Showing posts with label Falls Lakes and Rivers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Falls Lakes and Rivers. Show all posts

Northern Mindanao Escape: Wet and Wild in Cagayan De Oro River

Wet and Wild in Cagayan De Oro!
One thing that convinced us to visit Cagayan De Oro is to try White River Rafting. I have this river rafting on the back of my mind whenever I hear CDO. We had Kagay team to assist us with the trip.


The Cagayan De Oro River separates Bukidnon Province, Iligan City and Cagayan De Oro City. From CDO town proper, you need around 45-60mins ride to the jump off point. Only few kilometres from the long river stretch are fit for this adventure, but it will take you hours to finish. Basic will give you around 25 rapids up to class 5. You have an option to choose, Beginner, Advance and Extreme. They also mentioned rafting at night but I guess that’s for the daredevil.


They fetch us from our hotel all geared up, we just brought extra clothes. Be prepared to get wet and exhausted.


We didn't thought our lecturer will be our guide that day :)
As we arrived the jump off point, we had a quick briefing of our do’s and don’ts. Better to listen and follow the guidelines for your own safety, and if they know that your team are equipped with the extremes, they will bring more fun to your ride. And so we begin!

First rapid - easy!
And more rapids to come
Listening carefully - we are focus you know :p
A quick turn to get closer to the falls, fit to drink - yes!
And here we go again! 
Tired yet asking for more - look at Kuya he's enjoying too! 
Oh no! 5 forward paddle... 1...2...3
High five! 
And when the rapids calm down, we can go down for a while for a quick dip
And after the calm river, here we go again...
Feeling professionals... 
Heavy paddle needed, full force!
A view from afar...
Another dip, yes...
Some more twist...
And more...
Another high five! 
And last high five before we leave...
And so here we are in the finals...
Till we meet again our great rafters:) Thanks for the fun trip :) 
And that ends our extreme ride. Sorry for the picture overload. :) After the ride, we washed up and packed up. Hal and I visited their office to get our pictures first and we get to meet the others from Kagay team. 

Surely the trip was fun and full of adventure, we didn't fail to choose Kagay to be our partner in our extreme, exciting, pure adrenaline adventure. Definitely one thing that you surely do not want to miss when you visit CDO. 

KAGAY Whitewater Rafting
http://www.kagaycagayandeororafting.com/
https://www.facebook.com/kagay.whitewaterrafting
0917.712.2323 / dankaamino@yahoo.com

Northern Mindanao Escape: Maria Cristina Falls

The famous Maria Cristina from our History Class

Another wonder of Iligan is the popular Maria Cristina Falls. I remember during my early Elementary days, my teacher in History asked us to draw some of the popular spots in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. And when Mindanao is the location, surely there’s more than one of us drawing the famous waterfalls using crayons and water color. Having this on my memory, I pictured Maria Cristina Falls in a secluded green forest in which you need to walk or climb or hike or something before seeing. I am absolutely crazy thinking that it’s still like that until now and failed to move on.

Actually we visit Maria Cristina Falls first before the Tinago falls. Realizing that it’s just along the way, we walked just a short distance from the main road towards the NPC (National Power Corporation) office. After we settled the (minimal) fee and registration, we were fetched by the shuttle and brought us directly to the grandeur Maria Cristina.


At the entrance - and we are just so up for pictures :)
Even from here you'll feel that the water current is so strong
And this is the view from the top
The power plant, still can't move on from my old Maria Cristina 
This view just shows how big and powerful it is
  It is strong and powerful and much more majestic at the viewing deck. And of course, swimming is not allowed.
Visitors are welcome on this side
So you'll get a view like this
And kulit pics like this too!
Fact:

~ Maria Cristina Falls is a waterfall of the Agus River on the island of Mindanao. It is sometimes called the "twin falls" as the flow is separated by a rock at the brink of the waterfall.
~ It is a landmark of Iligan City, nicknamed the City of Majestic Waterfalls, because of the presence of more than 20 waterfalls in the city.
~ It is located 9.3 kilometers away southwest of the city proper at the boundaries of Barangays Maria Cristina, Ditucalan, and Buru-un.
~ Well known for its natural beauty and grandeur, the 320 - feet (98 meters) high waterfall and is also the primary source of electric power for the city's industries, being harnessed by the Agus VI Hydroelectric Plant. Reference:Wikipedia

It was just a short trip, we also visited their Botanical and Zoological gardens but there’s nothing much to see.
The Botanical & Zoological Gardens (with few animals)

How to get there:
- From CDO Bulua/Westbound Terminal, Board a bus bound for Iligan City - Upon arriving at the Iligan terminal, transfer a trike/Jeep and drop off at Gaisano Iligan - Ride Buru-un bound jeepneys and drop off at the junction going to Maria Cristina Falls


Note: I am quite busy for the past weeks so I was unable to update my blog. Sorry!

