Cagayan de Oro: White Water Rafting at Cagayan River

Whenever I hear the place Mindanao and Cagayan de Oro, the first thing that pops on my mind is White Water Rafting. White Water Rafting in this province is claimed to be the main tourist attraction being promoted by the Department of Tourism. Therefore, it is really a must try activity to every tourists, backpackers and specially adventurers who'll visit Cagayan de Oro.

Cagayan River (which also referred as Cagayan de Oro River) is where the activity is being hold. This  river lies and serves as divider to the province of Cagayan de Oro and Bukidnon.  So as you do water rafting to this river, the land you'll see on your left is Cagayan de Oro and the one on your right is the province of Bukidnon. So you can say that you are actually in 2 provinces at the same time since you are in between them. Cool huh?!

Mimbalot Falls of Brgy. Buru-un, Iligan City

Iligan City is well-known for its falls as this city homes to no less than 30 waterfalls. Some of the famous waterfalls of Iligan are Tinago Falls and Maria Christina Falls (which I always came across on my elementary and high school textbooks). Moreover, this blog post will feature Mimbalot Falls. Another waterfall in Iligan with undeniably beautiful cascading water.

Our visit to Mimbalot Falls was actually unexpected and unplanned. Our group should be visiting Maria Christina Falls and Tinago Falls but due to landslide because of Typhoon Agaton, we were unable to visit those iconic falls. So we ask our driver of that tour an alternative as we do not want to leave the city of Iligan without visiting any of its falls. Then he mentioned Mimbalot Falls. Though we don't have an idea what Mimbalot Falls looks like, we all agreed to his suggestion.

Tour at Britania Group of Islands in San Agustin, Surigao del Sur

I never thought that the province of Surigao del Sur has a bunch to offer in terms of tourist destinations. Ranging from beautiful falls, rivers, caves, beaches, islands and islets, Surigao del Sur is a perfect place for people who adore nature tripping. And to add up another spot in Surigao del Sur that people should not miss when visiting the said province, let me tour you to a famous destination in San Agustin, Surigao del Sur - the Britania Group of Islands.

Honestly speaking, my visit in Britania Group of Islands was unexpected. It just happened that we already accomplished all the spots written in our itinerary and we still have another day to stay in Surigao before we fly back to Manila. For the past 2 days, we've been asking the locals for a must-see place in their town. The popular answers were Enchanted River, Siargao, Tinuy-an Falls and Britania Group of Islands. 2 out of 4 answers were already visited by us. But we decided to go to Britania Islands because that time it is nearest place from where we are (yet it is still 4 hours away lol).

Ocean View Park & International Doll House of Bislig, Surigao del Sur

After our visit at the "Little Niagara Falls" of the Philippines, read full story here, me and my friend Baron were in a hurry to head back to the city of Bislig. The reasons are: first, its getting dark and we still don't have a hotel to stay in. Second, we heard that there is another must see place here in Bislig and it closes at 7 in the evening. So, after we found a place to stay-in for our 2nd night in this Surigao del Sur trip, we immediately got back on the road to visit the famous restaurant and doll house located in Barangay Cumawas, Bislig City - the International Doll House & Ocean View Park Restaurant.

Yup, you read it right. We are heading to a Doll House. The International Doll House & Ocean View Park (OVP) Restaurant is owned by a couple who resides in Zurich, Switzerland -- Mrs. Ruelaine and Mr. Werner Willimann. The restaurant and doll house are situated on a hill top. Therefore, one needs to climb up first for about 250++ steps before reaching these structures. It may sound tiring, but the view that this place can offer, as well as the food of the restaurant, and the intriguing doll house will definitely swept away all your sweats. And I guarantee that.

The Grandeur of Tinuy-an Falls in Bislig, Surigao del Sur

Approximately 95 meters wide and 55 meters (180 ft) tall, this fall that is situated in Surigao del Sur moniker as "The Little Niagara Falls" of the Philippines. It's none other than the Tinuy-an Falls (Tinuyan Falls) of the municipality of Bislig. Tinuy-an Falls has been the main attraction in Bislig. Its white astonishing water that drapes and cascade to its three different levels makes this place as the most visited tourist spot in the region of CARAGA. Aside from that, Tinuy-an falls is considered to be the widest waterfall in the Philippines. So with all those words, backpackers like me who planned a Mindanao trip didn't forgot to include this wonder in our itinerary and adventure.

The Enchanted River of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur

Before my trip to Surigao del Sur, I searched and researched several times in the internet on different tourist spots this land can offer to its visitors. And most of my readings from different articles and blog posts are pointing and suggesting to a common and a must-see destination in Surigao. None other than, the Enchanted River of the municipality of Hinatuan.

As I Google for images of Enchanted River, my first reaction was like "Photoshopped! Photoshopped! Photoshopped!". Seeing the color of the water of this river in images were for me is unreal. It's like precious stones of jades and sapphires were melted in this river and colored the riverbed. But my initial judgement fades away as I continued reading more write-ups about this river and stands on how true and real the tint of this water is. By that, Enchanted River was immediately included in our itinerary.

Sibadan Fish Cage of Port Lamon, Hinatuan - Surigao del Sur

After a long drive from Butuan City to Hinatuan and by that I mean 4 hours straight drive, my friend, Byron, and I were searching for an accommodation/hotel to settle for an overnight stay. During that time, we have 2 factors that we need to consider in a hotel we're looking for. What are they? First, it should be affordable and cheap. We were only two in this Surigao del Sur trip and having a fancy hotel was too costly for backpackers like us. Second, it should be near the Enchanted River. In our itinerary, we planned to spend the next day at Enchanted River. Therefore, we need an accommodation that is near the place to save time in terms of travelling. So what we did were to ask the locals of Hinatuan for some advice. We told them the 2 factors I stated above and they recommended us to try out Sibadan Fish Cage.

A Quick City Tour In Butuan City, Agusan del Norte

Butuan City is situated in the north-eastern section of Agusan Valley, Mindanao. It is also the regional center of CARAGA and will be our entry point as we visit Surigao del Sur. Simply because Butuan's Bancasi Airport serves as a portal to the different provinces of CARAGA region.

As we land at Bancasi Airport of Butuan City, the first thing in our itinerary was to have a quick tour in different tourist spots and landmarks of this town. It will be quick because we need to head to Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur before nightfall. We had researched some good spots already before this trip but we chose to go and ask from the information section of the airport to gather some tips and advice. And I must say that it was a right decision we made. The guy in the information section was very knowledgeable of his town and really knew how to direct tourists like us. He even gave us a pamphlets that hold all the tourist spots and landmarks of Butuan City. Kudos!