Casaroro Falls

I came to know about Casaroro Falls because of a fellow Paulinian who died in this place a few years back. Everybody I know told me this place is dangerous perhaps because of the incidents, and the cause of such death are all a mystery. Just like what happened last November 1. You can check into Phioxee's post here. I was at first hesitant to see the place for myself until last Thursday.

Casaroro Falls is situated in Valencia, Negros Oriental. Valencia is 9.4 kilometer away from Dumaguete. You can take a jeepney or rent a motorcycle to reach this municipality. It would only take you 10 to 15 minute drive from Dumaguete without traffic and at a 40 kilometer per hour speed.

This is the mysterious falls behind the a gigantic rock formation.

Casaroro Falls is one of Valencia's pride for tourist destination. Let me show you how to exactly get to the falls.

We have the motorbikes ready.

We did walk. A lot.

Viola! We're here, but where is the falls exactly? Phioxee, Jannette, Tito Albert, and Me.

Entrance fee of P10.

You need to take 334 steps to reach the river.

Might as well take some photos while resting.

From the never ending stair steps, you can hear the gushing flow of the river. It really excite me as well as it brought some chills. I'm actually scared, and for some reasons I found the place a little bit creepy. The rain forest is dense and quite, but I just thought I need to face my fear over a waterfall.

There was previously a bridge created to not have you pass through the rocks to see the falls, but the typhoon Sendong destroyed it, and Pablo made it worse.

Phioxee and Jannette rock climbing.

This is placed at the end of the steel steps, so I got confused why there are death cases in this falls. It is clearly stated not to swim near the waterfall area. They might have missed the sign due to excitement. The person in-charged also told us to be careful and not to get near the falls to much.

The beauty of nature at its best. This nicely done pile of rocks is actually a testimony of someone who has been there. You can create your own pile of rock if you wish to.

This was the old entrance to the falls; an end to the never ending walk before the bridge was destroyed.

My feeling of fear was taken over by excitement and awe. The falls was so mysterious, powerful, and majestic I can say. Hiking, walking, and rock climbing was never my forte, but seeing a beautiful creation like this makes me forget all the suffering. It was worth it! Everything was green and clean.

The Mystic Casaroro Falls.

 

Casaroro Falls is one of the most photographed body of water in the province. There has also been numerous death cases on this falls, so we can't stay too close. It is being said that the depth of the water underneath the falls is the same as it's height. No expert has measured how deep the water is really.

We stayed there for a couple of minutes just staring at it and really trying to be detectives and asking how did those people died here? The river is shallow, and there is clear water from where we stand. Seeing and hearing the falls like that really makes me frightened. I guess they were braver. We took some shots and then we went home. You don't want to stay too long, it may rain. The weather was never that great. The water would be unpredictable by then.

We created this pile before leaving. I just though we might as well leave a trace.

Blowing off the Dandelions goodbye.

As much as I would love to stay a little longer, stare at the falls, and be drawn by it's own mystery, we really need to go because we are so ready for lunch. I just learned that we really need to be conscious with signs, or pay attention and read while you are on the road. It pays to really follow instructions. I don't want to blame those people who died because there is no point, I just wish they could have read and follow the signs. We need to be extra responsible when traveling- that's my point. It might take a little while for me to be back to this beauty because my muscles ache the day after, and muscle aches are not such my favorite travel hangover. Thank you for keeping up with me. Till our next trip....xoxo!


P.S. I am so excited for my next post for the ICON 2013. I'd keep you guys posted, and Happy Heart's Day!

Cadiz City- a sneaky sunday!

It started with a joke of me going to Cadiz to experience their fiesta. I invited myself so to speak. My friend Joeny who lives there says okay. I planned my vacation since early December. I actually plotted my leaves for the Sinulog and Dinagsa Festival. Some changes at worked cancelled all my plotted leaves. I was frustrated but what the heck, do I have a choice here? So I moved on without over thinking about the festival that has already been planned. How I pursued my Cadiz trip? Go figure.

Taken the night before the fiesta.

Cadiz City is a second class city of Negros Occidental, Philippines who's strategic location has one of the most fertile marine resources with competitive commercial port, and a vast fertile agricultural land being one of the major sugar-producing area in the Visayas region.

When we arrive around 9:00 PM, we are well rested in the bus so we wasted no time and roam around the city lights, push ourselves through the crowd, and never ending walk around the city.

We went to their perya and shoot some poor pigs.

Price for the road.

