Tour: Island escapades in Barobo, Surigao del sur

What:  Island escapades in Barobo, Surigao del sur

When: November 14 and 15, 2009.

Itinerary:

Day 1

1:30 am Assemble Time MCdo Bajada

2:00 am Etd Davao

7:00 am eta Barobo Breakfast

8:00 am Eta Enchanted River (Hinatuan, Surigao Sur)

11:00 am Lunch Hinatuan

1:00 pm boundary of Barobo and Lianga Cave

3:00 pm going to Cabgan Island

4:30 pm Lights off Pitch tent (Cabgan)

Day 2

4:30 am sunrise Shoot Cabgan Island

6:00 am Breakfast

7:00 am Turtle island, Sbnake Island

9:00 am going to Panaraga

11:00am Lunch Panaraga

1:00pm Bugak

2:00pm ETD Home Sweet Home

6:00pm ETA Davao

Things to bring: Tent,Burner, Flash Light Extra Batteries, Camera, kitchen Utensils.

Estimated budget is P1,200 inclusive of fares, day 1 dinner and day 2 breakfast.

Please confirm on or before November 6 together with your down payment of P500.00 each and full payment must be done before the activity to avoid inconvenience.

For more details please contact 09295980194 or 09323279060 and look for Weng.  You can leave a comment here.

 

Outdoor Tours: One Day Event – Samal Island

One Day Event @ Island Garden City of Samal – IGACOS

When: October 11, 2009

Tour Package Rate: 800.00 pesos
Tour Package Rate inclusions:

-Round trip chartered jeep : Davao to IGACOS
-Entrance Fees

ITINERARY

6:00 am Meeting time @ Outside City Triangle Roxas Ave.  in front Marco Polo Hotel

6:30 am ETD Davao

7:30 am ETA  Kinawitnon Wharf

8:00 am Monfort Batcave Brgy. Tambo, Babak District

9:30 am Tagbaobo Falls Brgy. Tagbaobo, Kaputian District

Rappelling -Lunch (BYOB)

3:00 pm Maxima Brgy. Cawag, Penaplata District

5:30 pm ETD Peñaplata

6:30 pm ETA  Davao

For inquires contact:

Sarah 0939-2383900

Elmer 0909-9458885

Edwin 0929-5980194

Arthur 0923-3535477

8:00 am Monfort Batcave Brgy. Tambo, Babak District 9:30 am Tagbaobo Falls Brgy. Tagbaobo, Kaputian District Rappelling -Lunch (BYOB) 3:00 pm Maxima Brgy. Cawag, Penaplata District 5:30 pm etd penaplata 6:30 pm eta Davao For inquires contact: SARAH 0…939-2383900 Elmer 0909-9458885 Edwin Gales 0929-5980194 Arthur 0923-3535477

 

Cateel, Davao Oriental Escapade: Mantunao Ecopark (Tres Marias)

Mantunao Falls Last drop

“Let us permit nature to have her way.  She understands her business better than we do.”   ~Michel de Montaigne

Here’s the first part  of the Davao Oriental Escapade: Aliwagwag Falls
Here’s the second  part  of the Davao Oriental Escapade: Mabuyong Falls
Here’s the third part  of the Davao Oriental Escapade: Langyawan Cave

Coming from spelunking at Langyawan cave , the travel was a bit rough but exciting. It’s past 6pm when we arrived at the ecopark. The area has a camp site, with clean comfort room made with coconut lumber and there’s a park chieftain and staff  who are willing to lend a hand when you’re  there in the area.

Ecopark Camp Site

We pitched our tent for overnight stay and socials will follow once all is set for dinner. Foods were served like grilled fish and the tasty roasted pig. Some bathe on the falls that night relieving some body pains for sure that others have gained. Ehehe

The natural pool

Morning sun was great and some participants headed down to the area to take a bath on the falls. The area was established but did not take away the nature feel of the area. The water is so cold in it’s blue green color. The falls has a three  drops  to dip with. That must be the reason why it was called Tres Marias? anyone who can answer? ^_^

Second drop of the falls

10 am in the morning after all the relaxing dip on the waterfall pool we then walked for almost 15 minutes where the Bus named “Mallen” is waiting at us outside CFC- Taytayan Multi – Purpose Cooperative.

