Enchanted River: An Enchanting Beauty

ENCHANTED RIVER
Brgy. Talisay, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur

Entrance fee: P20
Parking fee: P10
Life vest rental: P15
Boat ride: P150/hour

The majestic blue water of Enchanted River is definitely worth the travel. Enchanted River is located at Brgy. Talisay, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, about a four-hour drive from Davao City. Visitors without private vehicles have to ride Mindanao's famous habal-habal, a motorcycle with extended seat.

When at Enchanted River, it is best to bring an underwater camera to capture the beauty below the water (ahem) literally and figuratively.

One highlight at the Enchanted River is the fish feeding. Every 12 noon, a bell rings signalling the fish feeding time. No one is allowed to swim, and visitors are asked to remain quite so as not to scare the fishes. Only the Enchanted River employee is allowed to feed the fishes.

Fresh seafoods are sold right outside the entrance of Enchanted River at cheap price. Delicious!

For only 150 pesos an hour, you can rent a boat that can accommodate six persons and have a tour in the community around Enchanted River, with a few stopovers. The tour usually takes an hour to finish.

The first stopover is at a certain island, where we basically had the island for ourselves (or at least that part of the island where the friendly boat driver brought us) to swim.

The next stop is this fishing community, an interesting place worth visiting. Entrance fee is 5 pesos per person.

I cannot remember if this bowl of fish costs 5 pesos or 20 pesos. But you can buy this to feed the fishes in pen and see them jumping for it.

Ara teaching three-year-old Yoji his first lesson of feeding the hungry.

Drying fishes is one of the major sources of income in the local community.

Dried fish, seaweed, and bottled sea urchin for sale.

And, of course, I would never forget the hospitality by "Manang" who encouraged us to try the fresh seaweeds dipped in super hot vinegar.


Speaking of hospitality, I would like to thank Ara and her family for warm welcome and this truly enchanting experience. :)

EVENT UPDATE: Tree Growing Festival, City of Koronadal

"He that plants trees loves others besides himself." - Caecilius Statius (220 BC - 168 BC), Synephebi


City of Koronadal brings:

TREE GROWING FESTIVAL
Roxas Mountain Range, Koronadal City
29 June 2011

Masaganang Kalikasan para sa Maunlad na Kinabukasan

30,000 individuals
100,000 trees
300 hectares of land

ASSEMBLY AREAS:
Cluster A (Brgys. Carpenter Hill, Saravia, San Isidro) - New City Hall Ground
Cluster B (Brgys. Assumption, Mambucal) - Rizal Park
Cluster C (Brgy. Paraiso) - Old Municipal Hall Ground

SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES:
4:00 a.m. - Arrival of participants at respective assembly areas
5:00 a.m. - Departure of participants to respective planting areas
6:00 a.m. - Hiking/Trekking
7:45 a.m. - Waiting for countdown through radio monitoring

REGISTRATION AREAS:

City Hall Lobby
8 a.m.-5 a.m.

Ace Centerpoint
KCC Mall of Marbel
Fitmart Mall of Marbel
(mall hours)

Online Registration:
www.koronadal.gov.ph


FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
City Mayor's Office - (083) 228-5510/(083)228-8265/(083)228-3627
City ENRO - (083) 228-1732

Mount Kinabalu Expedition: Preparing for the "Major, Major" Climb PART 1

Okay, we have not been to any of the four climb spots I have listed earlier (see "Mountain Climbing Spots in South Cotabato), but here we are planning a much bigger expedition - to conquer Mount Kinabalu. Mount Kinabalu in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, is the highest mountain in Southeast Asia. But what made us decide for a Mount Kinabalu expedition?

CEBU PACIFIC'S 488 PHP MNLA-KOTA KINABALU PROMO FARE

Cebu Pacific promo fare, Manila to Kota Kinabalu and vice versa, at 488 php, opened the doors for our six-man Mount Kinabalu expedition this October 2011, composed by yours truly, my husband Jomar, my brother Cheeko, my cousin La Verne, my cousin Champ, and (ta-dah!) my mom. Of course, we did not literally pay 488 php only. With a base fare of 488 php, a round trip ticket from Manila to Kota Kinabalu cost us 2,365.02 each, including taxes and web admin fee. Considering that long mountain climbing that awaits us, we decided to travel a light as possible. Thus, four in the group opted for the no-baggage accommodation. My husband and Champ, though, each had to pay an additional 500 php per trip for a 20-kilogram baggage allowance.

For now, we're still awaiting another Cebu Pacific promo fare, this time for the General Santos City to Manila route. Thank you, Cebu Pacific promo fare! :)

But there is more to just securing the tickets. We still have to do a whole lot of research for our itinerary, accommodation reservations, proper attire, and most importantly costing. Follow this blog for preparations that had to be done for the Mount Kinabalu expedition.

Mountain Climbing Spots in South Cotabato

Unlike the past few years where Mindanao was least affected by the typhoons that hit the Philippines, this year, Cotabato area happens to be among the most affected provinces by typhoons Dodong and Egay.

But rain or shine, our bags are packed, tents and raincoats ready for the following expeditions, all in South Cotabato:

- Lake Holon, T'boli, South Cotabato
- Mt. Melibato, T'boli, South Cotabato
- Mt. Matutum, Polomolok, South Cotabato
- Linan hotspring in Tupi, South Cotabato


We welcome fellow "adbenturistas" out there who are itching for some adventureto join us. Anyone interested, please contact me at regaden@yahoo.com for further information.