Exploring CARAGA

It was on the night of August 21, 2013 when we arrived at Cabadbaran. This was my first trip to CARAGA Region and I'm so thankful to ate January for inviting me in their two days trip and for her friends for the warm welcome.

DAY 1. August 22, 2013. It was already 6:57 in the morning when we left ate Angie’s place and started our trip. It was a long travel from Cabadbaran to our first destination – the Enchanted River.

Enchanted River is located at Talisay, Hinatuan Surigao del Sur.  From the main road you could get there by using a private vehicle or van for hire, habal-habal or by feet.  Well, the last option would not be a very nice idea since you have to walk 12 kilometers from the main road to the river.  And the road ... well, certified rough road.

Upon arriving, we paid Php30.00 per head for our entrance and Php150.00 for our cottage.  Well, there are also some picnic tables which you could rent for Php100.00 only.   As for our lunch, we only ordered some foods cooked by the locals there. 

The river has two parts; the bluish color indicates the deep area while the greenish one indicates the shallow portion of it.

 A trivia about this river is that NOBODY knows how deep it is.  There were people who tried to reach the bottom of it, yet no one has ever succeeded.  What makes it more mysterious is that the river seems to have no source and it taste a little bit of salty though the current flows towards the Pacific Ocean.

My trip there wouldn't be complete if I hadn't tried swimming.  Good thing that there were available life vest that we rented for just Php15.00 which helped us in crossing  the other side of the river. We also rented some goggles for only Php20.00 which we use during the fish feeding. 

Fishes were being feed by locals there during 12NN. During that time, all tourists were requested to stay on the side of the river.

Fishes from different sizes and colors would appear and race over the foods that were being fed to them. 

After taking our lunch and changing our clothes, we then proceed to our next destination - the International Doll House.

The International Doll House is one of  Ocean View Park Restaurant attraction. It is located on a hilltop at  Purok 6 of Cumawas Bislig Surigao del Sur.

From the entrance gate, we climbed 273 steps in order to reach the doll house.  But before we could get inside, we paid Php20.00 each for our entrance fee.  Every  guest is requested to remove their footwear upon entering the famous house of Bislig.

Various dolls from different sizes, costumes and colors  were displayed on the room.  Aside from the dolls, there was also some stuff toys, clowns, mini cars and figurines displayed there.

The room where the dolls were displayed is fully air-conditioned 24 / 7.  I wonder how much they are paying for their electricity.   

The last place we visited that day is dubbed as the "Niagara Falls of the Philippines" - the Tinuy-an Falls.

Honestly, I thought we wouldn't be able to check this place since it was already late but nothing stops ate and her friends (which I loved).  So, at around  4:30 in the afternoon we arrived at Burboanan, Bislig City where the majestic three layered waterfall lies.

We paid Php50.00 for our entrance fee, ate January said it used to be Php20.00 the last time they visit the place.  Looking around, there was a wooden bridge that leads you to the other side.  There were also some tables, cottages, washrooms and souvenir shops in the area.  Near the falls was a bamboo raft which is use in getting underneath the waterfalls.  There were also some mini pool at the side but it was already filled with mud and rocks.  On the right portion of the falls was a stairway that leads to the second part of the falls but that area is close based on signage that was placed there. But guess what! We were able to go to that part  with the help of the locals there that serve as our guides.  At the top, we took some pictures and sat as the waters falls at our back which was so relaxing.  This kind of experience should not be missed  by every traveler. 

It was already getting dark when we went down from the falls but our adventure was not yet over.  Using the bamboo raft and with the help of the guides we were able to get near the falls and even stood under the falling water which was a bit painful because of the huge volume of water falling down at us.  Sad to say that we weren't able to took some pictures during that time.

I wonder how this place looks during day time.  One of our guide said that a rainbow would appear on the falls in the morning.  Oh how I wish I have that chance to see it .

Anyway,  it was already 6 in the evening when we left the place and went to Casa de Babano where we stayed the night.

DAY 2. August 23, 2013. 

We left Casa de Babano early that morning and went on to our next destination-  Britannia Group of Islands.  

It took us hours before we arrived at  Salvacion San Agustin Surigao del Sur where the famous Britannia Group of Island lies.  The islets were liked mushrooms in Lianga Bay.  The water was clear and the sand was creamy colored fine one.

I'm still looking for the right words to describe the place but I can't make up my mind which one to use so I rather post some picture of it.

Well, after putting on some sunblock and ordered our meals from the locals, we then started our island hoping.  We rented a small boat for the whole trip which cost Php1,500.00.  First on the list was the NAKED ISLAND. Do not be misled by the name itself.   The islet was named NAKED since there is nothing on it but merely creamy colored fine sand. We then moved to another islet named Hagonoy.  Unlike the first one, this one has tree growing on one side,a wrecked hut and some rocks that comes in different sizes and textures.   There were also some locals cleaning the area when we went there.  After checking the place and taking some picture we then proceed to the last islet - the Buslon Island.    This is the islet where an image of the Virgin Mary can be seen.  The whole islet is shaped like a turtle shell.  We actually went around the islet during low tide.  There were also two islets that look like the same as Buslon. During low  tides tourist could actually cross over to these two islands but with extra careful for they might step on some sea urchins. We also had our lunch there before going back to the resort and went back to Butuan City.    It was already 5 in the afternoon when ate January and her friends drop me off to Butuan terminal.  There, I  took a bus back home to Cagayan de Oro City.  These places we have explored for two days are one of Mindanao gems that we Filipino should be proud of.