|
I decided that
it was the best experience of my life and I
wanted to do it again. This time, I promised I’d
keep my eyes open.
After this, a short drive brought me to the starting point of the Cagayan
de Oro river white water rafting. Our group was
composed of three rafts and 14 people, equipped
with life jackets, helmets and paddles; we were
all set for what promised to be a thrilling ride
downstream.
The beginner’s course had a total of 14 major rapids. The guides
christened each one with names in honor of
tourists that got thrown overboard while passing
through it. I was determined not to have one
named after me which rendered me pretty useless
whenever our tiny rubber raft would get tossed
around by the rapids. “Paddle!” our guide would
urge on and instead, I’d inch closer to the
center of the raft and hold on to dear life.
There was not enough time to indulge my fears
while we navigated through the foamy torrents,
it was over before I knew it and each time it
left me with the greatest, albeit undeserved,
feeling of accomplishment.
The ride would last for approximately three hours, which included lunch,
a quaint riverside picnic of a delicious spread
prepared by our guides.
The trip down the river is not all about paddling through violent
rapids. For the most part, it is a picturesque
and serene ride. The startlingly cold water was
a refreshing contrast to the hot sun, we’d take
a dip, lie back in utter relaxation and let the
gentle ebb carry us, along with our rafts, down
the snaking river. When a hint of ripple starts
to form on the surface of the water, a sign that
we are drawing near another rapid, we’d scurry
back onto our rafts and brace ourselves to be
tossed around once more. |
|
White
water rafting is also an excellent way to see
the side of this highly commercialized city that
isn’t always privy to tourists. The Cagayan de
Oro river divides Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon
and treats rafters to a glimpse of the wild
beauty of both the provinces. Limestone cliffs,
thick vegetation and quaint little houses line
the riverside, a stark contrast to the bustling
city center with its big malls and other
commercial establishments.
Before heading to the airport for my flight back to Manila the next
day, I passed by the Gardens of Malasag with
Cecilia Rodriguez, president of Tourmakers Phils
for one last sightseeing expedition. The
ecotourism village is a seven-hectare botanical
garden by the Cugaman watershed. It treats
visitors to a breathtaking view of Macajalar Bay
and a showcase of the colourful cultural
heritage of Northern Mindanao. The indigenous
tribes of the Higaonons and the Talaandigs of
Bukidnon and the Subanon of Misamis Occidental
reside within the village, their rich traditions
preserved and protected. Visitors can have a
chance to interact with them or catch dazzling
cultural performances they hold everyday.
Cagayan de Oro, the name befits a city of so wealthy and it would be too
tedious to enumerate what wealth there is of
every kind. Exhilarating, relaxing and at times
even terrifying, there is truly something for
everyone.
The Cagayan de Oro White Water Rafting Adventure offers packages,
which include types of run, transportation
within the city, equipment and food. For
inquiries contact Mr. Chisum Factura at
(0917)712-1990. To arrange a trip to Cagayan de
Oro, contact Cecilia Rodriguez of Tourmakers
Phils. at (08822) 8581148. |
