Happy Saturday Hivers!
I've been travelling since November last year. Within the period of time, I was able to explore some parts of Northen and Southern of Cebu.
Two weeks ago since the tourist attractions in Cebu mostly in the southern part was greatly affected after the super typhoon Odette and has not yet fully recovered, I had decided to travel to the neighboring island that has less or no damage after the typhoon. I travelled to Dumaguete and I have rented a room for a month or maybe more (I still don't know yet).
I know Negros has many great tourist spots and adventures to offer and that made me thrill to explore the Negros Island.
Yesterday, I went to The Forest Camp. It is located in Valencia. By the way, Valencia is a neighboring town of Dumaguete. It is a place that has many hidden gems according to some locals in town.
At the Entrance Area
The lovely sight of the green plants and the colorful flowers; the cold gentle wind; and the sound of the flowing water welcomed me as I arrive in the vicinity of the forest camp.
The Hanging Bridges
I was confused which paths to take because of the intense excitement I had felt. After few minutes, I took the left path and saw this hanging bridge.
The calmness of the mind was the feeling I had felt as I cross this hanging bridge. I'd heard the sound of the flowing water and I fell in love with that sound. That is one of the sounds I wanted to hear over and over again. While in the bridge, most part of the forest camp is visible and oh boy the scenery around the forest camp is magnificent.
Another hanging bridge I've seen in the opposite side but it is smaller compared to the bridge I'd first crossed. They'd built hanging bridges because there's no other way to get to the opposite side of the forest camp.
At the River
The scenery beneath the bridge inspired me to find way to get there and later on, I found the stairs going down to the river.
While walking down to the river I've discovered piles stones scattered around. Maybe this is one of the good places to meditate, although I know we can do meditation anywhere we want but doing meditation in this tranquil place with only sound of the flowing water you will hear, maybe it is different. That was just my thought.
After the moment I enjoy the scenery of the river, I continued walking. I ascended the stairs and checked around. Until I found these giant woks in swimming pools.
The Giant Woks
The kawa(wok) hot bath has been widely known since few years back. But in the forest camp they don't have kawa hot bath. They only have kawa cold bath where the chemical-free cold water from the river was filtered and flows in the kawa. Most of the guests can't stay longer because they could not tolerate the freezing cold water.
The water was alluring but since there was no one who can keep an eye on my belongings whenever I am in the water so I chose not to bath. I just stared the water.
After few minutes, I stayed away and checked the other swimming pools.
The Swimming Pools
The swimming pool is the main attraction of the forest camp. You can see lots of swimming pool scattered around the vicinity. I can't remember how many pools are there, all I can remember is that it has many swimming pools.
While checking each pools, I'd seen this little boy who seemed skeptical to plunge into the water. I thought he wouldn't bath but after a while, I saw him swimming with the other kids.
In the afternoon, many guests were started coming in. The forest camp has slowly turned into less tranquil place. But what I like in this mountain resort was although they have many guests but you don't need to share the swimming pool to the other guests becuse as I mentioned above they have many pools scattered around the vicinity.
The forest camp has also different facilities. If you wanted to spend the night in the resort, rooms are available. Spa, cottages, skate park, and climbing wall are also available.
The forest camp is one of the best places around Valencia to hangout with friends and families. If you wanted to relax maybe this is a perfect place for you.
How to get there
For a budget traveller, take a jeepney from Dumaguete City to Valencia. The fare is only Php20.00. From Valencia proper, hire a tricycle going to the forest camp. It only costs you Php40.00. The forest camp is located along the road. It is easy to locate.
Have you been to the forest camp? How was the experience. Drop a comment below.
Thank you for reading and see you on my next blog. Cheers!
Watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places.
Discord: kellyane#0924
Namaste! I am fond of reading books, watching korean, american and filipino series/movies and I am also fond of gardening. I love listening to different life stories and I am always captivated with the beauty of nature so travel is my escape when life turns into blue. But hey, how could I forget my photography hobby? It is one of the best, so follow me as I will be featuring my experiences of the stuff that I am passionate with.