First drop of the falls

The bus is owned by the Buenaflor Family of Cateel. Almost 11 am when the bus started moving and  by 1:30 pm we were are Compostela Valley area and stopped by on a eatery along the road to take our lunch. By 3 :30 pm we arrived at Davao City.

The cooperative

In behalf of the group, I would like to thank Ma’am Lulu and Bobong for the extra mile given when we are there in the area as well as the Barangay Captain.

Thank you to the participants and kudos to the organizers as well. Until next adventure.

 

Cateel, Davao Oriental Escapade: Langyawan Cave

The underworld

“Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountain is going home; that wildness is necessity; that mountain parks and reservations are useful not only as fountains of timber and irrigating rivers, but as fountains of life.” -John Muir

Here’s the first part  of the Davao Oriental Escapade: Aliwagwag Falls
Here’s the second  part  of the Davao Oriental Escapade: Mabuyong Falls

The adventure starts with crossing the river with a canoe, good thing the water is calm that day.

crossing the river with a canoe

We did a 30 minute walk  before we got into the mouth of the cave. The cave has a two chambers, the group was oriented about the do’s and don’ts while inside the cave and was divided into two groups for each chamber and switch to other chamber once done.

Lurking in thedark

The underground river

Stalactites formation

Calcium deposits

It was 5 in the afternoon when we got out of the cave and back on our way back to the vehicle who’s waiting at us.

Last part of my Davao Oriental escapade : Click here

 

Cateel, Davao Oriental Escapade: Mabuyong falls

Relaxing to the eye far from the city streets

” It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare, it is because we do not dare because they are difficult”

This is the second part of Davao Oriental Escapade to check the first part, click here

9:30 am in the morning, after bathing and refreshed from the cool waters of Aliwagwag falls , we then proceeded to Barangay Maglahus and registered our names at Barangay stage area but before we reached the Barangay stage , we passed by the Mabuyong  hanging bridge. It’s a wobbly path to cross to the other side.

It’s already 9:45 when we started river trekking up to Mabuyong falls.

cool water - river trek up to the falls

It’s a bit dangerous ascent since the rocks along the river is somewhat slippery. The view and the location of the falls itself is very relaxing. It took 20 minutes for all to arrived at the falls and the beauty of the falls never failed us.

Magnificent Mabuyong Falls

1 o’ clock in the afternoon and we are back at the road junction, we took the time to eat our lunch. After 45 minutes we drove again to our next destination which is going to Langyawan cave. Click Here

 

Cateel, Davao Oriental Escapade: Aliwagwag Falls

“Leisure is a form of silence, not noiselessness. It is the silence of contemplation such as occurs when we let our minds rest on a rosebuds, a child at play or a water-fall” -Fulton J. Sheen

Everyone was excited on the day before we embark on our Cateel, Davao Oriental escapade and was dubbed as “Duaw Cateel”. Our escapade location is 360 kilometers away from Davao City.

The group are about 42 individuals who met at 10 pm in the evening of Saturday beside Mc Donalds Bajada. Arthur Yap consolidated the efforts with other participants Elmer Abanid and Sarah Elizar who made the event successful.

It was quarter to 11 on the evening when the bus started to move on our way to Cateel. Arthur contracted the Bus operator owned by the Buenaflor Family of Cateel. I will share some information about Cateel before I move on with my escapade story, Cateel is bounded on the north by the Municipality of Boston, on the east by the Pacific Ocean, on the south by the Municipality of Baganga, and on the west by the Municipality of Compostela. Cateel is one of the oldest towns in northeastern Davao Oriental. It was named after a kind of rattan that abound in the place.

Moving on, we stopped by at Nabunturan at around 12:02 am to have some leg stretching and early morning snack break and travel again after 15 minutes. It was 3 am in the morning when we arrived at Cateel Public Market The area is quiet and a bit cold.

