Adrenaline Romance

Mambukal Resort: The Perfect Haven for Adventurous Weekend Warriors

Posted by Gian and Sheila on August 17, 2013 in Backpacking, Negros Occidental

Mambukal Resort

For those who possess the spirit of adventure, mountain resorts are favorite places to hang out and unwind. In the Philippines, however, the idea of having an exciting vacation in a hospitality establishment up in the mountains is relatively new. Most Filipinos are accustomed to equate vacations with beaches, trips to Disneyland, or trips to air-conditioned shopping malls anyway, which can be quite boring in the long run. But with more and more folks embracing the idea of going somewhere less-trodden but exciting and unique, the popularity of mountain resorts has exponentially increased nowadays.

Tags: Adventure Park, Bacolod, Butterfly Garden, Camping, fruit bats, Ishiwata Bathhouse, Kanlaon Volcano, kayaking, Mambukal, Mambukal hot spring, Mambukal Resort, Mambukal River, Mambukal waterfalls, Murcia, Negros Occidental, solfotara, sulfur spring, zipline Permalink

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Seven Waterfalls of Mambukal: Rejuvination through Nature’s Bounties

Posted by Gian and Sheila on August 8, 2013 in Negros Occidental, River adventure

Seven Waterfalls of Mambukal

Summer usually equates to swimming in the azure waters in the beach, refreshing oneself in a cool swimming pool, playing inside fun-filled water parks, or cruising around idyllic islands. But beaches are definitely not the only bodies of water that one can immerse in to find relief from the punishing summer heat. Adventurers, hikers, and mountaineers often penetrate deep jungles, brave treacherous canyons, or climb mountains to dip into pristine, cold, fresh, and natural pools fed by walls and cascades of water. Whether it’s trickling or roaring, a waterfall simply refreshes the mind, body, and spirit.

Tags: Bacolod, Canlaon, Kanlaon Volcano, Mambukal, Mambukal Mountain Resort, Mambukal waterfalls, Murcia, Negros Occidental, river trekking, Seven Waterfalls of Mambukal, waterfalls Permalink

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Enigmata Eco-Lodge: Nature, Art, Music, Culture, and Social Responsibility

Posted by Gian and Sheila on August 1, 2013 in Backpacking, Camiguin

Enigmata Eco-Lodge

Rather than indulging in typical, high-impact mass-tourism activities such as going to manicured beach resorts, buying expensive souvenirs, eating in 5-star restaurants, or staying in posh hotels, eco-tourists head out to pristine, delicate, and undisturbed natural areas. An eco-tourist does not simply aim to see the sights but also educate himself, observe the wonders and dynamics of Mother Nature, understand and respect a place’s cultural and historical heritage, and become a socially responsible traveler.

Tags: art, Camiguin, eco-hotel, eco-lodge, eco-tourism, Enigmata Eco-lodge, Enigmata Treehouse and Ecolodge, Island Born of Fire, sculptures, touring Camiguin, traditional music, tree house Permalink

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White Island: The Gem of Camiguin

Posted by Gian and Sheila on July 25, 2013 in Camiguin, Island Hopping

White Island Camiguin

Have you ever marveled at the breathtaking beauty of an elegant ring, earring, or pendant? You would probably realize that it’s not the shiny setting or the intricate design that mainly draws your attention to it. It’s the gem, the heart of the ring—be it a ruby, diamond, emerald, or pearl—that makes the jewelry come to life. In the beautiful island of Camiguin, that gem is the idyllic White Island.

Tags: Camiguin, Island Born of Fire, sandbar, touring Camiguin, White Island Camiguin Permalink

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Camiguin: Touring the Island Born of Fire

Posted by Gian and Sheila on July 20, 2013 in Backpacking, Camiguin

Camiguin

After our adrenaline-pumping whitewater rafting adventure in Cagayan de Oro City, we were ready to proceed to our next destination, the volcanic paradise island of Camiguin. Blessed with rich and unspoiled natural wonders and coupled with a rural culture that is barely tainted with excessive modernity, Camiguin is considered to be a must-visit jewel in the Philippines.

Tags: Ardent Hot Spring, Bura Soda Water Park, Camiguin, Katibawasan Falls, Old Church Ruins Camiguin, Santo Nino Cold Spring, Sunken Cemetery, touring Camiguin, White Island Camiguin Permalink

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Wild Whitewater Rafting in Cagayan de Oro River: A Fast, Wet Adventure

Posted by Gian and Sheila on July 12, 2013 in Misamis Oriental, River adventure

Whitewater Rafting in Cagayan de Oro River

If water is the world’s blood, then rivers are its veins and arteries. Look at any topographical map or read about the Nile or Amazon River in websites and books, and you will easily see that the lands near these bodies of water teem with life. Freshwater fish, crustaceans, and even marine fauna from the sea dwell in rivers. Innumerable terrestrial animals treat rivers not just as homes but also as rich hunting grounds. Human communities, from tiny settlements to the largest cities, lay on riverbanks to have easy access to the water for their needs, from drinking to producing electricity.

Tags: Cagayan de Oro, Cagayan de Oro River, Makahambus Cave, Philippine rivers, Rafting, Rapids, Whitewater rafting, Whitewater rafting in Cagayan, Whitewater rafting in the Philippines Permalink

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Island Hopping Around Hilutungan Channel: Visiting Pockets of Heaven

Posted by Gian and Sheila on July 3, 2013 in Cebu, Island Hopping

Island Hopping in Mactan

Read any tourist guidebook about Cebu, and you will certainly come across a paragraph or two about how beautiful Mactan’s beaches are. Indeed, many foreigners dub it as a “resort island,” due to sun-kissed beaches, magnificent resorts, world-class hotels, and five-star restaurants that dot the coral island’s coastline.