Tinuy-An Waterfalls and Enchanted River

Holy Week 2005
Tinuy-an Waterfalls (Bislig, Surigao del Sur)
Enchanted River (Hinatuan, Surigao Del Sur)
March 24-26, 2005


Even the night before we were to leave for Surigao, the group actually was still not decided as to where to go for the long weekend. The choices had been Mt. Parker (South Cotabato), Mt. Dulang-dulang (Bukidnon), Mt. Apo (New Israel trail), and finally, Surigao. Also, a lot of the details already worked out the day before did not materialize. Our expected ride -- a friend's elf we are supposed to rent for the activity -- backed out. With this, the others in the group also backed out. So there were only eight of us left -- Renee, Bambie, Joan, Myself, Jay, Choy2x, Bolo and Zoe.

Actually, I understood the other's change of heart. The uncertainty of the situation is hardly encouraging for any of us. I was having second thoughts myself. But I was really glad that I decided to push through with the trip. From past experiences, I knew that despite the seeming "nothing-is-ever-clear-with-this-trip," everything will just sort itself out. After all, we are not kids anymore. The important thing is that we knew were we want to go and how to get there. Well, somewhat... hehe

Sleepless in Ecoland Terminal

By 12:00 Midnight, we had already assembled at the Ecoland Overland Terminal for the 2:00 A.M. trip to Mangagoy, Bislig, Surigao del Sur. We did not want to take any chances. We knew it is the Holy Week so there's bound to be a lot of passengers.

We were right. There were indeed a lot of them, it made me think half of Davao is on their way to Mangagoy. There were other buses there bound for Butuan, Ormoc, Mati, etc., etc. but most of them leave without having their doors literally bursting from having a lot of passengers taking the trip. With the Mangagoy trips, passengers had to shove, claw, push, fight their way just to be able to board the bus. So while we were there real early, we were not able to board the bus till 4:00 A.M. in the morning. So we practically spent the whole night, sleepless.

We had tried to hire a van but noone would take the risk. They informed us that the frequent rain the previous days made the roads to Mangagoy hardly passable for vans. So there we were, wanting some sleep, trying our best to board every bus that come but desperately failing (some of the passengers wisely board the bus outside of their garage in Ma-a and so the buses are practically full by the time they get to Ecoland). We just amused ourselves with looking at the moon which was at its "almost" full stage and by talking about how sleepy we were already. All of us were voicing out that had we known it, we should have just slept at home and went to the terminal before 4 A.M. I was lucky I had a book with me -- The Da Vinci Code -- so I had that to occupy my time. Nevertheless, I felt a great boredome too at having to wait for the bus.



"Almost" Full moon.Gazing at this near perfect moon at intervals helped us in whiling the time away Posted by Hello


The Blurry Effect.Waiting for the bus. Guess this photo just reflects our mood at that time -- just about to doze off at the drop of a hat =) Posted by Hello


Bambie:Hmm... Wala bang pwedeng matulugan dito? Posted by Hello


Zoe:Sakay na lang kaya tayo ng bus bound for Tacloban? It's empty. Posted by Hello

Arriving in Mangagoy

Finally, with most of the passengers already gone, we were able to board the 4:00 AM bus for Mangagoy. As there were only a few of us left, we were all able to sit quite comfortably. The instant our backsides hit the seats, we were all off to dreamland.

We were already in Mauab, Compostela Valley when I woke up. Kidney trouble rouse me from my slumber. The most unfortunate part is that we are not stopping at the terminal long enough for me to answer nature's call. So I had to endure it till we reached the next town of Nabunturan. Even then, I had to rush since the bus was intent about leaving immediately. Back at the bus, to delay our hunger, we munched on some dried mangoes and biscuits.

We arrived in Mangagoy at 9:00 in the morning. Making a mistake of not stopping at the shell station to get our ride for Tinuy-an, we had to double our way back. We hitched our ride back to the station.


Hitching a Ride. On the way to Shell Station where we are hoping to get a ride for Tinuy-an Posted by Hello

We talked to the driver of our ride if we would agree to take us all the way to Tinuy-an Waterfalls. He agreed but later on changed his mind. So we opted to have some decent breakfast instead, then look for a jeep while the others see about buying the supplies we still need.


Waiting for our ride, munching on popsicles Posted by Hello


Finally, breakfast! (at G-mart's) Posted by Hello

After breakfast, Bolo and Jolo proceeded to look for a jeep we could hire that would take us to the falls. We were also hoping that the same would agree to take us all the way to Hinatuan later that afternoon. Meanwhile, Bambie, Renee and I went about buying groceries and some supplies we still needed for our food. We were not through yet with the groceries when Joan and Bolo arrived with the jeep. While we continued with our buying, the rest hauled our bags to the jeep.


All packed and ready to go. Posted by Hello


Me: Are we all here yet?
Bolo: Why? Are we going already? Yehey!!!
Posted by Hello

On our Way to Tinuy-an!!!

We had to look for Zoe momentarily when he suddenly disappeared while we were all getting ready to go. He turned out to be buying some shampoo at G-mart's pharmacy. When he finally arrived, everyone almost cheered, obviously very eager to move on.

We made a brief stopover at the market to buy some ground beef for the spaghetti we planned of having for dinner that night. Choy2x and Bolo, however, made a quick visit to a nearby Ukay2x and came back with a very nice longsleeved Roxy sweats for me and Columbia Jacket for Renee hehe. Talk about being lucky.

Then, we were finally off to Tinuy-an. Just as its name implies -- "tinuyuan," meaning "to seek out" in Visayan -- we literally had to travel some distance to get to the falls. But it was all worth it. We passed by some interesting view -- rice fields and interesting looking trees boardering the road, a lake, and a local doing some bit of "transporting" "logs."


