I swallowed hard. It’s going to be one tough ride. Amidst the pandemonium of habal-habal drivers offering tours in our faces, I was fidgety and dazed. I was never comfortable journeying aboard motorcycles, let alone riding it with another passenger aside from the driver on an unpaved road and two months pregnant.
Nevertheless I was determined to do so, with a hesitant go signal from my husband who shared a habal-habal with me. We made sure our driver knows the consequences if something terrible happens to us.
We each picked our own drivers from a terminal at Valencia’s town proper. Valencia is a mere 20-minute jeep ride away from Dumaguete City, fare P12. It’s the jump off point for travelers heading to Casaroro Falls, Forest Camp and Fil-Am Japanese Shrine.
With me were my friend Xhy and his cousin, my hubby Shervin, and his friends from Australia Ari and Benn. Our trip was vaguely planned. First, I didn’t expect that Ari and Benn will be coming with us to Negros Oriental from Cebu and second, I’m just not good at constructing itineraries.
Since it was my call, I opted for a slower pace. Which meant one destination a day. Hence, we didn’t wander around Valencia for other sights besides the Casaroro Falls. The falls is another 20-minute habal-habal ride (half of which is on rough road) from the town proper.
Getting there is an adventure in itself. Especially for first time motorcycle riders Ari and Benn. Ari was about to end his year-long RTW trip. Although he has spent a significant time in Thailand, he’s never been on a bike. It ain’t his cup of tea either. Plus the fact that having a Scandinavian built means an uncomfortable balancing position on a narrow motorcycle seat.
Admission fee is very affordable at P10. I reckon it really should be so as to compensate for the exhausting 300 plus steps, the only means of access to the falls. Don’t forget to bring bottled water, and perhaps some food too for it’s nice to while away a sunny afternoon in one of the picnic huts by the stream were the falls flows into.
If you’ve only seen a few small waterfalls, you will consider Casaroro Falls as spectacular. With about a hundred feet drop, it is truly a sight to behold. It can be intimidating though if you intend to swim in.
All of us crossed the rocky, boulder-y stream to get close to the falls but only Shervin took a dip. And after snacking on chips and dried mangoes at the view deck, we called it a day.
Going back to Valencia, we traipsed for ten minutes on the bumpy road instead of riding our motorbikes. Ari and Benn just find it too much to handle. And because they experienced the habal-habal drivers’ skills on death defying maneuvering, it became the highlight of their trip. Not Casaroro Falls.
[This is part of the Voyaging Visayas Series which took place February 2010. Price of goods, transportation and so forth may already be different.]
Haha. glad to know you survived the hike going to the falls. Was also there a few months ago, and my travel companion was on the brink of cursing me for taking her to that place. Hehe.
Haha! That never ending staircase is a killer, Ced! No wonder your travel companion was on the brink of cursing you.
love waterfalls, motorbikes… maybe not so much! ahah I’m with you, not really my cup of tea but sometimes you gotta try everything at least once; the falls are great! I remember trekking to Batad in the Northern Philippines… soo… many… steps!!! Always worth it though 🙂 lovely pics! x
Grace, yeah the trek to Batad is sooo worth it! Especially when you see the terraces and Tappiyah Falls after 🙂 You’ll be like, “Dang! This is what I hiked for!”.
Nice photos!
“Because they experienced the habal-habal drivers’ skills on death defying maneuvering, it became the highlight of their trip. Not Casaroro Falls.” — funny joes! hehehe
Thanks Peachkins! I love your food blog!
Funny indeed HsppySole. I would not say it is the highlight for me also, but that was really one terrifying ride!
EEEKK!! I know habal means sex or love making in Bisaya 😀 hahaha! But I wanna that habal-habal soon!
Medyo delikado yung sa preggy pero good thing okay ang tiyan mo eeek!
Hey Ada! Never knew that. Maybe that’s the etymology of the word habal-habal? Hahaha!
i had my share my death-defying habal-habal trips too. scary. bakit kasi yung magagandang lugar eh mahirap puntahan eh haha. gaya nitong casaroro falls. i would definitely love to see the place for myself. awesome account of your trip gay.
You are right Oman. Para ring Tinago Falls in Iligan and Tappiya Falls in Batad paghihirapan mo talaga puntahan! Pero super worth the challenge 🙂
Waterfalls and motorbikes ! What a great combination lol . Love your post .
been to Casaroro few months back.. id have to say the 300+ steps drained the energy in me but with that view waiting for us literally took my breath away! 🙂 and nice photos too..
The getting there is story enough; the falls seemed anticlimactic. 🙂 The scenery going down to the falls reminds me of Mag-aso Falls in Bohol.