I didn't know I had a quirky fascination with waterfalls until I started writing in Hive. Writing article after article, a realization hit me: I've been to countless waterfalls in my country from the one closest to home to as far as Batad in the North and Sulu in the South. Every time I'm backpacking, a waterfall has always made it to my must-visit list. A telltale that my country has been blessed with the most beautiful waterfalls on Earth.
Today, let me take you to another of nature's magnificent creations. After a chilly morning in the mountains of Maragusan, I was back on the road ready for the adventure that awaits. A heavy rain poured the night before this trip and as mentioned in my blogs about Maraguasn, there's an insane volume of groundwater in this part of my country. The heavy downpour caused landslides to spill over some of the National Road connecting Maragusan to Nabunturan. Gravels, and muddy soil covered parts of the road but thankfully nothing serious to impede transportation.
Locals were eager to hear about my next destination; I told them I should be in Cateel, Davao Oriental by sundown. To accomplish this, I should travel approximately 105 km or an easily achievable 2.5 hours of road trip. They were so friendly that I forgot to check how reliable their advices were. The next thing I knew I was in Tagum only to find out that there was no direct bus route that would take me nearer to Cateel. The downside is that I had to travel back to Nabunturan to ride the bus to Montevista. My heart sank knowing I had thrown my precious time going back and forth between bus terminals; but I was still eager to accomplish what I had set forth that day.
Despite the delay, reaching Montevista was no sweat. Right there and then, when I alighted at Montevista Overland Transport Terminal, the bigger challenge presented itself. There are no direct buses or even a van going the path I had in mind that day. A bao-bao (tricycle) driver later learned of my dilemma and offered to drive me there for a minimal fee. Montevista is around 64km away from Aliwagwag Falls; time wasn't on my side and should I delay further, I might find myself homeless for the night.
After agreeing with the one-way fare to Aliwagwag Falls, we began traveling. Montevista rests in one of the most dramatic, unreal, and heavenly valleys I've been to. Mountains on all sides surrounded Montevista making our journey closer to Cateel, where Aliwagwag Falls is located, one I won't forget in my lifetime. I was smiling from ear to ear the entire time! 😁
The bao-bao might be small in stature but it moved like lightning; a few minutes on the road then we're up the mountains and hills. I know what you're thinking and perhaps, wondering. "Aren't you scared to be in the middle of nowhere with a stranger who can drive you off-road and do the nastiest thing one could think of? Thankfully in my years of traveling, I haven't encountered such things; I believe in the goodness of humanity.
A little over an hour, the bao-bao driver halted on the side of the road; it was the signal I'd been waiting for. "We're here!" the happiest thought that crossed my mind that day. I gave him the amount we agreed on and thanked him for his service. It wasn't clear yet where Aliwagwag Falls was, I could only see an uncrowded bridge and stored lined up in the street.
I walked nearer the bridge and a view I'd been dying to see was there; its beauty raging, unstoppable. Unlike most of the waterfalls I've been to that require at least 10 minutes of trekking, Aliwagwag Falls is right beside the road. In fact, the best view of Aliwagwag could be seen at the bridge. This bridge became a viewing deck of Aliwagwag; many passers-by would take a break here and take photos.
I was asked why I decided to take this less traveled route in my Davao backpacking when there's just one destination here. They told me it might not be worth my time. But when I saw Aliwagwag Falls in its full glory under the calm afternoon glow, I knew I didn't made a mistake in sacrificing an entire day just to see this stunning destination.
Here are more photos of Aliwagwag. Be the judge. ❤
Okay here's another catch: there's NO mobile signal here. I had to navigate my way out of this challenge. I needed to arrive in Aliwagwag no later than 3 PM; I've arranged for another driver to fetch me from Aliwagwag to Cateel proper then to my hotel. I arrived before 3 PM but when he didn't show up by 3 PM, I stayed positive and waited.
While waiting, I sat by the bridge and enjoyed Aliwagwag. Asked a ton of strangers to take photos of me, too! 🤣 Before 4 PM, my driver arrived. I was already planning to hitchhike to Cateel but no need since he was there already.
This day was undeniably filled with a lot of stressors but I'm glad I made it out alive. 😁❤ Go out of your comfort zone and the usual travel routes, surprising destinations await you on the off-beaten path. 💖
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Living life intentionally every single day, she believes that there’s no limit to one’s potential. Right now, she’s on the loose for the pursuit of endless holistic self-growth and development. She wants to light the way for others. She believes there’s no better way to leave a legacy than to pay it forward.
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