Planning for a water rafting escape doesn't have to be perfect. It also doesn't mean you have to leave it all in your instincts and luck, you have to see a guide or at least have an idea to avoid untoward incidents. Here's my CDO water rafting essentials you might want to check out. ITINERARY
12:30nn - Pick up at Brewberry Cafe
1:30pm - ETA jump-off
2:00pm - Started orientation
2:20pm - Started Advance course
5:30pm - Finished Advance course
5:45pm - Back to the hotel
HOW TO GET THERE
The activity is usually organized by your chosen travel agency, they will fetch you from a pick up point or from where you are staying. It is a must to have reservations and arrange schedule you want.
Schedule of pick-up:
First trip: 7:30am-8am
Second trip: 12:00-12:30
THINGS TO BRING
Quick dry clothes
Rash guards/ Long sleeves
Extra clothes
Toiletries
Personal zip locks
Sandals or slippers with strap/ Aqua shoes
Sunblock
Waterproof camera
Snack
BUDGET AND EXPENSES
This depends on what course you are going to try and what kind of package you want.
One of my goals in life is to experience an extreme hobby or sport and one of that would be water rafting adventure! White water rafting will totally pump up your adrenaline as you conquer raging 14-20 rapids in each course which we did at Cagayan de Oro city.Actually many people think that this kind of activity is really dangerous and kinda hard to learn.
This adventure has 3 different course that you can choose from: beginner, advance and extreme.
1. Beginner - a 12.32 km. river stretch that has 14 rapids starting from Brgy. Mambuaya to Kabula.
2. Advance course 1 - a 20 km river course with 21 major rapids that you will surely enjoy from Brgy. Ugiaban to Mambuaya
3. Advance course 2 - from Brgy. Quary to Mambuaya 13 km with 13 major rapids which is moderately difficult.
4. Extreme - a 22 km adventurous stretch from bukidnon to CDO. A much difficult rapids with high and irregular waves.
We basically chose Advance because we don't want to have baby rapids from beginner's course and not Extreme since it was our first time and really don't know yet what to expect.
Upon arrival at the jump off, each were given individual equipment and went to the starting or practice area. Before getting into the boat and paddle, groups were oriented with the proper techniques, commands and safety precautions by their boat guide once engaged into the waters and rapids. Then after all of those, we were ready for the challenge!
It was so exciting! Fear of falling from the side of the rubber boat really made my heart beat faster. That was first few rapids, but as we came across more and more of it, we felt that we can conquer it confidently, still with excitement.
Unlike other people think that it was just bunch of rapids, due to most of photos and videos were going through the waves, we also did experience calm river and rowed till we reach the next cascade of water.
The Advance course adventure was really unforgettable and I recommend it to everyone of any age. It tooks us about 5-6 hours to finish it. Just imagine that! I can say it is safe if you will follow all the rules and instructions of the guide. "Power forward..1..2.." Do you think we didn't had experience felling from our boat? You're wrong! Actually there are some portion in the course wherein they intend to make your boat out of balance and hope all of you will fall. Haha, actually it's included in what we paid for! That's a secret huh. Next time we will definitely try the Extreme one!
Divine Mercy Hills located at PSB Ulaliman, El Salvador city, Misamis Oriental Mindanao is one of the sought after site for pilgrimage and devotion now.
They say that this 9.8 hectare location was discovered 2003 and used to be planted by coconut and sineguelas trees was developed and became house of 50-feet. statue of Divine Mercy, which is the tallest of its kind in the world. Who would've thought that?
This holy place is respected by so many people as caretakers always remind visitors to wear and behave properly, especially females once they enter. No shorts or other revealing clothes allowed. If tourist, like us who went there wearing shorts, not properly attired, administrators will advise you to wear long skirts or malong, even the guys, located at the entrance for free. However donation is accepted.
It was late afternoon when we went there, still more people came to visit the place. One thing you shouldn't miss here is to climb the stairs to the 50-feet high statue, which I myself missed because it's not allowed to bring anything at the top, just yourself, no cameras, no cellphones. They don't have lockers for visitors that time. But before doing that you have to listen first on their 5 minute seminar-like talk to prepare yourselves and have some orientations at the prayer area.
Thousands of chairs facing Divine Mercy Statue.
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