For adventurous people who like to smell wood blossoms in the cool fresh mountain air while plunging in a gently flowing cool blue waters, or go into caving or spelunking: Blue Water Cave in this landlocked province of Bukidnon is one perfect place to go.
Blue Water Cave photo by : www.caboose.org.uk
Municipal town Mayor Gregorio Gue of Quezon said that the local government and a non-government organization (NGO) Kiokong Climbing Society—a non-profit group that now develops the Kiokong Eco-Tourism project here, oversees town visitors’ activities such as trekking and spelunking especially during weekends.
“Visitors should clean their own mess and keep back the trash with them to preserve the cleanliness of the place,” Gue said.
The “Blue Water Cave” is a natural tourist attraction hidden in the lush valley of a river that flows underground in the connecting caverns of the San Jose village here.
“The color of the river water is blue all year round,” Gue said.
He said that the trail to the blue waters includes a scenic view of white rock cliff walls, where hikers and rock wall climbers pulled themselves up a steep rock face surrounded with amazing rock formations, rolling hills and mountains.
Take hikes, take photos, breath the fresh air deeply, and notice the amazing animals from flying lemurs to species of birds soaring up high, he added.
The entrance of the place is along the national highway with a huge billboard describing at a glance what this municipality offers. Quezon Municipality is said to be Mindanao’s sugar capital located in southern Bukidnon. It is four to five hours away from Cagayan de Oro and three to four hours from Davao City.
Visitors can get in touch with Kiokong Eco Tourism days before the actual visit for food and transportation tips.
A narrow trail leading to the Blue Water Cave is clearly visible and no guide is required to reach it.It is an easy way towards the paradise, until a steep way downwards approaches to finally reach the riverbank of Pulangi River and see the wonderful cave.
The cool, semi-deep, pure blue water meets the Pulangi waters, and leaves a bluish area before mixing with the waters of the giant River where a Hydro Power Plant is located, Gue said.
The cave’s opening is small. At the bottom, cool and clear water accumulated. It is freezing cold and very refreshing.
Following the trail back is also the route for the White Rock Wall Climbing.
There are fixed pitons (mountaineering device) going up the White Rock Wall. These are like pegs hammered into rocks with hooks where the mountaineer attaches Karabiners. Karabiners are metal loops used as connectors to safely hold a freely running rope.
The Kiokong Climbing Society facilitators always check the safety gears. They demonstrate how to pull ropes up and how to rappel down.
They said that a “beginner” usually goes for up to 30 feet. Advanced climbers, facilitators can offer the 30-meter climb.
This hidden paradise of Southern Bukidnon is truly an amazing tourist destination. One could unexpectedly think of Bukidnon to have this place as one of its treasures.
The adrenaline rush adventure on its trail, the amazing rock formations, cool, pure, and clear water gushing from a cave makes this beautiful Blue Water Cave perfect for an all-year round adventure.
Its unspoiled beauty, serene surroundings, and wildlife treasures have enticed countless visitors each year.
Truly untouched, the way God originally created it. One of His bountiful creations—a hidden paradise!(Source: PNA)