SPELUNKING IN KAMPO SIETE CAVES

SPELUNKING  IN KAMPO SIETE CAVES

I don't usually start my blogs in a melodramatic way. But I feel like starting it this way for some reason.

 

There was a point sometime ago when I felt uncomfortable being stuck in a room. I remember feeling uneasy while I was in this closed space with no one else around but me and a few still pieces of furniture. The uncanny silence made the feeling worse. And in just a few more seconds, I eventually became uneasy….I was so uneasy that I was sweating like hell while I was catching my breath.

Although, I did not take that too seriously, now that I think about it, I can’t help but think of the possibility that I must have been once a claustrophobic but of a lesser degree.

But instead of letting it get into my head, I started finding ways to get rid of that discomfort. I started conquering that fear. This was when I started spelunking.

It started rough. I was with my friends at work when we explored some caves in Camotes Island. It was supposed to be fun but I ended up losing my breath so I had to go back to the entrance. There, I spent some good few minutes breathing in and out until I was relaxed. Then, I got back in again.

The next try was some few years ago when I was in Bohol. It was a little better the second time around. Then things got better and better as I got to explore more and more caves here in Cebu and in other provinces all over the country.

In fact, just recently, I got the chance to explore the Seven Caves in Kampo Siete, Minglanilla. I have heard so much about the caves so I started doing my research online but there was a dearth of information about the place. I guess not to many people know about the caves. This made me thrilled.

This meant that the caves are not known to many and that only a few have explored them which added fuel to my excitement. Then one Saturday morning, I found myself spelunking in the Kampo Siete caves with some good friends Erl, Marj, Zen, Keith, Jay-R, and some youngsters who served as our guides for that day’s activity.

HOW TO GET THERE

You can go to citilink terminal and head there via V-hire for only 70 pesos (one-way). Just tell the driver to drop you off in Camp 7 National High School. The trip may take 50-60 minutes.

As soon as you reach the school, you can start asking the locals to help you find a tour guide. It’s always best if you contact your guide/s ahead of time so that they can prepare the gears. As they say, make sure you are forearmed before you go to the battlefield.

You can contact me at 09222-122-747 or 099-99-284-647. I have some relatives who live there who can help you guys find a guide. If time permits, I might be able to accompany you.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

You have to endure a four-hour walk to complete all the seven caves so make sure you have a bottle of water and some food handy. Apart from that, you will also find yourself crawling to get through dark holes so make sure you have flashlights and extra shirts.

It’s also expected that you get some bruises and minor abrasions along the way. The trail to get to the caves is steep so make sure you have a good pair of shoes that can withstand the unforgiving trail.

BALAMBAN: CEBU'S LITTLE BAGUIO

I was with Gee, Nina, Marj, Shem, Yam and Gerly who were all ecstatic about going there for the first time. With a little knowledge about the municipality, we were all excited to explore a place that is not known to many.  

HOW TO GET THERE

Assuming you don’t have a car or motorcylce, you can reach Balamban via V-Hire for Php 120.00 (one way). You can go to the Ayala terminal and get a priority number but you may have to wait until the van is filled.

It takes roughly 50 minutes to get to Balamban.

WHERE TO GO/ WHAT TO DO

With a population of not less than 71,000, the municipality may be considered small but it definitely has a lot to offer. Apart from the sumptuous Balamban liempo, the city is also famous for its zipline, motor cross and mountain climbing activities.

We were all headed to Balamban’s Island in the Sky just along Transcentral Highway. It’s a perfect place to unwind and relax. If you want to give yourself a break from the metropolis, you can bring a good book and go here. It is quiet and refreshing. And the scenic view of the city will surely take your breath away.

You can contact Island in the Sky with the numbers below:

516-4112/516-6654

Although, we initially planned to try the cable car, we ended up trying the zipline in K33 which is just a walking distance from Island in the Sky. However, I don’t recommend you guys to do the same. The facilities and equipments in K33 look old and poorly maintained and I can’t afford to put anyone’s life at risk. Quite frankly, the facilities in Doce Pares look safer.

 

However, if you want to enjoy the same activities, I suggest you go to the nearby Adventure Café. Had I known that it was just round the corner, I could have suggested to everyone to go there instead.

Well, good thing I was with a good company. That’s all that matters anyway.

Visit http://www.balamban.gov.ph/ for more information.