Bukidnon and the Thrill We Found in this Pineapple Land (Commuting to Dahilayan Forest Park!)

Getting there and getting around

            Even without a reserved van, even without booking a travel agent, it is so easy to get to this pineapple paradise.  But of course, Del Monte’s pineapple plantation is only the gate to the main destination: Dahilayan Forest Park.  So here’s how we got there without a car or a guide.  You can do this, too.

1. From CDO’ s Agora Terminal, you can take a jeepney to Bukidnon, and it’s only worth Php50.  You can always ask which one goes there.  
2. By taking the jeepney, it means you will drop off at Camp Phillips.  Jeepneys won’t take you to the Forest Park.
3. From Camp Phillips drop-off point, there will be motorcycles for hire waiting.  The round trip will cost you Php600.  The drivers will wait for you until you are done with the fun in Dahilayan.  If you are with a companion, you can share the cost. You can even haggle it to Php500, like we did.  But we gave Php600 still, the hundred as the driver’s tip for being so kind and for patiently waiting.
4. Dahilayan is not very near from Camp Phillips, so prepare for the sun and for the chill during the motorcycle ride.  But don’t worry, Del Monte’s scenery will wow you along the way.

Ambience

            It’s very countryside.  The houses are kilometers away from each other.  It’s green scenery all around.  To be exact, its pineapple all around you, with a bonus sight of other fruits and plants belonging to Del Monte.  The place is filled with peace and quiet and if you have your car, it’s a nice time for some road trip contemplation in solitude.  The air there has a chill as Bukidnon is a mountain province, even known as the Baguio of Mindanao.  Dahilayan, indeed, felt like Baguio City to me with all the pines and the green landscape of a mountain forest.  When we got there, there weren’t a lot of tourists and the whole place was very peaceful.   It’s a good place to get away from the hustle and bustle of big cities.  The adventures offered do not necessarily spoil the stillness of the place. Amazing, huh?

Things to do

          I believe there are only two general things to do here, and they’re quite opposite: be still or be in action.  Of course, it’s such a waste of time to be still if you’re here for a day only. So I suggest to try their adventures and make the most of your short stay there (probably you will stay for 3-6 hours only).

You can check out their official site for the list of their amenities and activities: http://www.dahilayanforestpark.com/

Must try

For me, the Zorbit was a must try.  Got the headaches because of the monthly hormonal activity, but they’re gone after the zorbit shouts I did. 

roll it!

Something Unforgettable

             Well, it’s the one thing I forgot: something to keep me warm.  Forgetting this is unforgettable, coz I had to buy one.  The good thing was there’s a cooperative store at Camp Phillips.  The bad thing was I had to spend unnecessary amount of money.  The bonus part was I felt like I had Darna’s cape!

the super-hero "cape"

Cagayan De Oro Trip: Rafting Makes It Complete

Recently, there’s a local TV network that aired a recent survey of the top 10 livable cities in the Philippines.  Cagayan wasn’t there, most probably because of its location (the feared Mindanao).  But setting upon Cagayan for the first time (although I grew up in its neighboring province), my first impression of it was its livable quality – there are good places for shopping, nice hang out venues, smooth traffic, and lots of wonderful places to eat!  And most importantly, its famous ‘kagay’ or river is there for those adventurous in spirit, for some rapids escapade. 

Getting there and getting around

            CDO was the second stop of our four-day trip to northern Mindanao.  If you’re travelling on your own terms, no bookings on any tour or travel agencies, then upon arrival at the Laguindingan Airport, your great adventure will commence in excitement.  To get to CDO proper, you can do the following:

1. Take a taxi to the city.  The ride will cost you between Php200 to Php3oo, depending on the taxi.  No meter is used for taxis to and from airport. Probably because the airport is new and quite far from the city. Or you can do the next suggestion.
2. Take a taxi out of the airport to the main road or opt for a cheaper motorcycle ride (habal-habal) Php50 for two people.
3. From the main road, you can wait for the bus to get to the city.  The bus fare must be approximately around Php50.  (I don’t know  exactly, we didn’t take the bus to Cagayan from the airport.  But we did take a bus from Iligan to Cagayan, and it was only Php86.  So in my approximation, that would be the fare.)  Again, take the first bus that arrives.  But if you’re in no hurry, take the air-conditioned type for more comfort.
4. Php7 is the regular jeepney fare there, just so you know.  You will most likely go malling there.

Ambience

            It’s a small city so you can expect some peace and quiet, not the hustle and bustle of   bigger cities.  The city is not known for minor thefts like pick-pocketing that usually tourists in other places become a victim of.  So, it feels safe to be carrying around precious gadgets.  I even left my small bag with my wallet and iphone in it in the jeepney service while rafting.  It’s a convenient place to be.  Everything is accessible through their comfortable tricycles, and they’re everywhere.

Accommodation

            If you’re staying for more than a day and knows no one to stay for the night(s), Cagayan de Oro has very affordable hotels for budget travelers.  There are accommodations that offer at least Php300 a night or Php150 for 12 hours for single rooms. They just double the amount for twin rooms.   You can expect they can be cramped but they come very clean, with cable TV, room service, and excellent free WIFI!  Along Divisoria, you can check out a cheap hotel there with many food stores right below the place.  Along  Yakapin Street,  there are more suites for you to choose from.  We stayed in one of them and it’s called D’Morvies Suites.

