Oslob Adventures : Whale Shark Watching to Oslob Heritage Park

I was definitely finding a way to unwind from my daily routine - paper works, chores, activity planning, groups; well, it all sums up to responsibilities. People like me longs for that so called "long vacation" where in you can just let go of responsibilities for a while and enjoy what life and the world has to offer. Luckily, my beau feels exactly the same and ended up with this one day trip on a holiday to catch our travel bug.

WELCOME TO OSLOB

Spoiler hahaha

BASIC INFORMATION

FARE:

Cebu – Oslob: PHP 150.00 (Sunrays Liner Non-Air Conditioned Bus)

Oslob – Cebu: PHP 145.00 (Sunrays Liner Air Conditioned Bus)

Whale Shark Watching - Oslob Heritage Park: PHP 70.00 (Tricycle)

FEES:

Whale Shark Snorkling: PHP 500.00 (PHP 300.00 if you just want to plainly watch them)

Aaron Beach Resort (Locker, Cottage, Transportation, Boat Assistance): PHP 100.00

*Fare and Rates are for one person only.

NOTES:

WHALE SHARK VIEWING/SNORKELING

      *Available only at 6:00AM – 12:00NN 

      *Drop off at Brgy. Tan-awan or just inform the "kondoktor" to drop you off at Oslob for                         whale watching

      *Applying of sun screen or sun block is not allowed

      *Make sure you have your underwater camera with you for snaps with the whales or you can rent         one at Aaron's Resort at PHP 500.00 (Adventures with pictures will make great memories :D )

REMINDERS
1. Pack light.
2. Bring food that is ready to eat.
3. Wearing shoes is highly discouraged.
4. Underwater Camera or Waterproof pouch is a MUST!
5. Enjoy!

ITIRENARY:

0300 – 0545     Cebu to Oslob

0545 – 0600     Rest

0600 – 0700     Whale Shark (and everything that comes with the process)

0700 – 0930     Breakfast / Rest / Pack Up

0930 – 0950     to Oslob Heritage Park

0930 – 1130     Explore Oslob Heritage Park

1130 – 1430     Oslob to Cebu

Well, after reading the basic information to go on this trip, you might be wondering, "How is it possible to do this in just like half a day?", my answer? TIME MANAGEMENT! hahahaha kidding, we didn't expect to finish this adventure early, neither. You might also ask why bus fare rates vary from the other, just go on and continue reading to know. :)

WHALE SHARK WATCHING

We woke up around 2:00AM to prepare and catch the 3:00AM bus to Oslob at South Bus Terminal. We were expecting a 3-4 hours ride but we arrived 1 hour earlier than expected. It was around 5:45AM when the bus driver dropped us at Aaron's Beach Resort (there are tons of resorts to choose from). It's gate were open so we came in but their normal operation starts at 6:00AM so we waited. 

*You are free to choose from the other resorts nearby or you can also go directly to the Orientation Area for the Whale Shark Watching. But just a personal note: It is better to check in a resort for safe keeping of valuables because you are not allowed to bring anything aside from your underwater camera in the boat.

Fees were paid and we prepared ourselves for the gentle giants. Aaron Beach Resort offers a free ride to the Orientation Area. 

Ready for the Orientation

 I was shocked when we arrived at the Orientation Area, I thought we were too early but then there were many people in the place already earlier than us. It's better to be early than sorry. :)

Ready to see the sharks!

AAAAAMAZING!

 I was really in awe when i saw the gentle giants. It was sooo gigantic hahaha hearts filled my eyes. My heart melts with joy for this wonderful experience.

All visitors are given 30 minutes to see the whale sharks with a 4-meter distance in order not to harm these beautiful creations.The Staff are really making sure that the rules during whale watching is followed in order not to harm them. 

OSLOB HERITAGE PARK

A 20-minute drive from the whale sharks, we headed to Oslob Heritage Park to see some of it's history and admire nature.

THINGS TO SEE:

1. Museum (picture taking not allowed)

We found old things people used to use and some photographs of important people in Oslob.

2. Cuartel

3. Baluarte

4. Nuestra Señora de la Immacilada Conception 

5. Seaside Park

One of my favorite pictures ♥

We hopped on the bus way home from Oslob Market that is why the fare going home was cheaper. 

