ENCHANTING ENCHANTED RIVER

#8 of 2013 wish list was partly granted unpredictably.oh yeah!

After 3 years of social media discovery of the Enchanted River (according to staff there), we’ve finally set foot on the said pristine river. Perfect weather even permitted us to explore what Hinatuan place has to offer.  Hinatuan is situated in the eastern part of Mindanao, about 133km which can be traveled roughly 3 hrs and 20min from Butuan City via van. The place is best known for its enchanting Enchanted River which nestled in Brgy. Talisay.

I never believed in the saying that goes “the road of life is full of ups and downs” until I traveled the 12-km bumpy roadway from the junction for about 20minutes. Just kidding! Literally, it’s true but when you reach the place, you’ll probably say “it’s worth the long adrenaline-rush travel!” 
You are 8mins closer to Enchanted River when you see or pass this wooden bridge. Habal-habal is primarily the mode of transportation among the local dwellers there. But for me, I do not advice everyone to use it because it’s too risky. 4-wheeled vehicle is still preferable. 

entrance gate

At the entrance, we paid 30 pesos per head (as of February 2013). 

  It’s Sunday and we are lucky enough to arrived at earlier time, thus, we had the chance to rent a convenient cottage. Many tourists both foreign and local visit this place on weekend so it is suggested to book the cottage ahead of time.

100 pesos rental

150 pesos rental

Cottage rent ranges from P100-150.00. Right side cottage costs 150 which can accommodate more than 10persons while those rows of nipa huts in umbrella style cost 100.00 which ideally can accommodate up to 8 persons.

        All people who visit this place never failed to take picture in this signpost and I am not an exemption to that of course. 

       Just like other beaches or resorts, everyone is also allowed to cook their food there. It’s a zero waste place so everyone is reminded to clean their mess. In fact, we are also advised to bring our biodegradable waste material to our home. 

      As seen in picture below, the bluish color of the water is not equally distributed. Some part is really blue and some part is bluish green in color. As I’ve noticed, the color varies from the deepness of the river. The darker, the deeper. No one on earth has ever discovered how the dead end of the tunnel looks like and even until now, it remains mysterious. Many have tried (foreign & domestic professional divers) but none succeeded. Do you have the nerves to break the record? Go….die exploring! hehehe

At 12 o’clock noon, bell rings. Everyone gets out of the water. Diverse fish from tunnel (?)show up to amuse people. Then staffs feed them. 

     To keep the place tidy, no one is allowed to drink/eat within the river. So I am here quenching my thirst with emperador light outside the fence while watching those people enjoying the superb water.

        We spent our last hour discovering the other side of Hinatuan. Island hopping as what they called it. We rented a boat which costs 160/hr for 5persons. We had a short glimpse of the fish cage then the boat took its u-turn then finally docked at Pangasinan White Island. 

This bluer than blue lagoon unsurprisingly turned my complexion to darker than black.. awwss..

         Before calling it a day, I profusely thank Sir Benson and Sir Jun for allowing me to join with them.