With almost 2 dozens of waterfalls splashing around the city, Iligan is no doubt a refuge for travelers from the mainstream of white sands and beaches, mountain ridges and adventures, urban life and party. I am talking about spicing up your trot pics with mist and cascades and getting wettish!
Just if you wanted to pattern the fall hopping with mine, capture these 23 falling water formations by the divide and conquer tactic. For the first target, it will be called, the Southern Waterfall Trifecta – A hidden swash, a resort neighbor fall and the famous queen of them all!
Since we are heading all southern destinations, you could just rent a Habal-habal (Public Motorcycle) for this 4-hour-escapade. Just plan whether you wanted the whole trip ending with a distinctly Iligan spiced lechon baboy lunch in front of the famous Timoga spring pools, 8-12nn or ending with a beef randang dinner in a famous block in the city, Iliganon (Pala-o Branch), 2-6pm. Yes. 4hours for 3 fascinating falls.
TIP- book your Habal-habal the night before at the City's postal building, just left from the St Michael's Cathedral. There's a convenience store "Shoppe24" where a lot of these motorcycles are arrayed for a passenger. You'll see them sprouting by 10pm. You could buy something and sit first inside Shoppe24 on the seats facing the glass wall. This is a perfect view to eat while choosing who is the driver you wanted to hire by looking whoever has the most trustworthy appeal. Hahaha Do your haggle and set the meeting details for the next day. Don't give any peso yet, just exchange phone numbers. Paid Php 400.00 for the whole ride.
A church has always been significant for me, more so in traveling. It lets you feel the temperament of the society your destination has. Churches (in the Philippines) are most of the time situated on a most strategically accessible spot in a city and that I believe churches are best starting point in your itineraries.
From the cathedral to the first fall, that is the queen – Maria Cristina Falls, It would take you 30 mins the most. Just go straight going south with the national highway. When you have across the Agus bridge, that’s the bridge with Iron bars inked with yellow, just turn left just really after the bridge. Then just follow through the entrance. It is a hydroelectric power plant compound. You could avail but have to wait for the free ride around or you could just enter directly with your wheels after the entrance fee. Paid 110p (30/head and 20 for motor).
She is powerful! Her pour is dominating. Massive! When you are nearing her you could hear her splashing. Seem drowning your ear drums. You could see how mighty her drops are since the river where she flows seems on a blitzkrieg towards the bay. The flow is almost reaching the roads you are paving. Really strong and yet as they call it Majestic!
TIP- Be there with Her twin. I mean when it is on its full blast. Ideally be there before lunch. You should see a rock between Maria and Cristina. That also means better photos.
Next is the charming fall beside a resort. Mimbalot Falls! Just reach back the national hi way and go straight just before Linamon bridge. Turn left, always left until you’ll see her. Naturally timid first with the colossal trees and almost unnoticed because of the entrance booth of the resort on her left
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When you finally see her whole body, she is with oozing charisma. Inviting yet whispering to you that be cautious. Her rocks that makes her curvaceous might be dangerous. The view with her is very intimate. It’s like you’re so near to her but she just lets you be wettish not totally wet. She is the most approachable of them all.
TIP- you could also set her to be the last stop so you can choose to go inside the resort with its facilities with reasonable rates. You could get a cottage and spend time resting near Her.
Finally to complete the trio. Tinago falls! As it means in Visayan term, Hidden. Expect the travel to be far, wide and lengthy than the journey from the first two. When you get back to the hi way, turn right. Always remember, you don’t have to cross the Linamon bridge. Then just few minutes you’ll see a street going right narrowed because of seafood vendors and public Sarao jeepney with barkers. Turn right. You could also see signages of “Going to Tinago Falls, Maze Resort or Taytay Pools”. That’s the right way. Just follow through the road. This time, always right.
Just 30 minutes the most, be cautious with the small signage of Tinago falls. Vehicles are left at the accepting grounds. Don’t worry it is guarded by the friendly baranggay dwellers. No specific fees, they just call it donations. That is one for the park guard (20p). One in the entrance shed where there’s a box for donations (30p) and one for your accommodating tour guide whom I gave 100p for being so compassionate with my girlfriend who was panting as we ascend almost 500 steps from Her.
She is really hidden. That’s 20mins more walking from the park to her. I lost my count either when we descended her steep stairs. If the queen roars her splash on your ear drums as you nears her,
She on the other hand, masks her mist on your face as you are approaching. She hugs you with cold cascade breeze and trap you with her enchanting shades of green from the trees and twigs to her spring and moss covered rocks. She is just tempting. I personally even forced myself to leave her. Hidden. Worth sought for.
As I end this with enchanting memories and when you finished reading it with hallucinations, prep your gears. Be back to the real. Book your fare to Iligan. Visit them. They are waiting and you refer them as She. Her.
JOHNDAPPERCLOSER 