Getting Lost in a Paradise means Finding our New Beginning: Butanding in Oslob, Aguinid Falls in Samboan, and Mainit Hotspring in Malabuyoc

Butanding in Oslob

Forgiveness and healing don't come easy. But, I decided to let him in my life again even how painful the past may be. I can choose between keeping the pain and be bitter forever or letting it go and start all over again. 

On our third day in the South of Cebu, it is going to be something unpredictable. We don't have any concrete itinerary. They said the unplanned things are more exciting. We believe in starting a new beginning in doing things together which is something special for both of us - like the whale shark watching. 

Early in the morning of 6'oclock, we waited outside to catch the first jeepney to take us to barangay Tan-awan, the center of Oslob. Waiting and waiting patiently standing outside the premises, I felt my legs crammed. Then, a jeepney stops in front of us carrying few passengers and have plenty of space for us.  He let me go first and he followed next. He is sitting next to me hugging me behind my back and rubbing my abdomen.

As it starts the engine and moving towards the direction to the south, I notice how 
worried I was that we may miss the stop for Barangay Tan-awan.  Kind enough, these locals here, told us how much the amount to pay and where to stop. They smiled at us. Then, I became more relaxed after and my eyes are again drawn to the trees swaying gently in the light breeze and sea view with the sun rises on the horizon. Thanking God for this brand new day giving us this kind of refreshing air and a fantastic sunny day. 

When we finally near, the lady,  bringing baskets of fruits I think she is going to Mantalungon or marketplace, told us that we had arrived. 

"Mao na ni nga barangay. Anhi namo hunong." (This is the barangay you supposed to go). 

We thanked them as we get off from the vehicle. 

Halfway through the beach area, we held in the hall for short briefing on how to behave when we were near with the whales. One of many of the rules is not to touch them, but we can swim with them. Then, we lined up to pay for the ticket. It's pretty much expensive in 2015 for foreigners cost 1000 and for locals were 500 pesos. I heard they 
have increased it this year that cost 800 pesos for locals. Then, they gave us sets of 
 gears and life vests. 

The big moment arrived. I found myself in the fisherman's boat. I notice that there are so many fisherman's boats on the sea bringing food for the whales and the boatmen with dark skin and hair who were wearing in blue shirts paddling to keep in balance. He invited us to be in the boat slowly and taking precaution in stepping on and finding my sit. He starts paddling to the middle of the sea to go nearer to the butanding or whale sharks as he continues giving them food so they will stay. 

K

This reminds me of the moment of desperation. When I wanted him to stay, if I was 
there before he left, I would be like this fisherman's giving the person I love everything like they did, so for him to stay. If doing this to my man is called selfishness, then how are we going to call it for these poor butandings? Though they remain very active in the sea entertaining us and we are also generous and kind to them as much as possible not to scare them. 

In my heavy body of 80 kilos with the baby inside feels so light down in the water. I tried to go under to sea and follow one playful butanding. Then I now suspend from swimming 
and ask him to go have a try and I will take a picture of him from the boat. There was no trouble at all, but that 25 minutes went so fast, but I think we had a good time. However deep inside was a terrible feeling doing this to whale sharks, using them to earn money? I don't think is a good idea. Hope the money they earn from this tourism will go mostly to their welfare and protection. if one day, they have to go, we should let them go and let them find a place they can feel safe if we really love these

Aguinid Falls in Samboan

The whale shark watching was over, we still felt we wanted to do more for the day. It is still too early to go back to the accommodation. We start walking up along the high way sidewalk and starting to admire the view of the beach, ranging in colors from blue, dark blue and shady green. Moving on, this habal habal driver is very eager to take us around the province. We just kindly say no. And when the bus stops in front of us, without hesitation, looking at each other, I think we agreed silently to go in the Ceres bus and just take us to another falls, the Aguinid falls in Samboan.

 It was a great opportunity that we don't want to miss. It might be strange for a pregnant woman to hop on and hop off the bus in the far province that we were both not familiar with. Now we are entering Barangay Tambo of Samboan.

Filipinos who see me traveling is something exotic and unimaginable as mostly 8 months
 old pregnant supposed to be resting at 
home and waiting for her baby's arrival. But here I am getting lost somewhere in the south.


My mom who grew up with rural legends and scary stories of the countryside here in the South of Cebu particularly Barili,  giving me a long litany on careful reminders now that I am pregnant because she believes I am attracting supernatural beings: aswang or witches or tikbalang alike. 

