Cagayan de Oro: White Water Rafting at Cagayan River

Whenever I hear the place Mindanao and Cagayan de Oro, the first thing that pops on my mind is White Water Rafting. White Water Rafting in this province is claimed to be the main tourist attraction being promoted by the Department of Tourism. Therefore, it is really a must try activity to every tourists, backpackers and specially adventurers who'll visit Cagayan de Oro.

Cagayan River (which also referred as Cagayan de Oro River) is where the activity is being hold. This  river lies and serves as divider to the province of Cagayan de Oro and Bukidnon.  So as you do water rafting to this river, the land you'll see on your left is Cagayan de Oro and the one on your right is the province of Bukidnon. So you can say that you are actually in 2 provinces at the same time since you are in between them. Cool huh?!

How to get there? (How did we got there?)
After we booked our flight to Cagayan de Oro, the group had also started to find great deals on white water rafting online. As expected, Google suggested several groups and agencies that offers rafting. So our next basis would be affordability and the packages. With that criteria, we picked 1st Rafting Adventure to booked our CDO White Water Rafting Experience.

Why our group picked 1st Rafting Adventure? Simply because of their packages. They offer packages suited for beginners, mid-level, and pro water rafters. Along side with that, they have extra freebies that is favorable with their clients. To cut the story short, we avail their Advance 1 course at 1,000 pesos per pax. It is under Class III - IV rapids and the experience will take 4-5 hours river run. Aside from that, since we're more than 6 who had availed the package, pictures of our water rafting adventures was given to us for free. The package also includes free lunch at Brewberry Cafe also located in CDO, transfer (from Mcdo Divisoria to the jump-off & from the end point back to the city), safety gears (helmets, buoyancy aid, paddle), and certified river guides.

Look how angry the river that day :)

Our White Water Rafting adventure starts with a quick lecture on:

• The different kinds of paddling,
• The right way of paddling,
• The right way of holding our paddles
• The do's and don'ts during the actual rafting
• How should we act and react on possible things that may happened during the rafting and
• The CHEER!

To sum it up, the lecture is all about the basic of water rafting. That lecture is very important so participants of this activity should listen carefully and it should be taken seriously. Part of that lecture will actually save your life in case something went wrong as you are on the river. There is one rule that they share which instilled on my mind:

Do not panic. Because when you are in panic, it blocks you from thinking clearly in situations that requires you to think.

I wanted to do a slow clap the moment I heard our instructor said the lines because it do actually makes sense and he's definitely right.

Demonstrating the parts of the paddle

The right way of paddling

Ok. Going back, after our lecture on basic water rafting, we then proceed on our rubber boats. Since we were 9 in the this tour and the maximum capacity of a rubber boat is 6 (plus  2 experienced rafters/instructors who will be in charge on navigating the boat), we had to divide our group into 2 and had to recruit some other people from other group to complete our numbers in each boat. After completing oue numbers, then our white water rafting adventure in CDO (Cagayan de Oro) started!

First half of the group (Me, Paula, Foo, Edward, and Baron)

Other half of the group (Julius, Marie, Karen, Jing, Bona, and Yap)

The first trail of the rafting activity is the "Beginner's Course". However, I forgot to state that during our water rafting adventure, there was a signal #1 advisory in CDO due to Typhoon Agaton. Having said that, the supposedly Beginner's Course seemed like to turned into an "Advance 1 Course"! I think that was in favor with us because we don't have to pay extra to experienced that. Yeah! Downside, because of non stop rain, the water turns to brown. So can I say we experienced Brown Water Rafting instead? Hehe. All in all, we had gone through 27 rapids (originally, it should only be 21 rapids). Each rapid is packed with screams and shouts.

Conquering every rapid at Cagayan River

Other group that day

Cheering in the middle of the rapids

Other half of our group is rocking those rapids

During chill time or wherein the water is calm, our boat navigators entertained us with their tricks. Note: Please be patient with their tricks. Do not let your temper take over you. Hahahaha. Book now this activity and find out for yourself the tricks I am talking here.

Chill time in the middle of Cagayan River

I also find this activity educational. Water rafting is not just about shouting on rapids and paddling. It is also about appreciating nature. Along our way to the end point, we're able to see different species of plants and trees, caves and caverns, as well as rock formations. Unfortunately, it is not only beauty that we saw in this experience but also destruction. There were landslides happening here and there. Stories from from our boatmen like, before, animals (such as monkeys) were still visible in the forest and near the river but due to illegal hunting, their population became less and chance of seeing one while rafting today into this river is very low. Seeing and hearing news like that makes as sad and put into silence... but we became more aware of what is happening in the environment and learned a lesson because of this trip.

