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It was my second time to go to Bohol. The first time I went was during the first run of Fern KNB in Bohol. Since we did not have much time then we did the Island tour where we went Dolphin Watching, but the dolphins were on leave that day because of the strong waves (they jump up and frolic when the water is calm) but we had a great time waiting and then snorkling with the big waves. We fed the fish and they were literally eating off our hands.
This time we went to the Danao Adventure Tour with the best guide in town Diboy Toledo (also a FERN Millionaire) and some of the participants and staff of Fern KNB Personal Awareness & Leadership seminar. It was a two hour land trip in Diboy's brand new Nissan Urvan. We left Bohol Plaza Resort at 7 in the morning, had a quick local breakfast in a nearby market. We stopped at the the foot of the Chocolate Hills for some photos with the group.
Two hours later we finally arrive at the Danao Adventure Park.
Posed in an ATV which means All Terrain Vehicle that we did not actually ride
(notice the chain and padlock)
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After a quick power snack we don our helmets with lights for our first adventure into the caves. The guide said "get ready to get wet" so some of us changed into lighter, "get ready to get wet" clothes. There are only 2 cave tours each day allowed to preserve the cave. They do not want to abuse it by allowing too many groups inside. They also periodically "close" the caves to allow nature to maintain itself. I think this is a very responsible attitude.
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Diboy on all fours
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Waterfall inside the cave
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FHM pose by Marissa Lim
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profile pic
It was a great tour inside the cave, with moments that we had to submerge to get to the other side, crawl, jump in the water, climb up and down and watch out for the bats. There were many photo opportunities with the guide handling our one and only camera (since they had to keep it in a waterproof bag while moving in the cave). Inside the guide asked us to all turn off our lights
and it was pitch black. We were told that the way our ancestors lighted the cave was by using
fireflies inside a jar, since the smoke would tip off the enemies since this was their hiding place
during the war.
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the family that caves together pics together
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my adventure mates from FERN
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After the cave we all went down have lunch by the side of the river. Squatted and ate with our hands but instead of banana leaves, the food was in Tupperware.
Lunch down by the river
We then suited up with body harnesses and helmets to do the Root Climb. There was this balete tree with giant roots down the cliff that we used to climb on. I went up first and had some difficulty because of my rubber shoes. I told everyone to climb up barefoot so it was easier to use
your feet. Everyone was yelling "Guiseppe!" while I was climbing. As I got to the top I had to rappel down the cliff to go back to the ground.
Next we had to walk all the way back up which was quite a walk,
so everyone was exhausted by the time we got back to the top.
After washing up and changing to fresh clothes, we were ready for the Zip Line. It was a two-way zip line across two mountains. It was a long trip with a magnificent view of the river below and then you zip back to where you came from. Soon they will open a 1.5 km zip line.
This was supposed to be the last event. But there was one more challenge. The FINAL TEST. The Plunge. We did not plan to do it but it was an option that maybe we were afraid to even mention as we were all hesitant to try it. Even Diboy who had been bringing visitors here for over a year had not yet tried it. I asked him why and he whispered "nakakatakot (it's scary)" anyway we all decided to just check it out. It was an additional P700 since it was an optional feature since not everyone has the guts to do it. As we approached The Plunge, there was a sign that said "You are not paying for the ride, you are paying for the experience."
As we saw the sign, Dondon said "Look it says 'The PLUNGE' not the Plunge but The PLUNGE.
When we got there we were all discussing to go or not to go and no one seemed like they wanted to do it. Nobody else was doing it when we arrived so we had no idea what it was going to be like. So after a few moments I thought to myself "hey I just did a seminar which ended with a lecture of the First and Last day of your life" besides my two kids were watching with my students so I decided to go for it. After I did not come all the way to Danao to just do caving, zip line and rappelling which I have done before already. So Carpe Diem!
So I take one big breath and tell them to go ahead and strap me up.
So after getting strapped in a full body harness, I walk down the plank...
There were two options go down in sitting position or head first. The guide said the experience is better head first. So with all my students watching, what do you think I chose? Of course I had to go head first. I mean if I am going to do it anyway, lets go for the full experience, right?
It was a LONG DROP down and then you swing freely on a 70 foot cable and then they reel you back in...hopefully. They were all watching as they strapped me up and I think they were more scared than I was. And so I put my feet into the strap, lied down on the plank as they lowered it and I was hanging in the air head first by my feet. All the blood rushed to my head and I opened my arms wide as they counted to 3 and shouted "Bombs away!"
It was an adrenaline rush like I have never experienced before and as I was swinging wildly like a pendulum with wind in my face watching the fantastic view, I felt a sense of peace and calmness of letting go.
I started to relax and enjoy the 3 minutes of sheer ecstasy but all good things must come to an end so before long they were hauling me back and yelled for me to grab the cable that I was to attached to my harness so they could pull me in.
They all wanted to know how it was when I came back up and I told them it was an awesome experience and they should do it. One by one they decided to take The Plunge. Karla and Jaja both cried before The Plunge but did it anyway.
It was great watching people conquer their fear. Hell, whatever does not kill you only makes you stronger. I felt I could take on any challenge after that.
Eventually everyone in the group did The Plunge...head first. Even the little daughter of Diboy wanted but there was no harness for her size yet.
Now we are just waiting for them to send us our certificates. There are only 4 plunge sites in the world and one of them is here in our beautiful country.
The Adventure Tour P2,900. The experience Priceless!
Now this should definitely be on your bucket list! See you in Danao!
For travel arrangements call Marget Villarica of Destination Specialists Cebu
