White Water Rafting! [CDO]

we left camiguin early in the morning then headed to Cagayan de Oro. As much as we wanted to sleep, we were also ironically, so excited for what's ahead --WHITE WATER RAFTTING! as for me, it was different, I was both excited and nervous at the same time. and the latter didn't come till I knew I was so close to it. must be a psychological thing! hehe.

we arrived in Cagayan River View Inn at around 8am. after settling and all, we took Great White Water Tours' van going to the bridge connecting Cagayan de Oro to Bukidnon, about 30-40 mins away from our hotel. Our tour guides unloaded everything, readied our rafts then gave us our life vests, head gears and paddles. It felt like everything's going to be easy ...till they led us to the bank of Cagayan River, just below the bridge. the current seemed stronger upclose!


getting ready...

before plunging into action, a guide briefed us of what to do. about what to do when you fall, when your friend falls, when the raft capsizes, and all those stuff. he taught us the backward and forward paddling, and when to do it.

(simply when our guide tells so. that easy. whew, I thought there'll be so much thinking involved!)


quick briefing

we were strictly taught to follow the guidelines coz not following may cause accidents. worse, it could cause death. as how some were killed, and were never put into news to save tourism. scary thought huh.

he then informed us what made their agency different from the others (I don't know if this is a marketing strategy or what) --other agencies let clients sign a waiver so they will not be liable for any injury or death. they, on the other hand, will be responsible for whatever happens.

so, it's really a serious matter?! ...gee, that info made me extra nervous. for reals. haha!


pose muna habang buo pa!

we split the group into two, took a while to decide which one --mild or wild... then started rafting at around 10am (we chose the latter btw. hehee. ika nga ni alvin, once in a lifetime 'to!)


"o ano ready na?"

the first few minutes was a bit smooth, till the sound of the violent water came. we were all restless, asking the tour guides all sorts of questions! kakaba kaba?! haha!

Then we came really close to the first rapid --there I realized this is so much scarier than spelunking. for me at least. coz with white water rafting, you'll never know what's ahead!

but contemplating on how much it's dangerous ...is somewhat useless. I was at the point of no return. hahaha!


paddling in action!

"backward! backward!" we all paddled backwards though paddling's nearly impossible. I screamed, coz I needed to boost myself, coz it's scarier than what I imagined, and partly coz I was ironically enjoying the heart-pounding-yet-exhilarating bumpy ride!!!

surviving the first's one of the best, it somehow assured me that surviving the 20+ others is possible. hehe. so, the first thing we asked to the tour guide: Kuya, ganon din pa kahirap ung mga susunod na rapids? his answer: hindi, mas mahirap pa. mild lang yung kanina. eep. haha! si kuya talaga palabiro!


there. apparently, he wasn't joking.


Nth rapid. and we're still alive!

HIGH FIVE! --for the guides, it just meant "we survived the rapids!". Thank God I said that line after every rapid we've passed through. we survived White Water Rafting!!!


"High Five!"

that's what you call ADVENTURE :)
[Dani, thanks for WWR pix!]

Great White Water Tours
tel no: (088) 8562352

Php 1k per head. Includes:

merienda halfway during rafting
(pastel. like you didn't have enough in camiguin. haha!)

lunch after rafting
(chicken bbq and kinilaw. perfect.)

shuttle service to and from the hotel

2 professional guides per raft

tailing 2 rescuers on kayak
(suprisingly... can take pix, will really take care of your cam. hehe.
oh, and you may opt to ride the kayak for a while!)

3 hours rafting, beginner to advanced level
(30+ rapids during rainy season, 20+ during dry season)