That wall said to be being housed by snakes - we actually saw one....

So who's up for this challenge? Rafting is definitely a great bonding activity for you and your friends!!!

Breakdown of Expenses:
Water Rafting Registration - 1,000 PhP per pax (The package also includes free lunch at Brewberry Cafe also located in CDO, transfer (from Mcdo Divisoria to the jump-off & from the end point back to the city), safety gears (helmets, buoyancy aid, paddle), and certified river guides.)

We Survived CDO's White Water Rafting!

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The Grandeur of Tinuy-an Falls in Bislig, Surigao del Sur

Approximately 95 meters wide and 55 meters (180 ft) tall, this fall that is situated in Surigao del Sur moniker as "The Little Niagara Falls" of the Philippines. It's none other than the Tinuy-an Falls (Tinuyan Falls) of the municipality of Bislig. Tinuy-an Falls has been the main attraction in Bislig. Its white astonishing water that drapes and cascade to its three different levels makes this place as the most visited tourist spot in the region of CARAGA. Aside from that, Tinuy-an falls is considered to be the widest waterfall in the Philippines. So with all those words, backpackers like me who planned a Mindanao trip didn't forgot to include this wonder in our itinerary and adventure.

How to get there?
Starting at Bancasi Airport in Butuan City, one can take a jeepney going to Langihan Premium Bus Terminal. Upon arrival at the bus terminal, commercial buses or vans for hire going to Mangagoy are available. Travel time is about 4-5 hours. When in Mangagoy, head to Integrated Terminal and take a jeepney. Just inform the driver to drop you at the jump-off point of Tinuy-an Falls. From the main road, rent a Habal habal (single motorcycle) that will take you to the waterfall. I couldn't give you the prices of each ride because we came from a different route.

Sneak peek of the 1st and 2nd levels of Tinuy-an Falls (Photo from Byron Cantonjos)

Our Tinuy-an Falls adventure starts right after our visit to Enchanted river, read full details here. A habal-habal driver approach us in Enchanted River and offer us a ride going to Tinuy-an Falls at 1,500 pesos. As we heard his offer, we use math that we acquired during our elementary years and calculated the expense if ever we go to Tinuy-an by commute. Based on our computations, the driver's offer is quite expensive. It was too much for 2 backpackers like us to shed that amount going to Bislig. So we had to decline his first offer. He still insist the ride so we ended up bargaining the trip and settled at 900 pesos. This includes a ride from Enchanted River (Hinatuan) going to Tinuy-an Falls (Bislig). Then the habal habal driver will wait for us there until we're done with our Tinuy-an exploration. Afterwards, he will also help us find a hotel in Bislig City. DEAL! Now that's how tourists should handle this kind of situation.

It was the longest habal-habal ride I had experienced in my whole travelling life. I lost track but I believe it was 1 1/2 - 2 hours backride. Thank God the view is refreshing. It somehow takes away my butt pain and leg cramps of this habal-habal trip. As we approach near the site, I noticed the cold air that flows in my skin. It makes the two of us excited.

Grandest Falls I've ever seen so far... (Photo from Byron Cantonjos)

Then we finally arrived in the site of Tinuy-an Falls. We shed 20 pesos per head for the entrance fee then we go directly to the area where this waterfall lies.Tinuy-an is really grandeur. Since it rains the night before we got there, the water that afternoon was raging. I can say that we saw Tinuy-an Falls in its full form. It's the widest and tallest falls I've ever been to. It does seems like a curtain that covers the tall rock wall behind it. In addition to it, there are trees beside it that add colors and appeal to this falls. We do not waste any time. We set up our cameras and take photographs in any way possible.

(Photo from Byron Cantonjos)

Tinuy-an Falls in its full form

Then a local guy approach us and offers a trip going to the 1st and 2nd level of Tinuy-an falls. One needs to pass 90 ++ steps in order to reach the spot and of course we say yes to his offer. It wasn't that hard. There are concrete stairs so it will be easy for non athletic person like me to reach its top. And the view up there was superb! It is a midget Tinuy-an Falls. Short yet still wide. We're lucky because we can still be able to see a rainbow even we got there late. People say that rainbow only appears at 9:00am to 11:00am only.

