The paddle of my life: the high fives of CDO Whitewater Rafting

After a fulfilling buffet lunch at Mindy’s, we transferred to a jeep for our next mission to accomplish – the whitewater rafting.

We decided to take the advance course as we thought beginner course will just bore us. Haha.

We met a couple who was staying in the same hotel as ours, and add them to our number of eight, now we have just enough numbers to make the game more exciting.

So we geared up ourselves with those tight-chest-busting life vest, secured our paddle and pose for some photo ops…

bridge over Cagayan de Oro river marks the border of CDO and Bukidnon

The orientation was as brief as steps 1, 2, 3… how to paddle forward, backward and the famous high five… Besides, there’s really nothing to fear about the rafting challenge because your ship will be captained by an expert. Ours was named Cookie of Kagay. Haha. 

high five practice!

Advance course is has thirteen major rapids, and it took us more than four hours to finish it.

first major rapid

Oh yes, we had the best times of our lives.

One of my tiny concerns is that Kagay must and always make sure that they use the state-of-the-art rubber boats as they claim it to be. Well, the other groups’ boat was new and perfect, while ours was a second best. It has to be pumped every now and then while cruising the river to maintain its air. It was one reason why we can’t fully navigate the rage of the rapids as I think they feared for the boats life as well as ours. Haha. Nevertheless, the whole experience was a blast. See?

 now you see us...

 

now you don't...

 once, there were seven...

 then, there were three...

Kagay-anons may have recovered from the wrath of Sendong, living life one day at a time… but the fresh wounds of the tragedy are too obvious that cannot be noticed. If only we brought an underwater camera during the rafting, which you can, by the way, just make sure to hold on to it or wrap it around you if needed so the river won’t take it away from you. So why do we need a camera when we’re provided with photos and videos by Kagay? Well, because the photos and videos just covered the activity and not the whole place. There’s a lot to experience in the river, more than the rapids and rafting. There was this scenario when young people crossing the river from CDO (left side of the river) to BUkidnon (the right side of the river) using a decrepit bamboo raft. Children passing the hanging bridge above us. The laba-rocks (because it’s where household moms do their laundry)… The coconut and bamboo trees that survived the ferocious typhoon… Ahh... I really wish I have photos to share it with you. 

laba-rocks

 to complete the river experience... 

 

When we climb Mt Pulag last year, we were told that there's this maya-like bird or a certain specie in the mountains, especially in the rivers or streams, and when you see them, it means the waters are clean and safe to drink. Guess what, they're everywhere in CDO river... They actually look more like mosquitoes to me.


Anyway, we finished the rafting just before it gets dark, oh well, it was almost dark. Our Kagay team  offered us one of the best snacks a true-blooded Bisdak cannot say no to – saging na saba at ginamos! Takam na takam at gutom na gutom  lang kami…

I wish we can go back to CDO soon, advance course of whitewater rafting made us (J and myself) want it more. Bitin kasi, or maybe we just expecting something that didn’t happen during the course. Maybe the expert or extreme courses will satisfy our desires. Haha.

****

with photos from Inch Datuin

Zipping the Lines: Dahilayan Adventure Park

If there’s such a thing, the Philippines can now be called the zip line capital of the world. It’s because in every major tourist destination in the country, you can always see this kind of thrilling activity. To name a few, there’s one in Loboc River in Bohol, Regency hotel in Cebu, Mitra’s ranch in Palawan, Embarcadero and Lignon Hill in Legazpi… picnic grove in Tagaytay (where I had my first zip line experience, three years ago) and a lot lot more.

Dahilayan Adventure Park claims to have the longest dual zipline in Asia (840 meters, 4500 meters above sea level.) A Sam Milby - KC Concepcion movie featured this park (along with Tinago falls in Iligan) adding promotion to the popular tourist destination.

From Cagayan de Oro, it took us a little more than two hours of travel to get to Bukidnon.  We availed the services of Kagay worth 2,150 pesos each. This includes all zip line rides in Dahilayan and the CDO whitewater rafting activity, plus transportation and buffet lunch.  We only have one day to spend for this activities so we settled for it.

7am, we were picked up by our van driver in our hotel, Parkview Hotel. Location-wise, this one is a good choice. It’s located in the famous DVsoria of CDO, strategically near to everything, I think. Haha.

It was a slow drive at first as there were a lot of road constructions on our way. But upon seeing these landmarks, we knew we're nearly there.

 pinyapple, anyone?

Upon arriving the park, we handed our money to Manong, and we rushed camwhoring the place. It was a Monday, so we didn't expect much crowd, but there were some students having their field trip adding the queue in the first two zips.

Pine trees are everywhere in the area, did they actually plant those or it does really exist there, I have no idea, but one thing is  real, this is Bukidnon and not Baguio. Haha.

 trip for a picnic in the woods

spot the panda in the forest

Enough camwhoring and start the ahem... adventure..

First zip: 150m

holding hands while ziplining!

Second zip: 320m

Hershell holding her dear life to the rope!

