Kawasan Falls, Badian Cebu

One of my good  friend Stephanie and I decided to get out of town, so we went to visit my Grannies place in Badian (southern town in Cebu, Philippines) where Kawasan Falls is located, even thought I was there 3 times in summer this year, it never grow old on me.  I always love going there. The waterfalls always makes me feel like I am in paradise.  Stefi, who was extending her stay in Philippines volunteered to drive us.  So, we packed camping tents, pillows and blankets, we really didnt know where we will stay for the night, but it doesnt matter.  I just want to get out of the city.  We were on the road for 3 hours until we reached the town of Badian.  This town is really close to my heart - this is were my mom was born and raised. 

first level waterfalls

We stopped by at the Badian Public Market to gather some food supplies, at least we know we have something in case we cant find a place for dinner.  Stefi brought her 2 year old kid - Crista with us, so we prefer to be safe than sorry.  The market was a typical town market, with live stocks and mostly home made produce, the good thing is there were a lot of fresh fruits and they were cheaper compared to the ones we get in the City and a much better quality.  When we got to Matutinao (the actual place of the waterfalls), it was almost 5pm, so we decided to find a place near the waterfalls and head to the falls early in the morning.  It would be difficult for us to go up to the waterfalls with a kid when its about to get dark, the road can be slippery and dangerous. It wouldn't be fun.  

second level waterfalls

We woke up very early the following morning, perhaps it was the excitement but I was thinking it was the growing noise of the waves splashing on the rocks just outside our beach front cottage.  But whether it was excitement or not, believe I was itching to go the moment I stood up from the bed.  So, we head to the waterfalls right away, we skirted our way following the source of the river.  Crista was getting excited too, she kept asking if we were there yet.  I could sense her excitement as well as irritation every time we passed on something that resembles a waterfalls in a piled up rocks in the river and she thinks we are there but then gets disappointed that we still have to walk further more.

Little Crista

We walked for about 20 minutes and we arrived to the first level waterfalls, it is beautiful and high, higher than the waterfalls from the other levels.  When we got there, there were already people who reserved cottages and some already started swimming.  We were thinking we will be the first to arrive there and get the best spot - it would feel like we outsmart everyone else, but we were late.  Anyway, we went up further to the second level waterfalls. It was a steep climb and luckily we had Alan with us to carry Crista when it gets really steep.  Although, we were already panting with our tongue out when we reached the second level, we were very happy that we were the first to get there.  I guess people only stay on the first level to avoid the climb.  

Alan and Crista

We swam a bit on the second waterfalls and then decided to go up to the third level.  It was a steeper climb, at some point we had to stop to gather our energy and then walk again.  When we got to the third level, I was about to die.  I didn't know if it was the heat of the sun or my trembling knees that felt like I just climbed Mt. Fuji.  But after a dip in the water, I felt refreshed and energized again.  The water was so cool and the swimming area is much better compared to the other levels. The day went by like a flash and we really enjoyed out time at Kawasan Falls.  And even if I been there many times before I could still go there with excitement many times over, again and again.  The only thing is that there are a lot of mosquitos in the area, so you either keep moving or stay in the water.  Also, there are people local people following you all the time.  It's get very intimidating that it feels like someone is watching your every move and then they keep asking you to try the bemboo raft and then tell you to pay for it, some of them will keep following you and then assume that they are your tour guide and ask you a certain fee.  So be clear that you dont want their assistance in the beginning.  Don't be fooled!

The Kawasan Falls just recently voted as the Best Waterfalls in the Philippines 2016.

Overnight at Kawasan Waterfalls

We climb up to the waterfalls early morning.  From the resort where we stayed overnight, it was just around 15 minutes walk and we got to the first level of the waterfalls. The water was really cold it was almost impossible to swim when we got there, and there was hardly anyone around so we figured it was really early for us to be there.  The good thing was everything looked really fresh and indeed smelled fresh.  The walk wasn’t tiring at all it was refreshing.

