Have you ever chanced upon the marvels of nature hidden just beside the roadside or the serene beauty tucked away in a tranquil corner, mere steps away from the familiar path? These delightful surprises often leave one utterly enchanted and amazed, much like my encounter with the charming and tranquil Binaliw Spring.
We were on our way to Cebu City when unfortunately our vehicle got broken right at the Bagatayam Bridge of Sogod. We called for a mechanic to rescue us and we were told that we had to wait for an hour. There were no stores or any sheds at the place where we could relax, so I decided to stroll and check the place and was surprised to discover a small waterfall right beside the roadside, the Bagatayam waterfall. We hurriedly asked the locals about the source of this natural gem and there I learned that it emanated from the Binaliw Spring.
Since then, I've been frequently visiting the spring (for the Nth time) to see its serene beauty and to immerse myself once more in this tranquil haven.
BINALIW SPRING
Tucked in the quiet corner of Brgy. Bagatayam is the natural and refreshing Binaliw Spring. Binaliw means "crazy" in English. It seems crazy to think of the possible reasons why locals called the spring Binaliw.😅 However if you search it on the internet what you will read is its interesting story - the Spring's renowned Miraculous Healing properties.
But in this blog, I won't delve into its healing side but instead focus on the captivating beauty that enchants me to keep coming back to the place. And here is my recent visit in which I also discovered the locals' activities on the river!
So come and join me. Let's go! Taraaa!
Locating the spring is a breeze, it's just a quick 3-minute detour from the National Road/Bagatayam Bridge via motorbike and 7-10 minutes of hiking.
Green beautiful view!
Though I visited the place a lot of times, still the spring and its clean, green, and lush environment never failed to amaze me and soothe me. It is a place for a refreshing escape.
It has a spacious ground of well-trimmed grasses where visitors can sit and relax. With its man-made chairs and tables that are designed like rocks, I could see that the place was developed and maintained by the owner. Surprisingly and thankfully the owner didn't implement any entrance fees.
The Delightful Spring.
At first glance, the spring's bluish hue immediately tells away its cold water. It is so refreshing to look especially that it is surrounded by a lush environment with plenty of trees providing shade to the spring.
During each of my visits this spring, I always find locals enjoying both the spring and the river. The spring's depth varies from waist to chest deep, making it an enticing spot for leisure. Ironically, I've never succumbed to the temptation of taking a dip in the river - I find myself contented with the refreshing views it offers.
Somehow I can relate this to life, that there are things that make us feel happy and contented just by looking at them. See? This is what I like about this spring/place. It inspires me to contemplate simple things about life.
Another notable feature of the spring is the pool created by locals who stacked rocks, providing a swimming area for their enjoyment. Now that I am writing this I am tempted to go there once more and this time swim in the spring!
Rivers and rocks formation!
This time, I decided to take a leisurely walk along the riverbank to explore more of its beauty. To my delight, I stumbled upon a magnificent cliff that took me completely by surprise.
As I continued along the riverbanks, I noticed that the vegetation became even lusher, and the river itself revealed a group of tiny little pools. My curiosity was piqued as I wondered about their purpose.
I began to doubt if locals made this for them to have their refreshing dip, I think they made these because of the activity they are doing that became apparent during my recent visit.
Sand mining.
During most of my visits to the spring, I've observed locals swimming and washing their clothes. However, this time, something was different. I noticed that some locals were carrying sacks with them and appeared to be engaged in activities on the riverbed.
At first, I assumed they were also swimming, but upon closer inspection, I saw sacks filled with sand lined along the riverbank. It turned out they were sand mining!
When I inquired about their purpose and the intended use of the sand they were harvesting, they initially seemed a bit reserved in responding. So, I adjusted my approach to be friendly and slightly inquisitive. One local eventually shared that they would use the sand for building their houses, while another mentioned their intention to sell it.
I couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness seeing the sand being removed and mined from this spring. However, I also empathize with the needs of the locals, especially in these times hope is that they will limit their actions and think of the possible consequences of sand mining to the environment.
That's it about my sweet little escape -the Binaliw Spring. Thank you so much for reading. I hope you enjoyed it too! I wish you all safe and well always.
Don't forget to smile often. 🤗☺️😍