Philippine Niagara
I accidentally deleted the original post. All comments and shares are unrecoverable. This blog took the 2nd spot for the I'm an Explorer contest sponsored by windows7ako.
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| Grand Prize Winner Travel Blog 2010 |
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| Majestic Tinuy-an Falls
It started with the P2,000 budget, my husband and I agreed to have a fine El niño escape. A day tour would be a good idea.
 Challenge: 1. Don't go beyond P2,000.00 budget limit. 2. Budget includes, fare, food, entrance fee and other expenses. 3. To find some good place to beat El niño phenomena. 4. Picture taking for remembrance =)
Hmmm.. I'm very anxious if we will be able to make it, compared to the other trips we had, it seems P2000 is not enough, especially it must be outside Davao City. So we ended up researching over the internet and find one good unexploited place, a haven to few who have visited the place.... SURIGAO DEL SUR!
Davao Overland Bus Terminal
We arrived at Davao Overland Bus Terminal via taxi cab around 12:15 am to catch the 1:00 am trip for a 5 hour journey to Bislig, Mangagoy Surigao del Sur. We sat on the bench and observe people waiting for their bus too plying to other routes, we saw people sleeping on a folding bed for a a very cheap rental fee of P10.00, hmmm maybe next time when I can't stay awake hahaha.
After 5 hours of grueling and bumpy ride, we finally reached Bislig City around 7:00 am "oh finally". It's gonna be on our own, no tour guides, we are strangers on this place and we have to deal a great issue on TIME and BUDGET since our challenge and budget is for a day tour only. We got off the bus and according to locals the best way is to hire a habal-habal (motorcycle that can carry 3-5 people) in a way we can make our day tour possible, hustle and bustle free!
We were referred to a very honest habal-habal driver, named Allan. We got our transportation tour for only P550.00 after a nice negotiation, from bus dropped point toTinuy-an falls then Enchanted River to bus terminal. Hmmmm, quite a deal.
Everytime our habal-habal driver told us to hang on a bit it means bumpy, steep roads ahead "Oh bumpy roads again", after 45 minutes we reached the place and TADA! this is the scene that welcomed us. The grandest and the widest of all the waterfalls found in the Philippines. About 55 meters high and a breathtaking width of 95 meters, quoted as the Niagara Falls of the Philippines.
Cool Mist blowing as you approach the Main level of the falls,the caretaker suggest us to go to the second level of it 30-50 steps up. Great for exercise right?
Second Level of the Falls
Wasting no time we went swimming and refreshed our tired body since we have only 4 hours to enjoy this beautiful spot. Thank God we were able to bring lunch and drinks because there were no stores in the area.
On our way here, I was quite troubled whether this bumpy road trip will be worth... I have the idea on what I'll be witnessing, through the internet photos shared BUT what if... it is only "picture impeccable"? what if the water is starting to dry up due to the El niño? nevertheless, and as far as my eye perceived it's MAJESTIC indeed! After visiting the "Philippines Niagara", we were ready and all set up to go to Enchanted River and the driver told us that the river was so remote that's why locals called it Enchanted.
After 30 minutes we reached Hinatuan, and from Hinatuan you had to manage this bumpy and rocky road to the Enchanted River.
After a series of hi's and hello's to Mr. bumpy road, I couldn't careless of "picture picture mode" but to rush down and take a dip, together with the locals enjoying the true blue water... Goshhh this place is truly enchanting.
Enchanted River of Hinatuan
Farther north of the river lies a cave beneath 80 feet deep and the cave is 30 meters wide and still unexplored because divers can't penetrate it because of the cave diving hazards involved.
One can enjoy snorkeling, feeding the fishes, or simply take a dip or swim, and if you don't know how to swim, no worries..... they have life vest for rent for only P100.00 whole day.
Tons of small and large fish thrive this area, simply amazing river. After 6pm nobody swims this river because our habal-habal driver told us that it is watched by enchanted spirits during that time. Scary huh? =)
Locals told us that there is a hole beneath the mountain wall where the sea water merge with the river. After a refreshing experience we are ready to go back home and share our experiences with our family and friends. Our habal-habal driver drove us to the bus terminal and ready for the 6 hour bus ride.
What's left? Bus and entrance fee tickets, few bills and coins... we met our P2000 challenge yet we still have P60.00 in excess, we enjoyed the place, quite exhausted but the memory is worth keeping. I am a proud TUKLASERANG MATIPID.“I am an Explorer and I use ie8”.
Budget Breakdown
Davao to Bislig fare(vice versa) - P1,200 @300/person/one way
Food(Lunch) - P150.00
Habal Habal to Tinuy-an Falls and Enchanted River - P550.00
Entrance Fees
- Tinuy-an Falls P20.00 @P10.00 per head
- Enchanted River P20.00 no entrance fee but donation
TOTAL - P1,940.00
Note: After a year we traveled again to Bislig and Hinatuan. Check my post Revisiting the Majestic and the Enchanted.
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Hello can I get the contact number of Sir Allan?
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry we don't have Allan's number anymore, but as you alight from the bus there are habal habal drivers waiting for you. Just don't forget to haggle first before you board it.
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