Cagayan de Oro's Tinago Falls

The year was 2006 when my family decided to go to Cagayan De Oro for our annual "Tour the Philippines" vacation. Cagayan de Oro also known as "The Gateway to Northern Mindanao" has many tourist spots to offer. Sadly we were only there for 2 days and that 2 days is not enought. But we didn't spend any minutes to waste and experienced what CDO has to offer.

It was almost a decade ago and I can still remember the phanting and the sweat I had when we went to one of the known falls in Cagayan De Oro, the Tinago Falls. Living up on it's name, its really a "hidden" falls because we have to go down at approximately 360+ steps. We actually tried to count it but with the lack of air, forgot the number.

The water in the falls is quite cold but it's really clean. It's clear and so refreshing. Although it's just a folklore they say that once a year the spirit of the forest gets one soul under water. So we didn't want to risk it and rented out a life vest for the kids (come to think about it, it could be their marketing strategy! haha!)  We also rented out a banka that connects the land to the falls itself.

I can still remember the feeling when the water of the falls touches my body.. PAINFUL! Imagine someone throwing an ice cold water from 400+ feet above you. Imagine! The water in the pool like surface of the falls is also icecold. Nobody ever tried to reach the bottom of the pool. It's like that deep. :)

Folks could bring their own food downstairs and they could have their own tables and chairs (if they are early). Be sure to bring enough water (although you could drink the water from the falls) for the 360+ uneven steps (times two for round trip). Last time we went there, there's no entrance fee yet, but now they already have.

They say that some Filipinos are diving 10m high off the rocks of the falls. I wish I could do that again if I come back at Tinago Falls.

We also went to Macahabus Adventure Park where we rode the longest zipline (at that time.. remember 2006). We also tried the Water Rafting at CDO (which is one of the "a-must" adventure you should do when you are there) and did the "Tarzan" style of baging during a slow ride of our raft. We had to climb this wall and use a hanging root (of a tree) to get down. I don't want to get into the details, but when I did that, I had a face front fall to the water. It hurts you know!

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