Hey Hivers!
Yesterday was my 2nd day in Samboan and it was another great day for me because the day was full of adventures.
I went to Aguinid Falls, it is one of the wonders in Samboan to behold. I've known this tourist attraction from a Filipino Youtuber and I had found it an interesting spot to visit.
So today, I will be sharing with you my journey to Aguinid Falls.
As I arrived in the entrance of Aguinid Falls, a solo traveller told me that his experience was full of fun. I just smiled at him while seeing his happy face. In silence, I was excited to experience it by myself.
After that short encounter, I headed to the information area to pay my entrance fee. The entrance fee is Php300.00- inclusive of complete gear and 2 guides.
There was a mandatory briefing before we can start the adventure. A guide named Belle explained to me the 8 levels of Aguinid Waterfalls.
After the briefing, we immediately hiked going to the level-0.
Welcome to the level-0!
In here, there was only a very short waterfalls.
The water was just on my knee-level. I didn't bath after the guide took me a photo.
Here's the next waterfalls. It was getting higher and wider.
In this level the current of the water was already strong and you need to be careful. You should always watch your step to avoid accidents.
This is the level-2. Once you have crossed this level, there's no turning back because it is difficult to descend according to the guide due to the strong current of the water. If you have crossed this level, you should finish until level-8 because the paved road going back to the entrance is located after you have crossed the level-8.
As I reached in the middle of the 60 feet high waterfalls I almost gave up because the water kept splashing on my face. I could not clearly see the path going above.
As I started to climb in a 60 feet water falls, I was just relax because I can still climb without my guide's help.
But in the middle of it, I had found it hard. I told my guide that I could no longer see anything and don't know where to find the shallow notches. I started to feel panic because there was no rope nor safety harness.
You should only rely to the shallow notches made by the guides.
My guide kept reminding me not to worry because he was at my back assisting me.
I had managed to smile after I conquerred the hard level.
I was exhausted after climbing the 60 feet high waterfalls. I asked the guides if they could let me rest first before we will continue hiking.
While we were resting, they asked me how was the experience. I shared with them how my feet and hands still trembling after the climb.
After few minutes of resting, we continued hiking.
There were slippery areas along the way so they kept assisting me especially to the unsafe areas.
The guides kept telling me to always watch my steps.
We need to cross this water so we will be able to reach the other level of the waterfalls.
This level was not hard so I was able to climb it by myself.
This is a spectacular scenery. Would you agree?
The journey going to the different levels of the waterfalls was made possible because of the limestone rocks. The surface of the rocks is not slippery because the moss doesn't grow on them.
The guide told me that I can go inside the hole if I want. I opted not to because there might have snakes inside.
If you wanted to return back home safe, you should always listen to the guide's instruction. Be obedient to them.
They will always ensure your safety. They are also helpful.
I tried to jump in not so high waterfalls. I remember when I was a kid I used to jump in a high diving board with my friends. I was not scared back then but when I jumped yesterday, I felt anxious.
I stayed there for a few minutes. My guide kept telling me not to stay there longer because I might be getting scared and won't jump if I stay too long.
This is the level-5. The guides let me enjoy the water first before we had climbed to another high and difficult level.
Before we had climbed to the level 6, the guide explained to me first that this level is hard and I need to be mentally present. Look how high it is.
I was instructed to observe and follow what he was doing. I keenly followed him in order to have a smooth climb.
After I conquerred the level 6, I asked them for a few minutes of rest because I was exhausted.
This was my view on the top.
So here's the level 7. Unlike the level 2 and level 6, this level is not that hard.
But of course, I still need my guide's assistance because I could not find the shallow notches.
I was happy as I was able to reach this far. I was able to climb the hardest levels of the waterfalls.
I could not reached this far without my guide's help.
He always said not to worry because we can go back home safe.
So I trusted his words.
We were almost reached to the level 8.
Well, that was another achievement because I was able to conquer another difficult level.
I asked the guide about the lack of safety harness provision. He explained to me that the tourist spot belongs to Eco-tourism so as much as possible they wanted to keep everything in the spot natural.
So instead of providing rope to the difficult level, they created a shallow notches by carving the surface of the rocks. Great idea, right?
But in the level 6 they provided a rope because it was impossible to cross without it. The current of the falling water was so strong that even the guides could not managed to cross it without using the rope.
Finally, I made it! I was so happy as I reached this level. Although, there were times that I was scared because of the hard level to cross but I am proud of myself because I was able to conquer it.
After we had conquerred the level 8, we headed to the paved road.
After the long journey, my heart was full of joy because I did survive!
Thank you for reading and see you on my next blog. Cheers!
Watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places.
Discord: kellyane#0924
Namaste! I am fond of reading books, watching korean, american and filipino series/movies and I am also fond of gardening. I love listening to different life stories and I am always captivated with the beauty of nature so travel is my escape when life turns into blue. But hey, how could I forget my photography hobby? It is one of the best, so follow me as I will be featuring my experiences of the stuff that I am passionate with.