It is really beautiful up there. Visitors should not miss trekking this one (Photo from Byron Cantonjos)

Photo op! #selfie #lol (Photo from Byron Cantonjos)

Me and our tour guides (Photo from Byron Cantonjos)

I envy Baron for having a photo with that rainbow! (Photo from Byron Cantonjos)

After our trekked at Tinuy-an Falls, the same local guy offers us a bamboo raft ride to go near the splashing water of Tinuy-an Falls. Again, we say yest to it! It was off-season and weekday when we got there so the place isn't crowded. For the bamboo raft, the passengers were only me, Baron and the 2 bankeros. Cool! As we approached to the falls, I started to feel cold. The water is hitting us as well as the cold breeze of the air which makes me freeze on this raft ride. In the middle of this activity, Byron and I jumped from the raft. I don't know if that's the right thing since it only worsen the coldness we feel that time. Overall, it was a fun experience. We really enjoyed our bamboo raft ride. We just gave 150 pesos to the local guy for the whole activity (trekking + bamboo raft + tip).

Start of our Bamboo rafting adventure! (Photo from Byron Cantonjos)

We barely couldn't hear each other out there (Photo from Byron Cantonjos)

By the way, that's my travel buddy Byron of Baron the Explorer (Photo from Byron Cantonjos)

My words are not enough to describe the grandeur of Tinuy-an Falls. After seeing it with my own eyes, now I know why it is reputed as the "Little Niagara Falls" of the Philippines. I hope people of this town take care of this place so that future generations will be able to see and visit it as well.

Breakdown of Expenses:
Habal-Habal (Enchanted River - Tinuyan Falls - Hotel in Bislig City) - 900.00 PhP / 2 = 450 PhP per pax
Entrance Fee - 50.00 PhP
Bamboo Raft + Tinuy-an trekking + Tip - 150.00 PhP / 2 = 75.00 PhP per pax
Table - Since it was off peak, we got it for free!

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Kawasan Falls of Badian, Cebu

Aside from the hospitable people, Cebu is well known for its magnificent nature spots ranging from diving spots up to its clean and fresh bodies of water. One of which is the wonderful Kawasan Falls. Kawasan Falls is shared in the blogging community as one of the admirable attraction in Cebu, therefore I should experience and see it myself.

How to get there?
Matutinao, Badian is the town where Kawasan falls lies. It is a 3 - 4 hours travel from the City of Cebu and one can take a bus ride at the Cebu South Bus Terminal. Take any of these two bus lines: the Ceres Bus and the Rough Riders Bus. There is an alternative aside from taking buses at Cebu South Bus Terminal and that is to take a bus at Librando Terminal. Either of these three will bring you to the town of Badian. Bus fare is around 120 pesos.

The ride is pretty long so just relax and enjoy the view but as for us who had a 5am call time for this trip, it is an ideal time to gasp more sleep and charge up. We also took our breakfast on the road to conserve time and be on Badian the soonest time possible because we're all excited  to witness its wonder.

sharp eyesight is needed to be able to see them

(Photo from William Cua)

Alight at Matutinao Church, you will be mobbed by men soliciting for their tour services which I found annoying because they are being persuasive in a wrong way. Tip: Just ignore them. You don't need a guide because the trail going to the heart of Kawasan is easy and pretty obvious where to go. We got a guide and it was unnecessary. From our experience, guide may only be useful if you have lots of things to carry. You can give it to them as their service to you. Before you start trekking, get ready with 10 pesos as for registration fee. We trekked for about 15-20 mins which along the way we saw divers wild plants and monkeys that are swinging on the trees. I also noticed that the environment is clean and really taking good care by the locals. At the end of the trail we gave our guide 150 pesos (it is a group decision on how much you will pay your guide). By the way if you have your private vehicle with you, you can leave it in front of Matutinao Church and a 100 pesos mandatory fee will be charged.

The Mother Falls of Kawasan (Photo from Byron Cantonjos)

As we saw the first falls (since Kawasan is a cascade of falls), everyone was like, "wow" in the sense of being amazed with its beauty and tallness. From a far, we can still hear the strong splash as the water reaches the ground. It really made me excited!

But before we all go swimming and go wild, we first tried the bamboo raft. Heads up! Aside from the 300 pesos fee of the bamboo ride, your rafting guide(s) will also ask you to pay them. Make sure you ask how the raft is going to cost and how much each "guide" will charge you to eliminate misunderstanding which happened to us. Don't overpay for the bamboo ride and fix the price in advance. We had 3 rafting guide so we decided to give them 200 pesos each.

Off we go!

We start to feel the coldness of the water from that position

This bamboo ride will take you to the waterfalls and the raft will move carefully until you're all expose to the pressure of the water which makes a good water massage. One of your guide will choreograph the position you can do which target parts of your body and have it massage by the water pressure. Some group activities are really fun and we were all like screaming and laughing at the same time. It was a refreshing experience and people who'll visit the place should try it out.

Team Showtime position! 