It is a  bit bizarre, but I took it half of the story as real. Part of me still believes in true faith and trusting God, and the other part of me is very watchful looking around and stare at each person I met. But sometimes, I am still a little bit reckless and just let things happen. 

I lift my legs and watching my steps and not to step on the puddle. I observe keenly how clean my surroundings from left to right and politely smile and nod to the lady.

"Pila kabook?"

"Two please," I replied.  I gave 50 pesos for both of us. I admit I was so impressed with their well- manicured garden along the sidewalk and it shows some trace being swept along the trail way to the waterfalls. They divide us into 5- 10 members in each group and a petite brown skinned girl came and introduce herself as our guide.
We find ourselves following her along this stream water coming from Tangbo river. One of the fondest memory is stepping on these rocks faded in dense green because of its algae build up in the water and eroded with calcium that whitens some parts of the rock. I am standing there on the side as a spectator watching my husband swimming in the crystal clear, the stunning beauty of the vivid greens turquoise water. However, when he decided to climb and waded through the five stages of the falls, I gave up. 

"I think it is safe for me to stay here. I will wait for you down here."

Mainit Spring in Malabuyoc

When we finished and had enjoyed this charming and hidden beauty waterfalls, we left and catch another bus to go back to Oslob. However, we have to change to go to Bato and from there we catch via Barili bus and that will pass through Oslob. So we did and waiting for the bus to take us home.  All the plans were laid on, but it was changed when we saw the sign along the high way that says  Mainit spring in  Malabuyoc.

Curiosity sake, we get off the bus and ask people around on how to get to this spring. We are entering a village and walking past some houses together with empty 
lots filled with coconut trees and bushes in the woods.

Locals believe that we are almost near the entrance of the hot spring as we go nearer to the jungle. Not far now we are in here in another hidden paradise developed and restored by the local tourism. There were ladies in uniform which I believe they were trainees at a University. They are very professionals entertaining us and guiding us to the hot springs and hidden waterfalls.

I have seen few locals and foreigners soaking themselves in this 42 degrees hot spring and have 32 degrees. They all have to come here for leisure and medication within this man-made pool partially built with piling rocks. They said it treats 
unknown ailments or aching body just like drinking a miracle water. 

As heavy pregnant I am, I didn't soak in, it is not a miracle water for me. Too much hot water could kill my baby. At the rightmost part of the spring has hilly space close to the water tank so I clear the area and put a mat on the ground so I can lie down and relax waiting for my husband enjoying his jungle spa moment in a 32 degrees hot as he is looking up in the blue sky comfortably. I am glad that we are blessed with good weather that day. 

In the afternoon soon turn to dusk, we were finishing this 'getting lost in the paradise' trip by another climbing to this secret waterfalls. My husband ends the trip by jumping in the deep green darkish pool following the local and adventurous children who get in and out here for free and they serve as our local tour guide.

I always labeling Mainit hot spring as a secret paradise because this natural cool waterfalls and hot springs are hidden in the middle of the forest that it takes agility and strength to get here because we have to walk for 30 minutes to an hour to get to the untouched natural wonder and going back to the highway. In fact, I am thankful I survived without delivering the baby during the long duration of the adventure.

I am just fine after all, but I am getting hungry. He pulled out his wallet to buy a stick of fried bananas while waiting for the bus to take us back to our villa for our last night stay in Oslob. 


All in all this day adventure from swimming with the whales to the jumping to the pool of the waterfalls and soaking in the hot springs in the middle of woods could have been 
an extraordinary experience for a pregnant woman. 

However, the feeling when there are things we can't enjoy together because of some differences of circumstances, sometimes it is a bit frustrating. Had I wish I could climb up to the 5 stages of the Aguinid falls; Had I wish I soak myself in the hot spring holding hands with him; and had I wish I jump in the deep pool water running from the cold waterfalls. I wish I could do, but I can't.

Despite of my incapacity to do the adventurous act together, I am satisfied though to do a few with him. My priorities now are not only for my self joy, but also the safety and welfare of my child. For doing that, I feel already extraordinary. I simply do brisk walking and floating on the sea water.

I even forget about my worries and bizarre things that might encounter or might happen to me along the way. Worst could happen was to deliver the baby earlier than the schedule. I just simply feel so safe with the person whom I know will protect me and won't leave me.  The fact that I walk with him that far and hop on and off the bus and swimming with him, I think it is good enough for a heavily pregnant like me. At the end, we made adventure as our new beginning, our point of memory that on this day we start all over again by getting lost in the unfamiliar province of Cebu.