First level waterfalls

There is a restaurant at the first level of the waterfalls, so we decided to have breakfast.  The menu was for lunch but then they can do whatever you request as long as the ingredients are available.  We are not picky eaters so fried rice, eggs, hotdogs and noodles were fine for us.  We enjoyed the early morning scenery at the falls, it was so peaceful, perhaps the most peaceful breakfast we’ve ever had in years.

We chatted with the owner of the place who invited us to stay overnight for a reasonable price, but we couldn’t decide at that time so we just told them we will let them know later in the day.  After breakfast we decided to climb up further, it was mostly climb, some were steep and some were just going up on a footpath.  We thought that if it rains it would be difficult to climb up coz it will be really steep. The second level waterfalls was shorter but it looked safer to swim, but the water is still very cold. Like the first level there are small shops and some cottages for rent at a minimal price and there are also rooms for rent overnight.  By the time we decided to go up to the third level waterfalls we were half way deciding to stay overnight. We were thinking mostly of an evening swim. Although the water was freezing cold but we are excited how it would be like at night.  It would definitely feed my adventurous side that I’d probably mellow for a couple of days. 

Second level waterfalls

The climb to the third level was even steeper than the second but when we got to the source it was amazing.  It was also noon time when we got there that the only thing you can think about was to plunge into the cold water. Although I must say that despite the hot weather, the water was still so very cold that we have to keep swimming so we don’t feel cold.  The third level didn’t have small shops or a place to stay overnight but there were wooden huts one can rent to sit or leave things while swimming. I would have loved to stay there overnight.

rooms we stayed overnight

We swam a bit and then we decided that we should stay overnight but first we have to go back to the resort before sunset so we could get some stuff and inform the hotel our plans. We climb back to the waterfalls and I had to say goodbye to my online activities for a day.  We got back to the second level waterfalls, there are rooms for rent overnight for just P3000 (66USD), so we took two rooms. The people are really nice and friendly, they cooked for our dinner, we had pancit (stir fried noodles) and fried chicken, the whole meal was cheap.

third level waterfalls

Around 8pm, we decided to have a quick swim at the waterfalls, the people that work at the house where we rented were so nice they were standing at the edge with a torch just to ensure we are safely swimming.  We had to get out of water quickly, we didn’t want them to stay there for long.  It was really very thoughtful of them.  We sat on one of the cottages drinking until very late, it was a bit chilly but very peaceful.  The sound of the water was therapeutic that we felt our stress went away.  The only thing was that there were a lot of mosquitos even if you already put on repellant.

I woke up so refreshed that I didn’t want to leave but we had to continue with our road trip, we really enjoyed staying at the waterfalls, I wish we had more days.

La Playa Resort, Badian Cebu

We drove another 15 to 20 minutes and we arrived in Matutinao, Badian.  Initially we planned to go to the waterfalls and stay there overnight but we realized we will not have a phone signal or internet if we stay there overnight.  Life nowadays - internet is very important so, it was no brainer we had to find a place to stay where we can have internet signal and near the matutinao church where the walk to the waterfalls starts.

We found a small resort called La Playa just a few meters away from the church, luckily it is a week day and the place is empty.  They have just around 10-12 rooms and we are lucky that most of it is available. So we took the option of having a bungalow with two floors, 2 bedrooms, bathroom and it is also air conditioned, plus it is a beach front and only for P4000(89 USD) per night.  Considering we are 5 people, this is very cheap and is just walking distance from the waterfalls, so we could just leave the car at the resort, while we are at the waterfalls.

They also have a small store that you can buy snacks or even order food from their simple menu and prices are cheap.  Or you can also opt to cook your own food, either you do it in their kitchen or they can lend you a grill so you can do it just on the beach outside your villa. But like most resort in the area this one is really simple, just rooms and the beach, but it is everything you need.

Check it out if you ever visit the kawasan waterfalls in badian.

Lambug Beach, Badian Cebu

The next on the list from the ‘trisikad drivers” recommendation was Lambug Beach.

image is mine

From Badian town market, we drove about 10 mins.  At first we missed out the turn so we had to go back and look for the turn, there was no indication on the road which way to go.  We were only told to take the turn towards the Golf Hotel.  So we had to drive slow to search for the sign of Golf Hotel. 

