How to get there: 2.5 to 3 hours drive south of Cebu City
What to expect: Lush cool waters, huts beside the falls and a lot of BBQ!
A couple of photographer friends from Cebu Digital Photographers decided to wander south of Cebu to the rumored Kawasan Falls. So far 3 out of the four of us are not from Cebu and the fourth member of the team has not been there. So we decided to go on a photo safari from Cebu to Badian. We assembled 3am in the morning at Asiatown IT Park and started our run south as Early as 3:30am.
We headed down south using the South Reclamation Road and got to CarCar as fast as 5am. where we decided to go to Argao to Shoot the sunrise from the shore. We found a clearing on the side of the road and patiently waited for the sunrise. Unfortunately it was a cloudy day and the sun didn't grace us with the normal glory of a sunrise. Thus we were forced to make do with the time that we had and took pictures on the shore.
We headed down south using the South Reclamation Road and got to CarCar as fast as 5am. where we decided to go to Argao to Shoot the sunrise from the shore. We found a clearing on the side of the road and patiently waited for the sunrise. Unfortunately it was a cloudy day and the sun didn't grace us with the normal glory of a sunrise. Thus we were forced to make do with the time that we had and took pictures on the shore.
Argao Sunrise
Sand Formations in ArgaoAfter shooting we back tracked to Carcar and went on our way west. While driving in Barili we noticed fog creeping through the crags of the mountainside, we quickly stopped to shoot the fleeting mist. So far this mist shots are one of my favorite in my landscape photos. since the layering of the mountains, hills and fog create a very intricate composition. After a few moments up we noticed this single tree on the cliff and we headed there to shoot more photos. The view from the cliff was very interesting since it gives a nice view of the coast and a fishing village down below.
Barili Mist
Barili Mist
Coastal Fishing Village
on the cliffOnce we got to Badian we quickly found the chapel in Barangay Matutinao where we left our car and started the trek upstream. The trek was very entertaining stopping once in a while to take more photos. The cool and clear waters of the stream. There are interesting sights and scenes as you trek upstream, the not-so-normal vegetation and hoots of animals are rampant in while walking. Make sure to travel light and bring as little items as possible. Having Some insect repelant would help keeping the bugs at bay. Another thing is to have comfortable foot wear. As much as possible make sure that the footwear you use can be submerged in water and can hold on to slippery and wet rock surfaces for better experience.
sights on the way
old hydro-electric power plant bridge
On the way you can also see an old bridge, it is a very interesting thing to take pictures of since the vegetation is trying to to retake this part of the jungle. A few minutes more you will hear the unmistakable roar of the waterfalls and by hearing this hastens the pace of our walk.
Upon arriving you can see the majesty of Kawasan, even not as grand as other waterfalls Ive been to it certainly is the first one ive been to here in Cebu. You can see stalls and huts situated around the falls and people will start to ask you if you already have a table. Make sure to choose your hut strategiacally, one where you can see your valuables if ever you decide to go on a dip. People who go swimming here will be required to wear a life vest since you can never be too carefull to swim in cold chilling water. Bamboo rafts are available but has a rental fee of 150 PHP / hour. Using the raft you can tell the oarsman to move the raft directly under the falls. Here you can feel how it is to be under gallons and gallons of water falling onto your body. Not a very pleasing expericnce but an eperience one should try atleast once.
sights on the way 
old hydro-electric power plant bridgeOn the way you can also see an old bridge, it is a very interesting thing to take pictures of since the vegetation is trying to to retake this part of the jungle. A few minutes more you will hear the unmistakable roar of the waterfalls and by hearing this hastens the pace of our walk.
Upon arriving you can see the majesty of Kawasan, even not as grand as other waterfalls Ive been to it certainly is the first one ive been to here in Cebu. You can see stalls and huts situated around the falls and people will start to ask you if you already have a table. Make sure to choose your hut strategiacally, one where you can see your valuables if ever you decide to go on a dip. People who go swimming here will be required to wear a life vest since you can never be too carefull to swim in cold chilling water. Bamboo rafts are available but has a rental fee of 150 PHP / hour. Using the raft you can tell the oarsman to move the raft directly under the falls. Here you can feel how it is to be under gallons and gallons of water falling onto your body. Not a very pleasing expericnce but an eperience one should try atleast once.
A short walk up from the first falls is the second one, similarly layouted from the 1st the second one boasts two splitting falls and cascading waters. I didnt take pictures of the second falls since i didnt think id be blogging it and there were too many people at teh second falls since the waters around was shallow compared to the 1st falls. In any case you cant take a bath on the main falls there will laways be small but less crowded pools where you can privately enjoy the cool waters.
Smaller yet more private falls
Upon reaching the top of Kawasan you will find a dam, you should cross the stream infront of it and climb the stairs on the right side of it. On top you would be rewarded by a deep blue lagoon of water and a small waterfalls rusing out of the crevices on the rock. Definitely this falls of Kawasan is my favourite. Very pleasant and realxing atmosphere where the sound of the rushing water and hoots of monkeys are the only thing you hear. We stayed here for longest of time taking pictures since from all of the falls here this one looked like the least affected by human contact. No debris of trash or wrappers nor bottles scattered about. After taking our fill of picture we then went back down stram to the car and went home feeling fullfilled that we witnessed one of Cebu's most popular Waterfalls.
Kawasan Falls (third)
I'd like to extend my sincerest appologies for the low resolution photos. its myu first time blogging using blogspot so id make sure next time to mirror high resolution images to another site. thanks for reading.
Smaller yet more private fallsUpon reaching the top of Kawasan you will find a dam, you should cross the stream infront of it and climb the stairs on the right side of it. On top you would be rewarded by a deep blue lagoon of water and a small waterfalls rusing out of the crevices on the rock. Definitely this falls of Kawasan is my favourite. Very pleasant and realxing atmosphere where the sound of the rushing water and hoots of monkeys are the only thing you hear. We stayed here for longest of time taking pictures since from all of the falls here this one looked like the least affected by human contact. No debris of trash or wrappers nor bottles scattered about. After taking our fill of picture we then went back down stram to the car and went home feeling fullfilled that we witnessed one of Cebu's most popular Waterfalls.
Kawasan Falls (third)I'd like to extend my sincerest appologies for the low resolution photos. its myu first time blogging using blogspot so id make sure next time to mirror high resolution images to another site. thanks for reading.
3 comments:
Nice Entry Pao! very informative! And great shots!
Weee blogger too!
@ doyz, wee live, love, blog! hehehe
@ anney, just started 3 days ago tee hee
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