This is the first time I went on a trip with my friends Ella, Vivi and Florie. We like talking about places and traveling but we never got around to actually doing so until last year when Ella scored, for all 4 of us, a seat sale for CDO. I have to be honest, I had no idea of our itinerary. Ella made it and she informed us but I had no time to read and absorb it. But I was aware that this wasn't going to be a very fancy trip because we're all short in terms of budget. We're open to the whole backpacking idea anyway though we're all admittedly, self-proclaimed couch potatoes and princesses in our homes. Basically, I just kept up as things marched on.
We landed on the newly built Laguindingan Airport in Iligan and we went straight to Lanao del Norte for 2 falls, one, the famous Maria Cristina Falls, the second highest falls in the country (grade school days, I know) and its natural power to produce energy, and the other was the Tinago Falls.
L-R: Vivi, me, Florie
Sisters!
Let's do this, yeah!
Getting to the first destination off our itinerary was interesting because we're new to the area and this is where we started asking random and fortunately, nice people for almost anything the internet didn't provide. I found it nice creating small talk to the locals, you can learn a lot from them.
The Maria Cristina Falls was inside a park slash hydroelectric plant so there were tons to see, not just the falls itself. There was a Botanical Garden and a small Crocodile farm as well.
L-R: Ella, Florie, Vivi
Maria Cristina Falls.
My bb Ella!
We asked around for directions on how to get to Linamon for our next stop, so that's another jeepney ride and almost 30 minutes in a habal-habal, we're at Tinago Falls. To get further there, we had to go down 430 winding steps. Damn, it's really
tinago!
It's habal-habal time!
Let me just say that I hate stairs. I have always hated stairs. And heights. But of course, I couldn't just stay at the entrance of the resort, right? I had to push through this and going down those steep steps wasn't easy. And to help my feelings, halfway through, I realized that certainly, I had to climb up this shit once our trip down there's over. I called God or whoever's up there, saints even, to help me get through this, but once we got to the bottom, after my knees throbbed intensely, the sight blew everything, yep, even my sweat, away. It was so beautiful, like, I have no words. It's magical, breathtaking and definitely worth going those freakin' steps.
Tinago Falls.
We settled in and dived in to the cold water. Our guide helped us get to the raft that will get us near the falls by pulling a rope tied to a huge tree across it. The feeling under the falls was so electric. The drops we're like spikes that pinched my veins, making me feel more alive than ever.
God and those saints answered my prayers, thank you, as I was able to climb back up alive. I felt like collapsing, my heart's beating heavily but remembering Tinago falls, what I was just in to, it's all worth it.
It was almost a 3-hour bus ride from Linamon, Lanao del Norte to CDO. Checked in our hotel, The Victoria Suites in Divisoria, took a hot bath and finally, we had dinner at Kyla's Bistro at LimKetKai Mall.
Kyla's typa al fresco dining.
The next day was quite chill, as we just rented a cab to get to the Dahilayan Adventure Park in Bukidnon. It was a 2-hour drive, we passed by the vast pineapple fields Bukidnon was known for and the next thing we knew, we're at a top of a mountain, ready to do some heights trippin'. I was shaking the entire time.
Ella and Vivi prepping for the longest zip line in Asia!
Ella and Flore after their Drop Zone!
Had a late lunch at this grill beside the park. Good food.
We got back pretty early so we had time to clean up and shop for pasalubongs and enjoyed a very delicious dinner at Candy's which, in my own humble opinion, has the meanest strawberry cheesecake.
On our last day, we got up early to meet up with the Bugsay people, a company that handles different kinds of outdoor activities, for our water rafting gig. Looking back at my Caramoan trip, I should be nervous as I had an anxiety attack due to the fast waves but surprisingly, I was really excited. This is like, extreme for me. I had to do this.
Ready...
Set...
Go!!!
OMG that face.
Quick baths when we got back, checked out and waited an our for our flight back to Manila.
It was completely tiring but one of the best experience ever. Not only did I travel, saw great sights and was with my bestest friends, but I also got to do some firsts and physical adventures which I thought I could never do. This trip tested me and I have to say, "Life, I passed." And I so enjoyed it.