When we found the sign we were also confused as there were no arrows that indicates where to turn so we just had to cross our fingers and decide which way to take, same as when we reached a forked road, we just have to make a choice, unfortunately we took some wrong ones and we had to back track again.  I guess this is part of the adventure, its continuously discovering places as we go along, whether we are lost or on the right track.

After a few wrong choices we found Lambug Beach.  There were no hotels or accommodations on the beach area, just some wooden huts that can be rented for a day, more like a shed than a room.  There are also no shops to buy food or snacks or even drinks in the area, so this trip has to be planned ahead.

It looks like heaven – isolated white beach! Not a single person was on the beach apart from us. We thought it would be good to have a tent and sleep over night, but we were not equipped for such an adventure.  So, we just stayed there for an hour and left.

We thought we would come back here another time and just sleep under the stars.   

Sima Cold Spring Badian Cebu

Just a couple of meters away from the town market of Badian is a cold spring the locals hang out or swim.  One should follow a foot path, so people wouldn't notice it and there are no signs whatsoever that tells you there is something there. It is natural fresh spring under several huge acacia trees that looks like centuries old. However no one that we asked know exactly how old those trees were.  The spring is adjacent to the lagoon that leads to the sea. It is called Sima. No one knows how it was called by that. 

The locals from long time ago constructed huge stones around the spring to make it look like a huge swimming pool, I think it’s brilliant.  There is actually two of it, one is deep around 10 – 15 meters and the other is shallow, we didn’t try the shallow one as there were ladies washing clothes inside it.  I guess it’s free water.  There were some school kids swimming, we figured they were practicing with their coach for a swimming competition. We were told those kids always top the regionals, I guess because they have this great resources to practice from.

The spring is fresh water not salty water, no one can tell us where the water comes from but they said it’s been there since they were born so no one knows.  It was really cool but the water is very cold, the locals said that they only swim there during noon time when it is hot so they don’t feel the chill of having to swim in cold water.

After swimming we ate our roasted chicken and bread, it tasted as good if not better than the one we had in Moalboal.  We were happy campers.

And we are in Badian, Cebu

When we arrived the town of Badian we headed to the town market, we know that we can perhaps interact with more locals and get information where to go and what to do.  The market was bigger than most markets we saw in the previous towns and it is a bit modernized compared to the others.  It indicates that the town is more developed.

We bought some fruits and explored the market a bit.  The vegetables and meat looks really fresh. We saw an area with some roasted chicken for sale and we chose the one with many people lining up to buy.  For sure the locals prefer it than others so we thought perhaps it’s the best one in town.

 We got some bread too and we were hoping it is as good as the one we had in Moalboal – fingers crossed.  Then we asked around some of the “trisikad“ drivers that we saw. Trisikad is a 3-wheel bicycle that locals use as public transport within a short distance.

So the trisikad drivers gave us some recommendations where to go.  We love to go where locals go, instead of where tourists go.  It is more fun to mingle with locals and get to know the place better.

When visiting a place, do you go where the locals go or you go where the tourists go? 

On the road to the South

Today we decided that we dive very early and hope we encounter a hammerhead shark if they still exists in the area, and then after the dive we would get back on the road and explore more places further South of Cebu.  The sky was a little gloomy today, so visibility underwater is not as clear as yesterday, and it rained when we head back to shore and we DIDN’T SEE HAMMERHEADS!!!

The next town to us was Alcantara but there was nothing special about the place to visit, well if they do then it is not advertised, or we just haven't heard about it yet. The town after that is Badian - this is a famous town for its waterfalls, a golf course and a nice resort island 20 mins away from the main land. The waterfalls is one of the best in the country.  I actually visit this place whenever I am in town. 

It would be another hour or less on the road from Moalboal until we reach Badian.  The mobile signal was on and off as we drove.  The good thing was that we had two different telecom network that we subscribed to, and when one is down the other is the strongest.  I guess this is to avoid competition.  

I can’t complain much.   The only issue I have is the internet signal that I have in this part of Cebu, it goes on and off along with the network that I subscribed with.  But when this happens I go back to playing something on my phone and no it is not flappy bird and it’s not plants vs zombies either.