2009 Surigao Summer Escapade: Tinuy-an Cascades

The mesmerizing Tinuy-an Falls

“A man’s moral worth is not measured by what his religious beliefs are but rather by what emotional impulses he has received from Nature during his lifetime.” – Albert Einstein

It was a perfect midnight in May 30, 2009 as our group decided to meet outside parking area of Victoria Plaza near Mc Donald’s, Bajada. The group composed of individuals with different personalities but with the same goal – Go nature tripping!

As what the group decided to visit was Surigao del Sur, it was a month long preparation to gather information and contacts especially the transportation that would bring us to our destination. Individuals contributed their time as to what ,when who and where just to have this “ Final  2009 Summer Escapade” to be smooth and be realized.

The group

All are excited and prepared as we departed from Victoria Plaza at Bajada area 12:30 in the morning. Our driver named Allan was energized to bring us to our prospected destination.

2:30 in the morning and we made our stop-over at New Sibunga, Nabunturan for Early morning coffee break and eat something until we arrive at our destination.

The group decided to take a long travel going to San Francisco, Agusan del Sur via Barobo instead of Directly going to Bislig City to avoid lesser rough conditions of the road. Imagine our travel to go full circle up to the northern part of the Surigao del Sur. Still worth it. ^_^

5:10 in the morning and we made stop at San Francisco, Agusan del Sur were we bought hot “Pandesal”  and then proceeded to 4^th class Municipality of Barobo en-route Bislig City possibly avoid rough roads.

Indeed a rough road ahead

It was 7:30 in the morning when we got stuck on the road for some off-road action near Barobo due to some Log hauling trucks are having a hard time passing through the merciless  road. Our transportation “Lawin by Sarao Motors” did not failed us, it bravely surpassed all the rough it gets along the way.

Subida Outdoor shop - Mangagoy, Surigao Del Sur

We arrived at 3^rd class Bislig City in the province of Surigao del Sur at around 8:30 in the morning and proceeded to Barangay Mangagoy touted as its center of trade of the city. We took our breakfast at one the eateries in the area and at the same time took a rest from travel. We parked the Jeep at Subida Outdoor shop just infront of G-Mar Commercial Supermarket.

For others to know about Bislig City, it is home of the now defunct company “PICOP resources, Incorporated which happened to be the largest paper mills in the country, and formerly the largest paper mill in Asia. No wonder I saw more cut trees of  Falcata along the road and obviously the log haulers we encountered at our travel.  PICOP permanent shutdown was mid- 2008.

Going back to my story, we departed Barangay Mangagoy at around 9:40 in the morning on our way to Barangay Burbo-anan, Bislig City  where Tinuy-an Falls is situated.

Magnificent view of Tinuy-an Falls

It has a 6 Kilometer stretch of almost uphill road going to the area. For the record, Tinuy-an falls is named as “The Niagara Falls of the Philippines” due to its 55 meter (180 Feet) high with 3 tiered levels flow of curtain looking white water with 95 meters width.  It’s rock formations are natural. Deep breath.. ^_^

White Crystal curtain flow of water

We Arrived at around 10:30 in the morning at the Tinuy-an Falls and from there on, all cameras and videos are up as all are glancing to take pictures of the magnificent falls. Water is cold and the mist of the gushing water from above embraced us as a reward to our tired bodies due to traveling. Entrance fee to the area is 10 pesos and they offer cottages for rent as well as tables. We took our lunch at the side of the falls on the slabs of big logs and flat rocks.

Lunch time at Tinuy-an Falls

The sides of the falls are still covered with ferns and vines as well a giant trees around the area. I can say it is still called rainforest due to it’s lush greens and thick canopies of leaves in the area. Going up to the upper cascade level of the falls is a metal stairway that makes the tourist comfortable as they get to the second level of the falls.

Second tier level of tinuy-an Falls

Photo courtesy of Sarah, Elmer, Randy and Anne

Thanks for sharing your captured moments.

This is just the first part of my overall 2009 Final Summer escapade at Surigao del Sur.