Things to do

1. Yes, as I mentioned in #4 tip for getting around, you can go malling in Cagayan de Oro.  The oldest and biggest mall is Lim Ket Kai.  There’s also an Ayala Mall nearby, which is right across Gaisano Mall.  Near the old airport, SM Mall stands away from the city center.  Shopping for your needs is no problem here. 
2. You can also tour around and visit Gaston Park right in the middle of the city.  Next to it is the St. Agustine Metropolitan Church and in front of the church are a lot of flower stalls where, if you like to surprise a special someone with you on a trip, you can buy affordable flowers to give.  They also have big public markets in case you want to feel the vibes of the locals.
3. Go Whitewater rafting!  Cagayan de Oro trip is not complete without it.  To try this, it is recommended that you book ahead of time.  Beginners take the Pph700 worth experience.  Beginners like me pass through 21 rapids of fun.  It’s nothing to be scared about.  It’s totally safe, the guides are really humorous, you get to meet fellow travelers, and it’s full of thrill, so the 3-hour beginners’ ride will pass very quickly. Afterward, you can also get copies of everybody’s photos and videos in a CD for only Php250.  One more thing: The water is CLEARer in the summer but SHALLOWer compared to the water level and color after the Philippine summer (March-June). Check out this site for more info and reservations: kagaycagayandeororafting.com .  This is where we booked ourselves.

4. Restaurant hopping.  You can try that in malls or even along the streets.  Cagayanons love to eat and there are a lot of good restaurants you can choose from.  Cagayan is the home of known restaurants in the country like Bigby’s.
5. Buy Pastels for pasalubong.  There’s a whole sale shop on Tiano Street, next to Yakapin street.

Must try

Aside from whitewater rafting, you should try drinking and eating buko there.  Not that it has any special taste compared to bukos of other parts of the country.  It’s just that their bukos are prepared cleverly that after drinking the juice, you can just eat the meat conveniently.  Smart. 

Something Unforgettable

Well, what else could it be? The rapids!

In Iligan - Here's How to See the Place One Day When in a Hurry! And more~

Yeah, it was one day in a hurry, especially because it was the first leg of a four-day trip I had with a friend.  So we had to make full use of our limited time.  Well, I realized it’s alright to have a good taste of Iligan in just about eight hour-time.  How to? Here’s some insight.

Getting there and getting around

            If you’re travelling on your own terms, no bookings on any tour or travel agencies, then upon arrival at the Laguindingan Airport (the nearest port, situated in Cagayan de Oro), your great adventure will commence in excitement.  To get to Iligan, you can do the following:

1. Take a taxi out of the airport to the main road or opt for a cheaper motorcycle ride (habal-habal) Php50 for two people.
2. Take “Super Five” Bus as they called the air-conditioned ones.  They are non-stop and you get to Iligan in approximately one hour and 15 minutes.  It takes a little longer if the bus is not air-conditioned.  It’s not that the aircon is adding speed. LOL. It’s just that, non-airconditioned buses have lots of stop-over. We took the first approaching bus coz we’re in a hurry and we ended up arriving longer than expected because it was non-aircon type.
3. Hungry because of an early flight? No worries. There are a lot of known fast food restaurants in Iligan City.  So be sure to drop by, eat, and then go wherever you’re headed to.
4. Php7.00 is the regular jeepney fare there, just so you know.  Planning to go to Maria Cristina Falls? There are jeepneys that can take you there for Php15 fare.  These jeepneys take passengers near the city hall.
5. Iligan is abundant with waterfalls. Planning to have waterfalls tour?  No ride? No worries.  You can hire motorcycle drivers to tour you around for Php300-Php600, depending on how many waterfalls you’re planning to see.  We just went to two famous waterfalls, so we hired a ride for Php300 only.  You can find them around the corner of NPC Nature Park

Ambience

            It’s typically serene around the city.  Not much noise, not much pollution.  In the outskirts where the natural attractions are mostly found, a countryside feel is very dominant. 

Things to do

1. Yes, as I mentioned in #5 tip for getting around, go for waterfalls tour.  Iligan is abundant of this nature’s bounty.  Two famous waterfalls not to miss are TINAGO and MARIA CRISTINA.

a.      Maria Cristina Falls is in National Power Corporation’s (NPC’s) Nature Park.  Aside from seeing the esteemed waterfall, you can do fun and exciting activities there, all nature-related adventures. Entrance fee is Php30 and a shuttle fee is also Php30.

b.      Tinago Falls is about 15 minutes away from NPC's Nature Park by motorcycle.  You have to take 365 steps going down to take pleasure at the sight of the falls and to take a refreshing plunge at its cool water.  Climbing down 365 steps is hard but climbing up that high is way harder.  But well, that is a big part of this adventure. No entrance fee there but you may as well spare some amount for their donation box.

2. The Ancestral House of the maternal side of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is also worth a visit.  The house is well-maintained and has a bright atmosphere.  Whether you’re a fan of her or not, the house can give a glimpse of her early life.  No entrance fee also, just a donation box.

       3.  Of course, buy Chedeng's Roasted Peanut for Pasalubong.

Must try

Baniling Lechon Manok across the Ancestral House of Macapagals.  Unexpectedly tasty. Believe me.

Observations

Iliganons are soft-spoken and very nice to strangers and visitors.  Despite the fact that most outsiders already considered it as “danger zone” in Mindanao, the locals there can make you feel so safe and secure.  Isn’t that amazing?

Something Unforgettable

Well, what else could it be? The 365 climb up and down of Tinago Falls!

my companion, taking a break half-way down there