Tinuy-an Falls: Philippines' mini Niagara Falls

Tinuy-an Falls, located in Bislig City, is divided into three levels. Standing at 180 feet (55m) high and 312 feet (95m) wide, level two (2) is definitely jaw-dropping and one of Philippines' best waterfalls to see for yourself.

Behind a tree is a shot of level 2

Coming from Butuan City, we rode a bus to Mangagoy, Surigao del Sur and told the driver to drop us in the corner to Tinuy-an Falls. After a roughly 6-hour trip, we got ourselves a habal-habal motorcycle for P100/pax for our 25-minute ride to the destination.

Inside the bus to Mangagoy at 6am

We prepared ourselves by having lunch in a small karenderya just near the waterfalls. We were also greeted with a cute little girl in the store! 

Small karenderya (restaurant) 

In reality, there is no such thing as a single waterfall in one place. There is just no such thing in nature. The chaos of geographic and climate transformation leads to the magnificence of a waterfall in a chaotic manner that still tells the tale of beauty. 

This is level one:

And from level one, you can see the raging waters dropping from 180 feet above the ground. Go several steps for a better angle and stop, take your time as you stand in awe! 

Tinuy-an Falls level 2: The great drop

We climbed to the top the see the horror of heights. Get yourself a local guide who is just staying near level 2. The guides are temporarily volunteers so there isn't a fixed amount to give them. It's up to you. We gave our guide P100 because my friend took more than an hour having him taking pictures. ^_^

This is the view from the top of level 2.

This is where I was standing when I took the previous photo.

Now this is where it gets exciting.
I climbed down to take a photo in such a way that level 2's drop and level 3 can be seen in one photo. I had to do it. I could not help myself, the urge of adrenaline! 

Do not imitate this. This is extremely dangerous and could lead to serious injuries. This is actually not allowed. In fact, the guide came to get me after I managed to take a few shots.

"Your comfort zone is a beautiful place. But nothing ever grows there." -unknown

Now, rest your beating heart as we prepare to cool down in level 3: the heart of this beauty.
There is no clear path so watch your step. 

Level 3 is a great spot for water massage.
Don't do it at level 2; you will simply be demolished by the mighty waterfall.

Level 3 is the best place to relax; there are no heights to fear falling and the water velocity is just right. Enjoy many spots of level 3 as it is very wide. I took a moment behind the water curtain and listened to the sound of flowing waters. 

Tinuy-an Falls is a naturally engineered marvel of both beauty and devastation mixed with fear and relaxation. Need a different angle? Come see it for yourself! 

______________________________________________________________

Name: Tinuy-an Falls
Location: Mangagoy, Bislig, Surigao del Sur
Cameras used: Fujifilm X-Pro1 with 18mm f/2, GoPro Hero 4 SE
Photo post-processing: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 

© All photos are taken by me unless otherwise stated. Use or modification of these photos is allowed only with my permission. 
Contact me at fb/pakinimo, ig/edlimsanity, edlim93@gmail.com for questions/suggestions/anything or just hit me at the comments below

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Kabang Falls: Lost and Found (with trek to Sirao Peak)

This is the thing with us, travellers and adventurers, – we can't stay home for long! My feet were itching but I did not have enough money to go to south of Cebu. So I decided to go to within-city places to see which is Kabang Falls, which had been ringing on my hears from people around for quite a while already. 

Three days later I'm at the dropoff point with my buddy, Jobelle. I asked a local which way to the falls and he pointed, then we went on. 

I really thought it was a direct clear path with many people along! Oh dear I have never been so wrong. We encountered split trails quite a few times and heard flowing waters to disappointment of going the wrong way. My buddy and I were taking chances and arguing which way to go! 

And then.. finally; a louder sound of flowing waters. Could it be? YES! I saw the waterfall from an elevated trail. We were looking for a way to go down. We realized we've taken the wrong way but it was too late to go around. So we took the muddy, slipper, and quite dangerous slope that no one ever would take. 

Our way down to the waterfalls

Out of the suicide trail appears the magnificence of Kabang Falls! I felt hope, more than fear... adrenaline, more than worry. It was like finding a civilization. There were people, and not just ordinary people, but adventurers wild at heart.

Just outside that suicide trail

Kabang Falls: Level 2

Elevated view of Kabang Falls level 2

Kabang Falls Level 1

View from the top of Kabang Falls Level 1

We met and greeted used-to-be strangers that are now good friends with whom we joined for a stronger force towards Sirao peak. 

The trail was worse but fun. 

It took some time but we were not completely exhausted because of the views nature provided, as always. 

After 2 hours of fun and pain, we reached Brgy. Sirao, stopped for a cold and refreshing drink of Sparkle and few shots of Tanduay, which I do not recommend to do during a trek! 

I've noticed a small circle crowd so I went to check it out. Oh my, one of favorite my childhood games and hobbies – fighting spiders. I asked the guy how much the bet is and he told me, "just a small bunch.." They were gambling and he also added that it gets serious when the other Barangay comes for a battle! 

It was fun meeting additional people in Brgy. Sirao, even for only a short time. That's what travelling is all about. Travelling isn't about places or outdoor adventures. Travelling is about growing and learning indefinitely with different people and culture. 

During the second half of the trek, I went through physical trials as my body isn't used to trekking for long hours; I had cramps on one leg, and then the other, and then both! I could barely walk but I had no choice but to chase the setting sun before darkness closes in. 

A hudred steps or two beyond, we reached relief: a sight of the peak.