Northern Mindanao Escape: Iligan’s Tinago Falls

Iligan's Pride
Tinago falls is indeed Iligan’s pride. I’ve been craving to visit the falls the first time I saw a video showcasing the beautiful clear blue water plus the rush of the falls in a basin of cold tempting water. Without a doubt, Iligan known as "City of Majestic Waterfalls" is part of our Mindanao escape.

Trekking down the hidden falls is not as hard and far from those I have experienced however I am not feeling well that day because of my monthly visitor (you know) but I do not want to miss this out. We hired a motorcycle (habal-habal) to bring us here. We asked them to stop at a nearby market so we can buy our lunch. We arrive at a house where the locals (plenty of them) are welcoming you offering to hire them as tour guide, we thought we needed one and it seems automatic, they even didn’t wait for us to say yes, as soon as we told that it was our first time visiting the Tinago falls, they accompanied us and assist us. (Of course with hidden charges) You also need to pay the entrance fee and a walk around 10mins to reach the more or less 500-step stairs descending to the hidden falls.

Welcoming the visitors
We were thrilled and excited as soon as we saw even just a peek. Then finally, after the last few steps, our tired feet was refreshed upon seeing and hearing the rumblings of the waterfalls.

Captivating and tempting
I thought that there will be only few visitors but we were welcomed by plenty of people swimming, eating and as if there’s a party going on. Exploring the complete view of the location, we realized that it was not really a hidden ('Tinago' in Filipino) after all. A constructed tables and chairs were seems built for quite some time plus an abandoned pool that was now almost covered with overgrown grasses on the right side. I am sad at this point because it’s ruining the natural beauty of the waterfalls, a bridge connecting to the other side of the entrance was created and all were not maintained anymore. All seems just like an old view of the past. Some trashes were noticeable but hopefully those who are responsible will clean their place before leaving.  

Crowded Tinago Falls
View of the other side
After a few research back home, I found out that it used to have a resort and developed land area for vacationers. I guess its better this way.

Locals will invite you to a ride on the bamboo raft so you can get near the waterfalls, then they will offer to take pictures of you (Without realizing, also with hidden charges too). You will also enjoy watching kids jumping and swimming like a pro.

Going near 
Do not forget to look  up 
The view behind the rushing waterfalls
Here’s a reminder, always be careful because even you have your life vest on, the waterfalls the hard and immense body of water dropping can still drown you if you’ll stay long where the drop was on its hardest spot or even just near it. We really shouted for help because two of us, Cleah and I where stuck near it and would need someone to pull the raft far from rocks so we can catch breaths. It’s something we would never forget.

We still enjoyed the cold water and the magnificent nature still wins at the end. The locals especially the team that assist us on the raft are very fun to be with and “makukulit”. They were also having fun just like us and kept on jumping on the cliff as if it was also their first time. They really make us feel welcome and comfortable. Though we noticed that they are quite pushy with the guides and assistance because of the fee, maybe because there are plenty of them offering their service and they only get few bucks for the entire day. Probably a more regulated and organized entrance fees, porters and guides will make the transactions better and equal and will not overwhelm first time visitors like us. Anyway, visiting Iligan is still a must plus its a budget friendly trip. We spend around 1000pesos for a day trip including a visit to Maria Cristina Falls.

How to get there:

- From CDO Bulua/Westbound Terminal, Board a bus bound for Iligan City
- Upon arriving at the Iligan terminal, transfer a trike/Jeep and drop off at Gaisano Iligan
- Ride Buru-un bound jeepneys and drop off at the junction going to Maria Cristina Falls (if you want to include this on your trip)
- You can hire habal-habal to take you to Tinago Falls. They will offer to wait for you so they can bring you to the bus stop and assist you to ride back to CDO. 



