When I went to Cagayan de Oro two weeks ago, I had promised myself I would blog about the trip. God has made this one possible, no doubt!
The weather was bad here in Manila, but the sun was shining in Mindanao, and that was what mattered more. (Thank You Lord!) The plane can take off with the rain and clouds here in Manila, but it would be difficult to land with little visibility approaching our destination. So, thank God the sun was shining over CDO. 🙂
This trip was actually my second time in CDO. My first was back in April 2009, when before we spend our last year in Ateneo, I decided to visit Mea during our short summer vacation. That was the summer when I had to travel straight from CDO to Cebu because my family was going to spend Holy Week there. Ha, very memorable summer, that one.
This time, I only stayed for one weekend. Mea, along with her sisters and mom, all went home to the Philippines. They’ve been in Canada for 2 straight years. Now, they’re back for almost two months.
During my visit, Mea’s family threw a party for their closest friends (batchmates, relatives, etc.). It was a good-natured get-together with cotton candy, photo booth, ice cream, and dancing! By the way, I loved the lechon too, even without sarsa!
The next day, Sunday, we went White Water Rafting! This was my second time to experience it, as well. The rapids have changed from the last time, mostly because of Typhoon Sendong. And they said that the guides had to re-learn or re-study the flow to make sure they’d maneuver a tourist raft through a safe route.
During my first water rafting experience, we didn’t have any pictures at all. We were scared our cameras might get wet. Now that Mea’s got this nifty waterproof lomo (helmet) cam, ha! we’ve got the pictures to document (and serve as proof) that we have conquered Cagayan River!
There were peaceful or calm parts of the river and the guides encouraged the tourists to jump and wash the heat away. 🙂 It was scary at first because I didn’t know how to swim. The water was really deep (thus calm). But it was actually relaxing! =D
Kuya’s hand/finger was visible in most of the photos. LOL. But it was better than no pictures at all, eh? 🙂 And kudos to the kayaking photographers because they do know how to take good photos, they just found the artsy lomo cam new to their taste. Hehehe.
Also, they had this waterproof bag where they put all the cameras. So it lessens your worry that your cam might get wet. They handle it carefully, too. 🙂
The four-hour ride was still as bitin as ever! You can really never get enough!
We didn’t ask for a flip, though (maybe because they listened to me. I was a scaredy-girl, as usual). And I guess, it was okay. Not that I’m happy with my cowardice, but because the other group we were with had flipped several times, and on one of those times, some of them got bruised and wounded.
Whenever I would try something adventurous, I would remember my mom telling me, before I went with my friends to CWC maybe 4 to 5 years ago, that I should not go wakeboarding. I did not plan to, but she thought I was extra-adventurous and brave that I overestimated my physical capacity. So, she gave me a warning. Hehe. Saying I might get my bones broken. lol.
So, I guess it was okay that we didn’t have our raft flipped. Even the sight of the wounds and bruises of one of the girls from the other group made me wince. ;(
Great White Water Tours is a nice company to book your rafting adventure with. Their guides are awesome and friendly! =D Also, make sure to take the long course with 21 rapids. It’s still bitin, so I can’t imagine how bitin the short course would be!!!
In the middle of the rafting, they give you Pastel and water (I think they gave us juice three years ago. Not sure.) for snack. After the trip, there’s lunch at their headquarters. 😀 Though, we liked the lunch three years ago better. hehe.
Oh! We have a video! But the file’s big that it would take long to upload it here. So I just won’t. HAHA!:))
Anyway, after the rafting, we took some rest, went to church, and then had dinner at this nice little Italian Restaurant in the city.
They had their pastas and pizzas at 30% Off for their anniversary! 🙂 Their food was good! 😀 (UGH I’M HUNGRY NOW) But red wine is really not for me. hahaha.
I only spent two days in CDO, but it’s worth it. Mea’s family was veryyyy accommodating! Close family ties in Filipino families really make me all giddy. 🙂
I was back in Manila by Monday noon, with pasalubong for mama who is in Bicol. Since I was sending package to Dichi anyway, I sent her the Sler’s chicharon (HA! must try!), Pastel, Kasuy, and the Polvoron that Mea’s dad actually orders here in Manila!!! hahaha.
The following weekend, Mea went here with her family. We watched the Ateneo-Lasalle game (Saturday) and went to meet her former roommate in Greenhills (Sunday). So, I had a sleepover at their hotel/apartelle. heehee 🙂 (My third consecutive Saturday spent away from home hahaha).
Missed you, Mea. Don’t go back to Canada anymore! hahaha =D
❤ Kisses
One Small Package 