After breakfast, a day after our son's birthday, I told my kids that we will be going back to CEDAR and they readily said "Okay!"
It was already almost 10 in the morning when we arrived at CEDAR (Center for Ecological Development and Recreation) in Impalutao, Impasug-ong, Bukidnon. Blessed with a beautiful weather and dry trails, I thought it was a perfect day to finally see all three cataracts--Gantungan, Dila (means Tongue) and Natigbasan (means Hacked) Falls. During our first visit, the path was wet so I had to monitor that my father will not let go of my son's hand (hehe). This time, my son walked by himself the whole time, but sometimes, he walks a little too fast that we had to remind him not to go too far, that we have to be within his sight.
I thought the hike will take us only an hour. But turns out, we posed for pictures more than we hiked (LOL).
The husband wants our daughter on his shoulders so we can walk faster.
After crossing the 1st bamboo bridge, you will first see this--the top of Natigbasan Falls.
Gantungan Falls
To Dila and Natigbasan Falls
The wide footpath after crossing the bridge
Natigbasan Falls
As we made our way to Dila Falls, we reached two small separate steep downhill trails that we were not sure will lead to the falls. My son and I were halfway down when my husband called us to stop because the trail is a bit tricky for us to bring our daughter. Or maybe because it was already a little past 12 noon and the sun was hot so we don't want to waste time going to a direction that we were not sure will lead us to our destination. On our left was a big path that looks like a continuation of our regular trail. I know doesn't lead to Dila Falls because I've been there before with my cousins 22 years ago. Or was it just a feeling? A woman's instinct? My husband said it probably leads to exit, that we were just turning around the forest. It does looks like it. As for me, I was thinking it either goes to exit or to Natigbasan Falls. I think there was no trail yet to Natigbasan Falls before that's why my cousins and I weren't able to go there.As I started to follow the big path on the left, my husband was having second thoughts of following it. I told him to wait there with our daughter as our son and I follow it to see what's ahead or where it leads to. My instincts were telling me not very far is Natigbasan Falls. As my son and I walked further, the path got narrow (can only fit one person) and on our right is a deep ravine. I was starting to worry about my son because he seems to be so relaxed, like he's just walking a regular ravineless trail. The ravine doesn't look very scary though because it is filled with small tree protrusions. Should one slipped/tripped, there are many small branches to hold on to. After a few minutes of walking, we can hear the sounds of water. Yes! I almost wanted to run towards it, haha! Finally...NatigbasanFalls! I took photos of the cascade and my son with it. After taking the second photo of my son, I was surprised when my husband and daughter arrived.
Natigbasan Falls
Don't mind our conversations. Kids were thirsty and the husband was becoming cranky because he's the only one who did not eat his share of burger while on our way to CEDAR, hehe.
Making Our Exit
After we let out kids drank water, we continued following the trail. My husband said, it really is the way to exit and Natigbasan Falls was the one we saw before Gantungan Falls (4th photo above). Surprisingly, exit was only a few meters away. Had we go back to our tracks, it would have taken us twice the time. I guess we didn't noticed the small path on the left after we cross the bridge because we were looking at the big, wide trail ahead.
The 2nd bamboo bridge that will be crossed as you proceed to Dila and Natigbasan Falls
The 1st time we went here was the first time my son crossed a bamboo bridge. His knees buckled as he clung to his Grandpa's hand firmly. Now--11 months later--he can cross it by himself.
As we left Natigbasan Falls, my daughter refuses to sit on his papa's shoulders because it's wet with sweat (hehe) so I have been holding her hand since then. She seems to enjoy the walk to exit including stooping down on a group of fallen bamboos and crossing both bamboo bridges.
Looks like these two can already visit all three falls by themselves. They sure are getting the hang of their mom's quest for adventure. Not one complaint was heard from both kids. In fact, they enjoyed looking around and listening to the different sounds in the forest. We saw different butterflies. We especially love the black ones with yellow/orange streaks that flew by in threes.
With Dila Falls not yet seen, I guess we will be back here again next year. And of course we will veer to the left after we cross the bridge. I can't wait! Ahh... that wonderful feeling after soaking up nature...
