September 2, 2013 ATV ride to Malabsay Falls
I think I am not that excited for this adventure. I woke up at 5AM but meet up time for the bad ass ATV ride to MT. Isarog is still at 8AM. The previous day, I made a reservation at www.nagax.com for a half day adventure to Malabsay Falls. Just check out their site for published rates and contact numbers. Okay, after some orientation and briefing from my guide Kuya Mao, the adventure begun. We started on a streets of Naga City, passed by the Basilica of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, then made way to the rugged countryside terrain. We even passed by Ateneo de Naga then traversed the asphalted roads of Barangays Pacol and Carolina.
At the foothills of Mt. Isarog, I love the cool breeze of clean air, away from the polluted ones of the city. Kuya Mao then went to this "guards" on the area for some registration. After which, we drove for another 50 meters ahead.
After travelling for over an hour, we finally reached Mt. Isarog. You have to trek around 100 meters still going to the falls.
Malabsay Falls is breath taking on its own. Those who seek adventure will not be disappointed. Malabsay in the local dialect means tasteless so literally the falls means tasteless falls. I tried drinking water flowing from the basin and indeed it is tasteless but is it not that all water is tasteless?
What is good about the area is that it is not that disturbed. I learned that the area used to have cottages as seen by the moss covered ruins nearby but when a typhoon passed by the province, the facilities were destroyed. There were no efforts since to develop the area but I say it should stay the way it is. Let nature take its course.
My trip will not be complete without checking the waters of Malabsay Falls. I took a dip and trust me it was really cold. Kuya Mao, my guide for this trip, told me that we could check out Panicuason Hot Springs if I want to but I have to pay the entrance fees since it is not included in my trip package. So after some discussion, I got my things and trekked back to the parking area. Off we go to the Hot Springs!
Here are other photos of my Malabsay Falls trip. I had to ask Kuya Mao to be the photographer. Not bad, eh.
On the way down from the foothills of Mt. Isarog, Kuya Mao suddenly stopped and went down on his ATV then went to this tree picking something from its branches. He waved at me to follow him them gave me this not so common fruit that you can see at the fruit stand. He told me that it is edible. It has a distinct taste somewhat a crossover between grapes and strawberry. It turned out that its the mulberry fruit; added treat to my already adrenaline packed adventure. Hooray for today!
Sidetrip to Panicuason Hot Springs
The Panicuason Hot Springs comes ahead of the Malubsay Falls. Going there is like being on the popular smartphone game Hill Climb but these one you're really into it. I took my ATV several ups and downs on the steep slopes and curves before we reached the hot springs.
There is an entrance fee on the resort and since Kuya Mao knew the caretaker, I got a discount. Another hooray for today.
There is an entrance fee on the resort and since Kuya Mao knew the caretaker, I got a discount. Another hooray for today.
Here is the location map of Panicuason Hot Springs that will greet you as soon as you arrive.
Immediately I took photos as soon as I parked on the designated park area. Below the cottages, there is a flowing river where one could freely enjoy to themselves.
One could also ziplines and wallclimb since the resort was recently convertd to an eco park. Those ones I had to pass since I only have a limited time for I still have to check out at my hotel before 1PM. Hotel rules.
I did try all the four hot spring pools ranging from 39˚C to 29˚C. Well I did manage the 39˚C pool after some time.
I spent around 15 minutes at the hot pools before deciding to go back to the city. I did not change to dry clothes already since I will get dry along the way anyhow. We has just left the main gates when it started to rain. We have to stop by a waiting shed for the rain to subside. We had two more stops before we decided for a non stop journey back to the city. Good thing my back pack is kinda water proof. I wrapped this plastic bag which I intended for my wet clothes earlier but it served another purpose. My only concern was my IPhone and DSLR cam getting wet. To my relief they were safe and dry as soon as I checked them at my hotel room.
Getting wet and soaked in the rain just added to the adventure. My half day of fun was really worth it. Call it bad ass indeed! I even went to the nearby Starbucks store to have my tumbler collection with me still wet, clothes not dripping though. Haha.
Getting wet and soaked in the rain just added to the adventure. My half day of fun was really worth it. Call it bad ass indeed! I even went to the nearby Starbucks store to have my tumbler collection with me still wet, clothes not dripping though. Haha.
Here is my route info for my Mt. Isarog adventure. Definitely, I am going back.
"To awaken alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world." —Freya Stark