Surigao 2: Hinatuan's Enchanted River

In continuation to my 24 hour Surigao adventure, after a fun dip and quick breakfast at the magnificent Tinuy-an Falls, we went to our next stop (the one I am most excited about) - the Enchanted River.

According to the locals, the river was named as such because it was believed that "engkantos" are responsible for the mystical beauty and depth. Its really a sight to see for me since its the first time I've seen a water as blue and clear as that in Enchanted River. There's a very deep hole in the river and it kinda freaks me out to look into it, it feels as if I will see something staring me back up to me from the void.. ~kekeke..

Several pro divers tried to but was unsuccessful to reach the bottom of the river - thus it really is DEEP! But don't let that scare you into enjoy swimming in the river because the staff provides life jackets for anyone and for any age and there are also about two to three (that I noticed during my visit) lifeguards patrolling around the length of the river. 

For those who would like to visit this haven better make sure that you arrive before or stay until the fish feeding time. Fishes of different sizes and colors that reside deep inside the crater comes out once the feeding music is played and a staff carries diced squid to feed the fishes. Its a fun sight because on regular hours you can't see any fishes while swimming and once the music plays they just come swimming up to the surface. Its really a must see.

The place is beautifully maintained - its very clean, the life jackets all look like new, everything looks like newly painted. It might be far to go to but once your there it water and the place itself totally soothes the soul with its full grown trees, white sand and deep azure waters. Its definitely nature at its finest.

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Surigao I : Magnificent Tinuy-an Falls ( Lil Niagara of Pinas)

FINALLY! After several failed attempts and 5-6 hours of driving from Tagum City, the Powerpuff girls (my friends and I .. our silly lil nickname) stepped on Surigao del Sur soil. We have been planning this trip for more than a year now and the earlier plans to go to Surigao has been cancelled due to different reasons like weather problems, or the road being non accessible (- complications to the weather problems) or our own schedule changing etc. , that later on it made us all the more excited to be there but at the same time skeptic if we will ever be able to. It was just funny that Taynee, Fox and I were really skeptic about it and we finally believed it until the last moment that we started to begin the journey to Surigao at 12:30 am. 

It was gonna be a full day tour of the best places Surigao del Sur has to offer. We arrived in Surigao around 6am then have another hour or two travel to Bislig City (Booming City of the Bay) to reach our first stop of the day, the amazing Tinuy-an Falls. Also known as the "Niagra Falls of the Philippines", which it undoubtedly deserves being the widest waterfall in the country - measuring 95 meters (311 feet) in width and in a towering 55 meters (180 feet) in height -  Tinuy-an Falls is truly a magnificent sight. 

I was in awe. First word came to my mind to describe it was power - with its great towering height, its wide berth and the rushing flowing water - its all very imposing but beautiful. My friend, the Capilitan family (who were the ones who invited us on this trip as Taynee's mother was celebrating her birthday) and I wasted no time to wade in the waters and rent the bamboo raft to bring us to deeper part of the waters. It was really fun because while we were swimming and jumping from the raft, the falling water felt like rain and we can see the rainbow so close enough to touch.

Tinuy-an Falls is a four tiered waterfall however  we weren't able to go up to the 3rd and 4th tier because of  stairs to go up to that place was covered with mud due to the recent storm. It was a bit of a let down since that's really a place where you can play with the small falls but it was a truly magnificent experience overall. 

I was busy having fun when we arrived so hopefully these rates I found online are updated.. ~kekeke XD

Rates:
Entrance Fee – Php 20
Cottage Small – Php 200
Cottage Big - Php 300
Function Hall - Php 500
Life Jacket – Php 30 per hour
Table with Chair (4 chair) – Php 100
Chair - Php 10
Umbrella shed- Php 150
Gaket/Raft- Php 100
Parking Fee - Php 20
Boat- Php 50
Room Rental – Php 150 per Person

Special thanks to the Capilitan Clan.. who made our Powerpuff journey not only possible but they assured it would be a safe,fun and super "busog" trip!

Rates source: http://www.wayph.com" http://www.wayph.com 

Photo courtesy: Thalia Hernandez & Mommy Capz

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Hagimit Nature Falls & Monfort Bat Cave

Island Garden City of Samal seems to have it all - from white sand beaches to clear blue sea water and from cascades of flowing water to deep and dark bat caves. IGaCoS has a variety of beach resorts but only Hagimit Nature Park has waterfalls of varying lengths & depths and only one recording breaking bat cave to boast of, that is a must visit for anyone who goes to the island.

My friends and  I had this small get together in a beach resort, and even though we have access to the beach and to a pool, we were rather busy eating, drinking, playing and catching up with each other that we didn't notice that we overstayed our welcome at the resort without really having fun with water. So we decided to continue our small reunion in Hagimit Falls and Nature Park.