Our trip to Oslob was short but memorable. It does not have to take days out to unwind. All you need is enough time. For me and my dear, this day was worth it, memorable and full of amazing things. The world has much to offer. Do the things you love with the ones you love. :*

Until our next adventure.

Love,

♥Lhallielynn and Zedrock♥

Chasing Falls, Samboan, Cebu : Dau Falls, Binalayan Hidden Falls, Auginid Falls

 I was thinking about a new adventure after the trekking we had at Mt. Mauyog, Balamban. Just when I needed it, my older sister gave me a hint - she wants to go to Dau Falls in Samboan. I did research on the necessary things like how to get there, how much, where is it located, etc... just to be prepared. While doing the research, I found out that there are 2 other falls in Samboan and the distances are near enough to visit all 3 falls in a day. And that's it! I ended up making a 1 Day Itinerary.

Welcome to Samboan.

BASIC INFORMATIONS

HOW TO GET THERE

We hired a jeepney to bring us there with a fee of PHP 6,000.00 (round trip).

Via Public Transportation:

South Bus Terminal to Samboan - PHP 175.00

Habal-habal - PHP 500.00 (whole day trip to the different falls)

Samboan to Cebu City - PHP 175.00

1 DAY ITINERARY

0500-0830 To Samboan

0830-0900 Picture Taking, Asking for Directions

0900-1000 Trek to Dau Falls

1000-1130 Exploring Dau Falls/Lunch

1130-1230 Trek Back to Starting Point/To Binalayan Falls

1230-1400 Exploring Binalayan Hidden Falls

1400-1430 To Aguinid Falls

1430-1630 Exploring Aguinid Falls

1630-1730 Packing Up/Showers

1730-2100 To Cebu City

EXPENSES

Fare: It depends on your travel preference

Entrance Fee (double the price for foreigners):

Dau Falls - PHP 10.00

Binalayan Hidden Falls - 20.00

Aguinid Falls - PHP 20.00

Tour Guide Honorarium: Their guidance and help are for free, the honorarium thingy serves as their tip for helping :)

Food: We brought our own food to lessen our expenses. Stores are available along the road but not near the falls area.

REMINDERS
1. Pack light.
2. Bring food that is ready to eat.
3. Wearing shoes is highly discouraged. (I say sorry for not highlighting this during our trip. hihi)
4. Underwater Camera or Waterproof pouch is a MUST!
5. Enjoy!

DAU FALLS

Among the 3 Falls we visited that day, the trek to Dau Falls was the best and the most challenging one. We had to cross a hanging bridge that made us dizzy after (hahahaha). Then we need to cross rivers and walk through the edge of i-dont-know-what (hihi). The trek way up to Dau Falls is around 30-45 minutes depending on your pace.

GirlFriends :)

The Hanging Bridge                                River                                     Stone Staircase                            Friends (hahah) 

Bamboo Bridge                                                                                        River???

             Dau Falls 

Dau Falls is magical. Its beauty is one of a kind and this is my personal favorite. And aside from its beauty, one thing here in Dau Falls is that YOU OWN IT! Why? Few people come because of its distance and terrain. So if you want to spend a quite time and own a falls for a while with your friends or loved ones, I highly recommend Dau Falls. :)

Dau Falls                                                                                        JumpShot

Dau Falls water level is like 3-5 feet, but there's a part that's deep enough to make a jump from the stone wall.

BINALAYAN HIDDEN FALLS

Binalayan Hidden Falls is around 5-10 minutes drive away from Dau Falls' starting point. It's easy to find, there are road signs. The trek to Binalayan Hidden Falls is around 5-10 minutes, and unlike the way to Dau Falls, the terrain to Binalayan Hidden Falls is way to easy.

Before we started our walk to the falls, we had a short break and had some fresh buko for PHP 20.00 only.

Buko

Level 1                                                                                                    Level 2

What makes Binalayan different from other falls? It's a three-way-flowing-falls hihi. The rock formation made it appear as such. We call it " The Wolverine Style". :)

The water level is quite deep and its safe for jumping or diving.

Joshua on its feet to jump

We were wondering on why it is called "Hidden", then we found the answer ourselves. Based on our own point of view, it is called "Hidden" because the place itself is hidden. (Well, don't get me wrong, because if it's hidden, we shouldn't have gone here in the first place.) When you try to observe the place closer and examine it, the falls seems to be inside a cave or is enclosed with massive rock formations that only a bit of sunlight comes through making the whole place gloomy and quite dark. (Does it even makes sense? hahaha anyways, that's only our point of view.)