We then proceeded to the session hall to the municipal to took some rest and waited until sunrise.

Captured sunrise with a canoe

It was 5am in the morning and all those who brought their camera positioned their lenses to the glowing early yellowish orange of the sky waiting for sunrise. After 1 hour, we then visited one of the poblacion’s eatery where our breakfast were served.

On our way to Aligwawag falls

Our next destination and our first visit for that was the famous Aliwagwag falls which is 25 kilometers away from the poblacion.

Some are of poblacion Cateel

We traveled at around 7:50 am from session hall and arrived at the falls at around 8:30am. It was a magnificent view and it’s just along the bridge. A little details of the falls: Aliwagwag falls is a 1,110 feet of gushing water and 20 meters in width. It has a series of 84 falls that looks likes a stairway with various heights ranging from 6 to 11 feet . It was a fun and relaxing way to celebrate National Heroes Day.

crab catcher

Next destination as part of our escapade is the Mabuyong Falls at Barangay Maglahus, Cateel, Davao Oriental , Here’s the link

 

Compostela Valley: Awao Falls

Verdant green

“We don’t stop hiking because we grow old, we grow old because we stop hiking.”  — Finis Mitchell

On the same day that we had our Spelunking at Combilan Cave on that whole morning of July 26, 2009. Barangay Awao is 41 kilometer away from Monkayo Proper. It is were our next destination was located. We are the last group of 5 “habal-habal” who arrived at Monkayo proper coming from the spelunking because our  habal-habal’s rear tire flat broke and we are delayed for almost an hour, good thing our driver was alert enough to have the initiative and the creativity to find ways in fixing the tire.

This is the reason why we arrived late

We arrived at the Monkayo proper at around 2:30 in the afternoon and was greeted by the vice mayor of the Municipality of Monkayo.

Here it is...

An arranged government dump truck brought us to our destination which was the Awao Falls, for almost 1 and a half hours of travel and all are having their great time taking the ride. Some of the participants had said that it’s their first encounter riding on a dump truck. Funny jokes and laughs are up beat until we arrived in the Jump-off area.

Relax and have fun

Dark clouds are formed indicating that a rain will pour anytime that moment. We had walked for about 30 minutes going down to the Awao falls. The trail is somewhat wet as we are trailing on a stream of water going down to the falls.  There were logs that was used as a ladder to pass through streams of water. There were no flat area to walked for and all are pile of big rocks and some are decayed logs. As we go deeper into the this typical tropical forest and the natural lights are getting dimmer are the clouds are getting darker as the time goes by.

It was a very great feeling to see the falls for the first time and as soon as we arrived, we leaved our belongings to the dry area and started to play like kids on the gushing water of the falls.  The gushing water coming from above was not that high in volume but still it does relaxed our bodies from the stroke of strong current.  The falls is really wide if it was all occupied with water, water is cold but not chilling and it is noticeable that the fauna on it’s surroundings as well as the moss that was formed above the rocks where the falls are flowing are still thick indicating that this falls is not frequently visited by outsiders.

Past 5 in the afternoon and e we returned to the area where the dump-truck was waiting to fetch is back to Monkayo. It was raining along the way and all are soaked wet and some are visibly looking tired  while others are sleeping.  It was almost 7 in the evening when we arrived at  Monkayo, we proceeded to one of our friends house – Tina Corpuz were a dinner was served for us. It was a festive mood as all are washing and cleaning up then smorgasbord or buffet of foods was served on the table.

The bus waited for us on that event to brought us back to Davao City. All are hushed as the bus started to it’s engine.

It was a great way to have our precious 1 day of visiting mother nature’s best.

Thank to all of the contributors of this successful event,  Tina Alonzo Corpuz and her family for accommodating us when we were at Monkayo. Food was great!

I would like to thank Arthur Yap for the images.

Until next outdoor escapade!

 

Combilan Cave: Revisited

Light bearers

“There is a way that nature speaks, that land speaks. Most of the time we are simply not patient enough, quiet enough, to pay attention to the story.” – Linda Hogan

Cave and Falls craving has been into our groups nervous system right on this season and it seems it will go on like this for the following months to come.