Travel details:

You can go to Hagimit Nature Park by riding a ferry boat from Sasa Wharf in Davao City and then riding a motorcycle in the Babak Ferry Terminal which is 11 km away from this spot or riding  a bus from Magsaysay Davao City and stopping at the Central Warehouse in Peñaplata and riding a motorcycle - which is just 4 km away from this place. 

photo credits: James Malibiran

photo credits: James Malibiran

 Hagimit Falls is small but has a multi-tiered cascades of cold water and upon arriving, one can immediately see a long stretch of turquoise water flowing from varying sizes of cascades.  The place is just brimming with a number of falls and natural water pools that we were like kids in a candy store - running here and there, climbing some rocks to get to another set of falls hidden from view and jumping off from one edge to another and if you look at the pic below, bracing ourselves against the strong water current.

There was still so much to see in the place but we weren't able to do so because of the time. The only thing I didn't like is the "hundred" flight of stairs (my mortal enemy ~kekeke ) that you have go through to get to and out of this place but its was a very fun experience overall.

As for the Monfort Bat Cave, I honestly haven't been here but I would really love to - seeing that number of bats would be so awesome and did I mention that this place is a Guiness record holder?  Yes, it is a Guiness World Record holder for the place that houses the largest colony / most number of fruit bats, Geoffrey’s Rousette Fruit Bat to be specific. But the best thing in going to this place is I get to say "to the bat cavvveee!!" - kekeke. XD

Photo courtesy to: National Geographic and
to Monfort Bat Sanctuary

Travel Details:

Monfort Bat cave is located in Barangay Tambo of Babak District. You You can go to  by riding a ferry boat from Sasa Wharf in Davao City or riding a bus from Magsaysay in Davao City and stop at Babak Ferry Terminal and just ride a motorcycle to go to this place. Both Hagimit and Monfort BatCave is famous in Samal so rest assured any driver can lead you to this place.

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Jump & Splash @ Carmen Resort

Merry Christmas everyone! The holidays are here, its time to spread the Christmas cheer and positivity throughout the land. ~kekeke

As for our team (Team Ariane), our work performance is a little bit down in this season - I guess its because everyone is feeling a bit down heading out to work in a bad-bed weather and working at night, instead of spending holiday parties with friends and families. Thus, we all went for a well deserved break as a team, to gather our wits and release all the negativity and just have fun in a very much needed team building / Christmas party.

Carmen Resort is located in Baguio District, Calinan in Davao City - its a bit far from the metro and it takes about 45 minutes to almost an hour from downtown to get to this place but its definitely worth the trip. From buildings in the metro you slowly get a fantastic view of flora and fauna and the air gets cleaner and cooler as you travel by, you can already feel yourself relaxing even if your still on the car.

Arriving at the place, it seemed as if we're atop of a valley and its long way down to the resort but you can already hear the rushing water - that and the view in this place would definitely keep one's senses off the fact that you have 220 steps to go down to ~kekeke.  

The river is so clean and clear but  it actually took a lot of courage (for my part I guess) to fully submerge ourselves in the BITING COLD rushing water. True, the cascades are man made but it doesn't make it less fun. It actually makes one feel safer to jump and swim over the ledge knowing that  it was designed both for fun and safety of the visitors.

Honestly, I don't really indulge in adventurous things, coward that I am, but the water here is so inviting (after you get a bit used to the cold) that my teammates and I really have to jump over the ledge. It was my first time doing so making this a really memorable place and experience for me. 

The swimming pool uses the flowing water from the river so just expect for it to be real cold too. I just adore where slide was placed because it was surrounded by small and colorful flowers and the slide itself it short which would definitely result to big whoppin' splashes for anyone who would use it.

There are several huts and tables available in Carmen Resort and their policy is First Come First Serve. The huts and tables are free of charge and no reservations can be placed for them except for their rooms which costs P500 per day.  They only have two rooms for now and unfortunately,when we were there we weren't able to get reservations to the room so we have to spend the very freezing night on a open hut.   

I've been to several outings but this is the first time that I have to sleep fully swathed with clothes - donned my jacket, jogging pants, my sneakers and bundled by my dry towel and malong - but I was still shivering. It was not a nice experience trying to sleep while my teeth was chattering but looking back at it now, it was a fun moment since we just sang and ate our way through night trying to forget (in a useless effort if I might add) the cold.

Selecting a place during this time of the year is so hard because most places are packed and even have pending reservations in place, so its definitely a good thing that Jann (a teammate of mine) was able to suggest this amazing but a bit of a secretive place proving once more the beauty of Davao City.

