For the free-spirited girls (that's me and Lizzy Whizzy!) with moles
on their feet and the events planner Jorgie Porgie, an Amazing Race-like trip is a thing we’ve
been looking for. Originally scheduled on May, this rest and recreation (a
yearly office benefit for the staff), is long overdue.
Since we will be leaving by 4AM, we decided to camp out at the office
and wait for dawn. Instead of sleeping, we talked and had our pedicure
session. Colorful nails are a must for trips! J
By 11AM, we arrived at Brgy. Talisay, Municipality of Hinatuan,
Surigao del Sur wherein the aptly named
Enchanted River lies on its grandeur. Simply amazing nature wonder! Pictures
didn’t lie about the dark blue brackish water and the depth of this river.
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| At the entrance. The exact location of mystical river. |
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| Restricted area. |
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| These guys are also wondering how deep this river is. |
Note: Some people asked if the pictures of the river was photoshopped or enhanced. No darlings, I don't know how to use photoshop). :D
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| The winding road to mystery. |
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| AFRIM team invades Hinatuan! :D Collage made by Liezl Bugtay |
I was
so afraid to go to the center thinking there’s a black hole or very strong
current that will just magically drew you in (vivid imagination can make you
paranoid, you know! Hehe). It’s estimated 26
meters and it used to be the storage area for logs of PICOP (Paper Industries
Corporation of the Philippines, a huge logging
and paper mill company during 80s) before sending the logs to the ocean. In one
of the underwater exploration of Dr. RJ Villanueva (a diver and photographer)
even found out logs underneath 80 feet.
Locals believed this place is enchanted and guarded by spirits and
the big marine fishes are taken care by them. Swimming
after dark is prohibited on this mystical river. Folklore said there are two
women (diwatas?) and a man in green from the lagoon area that comes out
here every night. This blue (ranging from indigo to aquamarine and with
moss and light green colors in between) basin surrounded by trees, is a mix of fresh
and salt water. Terrifying at first but when you take a dip, you will not want
to come out.
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| Swimming with fishes! |
But you have to come out by 12:00NN to 1:00pm because it’s the
daily fish feeding time.
If your group came late, you can request for special
feeding time at 3:00pm to witness these amazing fishes. Locals say that despite
the various marine fishes one sees, no one can be ever caught by hand or even
fishing equipment like net or spear. Or even by dynamite fishing (I don’t know
if it’s true or an embellishment of the story but it’s nice to know that this
folklore helps to keep this fishes from greed.J). This added to the mystery of the
place.
Aside from swimming here, one can also take island hopping by renting a boat at the end of the lagoon and visit the surrounding islets. You can choose for different tour packages such as the following:
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| Crabs and shells! nomnom |
Of course, the trip to this amazing place would not be complete without my jumpshot happiness! haha!
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| Wawaweeeeiii! |
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The following rates apply at Enchanted Hinatuan River:
Entrance Fee - P30.00/ head
Cottage rental - P150.00
Life vest rental - P15.00/ hour
Island tour - P160.00/ hour with 4-5 persons per boat capacity
Toll Fee - P20.00 for 2 barangays (applicable only to private vehicles)
LET US SUPPORT ECO-TOURISM!!
For reservations, packages and
updated rates, you can check the Enchanted River Management Office at Mobile number: +63920 - 259 - 5554
For
the Municipal tourism officer : +63919 - 460 – 0855
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