After the bamboo ride, our group started exploring the other parts/falls of Kawasan. All of it have unpredictable water levels so for non swimmers you may rent safety vest at the first falls.

One of the few falls of Kawasan (Photo from Gladys Dizon)

I'm really paddling my feet so hard here. Caution: deep water, no joke (Photo from Byron Cantonjos)

There's another bamboo raft at the last station (Photo from Gladys Dizon)

We saw some folks jumping on a cliff at the last station, so we, Julius, Baron and I, decided to also give it a try. Apart from that, people who first jumped confirmed us that the level of water that we're going to land is deep and assured us that it is safe to do that kind of stuff in the area. The height of the jumping zone is 3-4 times of my height so it around 15-20 feet. I was scared then but excitement ruled me more. So I just prayed, jumped, and screamed!  After that jump, I was so happy that I can still do things despite the injury I had during our Mt Tabayoc climb. I guess nothing has changed and that I am back to my abnormal state. Yeah!

Baron, Author of Baron the Explorer (left) and Julius (right) (Photo from Gladys Dizon)

My version of our mini cliff jump! (Photo from Byron Cantonjos)

After our trek on the other parts of Kawasan Falls, we went back again to the first falls and spent some time there laughing, swimming, and having fun. Note: Don't take warnings who say that you need a guide in order for you to swim. You can go alone for as long as you know your capability as a swimmer. Just enjoy the cold water and the beautiful view of Kawasan Falls.

Photo op! (Photo from Byron Cantonjos)

Breakdown of Expense:
Transportation: 120 pesos (from Cebu South Bus Terminal - Badian)
Registration Fee: 10 pesos
Tour Guide: 150 pesos (good for group sharing; still negotiable)
Entrance Fee:
Bamboo Raft: 300 (good for group sharing)
Bamboo Raft Guide(s): 200 pesos each (good for group sharing; still negotiable)
Life Vest: 50 pesos
Chairs and Table: 300 pesos (good for group sharing)

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Experience Anawangin Cove of Zambales

Zambales has a lot of beautiful islands and coves... and Anawangin Cove is one of them. Despite of being turned as an almost commercialize site, Anawangin is still recommendable for those who wanted to go out of town and have an amazing nature trip.

Big waves were hitting our boat

How to get there?

Take the victory bus either in Cubao or Caloocan  and tell the bus conductor to drop you off at San Antonio. Travel time is 4-5 hours so don't forget to bring your music gears just in case you get bored during the travel. From there take a tricycle to Pundaquit and the jump off point going to Anawangin (15 pesos per head) and then look for boat that will bring to the cove. Be very picky in this part. Get a boatman that will cost you less. The standard rate for a boat that could ride 4-5 person is around 1,800 pesos (back and forth plus island hop on Capones island)

Enjoying the water

The boat ride trip to the island take 15-20 mins. You will be amazed by the view in this boat ride. You'll pass through  lots of rock formations and deserted islands which will make your shutter button crazy if you have camera with you.

As you hop in the island, you can breathe in the freshest air, experience a crystal clear water and see lots of pine trees in the area. Yes, there are pine trees which is a good niche to take pictures on aside from the beach side.

Anna, a friend of mine enjoying the sun (photo from Gladys Dizon)

Amenities
There is no hotel in the island. If you are planning to stay overnight you can bring your tent or just rent it from there. With regards to food, I suggest to bring your own. There is a market in San Antonio. Buy your food there instead in the island itself. Reason why is, the food in the island cost big time and stores there are unpredictable if they will be open or not on the day of your visit. Bathrooms/restrooms are available in the island. Just don't expect much but it is decent enough.

Souvenir shops and tent rentals are available in the island

My batchmates in Adamson University

Just plain happiness

There are bunch of beautiful spots in the island. So don't just sit while you are there. Move and explore the whole island. If you're not sure where to go. Talk to locals and ask for some tips and suggestions.

A small body of water behind the campsite

View in the other side of the cove

Trek uphill to see Anawangin Cove in Bird's eye view

Anawangin is a fascinating place so just relax and enjoy while you are there.

Breakdown of Budget:
Bus Fare (MNL - San Antonio, roundtrip) - 530 pesos
Tricycle (going to Pundaquit, roundtrip) - 60 pesos
Boat Rental (to Anawangin Cove, good for 5-8 pax) - 1,500 pesos (includes island hopping)
Overnight Fee - 100 pesos
Food - ***
Tent - ***

Me and Pepay back in 2010, still friends back then. I didn't know we had a photo like this. Good thing I browsed Gladys FB album of this Anawangin trip. Please don't be mad Baby ko 'coz I posted this (photo from Gladys Dizon).

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