Disclaimer: This trek was in December 2020. Do not attempt this during Summer to avoid any heatstroke and or any heat related sicknesses.
When I started writing this blog post, I had a hard time coming up with the title. Should it be hiking? Or should it be trekking? I know I could not call it “Hiking at Wadi Shawka” because the last post I wrote for OFW Travels was “Hiking the Al Rabi Mountain Trail”. (We don’t want to bore you our dear readers by using the same title post). But since it is still not clear to me the difference (if there are any) between hiking and trekking, Google to the rescue.
As defined by Oxford Languages, trekking is to “go on a long arduous journey, typically on foot” while hiking is “go on a long arduous journey, typically on foot”. Evidently, their definition is the same except that trekking is a verb and hiking is a noun. Since, I want to write an action-packed blog post, I’d go with trekking. Now that I know that, my incessant blabbing about etymology is now finished and I hope I still did not lose your attention.
Back on to the post.
Wadi Shawka is a comparably easier hike than Al Rabi Mountain Trail (for me). Mostly because the terrain is flat compared to Al Rabi where you find yourself humming and singing Miley Cyrus’ “The Climb” to entertain and distract yourself from your sore and tingling leg muscles. There are still some mountains and hills to climb and big rocks to scale, but I enjoyed it more, perhaps because we started the trek even before the sun rises and the serene surrounding made it easier for me to relax. Plus, since it is still early morning, we were the first ones there and we could wander without having to worry about social distancing. Also, it was easier to take photos because there are not a lot of “photobombers” we need to be wary of. We could also take time posing in picture worthy spots because no one is waiting for us to finish to take photos in the same spot.
When you go and visit Wadi Shawka and you should, read below some of our tips to fully enjoy the day. We here at OFWTalks are advocates of OFWs having fun. We should also allot some time to rest and relax and not just live a bahay-office routine while abroad.
Wear comfortable clothing and warm layers
If and when you have decided to visit Wadi Shawka (again, during the colder season) make sure that you brought a jacket with you or anything to keep you from getting cold. You might think that you run hot and would not need any layer of protection to warm you up, but don’t underestimate the temperature especially if you would start trekking at early morning. We learned this the hard way, although for me I really get cold easily and I always have a jacket or shawl with me. Make sure that your clothes are also comfortable because you would not want your movement restricted because of tight clothing or itchy sweaters. Wear rubber shoes with socks to keep your feet snug and warm or if you have it, hiking shoes that are comfortable since you’d be walking for hours and to avoid slipping. Don’t forget to put on sunscreen as well because even if you start at the break of dawn, the sun will be out sooner than you expected. It might be cold, but the sun’s rays could still harm you. Besides, if you planned to stay outdoors the rest of the day, best to avoid getting burned to a crisp.
Prepare to get wet.
At the time of our visit, the natural pools are filled with water. There are some paths where you could not get to the other side without wading in the pool. You could try to grip the rocks around the pool like a spider, but I guarantee that you would not manage to cross over without falling (see my picture as evidence). Also make sure that your wallet and electronic gadgets are safe and, in a water-resistant case or pouch. As for me, I finished the trek with water sploshing inside my shoes until I found it safe, and more comfortable walking around barefoot. Just be extra careful though if you would follow my footsteps (hahaha) because some of the rocks could be sharp.
Bring extra clothes that you could change into and slippers that you could wear when crossing the natural pools to keep your shoes from getting wet. At first look, the water is murky, but it is actually clean since there are fishes and frogs swimming in it. The water is cold, but you would feel refreshed after.
Free hands
As much as possible, your hands must be free because the terrain is unpredictable. One moment you are walking on a plain field, the next minute you are climbing a small hill or walking through a boulder. When your hands are free, it would be easier for you to take a grip and not fall or slip. Put all your essentials on a backpack or a sling bag so your hands are free. You don’t have to worry about the need to wear gloves or other protective gear for your hands because although you would be gripping rocks, the possibility of you hurting yourself is not likely. Of course, it is still better to be careful and to take your time, especially when you are passing by rough terrains.
Bring first aid kit
When I slipped/fell I hurt myself a little bit but not to the extent that I bled. Since accidents are unavoidable and you don’t know when you will be involved in one, it’s better that you are prepared. For you to have an idea what are the essentials, our first aid kit comprises of some bandages, alcohol, gauzes, cotton pads, different sized band-aids, ointments (hi titas of Manila!) and medicines for headache, stomachache, etc. As an OFW, we have to be in tip top shape since our main purpose of being overseas is to work. Don’t let an afternoon of fun result into any injuries. Besides, we would not want our families in the Philippines to worry about us. Don’t worry though, because Wadi Shawka is a perfect safe place to trek (we saw children with their parents) and would not have you worrying about a 127 hours situation even if the settings look similar. The boulders at Wadi Shawka are solid and the risks of them moving and shifting because of natural calamities such as landslides is minimal.
Water + Food
This is a no brainer and perhaps no need to add here as a reminder since we all Filipinos always have the tendency to keep a bottle of water and some snacks in our bags (tipid tipid pag may time). We packed bananas and chocolates as snacks for our hike. Bananas are a good source of sucrose for energy but without fats and cholesterol. Of course, you need to be hydrated because even if it was cold, we were still sweating because of all the walking and climbing. For those of you with small or active bladder, drink cautiously since there are no washrooms where you could relieve yourself especially if you are in the middle of your trek.
Be considerate
The area was not free of debris and litter although they were still minimal. After our hike, we saw this one couple who had some plastic bottles strapped to their backpacks. Turns out, they picked up trash along the way. I thought had I seen them before our hike, I would have done the same thing. But then again, there should not be any trash to pick up in the first place. We should be more considerate and more environmentally friendly. We might think that our small actions of picking up trash or not littering would not make any difference, but the truth is, it will. If all the hikers that day who saw that couple had the same realizations as I did, there would be fewer trash in Wadi Shawka. So, don’t think that your little actions do not have any positive outcomes. Think about how much you enjoyed this place that is free and open to the public. You would want others to enjoy it too like you did. If we all do our parts and help maintain and kept it clean, places like Wadi Shawka would still be appreciated by others in the foreseeable future.
Enjoy the scenery.
Lastly, breathe in as much fresh air as you can. Enjoy your surroundings. Take advantage of the fact that you are out and not spending your day in front of your PC in an enclosed space. Indulge and soak up as much Vitamin D is allowed. Take photos but don’t forget to be in the moment. Posting the pictures on your social media accounts could wait.
An Overseas Filipino Worker since 2008, Yvette is back in the Middle East after a brief stint in a first world country in South East Asia. She is a binge watcher and is part of numerous fandoms. She writes to keep her sanity (read her rantings on Wattpad @yvette_dc) and is happiest when she's in a bookstore. If given the resources, she would see the world.