We walked and walked until we saw this 66th General Alumni Homecoming event at Cadiz Provincial High School and decided to enter the campus and see how their party went. My friend Joeny was a bit hesitant at first, because he was not an alumni of the school. Meaning, we are gate crashing, and we don't know anyone. They have a party band with up beat songs. You might wish to try it sometime. It was a whole lot of fun. I have that scratched off my bucket list.

What's really worse is when we join at someone else photo taking. I bet they would all be wondering who we are on their photos...haha

We ate balot and retire for the night. No one said a word because we are all tired. Morning comes and everyone is ready for the fiesta. Check out on some cool photos that I have taken. Random ones.

It's the blessing of their newly built space for lease too.

Since its fiesta, food overload it is.

I just found this interesting.

The day of the fiesta.

Just when the night is over for us, we all decided to go somewhere we can rinse ourselves and took the shower or swim. Laura's Beach Resort seems like a good place to be.

Lovely baby dai dai in the house.

Big brother teaching little sisterr some few kicks.

I took the shots when the morning comes.

Entrance Fee for non-guest. Adults- P20 and Kids- P10

Swimming Fee: Adult- P45 and kids P25 (Guest still needs to pay for the entrance fee, we were like seriously?)

Kiddie pool.

This is the place where the guest can put up their food. Right next to the pool and the bar. You are allowed to bring your own food and drinks too.

Their room rate is P800 for 24 hours. I must tell you that you need not to expect too much. I would not say much but I rate it 4 on all lodging houses that I have tried. I just wish someday they would do major changes on their facilities such as the door knob, the toilet, their power cord, and the switch. This place would be put to waste if not maintained well.

The sunrise. You'd be amazed by their wide shore line.

They all have their coconut trees used for coconut wine or you call it "tuba" in bisaya.

It's time to go home. The sneaky Sunday and Monday is over. I love our Dinagsa T-shirts. We designed this ourselves.

This is one of those trips where I was so anxious about work. I slept a little and I worry a little. I would also like to share something but I'd rather not too. I therefore conclude that unplanned trips are the ones that are memorable. I also forgot to mention that this is an all expense paid trip by Joeny. Oops, no the fare is 1 year to pay he says...haha You should find a very generous friend like him.To know more about him, click this link. I would love to go back someday, and hopefully this time I don't have to sneak out....xoxo!

Mabinay Spring

One of things I love most of where I am at, not just the location but from where I stand as of this point of my life are the people I am with. Wherever I look, I can always find someone to come and take a trip with me. I am surrounded with people who are very much willing to take that extra mile with me and pose at every shot I took for this blog. Supportive I guess? Well lucky me to have someone share the joy I feel whenever I am and enthusiastically replies to every "wow" and "nice" word I have when words aren't enough how amaze I am. Not to say much, I would like to share my Mabinay Spring escape with my best outgoing people there is.

One of the most visited spot in Mabinay not just the tourist as well as the locals is the Mabinay Spring. It is a natural spring located in the heart of the municipality. When the people of Mabinay feels like going some place cold and fun, this is the place to be. In other words, this is a household spot; considering Mabinay has less access to a beach.

There is no entrance fee by the way. Free!

When you get into the entrance, you will be greeted by tall trees that would give you the feeling of a rain forest. This beauty is hidden behind the woods like a mystery yet to be discovered.

One of the recreation, must-try, and old time favorite is the kayaking for P50 for one hour.

Getting ready for the race. Go Phioxee!

I must tell you that this place has been developed by the municipality. They install a zip line at a very low rate. They also put up villas where you can stay overnight as well as function rooms for events. Let us then check it out.

The zip line ride would only cost you P100. This has just been installed late 2012.

This is Phioxee's first zip line. She was freaking out.

We need to go on tandem because she is freaking out like really freaking out.

I was screaming when we were held up in the air, and I told her to just enjoy the ride. She had fun I guess, so it worked. Just when everyone is tired and starving, we decided to go, but I met the person in charge so we have a few talk before we left the place. He showed us around.

The newly constructed villas that are good for P700 good for 5 PAX maximum per day. (*Note: Rates may subject to change without prior notice)

The function hall. Not yet in full operation but they are hoping this would be open early this year. They don't have a catering services as well- which he says would come along, so they are allowing outside caterer. Not bad.

Bye for now Mabinay Spring. Till next time.

We suggested the staff to put up a small convenience store inside. They don't have a food corner inside so you need to go out and buy your food. He says, they are looking into it. This has just been fully constructed early this year, and he says it is not yet done. So I am excited for this resort in the coming years. I would be one of those people who will be watching out for this resort to be in full operation. Kudos to Mabinay for doing such a great job!...xoxo!