A RACE AGAINST TIME
It was 5 PM when I left Dahilayan, Bukidnon. Google Maps told me my trip was going to take almost 3 hours. My initial plan was to visit the tourist spots on my way back to Cagayan de Oro City, but I knew that was no longer possible. I didn't have enough time. Of course, I blamed myself. There was no one else responsible for waking up late but myself.
Again, I didn't have a lot of time, so I kept my self-deprecation short. I had enough worries about driving through the night already.
Despite all of these, my spirits were relatively high because (1) driving a motorcycle is always fun for me, (2) I was driving toward the sunset, (3) the landscapes of Bukidnon were unreal, and (4) chasing a deadline is always thrilling for me.
There weren't a lot of vehicles, and the roads were wide, which meant that I could push the motorcycle to its speed limit. I'm no andrenaline junkie, but when I drive so fast, the words "I am speed" come up loud inside my head.
I zoomed past the pineapple plantations with the darkening mountains in the background.
Half an hour later, I was still driving through the plantations. They seemed endless. Above me, I could see dark clouds gathering. What's worse than driving at night is driving at night while raining. I prayed hard that I would make it back to my hotel dry and in one piece.
This trip happened when I visited Cagayan de Oro City in August of this year (2022). I spent the whole week doing work, eating, and eating some more. I planned to use my weekend to go around the area. I decided to head to the next province, Bukidnon, where Dahilayan Adventure Park was located. This was a solo trip, which meant I only had to pace myself. That didn't bode so well for me. I woke up late and started the trip past lunch already. But there was no going back, only forward. That's why I was driving 80 km/h chasing the sunset.
My first stop before heading back to Cagayan de Oro City was this sunflower farm I saw on Google Maps. It was along the way and Google Maps told me I'd arrive there before 6 PM, just in time for sunset. I faced two challenges: (1) driving fast enough to still have some light when arrive, and (2) making it in time before the farm closes. But both didn't matter actually, because I was still heading that way. Whatever awaited me, I would have just to accept it.
IN THE NICK OF TIME
True to its word, Google Maps was right. I arrived at the farm at 6 PM. The sun was already setting. I immediately jumped out of my motorcycle and went inside. The guard told me they were just about to close. I paid for the entrance fee and grabbed the food that came with it.
The sky was getting dark and the place was deserted. Fortunately, there were lights around the farm that provided illumination. I was frantic in deciding which way to go. The place was big and I was there for one thing only, the sunflowers.
I scouted the farm and tried to look for the tall sunflowers while there was still sunlight. I was afraid there weren't going to be any sunflowers because maybe it wasn't blooming season. Was there even a sunflower blooming season? I walked past well-tended grounds, lit trees, an archway, and small flowers. I saw a small patch of land where I saw short flowerless sunflowers growing. I pushed my disappointment deep aside and refused to accept that those were the only sunflowers on that farm.
SUNFLOWERS ON A SUNSET
And then I saw them, fresh sunflowers, but they still were not the ones I was looking for. They'd been cut and put inside a basket. Again, I asked myself, "Was this going to be the only sunflowers I'd see?" And again, I refused to accept that thought. I saw a guy walking up ahead, and I decided to follow him.
Lo and behold, rows upon rows of sunflowers were in full bloom! I was joyous when I saw them. And there was still enough light to shine on them. They were tall, taller than me. There was a platform that visitors could climb to see the flowers at eye level. I climbed up and saw just how many they were.
I hadn't been to a sunflower farm before, and I was amazed at the sight of the sunflowers. I didn't expect them to be that tall. The stalks must be pretty strong to support themselves and carry those huge flowers at the top.
I felt like I had won. Not only did I arrive before the farm closed, I saw the sunflowers before nightfall. And they were really beautiful! I know the experience would have been different if there had been a lot of light, but I think seeing the flowers at sunset was more romantic (despite being alone) and memorable.
