We Know Nothing: Game of Thrones Season 5 Finale Recap

I had to write this to move on.

Warning: If you have not watched Season 5, Episode 10 of Game of Thrones, this contains major spoilers.

Watching Thrones and waiting for the Starks reunion have been excruciating. One, that’s impossible because half of them are dead. Two, the rest are in a tight spot. Bran and Snow almost had a reunion back then. Arya almost reunited with her mother and brother during the Red Wedding. Can I have a mini-reunion? Even just two Starks together, please.

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Jon Snow

Let me start with that ending. I’m not going to rave about it that much. We all have the same speculations. The only question is how. I believe that one of these 3 will do the trick.

Ghost photo credit: http://rebloggy.com 

Let’s hope that it is no coincidence that Melisandre was back in Castle Black before that betrayal. It has also been widely speculated that Snow is a warg and probably have warged into Ghost before he died. I have not read the book, but they said that Snow’s last word in the book is “Ghost”.  Or it can be this king of white walker, though I think that’s a long shot. But what do I know? All I know is that the story would make less sense without our favorite bastard. 

He can’t be dead. He just can’t be. Not because I’m attached to his character, but because he looks delicious on TV. I kid! But because he’s the main protagonist on the battle against white walkers and because he is a crucial part of the story. Along with everybody else, I believe in that “R+L=J” fan theory. That was just a cliffhanger. That’s all there is to it. He’ll live in one way or another. It would be nice if he’ll still be in the body of Kit Harrington. Kit has said that he won’t be back next season. That can be a lie. Or truth... But that doesn’t mean he won’t be back next next season, like Bran. Gahd, I hope he's not dead!


Arya Stark

After everything that happened to our favorite Starks, it’s great to see that there’s someone out for revenge for us. I don’t want you to be no one, Arya. I want you to kill all who have wronged your family and tell them that you are Arya Stark. Go get them, Arya!


Sansa Stark and Theon

Theon Greyjoy finally grew his dick back. I hope they truly escaped. I can’t take a scene where either of them is being skinned by crazy Ramsay. Sansa has suffered enough. Give her a break!

Stannis

It has been written by one of the articles I’ve read that this episode was about the consequences of leadership. Stannis, Jon Snow, Daenerys and Cersei. One is dead. One we’re all denying to be dead. Another soon to be abducted. And the last one shamed by her subjects. Stannis Baratheon...How crazy was he to go to battle with hungry and exhausted men? Well, he burned his sweet daughter for power. He is crazy. I kind of feel sorry for him though. I think he knew he was fighting a losing battle, but he has done too many terrible things already to back out. He knew that battle was his death sentence and he brought all his men with him. Let’s take a moment to appreciate this scene. 

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Slaughter.

Myrcella

I didn’t want her dead mostly because she’s pretty, and seems to be the sweetest Lannister. She barely had a screen time, but I guess it’s how you die in Thrones that matters. Poor Jamie... Finally one of his children accepted him, only to have her taken away right at that moment. Go get them, Jamie!

Brienne

Of course, you missed the candle! Glad that another character got to avenge somebody. Now go find Sansa.



This Dorne girl

She’s funny.

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Daenerys

After that epic escape, Drogon was just done for the day. Daenerys while looking for something to eat found herself surrounded by Dothraki-looking men. I found Dany doing an Olivia Pope. She dropped her ring. When you're about to be abducted, leave a trail. Presence of mind under pressure.

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Cersei

ALL THE AWARDS FOR LENA HEADEY!!! I have loved Cersei ever since this scene.

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She’s not a role model. Definitely. But she’s one of the more interesting characters. I love to hate her. I hate that I love her. That walk was brutal! But you have got to love GRRM's sense of history. Go get them, Cersei. All of them!

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Game of Thrones is entertainment at its finest. You have wars, incest, direwolves, kings, princesses, giants, zombies, nudity, mutilation, dragons, great actors, movie-quality production and a killer plot. If you're not watching this show, I don't know what you're doing with your life.

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“My readers should know better than to take anything as gospel." - George R.R. Martin

Mt. Daraitan Climb - Travel Guide

How to commute to Daraitan

- Ride an SUV in Starmall, Shaw to get to Tanay, Rizal (70 pesos)
- Take a tricycle from Tanay to Brgy. Daraitan (125 pesos)
             - pay 30 pesos per trike to cross the bridge
             - sometimes you’d have to cross the river by raft (10 pesos per head)
- Once you’re in the barangay hall of Daraitan, you would have to register and secure a guide.

Note: It took us 3 hours from the time the SUV departed Shaw to the time we started the climb. Don’t be surprised that the trike ride would last one hour.


What to expect

A lot of blogs would say that this climb is for beginners. I am no expert so I won’t be rating. But what I would say is that for someone who exercises almost regularly, it was still a challenge. It’s not the usual beginner’s climb that you just do a lot of regular walking. It’s a lot of uphill trek. Be ready to carry your weight. I’ve done a good amount of hiking in college, all beginner’s climb. Mt. Daraitan was the hardest beginner’s climb for me, maybe I just grew older. It’s of course achievable. I’m just saying it’s no walk in the park.

Tips:

1. The first 2/5 of the trek is the hardest. Just push through it and you’ll be fine. You'll get used to it after.

2. If you can avoid carrying tons of things, do so. It’s almost uphill from start to finish, so if you can lessen your weight, it would be easier.

3.You can take a bath in the barangay hall and there are bathrooms for a fee near Tinipak. Bring extra clothes.

4. For my size, 2 liters of water was just right for the entire trip. There’s water for sale near Tinipak River, but that’s at the end of the entire trek.

5. There's a man selling ice cream for 25 pesos.

6. It’s a long walk to get to Tinipak River, but it’s worth it. You’re already there and you probably smell, go take a dip.

Budget plan (per head)

- SUV to Tanay - P70 (P140 back and forth)
- Tricycle to Brg. Daraitan - P125 (P250 back and forth)
- Bridge Fee - P10
- Guide Fee - P100 (It actually depends how many you are in a group. 500 pesos is the usual pay. But to me, that seems inadequate because they will stay with you the entire day.)
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Total P500

Additional cost if you are going to hike to Tinipak River, Quezon:

- 5 pesos per head - Entrance
- 10 pesos per head - Trike to get to the barangay hall (it’s a long walk from the river to the trike bay; even longer if you would walk to get to the barangay hall)


This is how our day went (Rough ITINERARY for you)

630 - Departure from Shaw (plus waiting time for the van to be full)
8:00 - Arrival in Tanay
9:00 - Arrival in Daraitan, registration
9:30 - Start trek up Mt. Daraitan
12:00 nn - Summit arrival, lunch, photo op
13:00 - Start descent to Tinipak River
15:00 Arrival at Tinipak River.
17:00 - Walk and Trike back to Brgy. Daritan
19:00 - Departure, head back to Tanay, Rizal via tricycle
20:00 - Tanay
22:00 - Manila (with moderate traffic)