Well – I was still on a mountain, right? So there was still the way back ahead of me. My ankle ended up with a new bandage, I also had managed, to get a second walking stick – – so now slowly but surely got going and – one step after the other and highly concentrated – made the 5km hike back to, where the 4WDs were waiting for us. The hike down did follow the same trail as the way in yesterday – and took me just less than three hours to complete. In retrospect, I have to say, considering the circumstances, it worked out quiet well.

Obviously I was very busy on the way down (concentrating on and planning for the next couple of steps), hence no photos from that part – I only restarted taking photos, once I sat in the 4WD and we were heading back to the guesthouse, where our main luggage was stored.

After a lunch in the same coffee shop as yesterday (spaghetti and salad again – no reason, to not go for this yummy and delicious option again) we had the opportunity, to freshen up (i.e. take a shower) – and for me also to assess the damage. – – The foot was swollen considerably and there were bruises all around – clearly this had to be examined by a professional and also an x-ray was called for … a hospital visit was indeed a necessity.

With everyone freshened up, we got onto our bus and engaged into the 120km drive to Manila (with a stop at an outlet mall on the way).

My destination was the Manila Doctors Hospital, where I went through the relevant checks (including x-ray). To make a long story short, the diagnosis in the end was, that the ankle was indeed just sprained and that – with some medication and a bit of rest – I was good to proceed with the trip. So – with the prescription – I got my drugs and was then on the way to the hotel …

You can probably not imagine, how relieved I was at that point in time 🙂 . Remains the question, where I caught more radiation – during the x-ray or during my visit to Chernobyl in September?