Cagayan De Oro Discussion~

[acecrystal]

cdo is exquisitely beautiful! i love the place and d experience...

[orochimaru700]

city of golden friendship!

[orochimaru700]

bump cagay-anon's!

[Bongcaps]

CDO luv it....

[organizedchaos]

gimingaw nako cdo dah. musta na taga elipe park dha? walay alacarte diri. gimingaw ko sa cogon.

[aLoTsKiE]

I always wanted to go to cdo

[kurdapia.nikki]

hi.
im going to cdo next year.
hehehe. knsa nakadungog about international leaders conference to be held in cdo?

[bisayadakoo]

[bisayadakoo]

source: THIS IS HOW WE ROLL!

Conquering Cagayan de Oro River

by Megan Lara Manuel – Senior 1



I heard the rush of water even before I saw it. My heart jumps to my throat and I was seriously thinking of backing out. I don’t know how to swim for Christ’s sake and I’m attempting to do this for the sake of adventure? What did I get myself into? I hate my impulsiveness at that very moment.

My heart beats so fast as the guide handed me my helmet, life vest and paddle. I put my helmet and life vest on and as the guide was strapping it real tight, I asked him, “I will float, right?” and he answered with a grin, “Yes, after three days”. I wanted to smack him in the face. I’m pretty scared and he’s still making jokes like that. But of course, I still managed to pose and smile when he took my picture. After that I was like, what the hell, I’ll do this.





“I won’t show anyone I’m afraid, am I?”



We walked to the river for the briefing. What to do when we fell off the raft, how to save someone who fell, how to paddle, etc. We’ll be rafting for 2 – 3 hours, depending on our pace (how good we are at paddling). And we’ll be dealing with 14 rapids (I was like, “Oookaay, this is for beginners right?). They told us to listen to our team leader (guide) and work with your team mates. White water rafting is teamwork. And they keep on telling us not to panic. Last thing that the guide told us was that everything on the right is Bukidnon and everything on the left is Cagayan. As if that fact would ease our anxiety.



It’s time. I saw the first rapid as I climb on our raft. It sure looks angry. “Paddle forward!” our guide said. We paddled our asses into that angry rapid.

” Keep paddling. “



The first dip of the raft was so sudden, and I wasn’t expecting it. The water was playing with us and was pulling us in every direction all at one time. And our guide shouted a lot of commands for us to keep afloat. After that first rapid, our guide shouted, “High five!” and we raised our paddles for a great teamwork. We did not capsize, thirteen to go!

I only remember a few of those fourteen rapids. One was the first one. Second was the most powerful of all, our guide gave us three options for that. First was the “Coward’s way” where we’ll be going on a different route and avoid that rapid. Second was the “Brave man’s way”wherein we will face that rapid head on. Third was the “No way” wherein we are supposed to carry our raft and walk at the side of the river. The last one was supposed to be a joke. Ha-ha. Of course, we chose the Brave man’s way, we’re not chickens! But we sat on the foot of our raft, and let our guides do the paddling. Hey, we’re just beginners, at least we get to experience its power.

Another rapid I remember was the calmest of all. And guess what we did? We braved through it standing up! Hell yeah. That part was my favorite.



On we go down the river, the guide letting us swim on calmer waters. Giving us some tidbits about the area, and gossips about people who went rafting with them before (e.g. then Pres. GMA was not able to finish the beginner’s course). Our guides we’re funny and witty. They’re also plotting on throwing me off the raft, because of my loud screams (they did not succeed. Ha!)

” high five!”

The “Brave” man’s way.

Alas, we’re near the end, they made us sit in front of the raft to experience the last rapid without paddling. I’m not yet ready for it to end. I was having the time of my life, and was so hyped up with the rush it gave me, I’m willing to face a few more rapids.

But all things got to end.





Rafting is my new favorite adventure. I like the teamwork, the adrenaline rush. I was tired, but I get to go home with happy bumps and bruises. Sore muscles from all that paddling but the team work I experienced and the excitement it gave was worth it. It was good I did not back out, I would’ve missed all that fun. No regrets, just pure bliss. ♥♥



TRAVEL NOTES:

Cagayan de Oro City is home to some of the most scenic and exhilarating whitewater rafting and dubbed as the “adventure capital” in the Philippines.

To know more about…

Rafting: Kagay (Kagay - Cagayan de Oro's Premiere Whitewater Rafting Voyages)

Rates: 700 PHP - Beginners (14 Rapids, Class I-II)

1000 PHP - Advanced (24 Rapids, Class II-IV)

1200 PHP - Expert (14 Rapids, Class III)

** Rates are inclusive of transfers from your hotel to Cagayan de Oro River and vice versa, rafting gear (helmets, life vests, and paddles), and tour guides.

** They only have 2 trips a day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

** They also document each trip (Pictures & Videos), and you can buy the CD at their office for an additional charge. Just inquire about it when you book a trip.

Rating: ★★★★★

Posted on Friday December 10th

[acecrystal]

CDO--my sweetest escape