Enchanted River - Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur

“What makes a river so restful to people is that it doesn’t have any doubt
– it is sure to get where it is going, and it doesn’t want to go anywhere else.”   – Hal Boyle

First of two parts…

This was the story of the tour that I previously posted.

Time and time again, the excitement of going back or visiting a location you already gone before always feels like for the first time especially if the area is a sweet spot to relax and enjoy.  Much of a feeling that a first timer set foot on the area, I know they have it as one great experience to enjoy the natures bounty that we should care for.  – All these felt when we are at Barobo, Surigao del Sur – Exploring it’s islands beauty , the Cabgan Island and the Turtle Island , Vanishing Islet and Bogac Spring.

Barobo is a 4th class municipality second district in the province of Surigao Del Sur under CARAGA region XIII . It lies in the central part of the province of Surigao Del Sur.

All was set in and our Assembly area was at  Bajada  along Mc Donald’s. It was already 2 am when we departed from the area. We dropped by on a convenience store for other needed stuff. We are a  large group composed of 46 individuals on a  69 seating capacity bus named “Mallen”  with a good choice of music and nice sound system. Well, not just the drivers gadget but even the participants gadget can be plug into it for everyone to hear and listen. It was 3:45 in the morning when we stop and drop for 15 minutes at Nabunturan for an early sip of coffee or indulge on their “Kakanin Specialties” like Tupig, Bibingka, Suman, Puto and other delicacies. Common to Philippines, just got different names. Moving on…
We passed by at Mangagoy  after two hours and thirty minutes (that would be 6:30 in the morning.. hehehe ) travel. We are head on to our First destination which was the Enchanted River at Barangay Hinatuan. It was located in the southeastern part from the Municipality of Barobo, the road was not bad at all but … (there’s a but  hehehe) It was a 1 hour long drive before we reached our first destination.

Welcome!

It was raining when we arrived at the Enchanted River at around 7:30 in the morning. I noticed that a beautification was done in an effort to promote the spot and they did it right from the modification of stairways to wood inspired railings made of cement and some small round tables. There’s a newly built comfort room (Not near river but much farther) separately for men and women but it is inadequate with water system for flushing or cleaning after using the room. Bet this will be taken cared of soon.

Jump right in!

Even if it was raining, that did not stop the participants to change an attire for swimming. The current  water flow of the river was strong as it was still raining and it’s like dragging you out into the mouth of the river but that did not took long since the current became  normal after the rain stopped. Still the color of the water was so relaxing…somewhat like greenish bluish whitish color… my interpretation of what I saw – Turquoise .   You really can’t avoid the temptation to take a plunge and feel the water.

Crystal clear Enchanted River

A complimentary breakfast meal was prepared which was a blanched and grilled octopus (am I right? for sure that was not a squid that squirts. hehe) and a fish. A little talk here and there, splash from jump, swim crossing back and forth on the opposite banks and hardworking cameras captured the moments that what was going on.

Fifteen minutes before twelve noon we departed from the enchanted river with much anticipation on what’s ahead for the next destination which was the Island tour can offer.

Dropping by at Wakat

We dropped  by at Lianga Cave  Barangay Wakat just along the highway for the participants to see the area. Many locals at the mouth of the cave are washing their clothes as well as bathing on the flowing water out in to the ocean just across the street.

We did not stayed long as others are feeling hungry already, by 1:30 in the afternoon we proceeded to poblacion Barobo and ate our lunch meal on one of the eateries that served chicken lechon and other  good tasting food. Agree?  Yes or Yes?

Participants took a long stay just outside the eatery to have an opportunity to stroll around the poblacion proper looking for some good things to eat or buy while preparing for the boat to be use to bring the participants to the island.

Again, to all the participants. You saw and felt the nature’s beauty and let’s take our part to protect to fully enjoy it’s bounty. Thank you very much and until next nature escapade. Keep posted.

End of first part.

I would like to thank Gilmarie Munez Sta. Lucia for  the image (Hinatuan signage)

Enchanted River Surigao del sur