The Tale of a Scaredy Cat in Malabuyoc Cebu

I really thought Malabuyoc was just a vast plantation. Because every time I visit my father's hometown, Barili,  all I could see was a limitless green in the horizon.

One weekending vacation last November 2014,  I joined my co-SSC leaders' team building activity (sort of). Since we are both fascinated with springs and waterfalls, we planned to have Malabuyoc as one of our itinerary. It's there we can find an untouched, undiscovered spring and falls. From Badian Church (drop-off point of Kawasan Falls), we drove to a long road with nothing but lush surroundings and shorelines. Uphill. Downhill. It seemed endless. 

Alas, beyond the greens with bumpy stony roads, and with the guidance of the signage thingy, we able to arrive safely. Upon arrival, out of curiosity, we tried to ask some of the residents/tour guides of why the place has hidden paradise, but then they just smiled at us. Eventually, later on the tour guide told us that the mainit spring was actually the main attraction and that once the tourists felt they want more, the guides would take them to a more challenging activity, and that's a trek to Montaneza falls which they believe its a sacred place. A trek to this falls is just like canyoning in alegria to badian falls.

             a bahay kubo that serve as the drop-off point and a parking fee booth area for travellers/customers

We were surprised during our arrival when the people nearby really looked at us and some were just silent. Well, it took a few minutes for them to accommodate us. Weird though. But then we felt so excited. We then rushed to take our first trek to the hot Spring, the so-called Mainit Spring. 

By the time I got there (Mainit Spring), at first i was seemingly anxious and a little bit scared of what the water can bring to my skin, but i was wrong to think about it, because when i saw one of my colleagues dipped already in the hot water, she felt good and relaxed. So, I was then encourage to also do the same. I made it and I enjoyed together with the rest of the group. There were actually 3 hot springs there with different temperatures. The highest had a temperature of 47'C. Ever thought of dipping in 47'C, well during our experience, only one of us made it! The rest, including me, just touched it. There was a town folk said that we could also boil some eggs in that spring one at a time. A trivia was also given to us. According to the tour guide, the mainit "hot" spring got its name because there was once a volcano that became active there (maybe we call a myth), that's why the spring had a hot temperature.

                      I joined the group because I was hoping I could tick an item from my bucket list, and that's dipping to a hot spring in Cebu.

Because we don't want our time to be short, so we then asked the tour guide to take us to their hidden jewel/paradise and experience the somewhat like canyoning activity. So off, we went trekking to Montaneza Falls. 

             a signage: started our trek here, and had felt my knees gonna trembled down (waahhh)

                                               

                                   first trail-- the guide told us that we need to be careful in stepping some rocky muds, trails, etc. The guide actually warned us that we'll be facing more challenging experience as we headed on to the falls.

2nd trail, me on top-- we had reached d second bridge

 3rd trail--huge boulders (woah)

first falls- a bit scaredy already here 

Priceless moments!

At last! Finally, we had reached here the most awaited moment, the hidden jewel and enchanting falls, Montaneza Falls! 

many had said this falls was surrounded by what they thought, the guiding spirits; some said there were happenings that few climbers who came here had never reached on the peak and it was amazing we had reached here

it really looked strange! thanked God, I made it!

Anyhow, the water was cool. Happily, I played in the water.

This trip in Malabuyoc was really one of a kind. Of course, one of the most unforgettable. .I had made it on top..conquered my fear, dared to step on slippery pathways, climbed the steepy rock formations, entered the small wholes of boulders & challenge the adventurous ME. It was indeed, a worthwhile activity!And this goes for a multiple thumbs-up for newly embarked adventure!