If your budget is tight and 600 pesos will ruin your pockets, I think, you can just book for the last and longest zip, just for the sake of experiencing it and feel the rush it offers. I just don't know how much, but I'm pretty sure it's cheaper compare trying all three zips. Besides, you won't regret it much if you missed the first two, it's not really that thrilling and nerve wrecking. Haha. But if it's your first time, by all means, try all three, after all, you've travelled a long way to Bukidnon for this.

For the third and longest zip, we had to ride their 4x4 jeep, and travel an uphill rocky road for the jump off. Even the short bumpy ride is a must-experience to add to the adventure-filled package.

superD!

Three different zip lines in an hour is worth 600 pesos… plus 100 pesos if you wish to buy your photo with a certificate of conquest which I didn't bother to buy one - mas maganda pa mga kuha namin eh. Hahaha!  And if you prefer to have a Dahilayan park souvenir shirt, it's 250 and it's white (pinikitan ko to kasi wala akong pambili, hanggang 200 lang ang budget ko sa tshirt...haha!)

The park isn't just about zip lines, they also offer other exciting activities like the zorb, rope courses and ATV, for additional fees, of course.

****

A visit to Bukidnon won’t be complete without experiencing the town’s pride, the pineapple plantation. In the middle of Del Monte Camp Phillips, we asked Manong driver to halt and took some quick snapshots in the plantation before proceeding back to CDO for our next activity, the whitewater river rafting.

ayun, may pinya?

ah, eto ba? haha

***

Marked photos by Inch Datuin and Rodje Rodriguez

sweet revenge: Pico de Loro

Vengeance is Mine, sayeth the Lord…

But I think the Heavens won’t mind if I overstate my title opposing His words. It thought it’s my only way to express a triumph from once a thrashing quest.

Last year, the unforgivable hike to Mt. Pico de Loro taught me a lesson about the climb… This year, the famous beaked-mountain of Cavite gallantly rewarded me the much coveted prize…with a bonus!

Still dealing a hangover from Batad, J and I geared up for our first official mountain climbing date. Haha. Most of the time he tend to decline my invitation for a climb, but perhaps his Batad experience made him decide to defy the mountains.

The first climb of the year for the Call of Nature, yet only three of us from the first Pico climb were seriously up for the challenge. Me, mommy Earl and my adopted brother, Inch. New recruits were J and Paulo, (Inch’s friend.)

What made this more challenging for us was that it was an overnight climb. J and Paulo purposely decided to join because of the overnight thing. At dahil overnight, we need to bring more equipment than the usual day hike – tent, sleeping bags, food and cooking sets… Mas nakakapagod umakyat ng maraming bitbit...

I can still vividly remember how hard and tricky the way to Pico – but we decided not to hire a guide. Armed with our powerful instincts, the ever reliable ribbons along the way and the escort of His hands, we knew we can make it.

We were blessed with a perfect weather every climber could ever wish for – the complete opposite of our last year’s hike.

 Jollibee Delivery's Mission: To serve great tasting food, bringing the joy of eating to everyone.. Everywhere!! haha - Inch

After 30 minutes, we reached camp 1. They were kidding to just pitch the tent in camp 1 and continue the trek the next day – pagod na kasi. We stayed for more than ten minutes and resumed our hike. We were targeting to reach the summit in the next two hours – assuming the fine weather will continue to favor us.

I have telling J that we need to pass through a lot of batis (creek) on our way to Pico. Well, during our last climb last September, we had at least four or five batis to freshen up and cool down our wounded and heavy spirits. But now, we saw nothing but rocks and twigs. They’re all dried up.  

Somewhere in the middle of the trek, it drizzled and it rained. I seriously panicked. History cannot repeat itself, I mean, not this time. Not in Pico. Haha. Moreover, we are God’s favorite children so He then stopped the rain … and overwhelmed us of His grace.

On the last stretch of the climb, J saw a loose bundle of woods. He picked it up and started to collect more woods along the way for our bonfire. Dagdag bitbit whew!  It was then when he started to ask ‘are we there yet?’ Haha.. 

We were victorious to reach the camping grounds – after two and half hours. Lo and behold!

There were other campers in the ground. According to them, it took them five hours to reach the area. Haha. Well, most of them were first timers, so it’s very understandable.

After taking few shots, we started to pitch our tents before it gets dark. The camping grounds were almost cleaned up as according to DENR officers, there were around 300 climbers in Pico that previous weekend. I can’t imagine the crowd. Parang may piyesta daw sa taas. Traces of garbage were still visible. Tsk tsk.

Just before the sun rest for the night, we hurriedly climbed the summit. Well, hurriedly in a sense that we didn't retire ourselves and took the chance to witness the sunset in the summit right after our tents were put in place. But you cannot trudge up the summit as quick as you can because the trail is far more dangerous. It’s as steep as the walkways to Tappiya falls in Batad, or even worse than that.

