Trip to CDO: spelunking at Kweba de Oro

Trip to CDO: White Water Rafting

Riding the rapids is one of the adrenaline-pumping escapades that Cagayan de Oro can offer.  On November 30, 2010, the day after our Camiguin trip, we embarked on a White Water Rafting adventure with The Red Rafts, my most preferred rafting company in CDO. The low-priced advance course package we availed from The Red Rafts was great and "super sulit sa bulsa" as it already included photo and video coverage, transfers from/to hotel, and buffet lunch for the whole group. 

Before rafting down the river, we were given an instructional briefing on proper paddling and safety measures when you fall off the raft.

Short briefing before rafting

The Second Group. Gerald and Joseph were at front
with the rest of the girls - Ericka, Jen, Jec and Aple!

Our group. Me together with the best man in the world - jayjay -
 and friends - Adrian, Charmaine, and Ibyang!

Our first rapid.

The second group's first rapid. 

High five! As we celebrated our feat after series of wild rapids.

The second group's first flip. 

When our guides asked us to stand up on the raft while
we're concurrently fighting against the rapids.

This rapid is called the "rafters' playground" where they try to go
against the rapids to intentionally play and flip the raft.

The actual scene when Adrian, Charmaine, the other guide and I already fell off the raft.

Save your raft-mates!

Our second flip.

The Iceberg! We all moved near the rear-end of the raft as we flip into their so-called Iceberg!

The Iceberg! And yes, we had another share of flip and fall!

We were given the chance to enjoy the still water.

And the so-called graduation jump...

Group picture for the graduation jump.

The graduation jump!

We have conquered the White Water Rafting of the Adventure Capital of the Philippines, Cagayan de Oro! The thrill, the kick of adrenaline, and the breathtaking rapids, flips and fall in the river were all truly remarkable.

Trip to Camiguin

My friends from Smart Communications and I had our pre-Christmas vacation in Camiguin Island last November 27 to 28, 2010. To get to Camiguin Island, from Cagayan de Oro (CDO) airport, we went straight to Agora Bus Terminal for a bus ride to Balingoan port in Misamis Oriental for Php155 each. At the bus terminal, we were offered a van for rental for only Php1200. Since we're 10 in the group, it would only cost us Php120 per person --- much cheaper -- so, we opted to rent the van instead. Our travel from CDO to Balingoan port was about two (2) hours -- enough for us to get a good sleep. The one-way roro fare from Balingoan Port to Benoni Port in Camiguin is Php130 per person. 


Prior to this trip, I already contacted and hired the multicab of Tatay Junior's cousin for only Php2200 for two days.  The cousin of Tatay Junior is very accommodating and always on time. One excellent thing was his cd playlist -- very updated! Anyway, he picked us up at Benoni port and sent us to Ardent Resort.
We checked in and had our late lunch at Ardent Spring Resort. We took a dormitory room and a duplex cottage. For room accommodation rates, you may check this site http://www.markmaranga.com/ardent-hot-spring-camiguin/.  The only thing I hate about Ardent's rooms is the bed foam -- some are rocklike in nature haha!


Right after our lunch, we immediately embarked on a tour and headed to our first target destination which was the Katibawasan Falls. The entrance fee is Php15 per person. Visitors may opt to swim here, toilets are available upstairs. Souvenir items can also be bought from the stores located outside.

Katibawasan Falls

Second stop: The Walkway to the Old Volcano. We did not plan to walk up the Old Volcano as it would only consume time ('cos we're already running out of time). The entrance fee is Php5 per person. No need to pay the entrance fee if you're just going to shoot some pics at the start-off point -- just like what we did.

Walkway to the Old Volcano

Third stop: The Sunken Cemetery. We just stayed at the viewing deck for not more than 15 minutes. We hurried up taking photos as the rain poured heavily. No entrance fee unless you decide to reach the cross up close through a rented boat.

Sunken Cemetery

Sunken Cemetery and the sunset

Fourth stop: The Guiob Church Ruins. No entrance fee. We just took a quick look and photo-ops 'cos it was still raining.

Guiob Church Ruins

 

Fifth stop: Ardent Spring Resort. Before we submerged ourselves into the relaxing hot spring of the well-known resort, we placed an order for our dinner first (you have to order hours before since the waiting time is very looooong). Food served at the resort are really scrumptious -- worth the price! Highly recommended! :)

Small pool in Ardent Resort

Large pool in Ardent Resort

My friends and I at Ardent Resort

Additional tips

There are two routes going to Camiguin Island:

1. As stated above, from CDO airport, take a cab to the bus terminal located at Agora Market and get on a bus for Balingoan, Misamis oriental. It is more or less a two-hour ride. From Balingoan, take a ferry bound for Camiguin Island for approximately 45 minutes.

2. From CDO airport, go straight to Macabalan port in CDO City. Take the one and only daily schedule of Paras Sea Cat ferry at 8:30AM for Php350 per person. The ferry ride to Camiguin is approximately three and a half hours.

Contact persons:

For multicab rental in Camiguin, you may contact Tatay Junior at 09063899675 and his cousin (i forgort his name) at 09193286404. Highly recommended!

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