Litratong Pinoy#50 Nang Matapos (When It Ended)

We had so much fun at the Overview Park and we stayed there more than we had planned. When it ended, we smelled and looked sweaty. So, we rested, had lunch and proceeded to Epol Waterfalls afterwards.

Pilipino: Masyado kaming nasiyahan sa Overview Park at tumagal doon nang higit sa aming pinlano. Nang matapos, kami ay nag-amoy at nagmukhang pawisan. Kaya, kami ay nagpahinga, nananghalian at dumiretso pagkatapos sa talon ng Epol.

Going to the waterfalls was not easy as it entailed going down from the provincial road through the forested trail. There were footholds along the way but as forest trails go, they were slippery, muddy (it has been raining every night back then) and caution was really needed going through the trail. Along the way, one can hear not only the birds chirping but also the sound of the waterfalls going louder and louder as we got nearer.

Pilipino: Hindi madali ang papunta sa talon at kailangang bumaba galing sa probinsiyal na kalsada at daraan sa landas na magubat. May mga tapakan ng paa papunta roon pero dahil nga sa magubat na lugar, ito ay madulas, maputik (panay ang ulan nang kung ilang gabi na ang nakaraan) at kailangan talagang mag-ingat sa daanan. Papunta roon, hindi lang mga ibon ang maririnig pati na rin ang palakas nang palakas na ingay ng talon habang kami ay papalapit.

When the trail ended, this was what we saw.... There were people before us enjoying the cool waters.

Pilipino: Sa katapusan ng daan, eto ang tumambad sa amin...May mga nauna na pala at masasayang naliligo sa malamig na tubig.

Of course, we did take our turn....

Pilipino: Siyempre, hindi kami nagpahuli...

Smiling but were really, really cold. Nevertheless, we were able to take a bath, got cleaned and we got refreshed.

Pilipino: Nakangiti pero lamig na lamig iyan. Hindi na bale, kami ay nakapaligo, nakapaglinis at preskong-presko, pagkatapos.

PhotoHunt#4 Scary

This was taken on one of our mountain climbing activities. Our goal was to reach the Tudaya Falls at Kapatagan, Davao del Sur which is located by the slopes of Mt. Apo. On our first day of the climb, our group leader made us choose between the short-cut or the long-cut way to the falls. We chose the shortcut without asking much and boy! Did we regret it?

We have to get through this mountain wall which was more than 50 feet with not much foothold and has just this wood ladder to start with. When we saw this vertical mountain wall everybody balked. Who wouldn’t? It looked so scary and scarier to use because one has to start with the ladder which was really unsteady and was standing precariously at the side of the mountain wall. It was not even nailed to something nor supported by anything but was just there standing up. One wrong move on that climb through the mountain wall and the thought just always gives me the shudders.

After getting done with the mountain wall, we congratulated each other with having another lease of life. Cats with nine lives!

How to get to Tinuy-an Waterfalls

Lis, one of my blogger-friends, was teasing me about my water pictures hehehehe! I cannot help it because Philippines is an archipelago of 7,107 islands and I like the sea, the waterfalls and whatever that gets me wet and refreshed. So, do not be surprised if you find a lot of water pictures here. Perhaps Lis is right, I could be the missing mermaid hehehehe!

Tinuy-an Waterfalls is about 18 kilometers or about an hour ride from the poblacion proper of Bislig, Surigao del Sur. Located in the middle of the forest concession of PICOP, it is currently being developed as the prime tourist attraction in the area. A good choice, I should say. It is accessible through the winding PICOP road and it is best to coordinate with the local tourism board prior to your trip for your guide that will take you there and for available transportation (if you came in through public transportation).

The first time we went there years ago, the road was just being started to be widened and graded by the local government. Rock climbers and canyoneers can have fun with the falls or for the more sedate types, there are several swimming areas on the banksides of the waterfalls. The best swimming area is on the 2^nd level above. To get there safely, the local government has already installed sturdier stairs compared to the old, rickety ones we took. The area is still on its early development so bring your own baon (food) for the day.

Bislig is about 5-6 hour bus ride (take the bus from the Ecoland terminal) or 4-5 hour drive in a private car from Davao City.

Let the waterfalls sing to you…

This is the stair-like Tinuy-an Waterfalls of Burboanan, Bislig City. Dubbed as the little Niagara Falls of the Philippines. More on my next post…