Road trip: From Cagayan de Oro to Mati

Thursday, January 19, 2012

RECENTLY, I made the unthinkable: to travel from Cagayan de Oro City up to Mati City by bus.  Although it was exhausting and tiring, I did have the best of my time. Traveling with friends made it more worthwhile.
 
Let’s start with Cagayan de Oro, which was devastated recently by tropical storm Sendong. Although only very few people are going to this capital of Misamis Oriental these days, it is still business as usual – in terms of tourism.
 
The city is famous for its Oro ham and friendly people.  In recent years, it has become renowned throughout the country as the premiere whitewater rafting destination in the Philippines.  Although whitewater rafting outfitters have been running the Cagayan river circuit since the 1990s, the tourism picked up only after then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo gave the rapids a go in 2002.
 
Located about an hour’s drive from the heart of the city, the stunning Cagayan River is one of the most scenic rivers imaginable – with endless miles of lush tropical rainforests, towering limestone cliffs and charming river side dwellings.
 
But whitewater rafting isn’t the only thing you can enjoy while in Cagayan de Oro.  There’s the Macahambus Gorge and Adventure Park, conveniently located at barangay Lumbia, a 25-minute ride from the city and 10 minutes from the airport.
 
Now, try to imagine walking in the midst of gigantic century-old trees and swinging from the top of an enormous gorge, nothing between you and the ground except hundred of feet of air, giving you a different perspective of the majestic Macahambus gorge. For a thrilling experience of the entire gorge in full, cross the Sky Bridge, which runs for 135 meters across a height of 150 feet that gives you the most commanding view of the gorge in all its glory.
 
If that’s not enough, you can do rappelling down the gorge itself for that once-in-a-lifetime rush.  Experience the thrill of slowly making your way down into the forest floor and looking up to the canopy of trees from a totally new perspective.
 
For that ultimate, heart-pounding, adrenaline-laced thrill, try the 120-meter zipline.  The rush of hanging from a heavy-duty cable at a height of 150 feet is incomparable – but sliding through the same cable across the two edges of a gorge is nothing short of exhilarating.
 
Just a few steps from the adventure park is the historical Macahambus Cave , the last stronghold of Filipino soldiers during their battle against the Americans in 1900.  Despite the cave’s large opening, its interior is very dark so a flashlight is needed to navigate the numerous paths, one of which leads to a promontory with a view of the Cagayan de Oro River.
 
After having some fun in Cagayan de Oro City, you are now ready to go to Bukidnon.  About 40 kilometers away is Dahilayan Adventure Park, located at the foothills of Mount Kitanglad range, a national park.

One of its main attractions is the Zip Zone’s dual zipline. “It is the longest in Asia at the moment,” says Engr. Ravi Michael P. Victorio, the flights operation manager, pointing to the 840-meter cable zipline.
 
The launch point is at 4,700 feet above sea level.  Elevation drop is 100 meters with estimated speed ranging from 60 to 100 kilometers per hour (KPH).  The riders zoom through lush greenery and breathtaking views only found in the mountains of barangay Dahilayan.
 
The zipline is guaranteed safe and fun for every one.  For safety reasons, only those who are physically and mentally fit are allowed to ride the zipline and only those with height between 4’4” and 6”3” are permitted.  “We are very much concerned with the security of our customers,” says Engr. Victorio.
 
Actually, there are three dual ziplines.  The first one has a stretch of 320 meters while the second is only 150 meters.  These two shorter ziplines were meant to get customers into action and make them lose their fear of the adventure.
 
If you have enough already of ziplines, then it’s time to go to Davao City.  Travel time is more than five hours.   The de facto capital of Mindanao, Davao has it all: beaches, mountains, forests, rich biological diversity, exotic fruits, fine dining, typhoon-free and tropical climate, warm people and colorful festivals.
 
There are several attractions you can visit.  Not to be missed is the Davao Crocodile Park in Maa.  It provides home to locally-bred crocodiles, including the second largest crocodile in captivity named Pangil (or fangs), which measures over 18 feet in length. 

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Then, go straight to Calinan District, particularly in Malagos.  Forty-five minutes away from the heart of the city is Philippine Eagle Research and Nature Center.  It is home to the second largest eagle in the world – the Philippine Eagle.  Other endangered birds and species are also being raised inside the vicinity. 

About two kilometers away from the eagle center is the Malagos Garden Resort, which has a rare collection of rare indigenous Philippine flora and wide assortment of orchids.  Several species of butterflies also thrive in its enclosed sanctuary.  It is famous for its bird show on Sundays; you can also enjoy feeding the birds inside another sanctuary. 

Eden Nature Park also offers zip lines.  But if you think it’s not challenging enough, you can always go to the Diversion Road, where Zip City and Outland Adventure are located. Both are equally breathtaking.
 
You have enough of ecotourism?  Now, you are ready for hit the beach.  Then proceed to Mati City, some four hours away from Davao. At the helm of the development of Mati as a top tourist destination is Mayor Michelle N. Rabat.  “Next to agriculture, I think tourism is our biggest industry,” the lady mayor said. 

Mati faces the Pacific Ocean and it has a coastline of 150 kilometers.  It has three bays (Pujada, Balite, and Mayo) with a combined area of 418 square kilometers.  There are three marine protected areas (although two of them are still “on-process”) and its mariculture park area encompasses 345 hectares. 

The city has several famous beaches. Leading the list is Dahican Beach, noted for its crystal clear waters and a 17-kilometer pure and fine white sand shore.  “You don’t have to go to Boracay to experience white sand,” said Michael Rabat, the brother of the city mayor.  “We have it here.” 

Dahican Beach, about 15-minute ride from the heart of the city, is known as Mindanao’s mini-Hawaii as it is a prime location for surfers and skimboarders.  The strong wind is ideal for wind and board surfing. 

If you’re lucky, you can meet the homegrown group of surfers called Amihan, which refers to the easterly winds of the Pacific Ocean. 

The Mayo Beach, ideal for picnic and small gathering, can be reached by 30-minutes travel from the poblacion. The place reminds you of the Brooke Shields movie because it has deep blue lagoon and cold spring water. The wind coming from the ocean could sooth you tired mind and body. 

Along the coastlines of the city are some beach resorts. Operating within the stretch of Dahican Beach are Botona Dahican Beach Resort and Kanakbai Tropical Homes. Botona maintains its quiet and relaxing ambiance while Kanakbai is part of a 14-hectare coconut plantation with a beach front facing the Pacific Ocean. 
Mati is dotted with enthralling islands ideal for swimming, snorkeling and diving. 

It has three islands and the biggest of them all is Pujada Island, a 156-hectare located at the entrance of Pujada Bay. White sand beach and clear blue waters surrounds the island which can be reached by motorboat in 45 minutes.