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“As long as I live, I'll hear waterfalls and birds and winds sing. I'll interpret the rocks, learn the language of flood, storm, and the avalanche. I'll acquaint myself with the glaciers and wild gardens, and get as near the heart of the world as I can".”
~ John Muir 

Cebu – Bohol Series: 2. Kawasan Falls

We want a blue crystal clear waterfalls that’s why Kawasan is in our must see place in Cebu.

After the long road trip and a crazy stomach!

It’s Kawasan falls day! We planned to woke up as early as 5am to get ready to our ride to Kawasan Falls but then I guess we managed to get out our bed at already pass 6am. We packed our things and decided to eat in the small cafeteria located at 2nd floor of Sampaguita Suites. We managed to leave the Suites at around 8am and get a cab to bring us to the bus terminal going to Badian. From there, we took the 3 hour drive to Badian. We all continued our sleep in the bus until we reached the stop over. We bought some bread and hal bought his energy drink to wake him up and I got to sip some.

My stomach started to growl after that, yes I felt so awkward and it seems that some part of me wanted to do something not nice during the trip. Oh no not this time! Yes, I continued my sleep but it keeps on bugging me, until I really can’t control it.  I’m sweating cold and the rough and zigzag road was not helping. We asked the conductor how many hours left and he said it’s still more than an hour to Badian. I can’t wait any longer. With no choice, we just looked for somewhere we can drop off to explode. Hal was laughing inside but was really concern where should I’ll be able to do my deed. And then we found ourselves in Dumanjug and in a blast I am in the public toilet already. Luckily and God was really so supportive of me, that the toilet is clean and with plenty of water. (And no much people inside) I am ready with soap and water and voila, I am so ready to go! Hahaha! After hal paid 2 pesos for using the public toilet, he said I should’ve used the "bakya" (wooded slippers) situated by the entrance. Then that’s why they were able to maintain the clean public toilet. Sorry for that: p I am really in a hurry and don’t care anymore. That was my first time and it’s really an ultimate challenge so please sorry for sharing this.  

Ok so let’s move on, since we are in Dumanjug, we just waited for a few minutes for another bus back to Badian. Kaye and Jeck will just wait for us in Brgy. Matutinao. And as soon as we reached the Barangay with a refreshing feeling inside, we heard the bad news.

Kawasan Falls is closed for 2 months already. OMG! After all those struggles and we will not be able to see the falls?! So here’s what happened. A local approached us and told that they know another way to see Kawasan Falls secretly, yes secretly. On our way, the locals who guided us on our way to the falls told us the story. The Kawasan falls is in major construction to restore its natural beauty. They told that the local government will soon remove the commercial houses near the falls. And so we realized that what we were doing is illegal and I wish posting this will not cause any harm to us and the people who brought us to the falls. We also then realized that they are forced to do inside job because of hundreds of tourist coming was now down to zero. And the tour guides/habal-habal drivers and those who are pulling the balsa, “taga-hatak” are now jobless. I really understand their sentiments and why they are doing it. They said that there were lots of tourists including foreigners who were really unable to get through and we’re lucky.

An easy 15 minutes walk towards the falls. 

The site shows that the place are catering plenty of guest before.

Picture first on our way to the falls. 

The Matutinao river system, powered by the waterfalls.
After all the not so good start yet a successful trip, we still had a great time in Kawasan, we ride the balsa for added fun, plus we own the previously crowded falls that day.  

Naks! 

And so our turn.

Yes we really are having fun.



To the local government of Badian, I do understand that we should also follow your order not to enter the falls but then I guess for those who really made effort just to see your wonderful falls, maybe you can give some considerations. There was no construction or whatsoever that was happening upon reaching the falls. So I guess it’s not so bad to go there right. Only the majestic view and the weeds that proved that no much people are able to visit. 



My emotera and emoterong friends just like me...haha!

Yey!

A good massage.

And having a good time. 


We are so blessed that despite all, we was able to enjoy our trip to the Kawasan falls. Going back to the city was easy. We just waited for another bus bound to Cebu. Last trip are around 6-7pm as per the locals. We left around 4pm I guess. And that ends our Day 2. 

Here's the summary of our expenses: 





Check other post related to this  trip: 


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No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow.  ~Lin Yutang