Rice fields and trees in the horizon Posted by Hello


Local kids fishing at the lake Posted by Hello

This photo below have some interesting trivia to go with it. It was too late when we spotted this interesting "scene." We had already passed by it to get a decent shot. And then, out of nowhere, another local in the same "form" can be seen approaching us. Still,it was also too late for us to take a picture. Bolo had to really run just to overtake this man and take his picture.


Station of the Cross.(Bislig style) Posted by Hello

Ahh... the waterfalls

We suffered from a flat tire so we had to wait before our driver was able to change tire. It wasn't such a long delay but a delay just the same. Then, suddenly, there she was -- beautiful, majestic Tinuy-an waterfalls. She was pretty awesome to look at. For Joan and I, it wasn't our first time to see the falls but we were still awed by it. As for the rest, they were dumbstruck! =) I could understand. I knew by looking at their faces that all the delays we had to suffer last night and this morning were instantly forgotten.


Tinuy-an Waterfalls Posted by Hello


The Procession. Bolo, Joan, Jay, Bambie and Renee (at the right side of the photo)making their way towards the falls. Posted by Hello


At another angle. Posted by Hello


Mighty Tinuy-an!See Joan, Jay and Bolo at the lower right corner of the photo, giving perspective as to the size of the waterfall Posted by Hello


Not just "mighty" but "strong" too! The waterfalls upclose Posted by Hello


Ahh... Breathtaking Tinuy-an... Posted by Hello

Picture Taking!


Welcome to Tinuy-an!!! Posted by Hello


Gary a.k.a. Choy2x Posted by Hello


Renee Posted by Hello


Zoe Posted by Hello


Bolo Posted by Hello


Asus! =) Posted by Hello


Otro! =) Posted by Hello


Up to the Second Floor

Not quite satisfied with just looking at the waterfalls upclose, we took the advice of the caretaker there to climb the stairs that would take us all the way up. We were glad we did since we were able to view the other drops of the falls too, upclose. (See Bolo's photo below.)


(Me)Climbing the stairs... Posted by Hello


From the top looking down.(Phto credit: Choy2x) Posted by Hello


Nice view at the top. Posted by Hello


Really nice. (Photo credit: Choy2x) Posted by Hello


Bolo at the top. Posted by Hello


Model Renee. =) Posted by Hello


The Edge. Nope, not the outdoor shop hehe Choy2x bravely sitting on the edge of the falls. Posted by Hello


Kiss my ****! The guys in a playful pose. O, Jay, where's your head? =) Posted by Hello


Bah! Posted by Hello


The Bodies! hehehe Posted by Hello


Now, who's macho?! =) Posted by Hello


Going back down. Posted by Hello


Taking a Break Having some snacks and resting a bit before moving on with our journey Posted by Hello

Comments

Anonymous said…
Hello people, a BIG wow to you guys, i was amazed when i saw how happy and worthy all your journey, especially the breath taking TInuy-an falls, im from bislig guys, but ive been here in davao city for almost 4 years , i graduated here and im working here in davao also..WOW guys, u know what ive been to tinuy-an falls for i think twice or thrice only and like u guys, it was worth it..Hope u guys really enjoyed ur stay in surigao..Thanks guys and hope to see more of ur photos soon..GODBLESS
Tata said…
Hi Connie! Thanks for appreciating the blog. Yup! We truly enjoyed our stay in Surigao... :) We had also been to Siargao and we have truly enjoyed our stay there also. You have a wonderful province... But i guess, most part of our country, really is :) we just have to find the time and discover all that we hold :) and pareho pala tayong nasa Davao. Who knows, we just might bump into each other one of these days :)
Anonymous said…
hi! i came across your site while searching for photos of tinuy-an falls.i was born & raised in mangagoy,and left when i was 16. i have never been to that falls,though i know it exists,hehehe...my parents were too strict to let me wander with my friends.so yep,u guessed it,everyone has seen the falls except ME...shame on me, and pooorr meeee... its been 10 yrs since i left mangagoy, & im goin home early next year. i love your great photos of the breathtaking falls.thanks for appreciating the wonders of mangagoy & posting your adventures on the web.

mariel
alberta, canada
Anonymous said…
oh great photos of the falls!!! i was lucky enough to grow up there and go on picnics to many of the falls around the place... i stummbled on your blog by accident but love ALL you photos.. how lucky you are to be able to travel around your country that has so much to offer-- no need to go OS you have it all there!!!!!
Anonymous said…
Tinuy-an Falls is in Borboanan, Bislig, Surigao del Sur, not del Norte.
Papzi said…
Looks like a wonderful trip with good friends and great photos. We used to live close to Ecoland in Juna Village in 2006. Wife Lani was raised in Davao. 2 Sons still attend Holy Cross. Lani loves water falls where ever she can find them in the world. Please come visit us in Boise and we will show you waterfalls here too. Thanks for sharing your trip with us.
Anonymous said…
Il semble que vous soyez un expert dans ce domaine, vos remarques sont tres interessantes, merci.

- Daniel
Tata said…
Thanks Daniel. Not really an expert. Just writing what I have experienced and felt :) Thanks for appreciating.
Cagayan de Oro said…
Wow.. I hope I can experience that too. It interests me (the enchanting river). http://www.cdokay.com/
Tata said…
Thanks for appreciating :)
RandyHI said…
Great story! I visit Mindanao often and I have been to Bislig and Hinatuan but my next trip I will follow your example and visit Tinuy-an falls!
RandyHI said…
I visit Mindanao from time to time and I have been to Hinatuan. However, I did not know about Tinuy-an Falls at that time so I will surely save time for a vist on a future trip! Thank you for your informative article and nice photos!
Tata said…
Thanks for appreciating the post RandyHl I had fun writing about the experience :)

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