I took as many pictures as I could while there was still some light, but right before the sun had finally set, I took a few minutes to enjoy the sight of the flowers. Having to experience something extraordinary is one of the joys of traveling. Doing and seeing things you don't experience every day is what makes vacations special. I snapped a few photos before the sky finally turned dark and made my way back to my motorcycle.
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A LONG DRIVE THROUGH THE NIGHT
A "long drive" is a bit of an exaggeration, but it felt like it took me forever to reach Cagayan de Oro. My time at the sunflower farm was only 15 minutes. It was actually named Kinawe Blooming Farm and it had a restaurant at the front, which looked really nice and cozy because of the wooden architecture and the soft yellow lights. But I had to be on my way because I was planning to have dinner at a restaurant in Cagayan de Oro.
The drive lasted for more than 30 minutes, but it was the longest 30 minutes of my life. The roads were really dark and empty, and fears about wild animals, ghosts, and terrorists popped up in my head from time to time. Fortunately, signs of civilization became more apparent as my journey went on. There were more lights and other vehicles.
That is it for now! I manage to arrive at my next destination for dinner, but that will be for another post. I hope you enjoyed this post and the photos of the sunflowers. This was a pretty exciting ride for me, and I learned a few things.
This travel series is still not over. Watch out for the next part. Cheers!
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Amazing journey you have there. Took me 15 minutes read to get my head around. As for the "I am speed" voice in your head, totally reminds me of Lightning McQueen in Cars. I'd like to visit the farm too, looks amazingly cool!
This was a continuing travel series so I just jumped right into writing without any introductions. 😂
Lightning McQueen! That's who the line is from!
I'd see the farm again the next time I'll visit the area but I'll be sure to come there in the morning. 😅
Oh and the place called DAHILAYAN, we have a direct translation word in Malay language.
Forehead served. What does that even mean? 😂 I imagine serving a ball using their forehead in a volleyball game. 🤣
Speaking of direct translations, "Batu" in our language means rock.
Chasing the deadline is fun! Yes I agree to that as my adrenaline rush too! Then the joy that felt after, hey I beat the deadline lol.
That's the advantage in traveling at tge countryside. The road is wide, no traffic and trafic enforces lol. pasibad ng takbo
The place was striking beautiful and worth to chase. Hoping there are places like that near in my place.
Minsan kasi masarap gumala but the thought ang layo ng biyahe nakakatamad na😅
Dapat once in a while lang para exciting at di masyadong nakakapagod. 😅
The sunflowers look amazing.
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Thank you, @ashikstd! 😁
My pleasure.
I love these photos of yours. Because most of the time these photos are very important to keep the mind at ease. Because I say that, a green color match colour of sky, so I like the colors very much.
This is my first time reading - a man's interest to see sunflowers.😊 The rush ride was all worth it. The sunflowers look magnificent.
These pictures are very beautiful and i like sunflower and natural beauty.See this picture i feel happy.
Wow! This is really amazing. It is a neighboring municipality from our place. Dahilayan and Kinawe are all great places here. Last week, passed by here on the road going to Cagayan de Oro City, passing Amaya. Have safe travels my friend and take care.
I also planned on going to Amaya, but I didn't have enough time already. Safe travels to you too. 😁
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Same with you sir I am also having fun driving my motorcycle. You had a great travel and good captures also. The sunset and sunflowers are beautiful also. Kapag nakita to ng asawa ko, kukulitin na naman ako nun pumuntang Tambaan Farm.
I checked out Tambaan Farm, and it also has sunflowers! I haven't been to Hilongos. I'll be sure to find time to visit the farm when I'm in the area. 😁
Are you from Leyte sir?
Maybe this vacation we're going there hahaha my wife wants to see sunflower
Hiya, @ybanezkim26 here, just swinging by to let you know that this post made it into our Honorable Mentions in Daily Travel Digest #1680.
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Wow! Thanks, @ybanezkim26 and @pinmapple for the support. 😁😅
You're welcome!