4. DO NOT LITTER
Halfway through the three-hour trek, you will smell something grilling. To everyone’s surprise, there’s a huge rock where they are grilling isaw (chicken intestines), hotdogs, chorizos and more. If you didn’t bring any cash, don’t worry. Your guides can list them for you and you may pay them when you go back to your bags after canyoneering. What great commerce!
What I am appalled by is the TRASH left by the tourists–glad that the tourists here know how to dispose of their trash properly. There are visible trash bins to dispose your garbage. Do not throw them anywhere! Let’s maintain the beauty of this place by not destroying it. Also, let us remember that we are merely visitors. Leaving trash everywhere is disrespect to the locals and especially, to mother earth.
The Happy Juanderer team strictly follows the “leave no trace” rule.
Let’s all be mindful. If you see trash, pick it up. Let’s help protect this natural wonder.
3. Prepare for cliff jumps
What I always tell people when they say they want to try canyoneering: Magbaon kayo ng lakas ng loob! (Bring some courage with you.) The reason for that being Canyoneering needs a skill level of medium to high. This doesn’t directly coincide with physical abilities but also mental and emotional. Even if you are physically fit, if you can’t jump from a 10-20 meter height, you might not be able to do Canyoneering.
The entrance itself is a 10 meter plunge. This is only the beginning. There are 2-5 more jumps ahead of you. I find this to be the most challenging part of the whole experience. Even if you know you’re safe, even if you know you’re gonna be okay, your guts will still braid inside of you when you see the height.
I am extremely terrified of free-fall. The idea makes my stomach churn. My plan was I had to be one of the first from the group to jump. This brings me back down to earth with the knowledge that I’ll be okay and that it was just my mind playing tricks with me. Still, I was terrified.
The only way to get over this fear is to make the first jump. When you plunge into the water, you’d laugh at how much of a scaredy cat you were and realize that this was totally FUN and that you’d want to do it again!
Our guides were complete show offs! That backflip though!
Be brave, guys! It’s where the adventure starts. Be brave!
Continue to the next page for more fun!
