Spelunking at Siargao, Philippines ! | Featuring the Flowing Water Tayangban Cave Pool | Frugal Traveler's Guide

in #travel7 years ago (edited)

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Hello itinerants all over the world and steemit community! Howdy? As I write this blog for today, I do enjoy the perfectly fine weather here in Siargao. The weather seems cooperative today than these past couple of days but it didn't stop me from bringing you the best of the best in the Island. In addition to my journey to sanity, I have finally visited most of Siargao's finest. If you are a non-surfer and still likes to wander and have a fun vacation in this wonderful island, let me bring you to one of the activities that non-surfers would surely love and definitely get a thrill out of your vacation.

TAYANGBAN CAVE POOL lies comfortably within the municipality of Pilar, Siargao, a fun and thrilling caving activity and a nice spot to go swimming in a cave pool can be enjoyed by the locals and tourists. The place is only 15-20 minutes drive (depending on the motor speed) away from General Luna. There are actually motorbikes that can be rented from General Luna. The minimum price per day is 300.00 pesos. (6.00 US Dollar) but still negotiable depending on how good are you at bargaining. And there are also public motorbikes with a rate of 100.00 pesos - 150.000 (2-3 US dollar.) Just a heads up to always check the weather forecasts from time to time, it's better to go to the cave when it's sunny. The water is definetely clear when it's not raining. If it rains heavily the mud is washed away and goes into the water.


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Finding this tourist attraction is no sweat. It's actually on the way going to Magpupungko Beach basically just 15 minutes away. You will find this banner and a SARI-SARI STORE along the road. There's an ENTRANCE FEE of 70.00 pesos (1.35114 US Dollar) per person and you go with the tourist guide. Normally you go inside the cave by batch however when I went there there were only few people and I decided to go caving myself and the tourist guide because it's truly more extreme and exciting. You just have to give any amount to the tourist guide in return of the service. The activity wasn't boring at all because the guide was very hilarious and has the same level of sense of humor as I do. I will give the contact details and information of this tour guide later.


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Here's our entry point. It's actually a little bit creepy because you can never see what's inside.


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This freaky huge snake-like formed rock will bring the hell out of you as you enter the cave.

I assumed that everything is going to be the same as calm as I experienced in Puerto Princesa's underground river wherein I was also able to go inside the cave. It's really completely different. There is no longer a boat man, you have to trust yourself and the guide more, it's more thrilling because you have to cast the ninja out of you since you will be doing so much crawling, balancing in the rope, climbing rocks and avoiding the spiky ones. I was just very lucky to have a hilarious and experienced tour guide for he made the adventure pretty much easier and I felt so confident that nothing's gonna go wrong.


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As a beginner, it was never easy for me to have experience this unexpected spelunking adventure. Exploring the dark cave with only head lights from my tour guide which leads us the way, a quite deep muddy water, very narrow passages and spiky rocks are the things that you have to endure in the adventure. Despite of everything, you will really still appreciate the wonderful formations of stalactites and stalagmites. The story goes that, this place used to be the rebels hideout way back in time.


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The photo shows a glimpse of my struggles while getting through the adventure.

If you are wondering how we managed to take the photos inside, you can actually bring a camera but make sure not to be clumsy at all. You may bring it by yourself or let the tour guide hold and take all the photos for you. Honestly, I barely get through the journey for the water was so deep and cold with spiky rocks which gave me so much pain to my feet and legs on every step I make.


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Just always bear in mind to always unleash the most responsible traveler in you wherever your adventures bring you. If you are gonna go caving to never tough these stalactites and stalagmites for it causes them to die. And one more common problem that every traveler must be aware of and should be changed is that throwing their garbage or trashes elsewhere near or in the area of the tourist attraction itself. I am just dismayed when I went there, there were were candy wrappers and other snacks being thrown away in the area. YOU ARE KILLING THE NATURE!


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The struggles will surely fade away by the time you'll see the light and this beautiful exit point. I even become more prouder of myself knowing that I have finally made it and overcome the challenges inside the cave. It's nothing more satisfying to have finished such extreme and death defying experience. It implies that truly there's a rainbow after the rain. I have seen the most beautiful scenery after getting out of the dark. IT WAS INDEED EXTREME BUT FUN!.

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It could have been more enchanting and magical if the weather was pretty much sunny. It's actually famous for cliff jumping and swimming in this hidden gem right after the cave. Swinging with these vines, cliff jumping and go directly into a deep cold hole in the water are used to be their activities when the sun shines at its shinest and the water goes clearer and enticing. This actually ends the whole adventure in the Cave of Tayangban. Don't forgive to give your tour guide a tip which is any amount of your choice. In my case, I gave my tour guide, Ochoy, a 100.00 pesos. (2 US Dollar.) Whenever you happen to visit this place you may wanna contact him through this number: 09076286212.

That's basically it, I really do hope that you find this informative and helpful. If it happens that you have visited the place already, please care to share your experiences in the comment section below. Everyone's glad to hear the stories of yours! Just always remember that learning is a lifetime process. You can learn from your experiences, trips and from other people. The world is so vast. Explore and Learn! Traveling isn't is as expensive as you think! There's a so called travelling on a frugal way with a purpose! DEUCES!

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Email: [email protected]

Regards,
@itinerantph

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wooow.. looks like a real mystical place :)
Keep up the great work!
Im just travelling the world right now, writing songs and playing Streetmusic in every Country. I hope to provide one day that great value with my music, as you do! <3

Indeed it is! I am just happy that my works are being noticed by international steemians. For sure you can provide one just do whatever makes you happy. Everything will just follow! :)

I am glad to see you are enjoying Siargao so much! This tour seems better than the one in PP to me, maybe just a little bit difficult to walk trough. Climbing and struggling makes it more adventurous tho. It looks a little bit like the cave of Sagada!

True sha. I turned into a sneaky ninja . For me too. I went to PP but didn't enjoy that much same here in Siargao. I haven't been to Sagada hope I can visit that one of these days. Where are you now Sha? Do you have other plan trips? :)

nice one kabayan, showcasing the beauty of Philippines to the world.. I love travelling as well. you can check my page for some of the places you may want to try. I'll definitely put this place now in my travel-to list. :) enjoy.

Let's continue to promote Philippines ! I am looking forward to your trip then! :)

Hi @itinerant thank you for sharing this, it's obviously an interesting place to visit. Our country has a lot of beautiful and lovely spots but some are not yet known by many. Glad that some individuals are already exploring those area and sharing it to social media for a wider exposure and steemit community is very much updated on this regard.

It's always my pleasure to share beautiful places that most of us never been to. I am just so happy to hear such comments maam @chameh. Let's do promote Philippines!

Excellent your natural every photography really awesome. Philippine is the wonderful country..I am interesting visit this country

Thank you @mlousumimou ! Indeed Philippines is one of the bests! Hope you can visit as well. :)

hey..nice to see you dear..and your travel story..you share us its so helpfull for others who want to go this place in future...and i think you enjoy this place so much..and photos are so amzing..i never see in my life. .thanks for sharing this post..dear...

Thank you @afrinsultana it's always my pleasure to share every beautiful places I would visit. :)

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