ ˂˵) Ochre had the best sleep out of all of us, sprawled out wherever he wanted since the tent was big enough for the three of us.

We were all up by around 4AM and tried to keep quiet since it was still early. Had breakfast, breads and cup noodles, and brewed tea. I also attempted some long exposure shots on my phone which was a struggle without a tripod. Turned out I didn’t take a lot of photos the whole trip anyway since I was more focused on recording clips, which I still haven’t edited as of today. Once the sun came up we roamed around the area, took some photos, and fixed our stuff. Ochre was too excited to be out and kept running over to the other campers’ dogs, so it was back on the leash, and sometimes back in the tent. We rested a little before heading out. Made up for lost sleep, and ready for whatever was next. ◝(ᵔᗜᵔ)◜

Already on the road by quarter to 10AM.