Siblings :)

Group Picture :)

AGUINID FALLS

My friend Werner cracked a joke about this one. (hahahaha I don't know how to translate it in english so nevermind.) :)

Aguinid Falls have 5 levels. This one excites me so much because of the "rock climbing against the water" thingy. hahaha Unlike the 2 other falls we visited, this one isn't like that typical flowing-water-falls. You won't get to see high massive rocks where the water flows. It's more like huge rocks with water flowing on it. (Are my statements right? Grammar check please. hihi) Just see the pictures so you'll get what I mean. :)

LEVEL 1

First, we had to cross the "River Walk" before reaching here.

Tadaaaa!

               Relaxing                                                          Level 1                                            See how they love that rock.

LEVEL 2
Savor yourself with the cold water before starting to climb. Don't forget to take your shoes off. :)

Level 2 

Rock climbing against the water

LEVEL 3

Get ready for a massage :)

Massage                                                            Level 3                                                   Model hahahaha

Loving the massage effect

LEVEL 4
Here, you are allowed to jump for the water is deep enough for such. :)

Level 4                                                                                       Go Laarnie! Jump!

LEVEL 5

Such a wonderful sight. :)

Level 5

Smile :)

Now, I bet you get what I mean. hihi

Last group picture before we leave. HAPPY! :)

 Indeed, the whole trip was worth the hassle. We all left Samboan with sleepy heads and of course, ear-to-ear smiles and happy memories treasured in our hearts. Trips will turn out awesome when you have your friends and family to share memories and experiences with.

Until the next adventure.

Love,
♥Lhallielynn♥

Trekking at Mt. Mauyog, Balamban, Cebu

Going out under the heat of the sun have always been my childhood dream. Climbing to mountain peaks, diving, exploring the different falls - discovering the beauty of nature.

Well, this adventure is the best yet the most challenging one. Not to mention, this is my first time.

That's my brother, my sister, me and my mom. Getting ready to go to the meeting place - JY Square.

From JY Square we hopped into a jeepney (pakyaw) to bring us to Balamban via Transentral Highway. If you go there by v hire the fare would be like PHP 90.00. It's 2-3 hours travel time.

We departed around 10am and reached the Barangay around 12nn. We walked downhill along the road and reached the base of the mountain aroung 12:45pm. There is a sari-sari store, we had our lunch there (we brought food).

Beautiful. 

Along the road, you will see these beautiful flowers. WOW!

Around 1:30pm, we started going up to Mt. Mauyog.

What to expect:

-slippery trails

-very large rocks

-itchy plants

-hard trail

-maze

Note: Prepare your knees. Haha.

THE TRAIL

I was just about a few steps up the mountain and I already felt my knees shake. This is tough for a first timer. I say, "Once you start something, you should end it". hihi There is no room for giving up for I was just starting to reach my goal (the peak).

Now, the best part, the 90 degrees rock that you need to climb to reach the first peak.

Watching my Mom do the moves. hahaha

The struggle is real. hahahaha

I felt like I've reached Cloud 9 for my success hahaha. There's an easier trail though but I was happy enough to learn the hard way. :) A hidden trail, I say. hahah but you need to crawl. It's just beside that 90 degrees rock covered with plants and unnoticeable.

Two separated rocks that you need to cross to reach the first peak. YEAH SCARY!

AT LAST! FIRST PEAK.

The view is amazing. The rock formations are brain-like corals. The climb was worth it but its not yet the end. 

THE SECOND PEAK

7-15 minutes away from the second peak. When you thought the first peak was perfect, watch out, there's more to come on the Second peak.

Second Peak. Each of us got our own rock for picture taking. haha

Theresa

My Mom

Me

We reached the base around 4pm.

 Well, the whole trek was perfect, not bad for a first timer, and I learned 6 things:
-Once you started something, you should end it.
-There is always an easy way.
-Always be clear on your goal.
-Best things come to those who struggled hard.
-It is rewarding to reach your goal when you do it with your heart.
-People are always there to help.

Until the next adventure.

Love,

♥Lhallielynn♥