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!