A place that is full of adventure.
It was one of those trips that my officemates and I were sent out to one of the provinces to do the Perfect World game regional tournament when we thought of doing these extreme sports in Cagayan de Oro. We were supposed to go home the following morning but because of a storm in Manila, our flight back was rescheduled to a later time.
This incident gave us time to check for the things that we can do in Cagayan de Oro which led us to this extreme sport. And since our flight back to Manila was scheduled at 5 pm we still have a lot of time to do this.
We were just lucky that time that the Bugsay group can still accommodate us because there is one group that signed up but for some reason cannot make it. Thanks to those people because if not we will not experience this great adventure.
They picked us up in our hotel at exactly 8:00 am with a service jeep that is top load with an inflatable raft. The package that we had before was pick up and drop off with meals and the lower section of the river which is for the beginners, and an additional package for the pictures and videos for an additional cost. Of course, we avail of that additional package for documentation.
The travel to the jump-off point for the lower section or the beginners' section took about an hour. As we reached the jump-off point they gave us 5 mins rest period while they are distributing the life vests and helmets that we are going to use for our protection. After that, there was a brief orientation on how to use and hold the paddle properly.
There were 8 people in our raft: 5 of us and 1 guide. The team photographer has his own small raft. Got mixed feelings at that time, a bit scared but the excitement overpowered it. Why am I scared? because I was seating at the front seat but as we started to drift in the river I became more relaxed.
The whole route stretches 12 km and takes 2-3 hours depending on the current. During the first time that we did it, the water level was high and the flow of the water was fast, so you can really feel the adrenaline rush.
There are 14 rapids that we passed through, Rapids are portions of the river with shallow water, leaving rocks exposed and thus creating the movement around and over the rocks. There are six classifications of rapids but let's not talk about it anymore since what we only did was for the beginner.
In between the rapids, we drifted lazily along the river and even allowed us to swim, yep it is not continuous navigation through rapids, there are parts that we just paddle through and enjoy the scenery of the forest trees, rock faces, and limestone cliffs, and hills.
Going through a rapid gives you so much excitement, especially when the raft started to rocked and bounced and you have to keep paddling just so the raft does not capsize, water splashing all around you, and all of you are all laughing and yelling at the same time.
This alternate of rapids and shallow cold water continued until the end of the activity. There are strong rapids and there are some that are not. There were times that the guide asked us to stand up as we passed through the rapids but none of us was able to stand up longer than 5 seconds.
Remember I mention that the guide allowed us to swim because there are swimming areas too the water is really cold but who cares we are already wet so why not jump in the water. Before we end up the activity we also have to do the graduation jump which we climb a hill that is about 6ft high and we jump from there. It took me a few times of attempts before I was able to do the jump, but hey I can proudly say that I did it!
Been to CDO about four times now and every time I was there I always make it a point that I'll do water rafting. There was a time that I joined my mom's friends' trip to Cagayan De Oro and they also joined me in this adventurous activity. And brought different sets of friends there too. And I don't think I'll stop doing this, I still want to try the advance and the extreme level if given a chance.
Will keep on coming back to this lovely and adventurous place.
And if you've come this far, thank you.
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©@Eylz619
All text and images by the author, unless otherwise credited
February 19, 2022
“Fall in love with taking care of yourself. Fall in love with the path of deep healing. Fall in love with becoming the best version of yourself but with patience, with compassion, and respect to your own journey.” —S. McNutt