Chapter 67: Islands Surrounded by Mountains
The second day of the island trip was very leisurely.
Taking into account the barbecue and fun the night before, the activity was specially scheduled to start in the afternoon, giving enough sleep time to restore energy.
The rear of the hotel is adjacent to a well-preserved natural beauty area.
Starting from halfway up the mountain, there is a winding hiking trail that connects several viewing platforms and cultural attractions. It is an excellent route to experience the natural scenery of the island.
It was almost noon when everyone woke up one after another.
Ling Yue and Huo Xiao were already used to getting up early. They were responsible for logistics and packed the lunch boxes prepared by the hotel, sufficient drinking water and some emergency supplies into two professional mountaineering backpacks.
By the time Pei Heng and the other three slowly packed up and went downstairs, they had been waiting in the lobby for a long time.
The exclusive tour guide arranged by the hotel also showed up on time. He was a young man with dark skin and a bright smile.
He enthusiastically showed everyone his tour guide certificate, introduced himself, and explained that he would lead the island hikes and sightseeing tours in the next few days.
While listening to the tour guide's introduction, Pei Heng habitually put his arms around Chen Shi's waist, and his fingertips occasionally pinched the soft skin on her waist.
Chen Shi let him do what he wanted, but when he was pinched and felt itchy, he would slightly turn sideways to avoid it.
The group took a sightseeing bus and headed towards the foot of the mountain along the winding coastal road.
The weather was great, the sky was clear and blue, and the warm sunlight was shining through the car window.
The sea breeze with a salty and humid smell poured into the car, blowing my hair.
Zhou Jingming and Chen Yu sat in the front row, biting into the sandwiches provided by the hotel, excitedly pointing at the sea view outside the window and chatting.
Zhou Jingming turned around, put his hands on the back of the chair, and shouted to the back seat, "Pei Hengheng, you're not carsick, are you? Why do you look so listless? Are you still sleepy?"
Pei Heng was indeed a little listless. He rubbed his nose and looked a little serious.
"I'm not dizzy, but I always feel... not so good."
He couldn't tell what was wrong exactly, but he had a vague feeling of premonition.
Pei Heng simply leaned his head on Shen Shi's shoulder and closed his eyes to rest.
Shen Shi adjusted his sitting position to make him lean more comfortably, and gently combed the slightly messy hair on his forehead with his fingers.
The sightseeing bus stopped at the designated parking lot halfway up the mountain.
The rest of the journey requires walking.
The natural scenery in the mountains is indeed full of wildness. Tall tropical trees block out the sun, the air in the forest is fresh and moist, and the sound of birdsong is endless.
According to the original plan, they will visit several major viewing points along the trail this afternoon, set up simple tents in a designated safe area halfway up the mountain in the evening to spend the night and watch the sunset. They will also be able to watch the mountain mist and sunrise the next morning.
The tour guide handed two detailed hiking maps to Ling Yue, who looked the most reliable, and Zhou Jingming, who had the brightest smile, and explained, "According to your previous requests, we will adopt a semi-self-guided tour this time."
"I won't be accompanying you the entire time, so as not to disturb your enjoyment. I'll be waiting at several key intersections and viewing platforms. The sightseeing bus will pick you up at the designated location and return to your hotel after 9:00 tomorrow morning."
"Also, just in case, the hotel is equipped with satellite phones. The signal covers the entire island and is manned 24 hours a day. In case of any emergency, you can contact us immediately."
The tour guide then carefully reminded us of the precautions for spending the night in the wild, such as not straying from the main trail, paying attention to insect prevention, and properly disposing of garbage. Then he waved goodbye and went to a rest stop in another direction.
Pei Heng looked at the tour guide's back as he left, his gaze pausing thoughtfully for a few seconds before slowly retracting.
Being in the unfettered wilderness and surrounded by nature, the youngsters' inherent yearning for adventure and freedom is easily aroused. Even the internet-addicted teenager Chen Yu and the cold-faced teenager Ling Yue are eager to try.
Not to mention the always lively Zhou Jingming and Huo Xiao.
Zhou Jingming took out his mobile phone and selfie stick, and clamored to take a group photo with everyone.
In order to get a good angle, he kept backing away with the selfie stick in his hand, stretching his arms. In a moment of carelessness, the top of the stick almost hit a low-hanging, thorny branch next to him.
Ling Yue was quick to grab the end of the selfie stick and hold it steady.
