Friday, May 6, 2016

The Wonders of Negros Oriental


Dayon Kamo Sa Akong Probinsya!



Negros Oriental, a must-experience place. It is a laid-back province situated in the southern portion of Negros Island, Visayas, Philippines. This magnificent province is a mix of culture and modernization, breath-taking indeed. So, put on your back packs now and let's begin our travel!


Destination 1
Mt. Kanlaon



The most imposing landmark in Negros Island , Mt. Kanlaon is the third most active volcano in the country. At over 8,000 feet, Mt. Kanlaon is also among the country’s highest peaks. It is surrounded by several craters and volcanic peaks. It is biologically diverse, and home to a number of Flora and Fauna. Mt. Kanlaon has also a lot of waterfalls and hot springs on its slopes. The volcano itself is a classic mountaineers’ challenge. A climbing permit from the DENR is required to climb and the number of climbers is limited to 10 persons.


Destination 2
White Sand Bar


The White Sand Bar, a 7 kilometer stretch of premium white sand, is located in the town of Manjuyod. It is basically an island that emerges only during low tides. On the island you can find native wooden houses built on stilts – and which, during high tide, appears to be floating on the water. These cottages could be rented for overnight stays. It is also a major stopover during dolphin and whale watching group tours. Boats are temporarily anchored so that the guests can picnic, swim, sunbathe, and laze around, snorkel or scuba dive in the waters surrounding the sand bar. The Manjuyod Sand Bar, also known as the Sumapao Shoal, it is a certified tourist attraction because of its unique characteristic.


Destination 3
Dolphin Watching in Bais City


Described as one of the most successful dolphin-and-whale watching operations in the country, the cruise takes off from Port Capiñahan every 8:00 AM and traverses the bay towards Tañon Strait which is acknowledged to have one of the biggest concentrations of cetaceans in the world. Out of twenty-four cetaceans sighted in Philippine waters, eleven species are found in the Bais Bay – Tañon Strait area. Among these are dolphins and the pygmy sperm whale Kogia simos. The cruise averages six hours. It may include side trips to Talabong Island and the White Sand Bar. 


Destination 4
Apo Island


Apo Island is a 72-hectare, 200-meter high volcanic island about 5 kilometers off the municipality of Dauin. Five pocket beaches of white pebbles, two mangrove lagoons, and a lighthouse. The Apo Island Protected Landscape and Seascape comprises 691.45 hectares (72 terrestrial, the remaining is the marine area surrounding the island). An average total coral cover of 63.1% and a magnificent variety of corals and marine life led to Apo Island’s being acclaimed as one of the world’s Ten Best Divesites. Coconut Point is referred to as the best divesite in southern Visayas. In “Clown-fish City” the colorful Amphiprion melanopus inhabit anemones that have colonized seven large coral heads. This underwater splendor is replicated in the Schedd Aquarium of Chicago. Apo Island is approximately 45 minutes by motorized outrigger (pumpboat) from Dauin.


Destination 5
Balanan Lake


An expansive mountain resort developed around Balanan Lake, a humerus-shaped body of water, 25 hectares in surface area, 285 ms above sea level, oriented along a northwest-southeast direction (right). The lake encases a kilometer-long waterway ideal for water sports. Among the prominent features of the resort is a 4-kilometer circumferential pathway for trekking, a variety of pools for swimming, passenger bancas for boating, waterfalls for great photo-ops. Balanan has an old forest of almost a hundred balete trees, atop one of which is a tree house. An 8-room hillside hotel, Balodge provides air-conditioned comforts with a view of the lake. Other amenities include a thatched dining pavilion and a staffhouse.  Balanan located in Sandulot, Siaton is 60 kilometers from Dumaguete City, or approximately 1.5 hours travel time.


Destination 6
Casaroro Falls


Valencia’s elevation at 715 feet above sea level endows it with a cool climate. Trekkers access Casaroro Falls via three hundred concrete steps which descend into a scenic site surrounded by steep rock walls where a single column of sparkling water plunges almost a hundred feet into a chilly swimming caldera. The Municipal Government has erected picnic sheds for the visitors who frequent the area. Casaroro Falls is located in Apolong, Valencia approximately 30 minutes by 4-wheel drive or motorbike from Dumaguete City.


Destination 7
Twin Lakes Balinsasayao and Danao 



The Balinsasayao Lake is located in the town of Sibulan, Negros Oriental and less than an hour from Dumaguete City but with the rugged terrain the travel time can be longer. Lake Balinsasayao is 300m above sea level of a dormant volcano. It's twin is Lake Danao. It is bounded by abundant green vegetation and the bird's sounds echo in the air. As a protected natural park home to an expansive ecosystem and biodiversity, Balinsasayao Twin Lakes National Park is one of the major tourist attractions in Negros Oriental. The lake has a rich fish fauna and the surrounding dipterocarp forests are rich in bird life. However, invasive fish species such as tilapia, common carp, mudfish, shrimp, mosquito fish and milkfish have been introduced in the lake. Swimming, sightseeing, mountain trekking, camping, bird watching, paddle boating are some of the many things you can do in the Twin Lake. The attraction has a concrete view deck, umbrella cottages, a restaurant, a souvenir shop, restrooms, and a visitor center.


Destination 8
Niludhan Falls


One of Negros Oriental’s pride is the fantastic Niludhan Falls. Though the falls is near to the Municipality of Mabinay it is managed by the City of Bayawan. Niludhan falls offers a refreshing and peaceful experience to both adventurers and tourists. Located in Dawis Village, the falls is 43 km from Bayawan City proper.


Destination 9
Mabinay Cave and Mabinay Spring 



The prevalence of limestone rock and extensive karst phenomena secures Mabinay’s claim to being the Cave Town of Negros Oriental. According to the locals, there are over 400 caves honeycombing Mabinay’s lower regions. In 1989-1990, the Belgian-Dutch-Philippine Club undertook an expedition and identified 45. Mabinay is an interior highland town 87 kilometers northwest of Dumaguete City, through which a “short cut” highway exits to neighboring Negros Occidental. It is predominantly agricultural, with sugar as the main product. A side-trip to take is Mabinay Spring which feeds a lake set amid lush vegetation in the heart of the poblacion, ideal for picnics and swimming.


Destination 10
Pulangbato Falls


Pulangbato Falls is located in the Ocoy Valley in the town of Valencia Negros Oriental. It is aptly named so because of the waterfall’s seemingly red river water which is caused by the presence of natural reddish rocks found in the area. Pula is the native word for red while bato, for rock. Thus, if interpreted, the name would be red rock. Like many other waterfalls, swimming lagoons and pools in the town of Valencia, Pulangbato Falls is blessed with calm and refreshing waters. This is mainly because of Valencia’s geography – 60% of its land composition being hilly and mountainous – that the climatic temperature is always moderate to cool. Pulangbato Falls has a wide cascade. The water pours down into a swimming hole that is also deep enough for high dives. Enthusiasts clamber up to a nearby rock that functions as a diving point and free fall into the water basin. The shape of Pulangbato Falls has been considered unique because of its layered structure. At the first tier, the cascade begins narrowly and widens progressively as it moves down the next levels. At a distance, the waterfalls look triangular in shape.




The said places are some of the magnificent attractions here in Negros Oriental. There's a lot more and you should discover them yourselves. So, what are you waiting for? Hop in now to Negros Oriental ASAP! 








References
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)