 

Climbing the summit of Mt Pico de Loro is a little death defying. But upon seeing the famous Parrots Beak that once rejected us – it was all worth it. I have always dreamed of climbing the beak, but by the looks of it, I must admit, I chickened out. Haha. Nakakatakot. Besides, it was getting dark, it will be very risky. So we just enjoyed the rest of the sun set moments in the summit, while getting pleasure of being slapped by strong winds.

I am a sucker of sun rise and sun sets. Not just because it’s one of the easiest yet most beautiful photographed subjects, but because it always reminds me of a message that there is a time for everything. A time to rise...and a time to rest.

Trekking down from the summit is more challenging than the other way around, worst if you’re doing it without sunlight. Even with our headlights on, the trail is just complicated. Mapapa-one-wrong-move-and-you’ll-be-dead ka talaga. Haha.

Back to our tent, we started to prepare our dinner and the anticipated bonfire. As J would put it, what’s a camping without a bonfire.

 

  So what’s for dinner: adobong manok, binagoongang baboy, itlog na maalat, sardinas

 …and what’s bonfire without marshmallows… Haha!

It was indeed a fantastic night camping experience. We surrendered to our tents at around eight in the evening. Unlike my Pulag experience, where I had the longest night of my life, I succumb to a deep and uninterrupted sleep in Pico – an illustration of a victorious pursuit and a very sweet revenge! Haha.

***

Rise and shine!

We woke up at around five in the morning. We planned to trek back to the summit but we will be running out of time as we needed to head back down because mommy Earl has to go to work. Instead, we just savor the morning, had some coffee and prepared our scrumptious breakfast.

What’s for breakfast: noodles, bread, corned beef, tuna, luncheon meat, strawberry jam, srambled egg, rice and leftover food from dinner…

We realized our baon was actually good for two nights, pinilit na lang naming ubusin para mabawasan ang bitbit pababa.

And before we head back to the trail, we went camwhoring in the camping grounds, showcasing again, the wonderful view of the summit.

shao-shao kid!

to pooh or not to pooh! lol*

i believe, i can fly

first climb of 2012!

 flashback 2011!

We left the camping grounds at 825 in the morning. We took time trekking back as a reward to ourselves from a successful climb. Haha. We reached the DENR office at 11am.

Except the last two, all unmarked photos by Inch Datuin!

How far can a thousand go in 168?

Straight from a successful overnight climb to Mt. Pico de Loro, J suggested that we go to Divisoria to buy a jungle bolo, for future climbs and more mountain escapades. (may ganun agad?!)

Thanks to the very fine and cooperative weather and some pain relievers, we felt normal after the climb, amid the heavy backpacks and strenous trek. So when he suggested that we go to 168 mall, I answered him with a big ‘tara!’ Haha.

We got off the bus in P. Faura, together with mommy Earl who then took the jeep to Sta. Ana, while we waited for a jeep going to Quiapo. You cannot expect us to carry those big bags while battling shoppers in 168, so we decided to leave it in the baggage counter of Isetann mall, before taking another ride to Divi.




J and I normally go to 168 to buy pasalubong when going home to the province. It was very unlikely for him to invite me to 168 when we’re scheduled to go home, sa May pa! Well, it seems like, after one mountain, this very early, he’s showing symptoms of addiction to mountain climbing.

But 168 is 168. When you decide to buy a jungle bolo, make sure you bring money enough just for a jungle bolo otherwise, you’ll end up spending more than what you expected.

So we had a thousand in hand… and... here's what we got!

I’m going home next month, so I bought some of this for pasalubong for kids. (all for 50pesos)

J doesn’t have one, so… But little did we realize that this umbrella has some magic in it. Haha. See the difference when it gets wet? Amazed by it's special detail, I gave J my months old umbrella, and this one’s mine. Haha. (200pesos)

We agreed to buy two, strictly for camping purposes only. (50 each=100 pesos)

We were able to spend 350 first before we get to buy the main item for this side trip. Tsk tsk. Original price was 250, we got it for 200 pesos.

Rechargeable headlights. Told you he’s serious for more overnight climbs. (130 pesos)

Roaming around 168 can be very tiring. So we had one slice each of Greenwhich pizza and shared one glass of coke all for 51 pesos.. (no photo).

I once saw this for sale at Toby’s sports for 300 pesos, I think. I was planning to buy one, but never had a chance yet, until I saw it again in 168 haha.. (90 pesos) 

I was already nagging about our expenses - when our initial plan was to buy for one item only… Haha. So we were on our way out…  when we passed this ordinary stall, filled with cute stuffed toys and cartoon character designed bags and all. We’re running out of budget and we had no plans buying another item. Besides, we were assuming na walang tindang ganun si ate, pero sinubukan pa rin naming magtanong, and we were stunned when the sales lady showed us what we were looking for. We bargained hard because we had few bucks left. Mahirap kasi hanapin ang character na ito, at madalas mahal sya kaya din na namin pinakawalan. Haha.

Happy birthday to our little backpacker/climber, Russel.

Overall, we spent a thousand and 21 pesos in a quick afternoon in 168, doubled our expenses from our well-budgeted Pico climb. Haha.