When we reached the peak, there were already climbers there wearing a smile. No words. No need for it, we all knew the feeling of exhaustion and hardship. 

We set foot on the flat ground and our eyes on the setting sun! 

The adventure literally destroyed me physically as I am not used to long hours of trekking, especially uphill. But that's not something to be afraid of. It's something up for a challenge! I will be going back, in a better shape and in a better perspective. 

How to go to Kabang Falls

1. Go to Talamban and dropoff in Sunny Hills
2. Get a habal-habal ride to the dropoff point of the short trek to the waterfalls
3. Get yourself a guide, or be lost like us, in a fun way

Necesarry costs

• Habal-habal ride to dropoff point (Budlaan) - P25 (one way)

* I did not provide any how-to's for Sirao Peak as I cannot remember the trail as it was very confusing and unclear. Maybe next time.

Join the #mirrorless revolution!

I've always loved good photographs ever since I was a child. From wallpapers to lucky shots, I was awed every time. 

To me, great photos are a precious treasure. It is something you can keep for a long time. It is a moment frozen in time.

Along my journey of travelling and photography combined, I simply cannot withstand the burden of carrying a bulky camera that adds up to my backpack. It destroys the concept of "travelling light." It slows you down. Come on, my empty backpack already weighs a bunch!

I've decided to sell my Nikon D7000 and got myself a mirrorless Fujifilm X-Pro1 (this is not a sponsored post). This is not to say that one is better than the other. But the Fuji is better in addressing my needs.

Nikon D7000 with 35mm 1.8G
takes really good photos. But at the end of the day, it's not going to be the camera. It's going to be YOU!

Why I'm excited about it:

• Very light and portable
• Vintage design
• I got the 18mm f2.0 lens which is GREAT for travelling like shooting landscapes and people in a wide angle!
• Embrace change

Why I'm worried about it:

• New settings/functions that I will have to adjust to
• I had broader DOF (depth of field) in my 35mm DSLR lens especially for people shots
• I've noticed it was slower in continuous shots
• Difficult for me to use the eyeview
• – or I may have just misused it

So did I help you choose your next camera? Not really. This is not a general comparison.
If you do not face the problems I had with my DSLR, then you might just ditch the mirrorless camera especially in terms of the price. A significantly cheaper DSLR can outperform a more expensive mirrorless camera. But that's just how it is; new and more advanced technology and gadgets are always pricier.

I will be using this camera for my future adventures. So stay tuned and watch out!

Cebu Canyoneering (with Video, How-to & Budget)

My Experience

To put simply, the experience was a downstream river trek with several jumps off cliffs and waterfalls deep in the canyon.

It was on hot summer days just before the start of classes on the end of May 2015 that my friends invited me to join Canyoneering in Badian. Without any idea what it was and with the urge of adventure, I went on with them.

Due to the dangers of the adventure, it was required to rent life jackets and helmets.

It was truly exciting as the photo we saw on the internet showed glowing crystal waters!

We went to the starting point which is Matutinao River. It connects to the Kanlaob River and then out to Kawasan Falls.

The photo below is not the actual entry point. It is my new entry point which is about 7 ft higher :)

Try it at your own risk. However, for first-timers I do not recommend it. The guides also may not allow you to do it.

The entry point is about an almost 10 ft jump, which is nothing compared to what awaits you deep in the canyon!

It takes approximately 4 hours to finish the canyoneering but that didn't stop us from going with full force. All the adrenaline action simply cannot allow you to be weak-hearted!

What awaits you in the end of the trail is the Kawasan Falls jump. THIS IS A-MUST! You do not complete your canyoneering experience without jumping off this falls.

We finished the trip with a lunch (included in the package) in Kawasan Falls.

Perhaps it is a time for you to come face to face with all your fears.

How to get there

1. From South Bus Terminal, Cebu City, get on a Bus going to Bato/Barili, or simply ask there which bus is for Badian. I recommend you go to the terminal at 5am to finish the canyoneering at lunch. The ride to Badian is almost 3 hours.
2. Drop off in Badian Church or Kawasan Falls drop-off point. The drivers know.
3. The fare is P137.00
4. Guides will be waiting near the drop-off. I also have a contact guide: 09059682225 (Ronald) Just tell him that I (Ed Lim) referred you; it's good to have mutual friends :) 
5. Optional – you can have me as your semi-guide and photographer, free of charge :) Just pm me on facebook.com/pakinimo
6. You will be signing waivers and readying your gears. Your stuff will be left at the guide's house, which is so far secure as I've experienced 3 times already. The guides are also friendly.
7. You will be riding habal-habal to the jump-off point in Alegria.
8. Sign the logbook for monitoring purposes.
9. Go to the jump-off point in the canyon.
10. Start the adventure!
11. Finish everything before 2pm and go for a sidetrip!

Expenses

• Bus fare – 2 x P137.00 (back and forth)
• Canyoneering package – P1,000.00/head is the standard rate which includes LUNCH, HABAL-HABAL, LIFE JACKET, HELMET, SHOES (I recommend you bring your own), ENTRANCE; Basically everything you need is in the package. Negotiable? If you bring your own food, it might go down to P800/head but I suggest you go with the package to avoid the hassle of bringing your food all the way for 4 hours. 

TOTAL: P1,274.00; Just bring P1,500.00 for a safe budget.

You can also bring P2,000.00 for possible sidetrips. I recommend beaching at Moalboal (20 mins away) to relax.

MORE PHOTOS all taken by me, you may use them but pls give credit or link to the blog :) 

Teaser video