CAGAYAN DE ORO ESCAPADE

Our trip to Cagayan De Oro last 2010 is my first time to travel via airplane..and maybe the farthest so far...Cagayan De Oro., Northern Mindanao. Imagine, it is only because we attended an out of town company convention, if not…maybe until now I may not be able to experience riding an airplane. Since we are already there, we made sure to do side tripping and explore the City of Friendship.

One thing that caught my attention is their public mode of transportation aside from jeepney. They call this MOTORELA, it’s like a tricycle  and jeepney combined. A four-wheeled vehicle powered by motorcycle. It can accommodate about 6-8 passengers. 

Motorela

We are at the convention for the entire day…so we only got the chance to do side tripping at night. Good thing, It is weekend and according to the locals the Plaza Divisoria transform every Friday and Saturday night. Wow, sounds interesting!…I wonder how’s the night life in CDO. Is it the same as what we do in Manila?

The first we've tried is Dining at Butcher's Best Barbeque located at Hayes St. Cagayan De Oro. We really enjoyed the food there...especially their famous barbeque at a very affordable price.  It is a must try food experience in CDO. How I wish they have branch here in Manila. 

Famous Yummy barbeque- best paired with java rice

Cagayan De Oro also has its own version of Divisoria…the Plaza Divisoria, the road around the area of their divisoria is closed every Friday and Saturday to give way for the Divisoria Night Café and Night market. Night café is the best place for food tripping in CDO where you can find plenty of street foods and food stalls around the area. The setting is very similar with the Banchetto  in Ortigas, where they close the road and fill it with line of food stalls and set up tables and chairs outside. One difference that I observed is the price, because price in CDO is cheaper compare in Banchetto..They also set up small stage where Bands perform to entertain the crowd.  

There, you may also find a long stretch of the road where different products are sold either brand new or Ukay-ukay type, it similar with the settings in Divisoria in Manila. Prices are also very close in Divisoria, Manila as well as the items that they sold there.

CAMIGUIN ISLAND: We actually had a funny experience in Camiguin. Camiguin island is famous on Lanzones and fortunately we’ve heard that they are currenly celebrating Lanzones Festival, of course we don’t want to miss the chance to experience to overflowing Lanzones…Camiguin is quite far from the City. We rented a van that will transport us to port where we need to ride barge going to Camiguin Island.

The barge

another Ferry Boat...going to Camiguin

Whoooahh…after a long trip, we reached Camiguin Island…but unfortunately there was no lanzones found in the area and that's not what we've expected. According to the locals, we should have been there earlier to be able to catch lanzones. Anyway,we just took picture..

lanzones Festival...without lanzones....hahahha 

Then we just continue our Camiguin Island experience. We rented a Jeepney to bring us to the one of the famous Hot Spring there.

Mt Hibok hibok Hot Spring

Unfortunately, it's almost dark when we reached Mt. Hibok Hibok Hot spring.That's why we didn't get the chance to see the scenery much...Though even it is dark you'll be able to see its beauty. The water is hot and very relaxing after a long drive, I want to stay more but we need to go, because we need to find a place to stay overnight...and besides the jeepney driver is waiting for us...because he will help us find a place to stay.

Paras Beach Resort

picture ...picture

WHITEWATER RAFTING: A must try challenging recreational activity in Cagayan De Oro. This is my first time to try this and it's all worth it! Experience the thrill and beauty of Cagayan River while in a raft. It cost P700.00 that includes City transfer (via Jeepney), use of paddle, helmet and vest  and lunch.

on our way

We were given a life vest and helmet for protection and a brief orientation. There is one entertaining tour guide allotted for us. It was more thrilling to find out that we will paddle the raft ourselves. 

Safety First...

There are 14 different exciting rapids where our tour guide always have a funny story and a name given to each. The river is clear and....wild!! It's like riding a real life "Wild River". Whooooahh!! 

preparing the raft

say Hi!!! =)

Wild Rapid...whoooahhhh!!!! look at the face ...hehehhe

Paddle while standing

Good thing we be able to rest a bit in a peaceful part of the river...
Look, Manng seems really get tired =)

Picture picture

Approaching a big rapid...

getting ready....

oppppssss.....

Wahhhhh...this is it!!!!

Yeay!!! we survived it...

There is actually one of our companion who fell out of the raft due to excitement and wild rapid. Fortunately, our guide is alert and it turned out as an excitement experience for him. There is an area that we are allowed to jump off the raft to freely float in the river. I was really scared but I did enjoy it a lot. It took almost 3 hours of thrill and excitement. That's why make sure to put sunblock if you don't want to get burn under the sun.

wet wet wet...after rafting

buffet lunch

Unfortunately, I didn't get the chance to get the copy of the pictures and video because we didn't have much time to wait, for we need to catch our flight back to Manila. CD Copy of the pictures and Video is worth P250.00. Anyway, memories live forever in our heart. Given a chance, I will definitely go back there hopefully with my family.

i love Philippines!!!
-cutesmile