The Summer Spring Getaway

Our original plan to celebrate my daughter's graduation from Silliman University was to go to Cagayan de Oro (CDO) City for the white water rafting adventure. We have reserved our guesthouse and inquired about the adventure itself. However, as the planning progressed, it seemed way out of budget for a family of 6. To get to CDO from Dumaguete, we have two options: 1) Take a boat to Dapitan then ride a bus for 9 hours to CDO plying the route of Pagadian, Ozamiz, Iligan then to CDO; or 2) Go to Cebu (by boat or by bus) then take the night boat to CDO. Either options including the rafting fees, food and accommodations would need no less than $800. Now, that is a lot of money to an ordinary vacationer like me. I had to remind myself of Matrix of Monthly Expenses in Google docs displaying the blatant deficit of my cash on hand.

So we had to discuss our options. Why not explore Negros Oriental? It would not cost as much as crossing islands. Besides, I have heard of a lot of tourist attractions here. We consulted google with "things to do in Negros Oriental", "things to do in Dumaguete", "places to see in Negros Oriental". After much deliberation and with my consent as the Chief Finance Officer, we agreed to go to the town of Mabinay and visit the famous Springs with kayaking and zipline amenities.



We would stay overnight so we brought clothes just enough for a dip in the spring and dry ones to sleep on and travel back home. Donna, Kim's girlfriend came with us.

It took 2.5 hours from the Dumaguete Ceres terminal to Mabinay town proper. We caught the airconditioned bus so our travel was a delight. In Mabinay, we had our late lunch in a nearby carenderia then headed to the springs to get settled in. It was just about a kilometer from the town proper. Pedicab fare was P8 per person. Entrance to the site was P10 for adults. I missed how much was for the children because we did not have any.

The place had a huge spring pool where the guests swim and dive their hearts out. Towards the middle side were the kayaks which you can rent for P50/hour. On top of the trees covering the spring where the unfunctional boardwalk and the zipline. The zipline crosses through the length of the spring. It costs P100 per ride per person which would not take more than a minute. I think it was cheap. Raul and I positioned ourselves at the landing far end of the spring so we could take video and photos of their rides.

We also got a nice cottage for P1,300 with 2 double and 1 single beds. Since Kim and Donna had to go back to Dumaguete that night, we had a good bed assignment among the 5 of us. The rental came with free dip in the swimming pool just about 100 meters from the pool. It was open until 9pm. The kids were all worn out from kayaking so the swimming pool was not a enticement to them.

The rest of the afternoon was for the zipline and the kayaking. I stood as the photodocumentor and the financier. The rest just had fun.

We had to go back to town for our dinner in a quaint fastfood resto. I continued to be amazed at how cheap(er) the food here compared to Cambodia. The most that I paid was a little more than $11 for the 6 of us with desserts and drinks. I won't have such favor in Cambodian restoraunts no matter how tiny it might be.

Before retiring at night, we had our usual family devotion. It always turns out fun and light as we share our praise reports and prayer requests then prayer time. We continue to praise the Lord for His faithfulness. We are all excited of the coming days and the assurance that He has already ordered our steps.