Happy Tuesday Hivers!
Lately, I noticed that I have been grumpy and emotional, and I realized that it has been a while since I last travelled. I care about my psychological health just as much as I care about my physical health, so when I become too emotional or start feeling blue, I know what it means: I need to travel. So on Friday night, I grabbed my backpack and packed the things I needed for a 1-day escapade. Want to know where I went? Check this out.
Two month ago, I saw stunning photos of the crystal cave in Mabinay, Negros Oriental, posted by Choy Land Photography on his Facebook page. The place looked magical. I started to feel the itchiness in my feet as I wanted to go there the next day. However, time didn’t permit me, and unfortunate events came up unexpectedly. Furthermore, minor earthquakes hit the area, so it was not safe to visit the cave.
But last Friday night, I decided to travel solo (I miss solo travelling to far places). I woke up at 5AM on Saturday and left the house at 7AM. While I was on my way to Ceres Terminal in Dumaguete City, my whole system was filled with exhilaration. That’s how I normally feel when I travel.
As I arrived at the terminal, I looked for an air-conditioned bus with a signboard that said “MABINAY”. While I was busy looking for it, someone came to me and offered his full assistance. I told him that I was going to Mabinay, and he suggested that I take a bus with a signboard that said “BACOLOD”. Since the bus was right in front of me, I immediately boarded it.
Mabinay is known as the “Cave Capital of the Philippines”. They have around 400 caves, and an estimated 40 caves have been explored. However, out of 40 caves, only 6 are open to the public. Three of the caves are intended for beginners, while the other three are for the advanced cavers. The latter requires proper training for safety reasons.
According to the information desk in-charge, those caves were used by locals as their refuge during the Japanese colonization in the Philippines.
Mabinay is situated in the northern part of Negros Island. It takes 2.5 hours of travel from Dumaguete City, and it is a town next to Bais City when you’re coming from Dumaguete City. The locals speak Visayan language, so I found it easy to communicate since I speak the same language.
As I arrived at the compound of the Tourism Office, the place was silent, and there were no people around. After a few minutes, I saw a kid coming. I asked him if the office was opened, and he told me that he saw a few visitors a while ago. I followed him until I saw a man and asked him if I could tour the cave.
He instructed me to take the stairs, and I just followed his instructions. After hitting the staircases, I saw someone at the information desk with the friendliest and sweetest smile. The staff was accommodating.
“Miss, I’m sorry to inform you that we’re experiencing a 12-hour blackout today,” he said. The exhilaration I felt was replaced with so much disappointment. I was quiet and stared blankly. It took me a minute before I gave my reply.
My mind was debating whether to return the next day or to push through without proper illumination inside the cave. But if I went home, my time and money would go to waste. I was able to make my final decision when they gave me a 50% discount for the caving fee. Instead of paying 400php for the caving fee and 25php for the entrance fee, it only cost me 225php. I grabbed the offer.
As I finished choosing my safety hat, the journey to the crystal cave began. It was a piece of cake as there were were no difficult difficult pathways to cross. The hike would only take 5~10 minutes.
“What is the purpose of the fence?” I asked my tourist guide.
"The purpose of it is to limit access inside. No one can get inside except those who are officially identified as the tourist guide and the tourists who have submitted themselves first to the information desk area for registration and payment. Why? Is it only because of money? Absolutely not. The LGU wants to ensure that all visitors have undergone proper briefing before permitting them to enter the cave. This is to educate them on the Do’s and Don’ts inside the cave. For them, that is the best way to protect the stalagmites and stalactites since they are both sensitive."
"Are you ready to virtually enter the cave? Let's begin the tour."
The entrance and exit area are the same as there are no other holes in the cave. The cave is relatively small and has limited capacity. It can only accommodate a maximum of 30 people. It is crucial to adhere to the capacity restrictions for safety reasons.
The sun rays cannot get inside the cave. Now, you would understand why I was disappointed after knowing about the blackout. It was totally dark inside and without proper illumination, the beauty inside was totally different. Luckily, my tour guide was resourceful.
He found ways for me to take nice photos despite the limited source of light we had.
As we entered, he immediately set up the 2 flashlights he brought. In fairness, they were a big help. They illuminated the pathway and made the surroundings look much better.
Looking from outside, you would never expect that this cave has stunning views inside. Only those who have the courage to enter will get a chance to see its hidden beauty. I was mesmerized by its natural beauty. It was truly beautiful.
While inside the cave, I could feel the water drops on my skin and the water temperature was freezing.
Oh, don't worry, I didn't touch it as my tour guide briefed me on the Do's and Don'ts inside the cave. During the briefing, he informed me that stalactites and stalagmites are delicate formations that can be easily damaged by human contact. When touched or contaminated by germs, these formations can be destroyed. It is important to avoid touching stalactites and stalagmites to preserve their natural beauty for future generations to enjoy.
The beauty of the cave was truly remarkable, especially when it was properly illuminated. With the right lighting, the cave's natural features created a truly stunning and breathtaking view.
Photo above is not mine. It is owned by Choy Land Photography
After 25 minutes of exploring the cave, we headed back to the tourism office. The feeling of sadness I had felt recently was gone, and that short cave exploration made me feel calmer and better.
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.