July 26 of 2009 we visited Combilan Cave, located at Brgy. Casoon, Monkayo, Compostela Valley.

Meeting place was in front of Mc Donald’s Bajada (seemed to be our favorite meet up these past escapades). It’s 3:30 in the morning as we departed from the assembly area and arrived at Monkayo proper after 3 hours of travel – 120 Kilometers distance from Davao City.  Our transportation was arranged by Arthur Yap, it was the bus that routes to New Bataan, Comval was tapped to be our service for that event – fetch from and to Monkayo and back to Davao.

The bus was a comfortable ride and passengers are not packed like sardines as compared to a hired van. Participants are categorized from seasoned mountain climber, speleo members down to first timers who appreciated nature or just for the sake of having been there.. Hehehe we never know… hehehe

skylabs' galore

We arrived at around 7 am in the morning at the Monkayo Overland Terminal. From there, we took our breakfast as well as buy some other needed stuff going to the Jump off area going to cave.

Ready to fly...

The thrill moment has started after we’ve seen the habal-habal or what the local calls it by the name “Skylab” no definite idea why it was named that way.

Skylab extreme

I noticed that there’s a mixed emotion of excitement and anxiousness on the face of participants. Well for me, I was very excited to take a ride again on that kind of transportation. It was my second time that I visited the Combilan Cave and that was last 2007. We officially opened the cave for exploration with the support from Monkayo Tourism office and Monkayo Municipal Mayor Brillantes.

Amusement rides? naahhh... this is real thrill ride

Already 8 in the morning of that great Sunday and we went on to the Jump-off area at Brgy. Casoon. The ride was rough and it took 30-40 minutes before we arrived at the area.  All was feeling ecstatic for some had experienced it for the first time. The main event did not even started yet but their adrenaline rush was pumped up by riding those “Skylab”. I do have high gratitude to the drivers whom are very well good in making the ride safe for their passengers.  Well, the ride is much smoother  now since the road has been maintained compared to my last visit in the area.

on our way to the cave

wall formations

Contact guides are ready and the group got a share of brief orientation on what are the do’s and don’ts when inside the cave. Possible expectations  to be encountered on the exploration were also shared by those who already have the experience in spelunking as well as those who already explored the cave.

Stalactites and still growing

It was 9 in the morning when we started to take a walk going to the mouth of the cave. It only took 10 minutes. The group comprises of about 50 persons since the drivers of the “habal-habal” decided to join with us.

forming stagmites

There was almost no difference in the surrounding area and the cave  if compared to my first visit last 2007. Here’s the link of my story on first visit

Deeper into the cave

There were two caves facing each other, the first cave that we explored has a narrow to wide entrance  until you reach the cathedral opening inside. The other one, is all narrow that if you could imagine that if will only be measured by 3 meters wide and following the flow of the water.  Although there are some parts of the second cave that are bigger but no cathedral like structure.

Explore more

1 hour and 40 minutes we wandered into the first cave, we did a back trail since we will run out of time if we pursue to use the other passages which are more difficult and risky.

Above the high ceiling

Off we go into the second cave this is just  in front  of the first cave and started exploring the area. I was not able to explore the second cave since I have some participants who are not ready to continue for they had this “ visits” and I have some gadgets with me that are risky to bring  due to this underground river.

The chamber

Other participants who did not explore the second cave are waiting at the area where we have our brief orientation. 1 hour and 20 minutes had past and  they are all out of the second cave and had our Lunch.

Growing stalagmites

It was a very exhausting adventure but the reward of being there inside those chambers and cathedral like caves are very amusing knowing that there are unknown and not common landscape  we see very often  especially to the first timers.

Open space

Cave opening

All had eaten their lunch meals and got some rest, we departed from the Barangay Casoon and on our way back to the municipal proper in preparation to proceed at Awao Falls, Barangay Awao ,  Monkayo, Compostela Valley

I would like to thank Arthur Yap for this amazing images.

My first exploration of Combilan way back October 2007

We proceeded to Awao falls after this exploration… Will post it soon.