Zhou Jingming didn't expect Ling Yue to attack suddenly. He was startled and tripped by the tangled tree roots. He screamed, lost his balance, and fell backwards.
In his panic, he subconsciously tried to grab something to maintain his balance, and ended up grabbing the jacket of Chen Yu, who was standing next to him and looking down at a map.
“Oh my god!”
Zhou Jingming's scream and Chen Yu's unexpected groan sounded at the same time.
The two of them rolled down the steep slope covered with dense vegetation next to them like rolling gourds, and were quickly swallowed up by the dense bushes.
Ling Yue's face changed.
"Hey!"
He was carrying a heavy backpack and jumped down nimbly, so fast that only an afterimage was left.
Huo Xiao was stunned. He couldn't understand how someone could fall in such a bizarre way at the starting point of a flat trail.
The corners of his mouth twitched, but his reaction was not slow at all, and he immediately jumped after him.
Pei Heng and Shen Shi, who were standing still, said: "..."
The two looked at each other.
Pei Heng sighed, "Let's go and rescue the Idiot Squad."
Shen Shi held his hand, and the two of them slid down the steep slope carefully.
Although the slope is steep, fortunately the vegetation is thick, the soil is soft, and there are no sharp rocks. It is more like a natural slide.
Even though they were carrying heavy backpacks, Ling Yue and Huo Xiao were extremely agile, using their strength to maneuver on the steep slopes as if they were walking on flat ground.
After a long while, the six young men finally climbed up from the bottom of the slope one after another, looking somewhat embarrassed, their bodies covered with grass clippings and dirt.
Zhou Jingming and Chen Yu's hair was a mess like a bird's nest.
Back on the trail, Zhou Jingming dusted off his body, feeling both scared and a little excited.
"Exciting! Does this count as dying before achieving success?"
Chen Yu angrily adjusted his deformed sleeves and said, "I almost died because of you before I could achieve my goal."
Ling Yue and Huo Xiao silently checked their backpacks and equipment to confirm that nothing was lost.
Everyone looked at the map and studied the next route.
The map shows that if you continue to climb up along the current forest path, in about thirty minutes you will reach a small temple with a long history and is said to be very effective. It is a popular check-in point on this hiking route.
Chen Yu pointed to the mark next to the temple on the map and read, "It says here...that the first tourists to arrive at the temple will sometimes receive a blessed amulet from the monks as a reward?"
Pei Heng was originally a little lazy, but after hearing this, he showed a hint of competitive excitement.
"Then let's see who arrives first, um..." He glanced at Ling Yue and Huo Xiao, "You two are not allowed to participate!"
If these two young kung fu boys participate in the competition, the competition will be a foregone conclusion.
Huo Xiao, who was excluded by His Highness, didn't mind. Instead, he casually put his arm around Ling Yue's shoulder and said, "Okay, then let's see who's faster."
Ling Yue nodded expressionlessly and said simply, "You will lose."
Just do it.
At the command, Ling Yue and Huo Xiao rushed out like arrows. Their figures flashed a few times on the forest path and then quickly disappeared into the distance at an astonishing speed.
The competition among the remaining four people seemed much more leisurely.
Pei Heng held Shen Shi’s hand and walked briskly.
Zhou Jingming and Chen Yu rushed forward while arguing with each other.
The sun shines through the leaves, casting mottled spots of light, and the mountain breeze is cool.
Chen Shi was also infected by the relaxed and cheerful atmosphere, and there was always a comfortable and bright smile on the corner of his lips.
The youthful vigor and ambition of the young people were fully displayed at this moment.
Ling Yue and Huo Xiao were undoubtedly the first to arrive at the quaint and quiet little temple.
The two men arrived one after the other, so fast that the young monk sweeping the floor at the temple gate was surprised and took a second look.
When it comes to charging on the battlefield, Huo Xiao may be better, but when it comes to speed and agility, Ling Yue has a slight advantage.
The two stopped in front of the temple gate, their breathing not disordered.
They checked the map and looked at the tourist information sign next to the temple gate.
Ling Yue rolled up the map and said calmly, "Wait."
Huo Xiao smiled knowingly and nodded: "Okay, wait for Your Highness."
On the other side, Pei Heng and the other three finally arrived at the temple panting in no particular order.
The ancient temple is hidden among the lush greenery and looks a bit dilapidated.
Chen Shi wiped the sweat from Pei Heng's forehead and took a deep breath. Pei Heng looked around, frowned, and looked back at the way he came with some confusion.
"They... haven't arrived yet?"
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