September 2, 2010 Spelunking at Tabon Cave Complex
A visit to the Tabon complex requires a permit to be secured from the National Museum Quezon, Palawan Branch. The permit costs PhP20 per person and personal appearance was required. Those were the information we gathered from the museum that day before. Prior to the visit, we had already arranged a boat amounting to PhP1300 for a group of 9 persons. Good thing, one our group is JR who had connections on the quiet coastal town. Travelling from Rio Tuba, we endured a 4hr motor ride to Quezon. Except for Mael whose own family resides in the area, the rest of us rented two rooms for spending the night over. We found a cheap one near the water station beside the bridge. Thanks again to JR'c connections. So the following day, we secured first the permit by paying a visit at the National Museum.
The museum has dioramas depicting the early life in the town. They had artifacts of broken earth wares from the Tabon Cave. Lest to forget the famous artifact of them all, the Manunggul Jar, which is also imprinted at the abck of the PhP1000 bill. The one at Quezon museum was a replica of the original which was now in the National Museum in Manila. After a short tour and with the permit on hand, we went back to our rented inn to get the things we needed. We just waited for Mael and his family at the pier site.
There's a coastguard at the pier who will check for the permit. It pays to travel with someone who knew the place or who are familiar to the place with JR and Mael who's families are well know in the town. There was not much of inquiries. We then boarded our designated boat and traveled 30minutes to Lipuun Point where the Tabon Caves are located. Along the way, we witnessed some fishing vessels unloading their fresh catch of the day.
Hiking at Tabon Cave Complex
Lipuun point can be seen from the pier. And the caves are located at the western side of the point. There were several islands that can seen near the area. The boat made a left turn and we saw a docking bridge perhaps used by larger marine vessel going to the area. The path leads to the enormous mouth of a cave that can also be seen from the open sea. Upon setting foot on the shore, we met our guard/guide at the cave entrance.
Our cave guide first led us to this huge cave just right there by the shore. This cave then leads to a steep climb exiting to the lush vegetation path with the sea on our view. We headed south and found the Tabon cave. It was on this cave that the earliest human remains in the Philippines was recovered thus the Tabon Man.
Excavation points can still be seen from the Tabon Cave with old ropes and sandbags specifically located within the excavation sites.
After another exhausting climb on the walkway, we were taken to the Diwata Cave. This cave was located higher than the Tabon. According to our guide, the cave is one of the smallest and it used to be a burial site. Sounds creepy.
Further up was the Manunggul Cave where the famous Manunggul jar was recovered. For this cave, we weren't able to check since it was located on an elevated portion of the mountain. Our guide took us then to another exhausting hike in the woods, out of the beaten tracks, leading to the grandest of all caves in the complex: the Saang Cave.
The Saang Cave has the biggest chamber among all the caves in the area. Large stalagmites can be seen from the steep and slippery entrance of the cave. A large opening on one side allows sunlight to enter the enormous chamber of the cave.
The Saang Cave has the biggest chamber among all the caves in the area. Large stalagmites can be seen from the steep and slippery entrance of the cave. A large opening on one side allows sunlight to enter the enormous chamber of the cave.
Back to paved pathway, our last stop was the Liyang Cave. We noticed the broken earth wares on the floor. Large stalactites also adorn the cave.
More Photo Sessions
We finished the caving in two hours. All were tired and hungry. We had lunch at the area where we first met our guide near the docking bridge. After lunch we spared another couple of hours to rest and took photos at the dock.
Come to 2PM, we boarded back our boat back to Quezon pier. It was a day filled adventure with being caught in the rain adding to the fun while travelling back to the pier. With the shelter in our boat not enough for everyone, I took a bath in the rain while in boat. The rain stopped when we were about to disembark. We then rode the motorcycles we parked at the coastguard area.
Reaching our inn doors, we had a quick snack then changed to dry clothes. We also checked the weather for any signs of the rain. Around 4PM, we journeyed back to Rio Tuba arriving by 8PM after some motorcycle troubles like flat tire and busted light. We managed to arrive safely though. So much for that adventure.
Reaching our inn doors, we had a quick snack then changed to dry clothes. We also checked the weather for any signs of the rain. Around 4PM, we journeyed back to Rio Tuba arriving by 8PM after some motorcycle troubles like flat tire and busted light. We managed to arrive safely though. So much for that adventure.
We wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment. ~Hilaire Belloc