Thanks for reading!  Kudos to all the organizers.

 

2009 Surigao Summer Escapade: Enchanted River Abyss

Deep blue Abyss

“Stop every now and then.  Just stop and enjoy.  Take a deep
breath.  Relax and take in the abundance of life.”

Here’s the link of the first segment of my 2009 Surigao Escapade : Tinuy-an Falls
Here’s the link of the second segment  of my 2009 Surigao Escapade : Hagonoy Island
Here’s the link of the third segment  of my 2009 Surigao Escapade: Hinayagan Cave

Here’s the continuation of the story about our 2009 Summer Escapade, we departed from Hinayagan cave at around 12:40 in the afternoon and proceeded to Cambatong, Hinatuan to dip into the clear blue waters of Enchanted River.

Blue body of water

1:45 in the afternoon when we arrived at Cambatong, Hinatuan and since we are all forgot to eat our lunch meal we took our lunch at one of the barbeque house in the area. Burp! Excuse me… ^_^

Mouth of the river

It was 2:20 in the afternoon when we  moved on  our way to the mysterious “Enchanted River”. We arrived after 2 a hours travel and it seemed like no river at all, why? It was just right on the side of the road… and I thought that it was just a swimming pool with clear blue waters… ^_^

Cave opening

All dipped into the water after wearing a floater, just to really feel relax and enjoy the place with less effort in swimming. (I can’t remember my lessons in swimming.. joke ^_^)

I really can’t explain more about the beauty of the place but all I can say is “Awesome! Beautiful, magnificent view and more words of praises.”

Heavy rain pours while we are still dipped in to the water, as much as we would like to stay longer in the area we can’t since we have another area to visit.

The place was beautifully astounding with rock formations on it’s side, with lush thick forest vegetation around the area. *sigh* If given the opportunity again to visit the place then I will.. hehe

Photo courtesy of  Elmer, Randy, Anne, Jem , Sarah and Jenny.

 

2009 Surigao Summer Escapade: Hinayagan Cave

Deep earth

“Keep your sense of proportion by regularly, preferably daily,
visiting the natural world.” - Catlin Matthews

Here’s the link of the first segment of my 2009 Surigao Escapade : Tinuy-an Falls
Here’s the link of the second segment  of my 2009 Surigao Escapade : Hagonoy Island

Coming from Hagonoy Island, we arrived at Mangagoy at around 8:25 in the morning and we took our breakfast in the area. After our breakfast meal we proceeded to our destination and passed by Bislig City proper at around 10:05 in the morning  for our transportation to  have it’s share of oil to keep us going.

It was 10:30 in the morning that we arrived at Kapatagan 2, Barangay San Vicente area where the jump-off area going the cave was located.

Entering into the realm...

It only took 10 minutes walk from the road where we left the jeep up to the mouth of the cave.

Looking from inside

The entrance of the cave has a 15 meter wide radius with a creek water and a miniature falls. We are marveled by the beauty of the cave, it’s ceiling having a 10 meter diameter opening in the middle allowing light to pass through and allowing birds and other winged species to in and out of the cave.  All experiences of getting into the area would be worthwhile after seeing the depth of the earth. ^_^

shedding light hole

Hinayagan Cave was once called Suhoton Cave by the locals but renamed to what it is called now since there’s another cave bear the name Suhoton in the country. -I guess at Samar.. am i right?

Heads up!

Locals said that there’s an underground river in the cave to about 50 meters wide that leads to the entrance of the second cave but as we are limited on our time, we are just contented with the easier one.

Stalactites

I am hoping that locals will monitor the area for much further destruction of the cave. I saw some hand prints on the wall and some broken stalactites indicating it is not being taken cared of.

Ice cream looking

We departed at around 12:40 in the afternoon heading to our next destination which is Hinatuan’s  Enchanted River.

underworld

This is  the third segment of my post of my Surigao Summer Escapade.

Photo courtesy of  Elmer, Randy, Anne, Jem and Sarah.

I will be posting this tomorrow about Hinatuan’s Enchanted River… Sounds mysterious huh! heheh