Resort Details:

1. Entrance Fee - P20 Daytour / P50 Overnight 

Inclusive of:

*tables & chairs / huts

*pool and river access

*Grill and use of electricity

2. Videoke and a small store is available in the resort

3. Rooms - P500 per day/night

4. You can bring in a tent, but there is only one spot can be used to set it up

**Upon arriving into the resort, the only thing we paid for was P50 overnight fee and that was it. Cheap but such a wondrous place, the only main concern would be going to the area. It is somewhat hidden so if you don't have a car, you can rent a jeep or stop by Calinan central and ride a motorcycle to the place.

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Slidin' @ Maxima Aqua Fun

Restless energy (probably to too much caffeine) and a bit of spontaneity drove my friend and I to Maxima Aqua Fun. Spontaneity, because Taynee and I just bounded on a boat to Samal without any prior planning, decided that our usual "splash and chill under the sun"  won't be option being high strung as we are that day. 

True, that unlike most beaches in Samal that have long stretch of white sand, Maxima doesn't have any shoreline at all - but they offer a ton of fun water activities that will make your visit feel like an adventure.
Imagine yourself sliding down, hearing the wind whoosh in your ear and within 6 seconds you would hit the water that's 15-20 feet deep - definitely not for the faint hearted.

But small kids were venturing out the farther and deeper places than me so it kinda made me think Maxima's deep waters was safe for anyone of all ages.
Overall, it was a real fun and energy draining experience just what fun loving and high strung people would need. I'll be posting the Maxima Aqua Fun rates below, you can check it out but at times rates would change so you can call them for further inquiries.

Maxima Aqua Fun is located in Brgy. Cawag, Penaplata, Island Garden City of Samal and there are several ways to go there - one of which is riding the bus to Samal and hop on to a tricycle that will drive you directly to Maxima or you can ride the Maxima Ferry boat from the Sta. Ana wharf. 

Maxima's main attraction which made it a favorite destination for the adventure lover would be the 40 meters giant tarpaulin slide.

My heart was about to jump out of my chest looking down at the slide however going there and not trying out the slide would be such a shame so I did it, and let me tell you, after first slide you would definitely ask for more.

Other things that you can do in Maxima, is the diving board (which we didn't do - high strung as we are, I am not all ecstatic about the height of the ledge ~kekeke)..

..water ball, water trampoline, jet skiing, banana boat ride (that you can enjoy with friends)...

.. snorkeling and kayaking (just love the color of the kayak ♥ )..

Safety isn't a problem since no matter how well of a swimmer a person is, they are required to wear a life jacket and life guards always there watching out if everyone is fine and following the rules.

Aside from all the fun things to do in Maxima, I love the place because its clean, spacious and organized. There are several type of cottages you can stay while there and I just love the colors they used in the place. 

If you think that the water activities aren't enough to deplete your energy or if you're looking for out of water fun, Maxima also has a billiards hall, trampoline and the canopy walk.

Canopy walk is the other famous attraction of Maxima Aqua Fun and its located near the entrance. You climb up to the suspended bridge (you will be equipped with a helmet and a harness thus safety is ensured) , and walk across to the other side and rappell your way down. The bridge is real wobbly which makes it a nerve wrecking experience especially the rappelling part.

We only sat for a couple of moments since we came to the place and the majority of the time was spent on going through one quest to another. The sea water was really deep I was a bit of scared of swimming in it because I can't see anything below and I was imagining things like a kraken ~kekeke.. 

MAXIMA AQUA FUN RESORT, INC.

Location: Brgy. Cawag, Penaplata, Island Garden City of Samal

Phone

(082) 286 1054 / 09236593725

FB Page:    https://www.facebook.com/maximaaquafunandcanopytours/info

Day Tour Package Option

Package A————————————————————P200

Free use of lifevest
Free use of tables and chairs
Unlimited use of Giant Slide
Unlimited use of Trampoline
15 minutes marine orientation including
use of mask and snorkel

Package B————————————————————P250

Free use of lifevest
Free use of tables and chairs
Unlimited use of Giant Slide
Unlimited use of Trampoline
15 minutes marine orientation including
use of mask and snorkel
Eagle view canopy walk with rapelling

Children rate (10 years old below)————————–P150
Eagle View Canopy Walk—————————————-P50
Camping-Overnight———————————————P350
Tent Rental———————————————————P300
Aquafun Close Cottage-Overnight————————P1,800
Bigote Dormitory-Overnight————————-P500/head

EQUIPMENTS AVAILABLE FOR RENT

Jetski——————————P3,500/hour
Jetski with Banana boat(max of 6 pax)——4,000/hour
Two Seater Kayak—————-P250/head/15minutes

TRANSPORT OPTIONS
Speedboat (max of 10 pax)

Round trip Sta. Ana Pier to Maxima—–P6,500
Round trip Penaplata to Maxima———P3,000
Round trip Beach house to Aquafun—–P1,000

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