Antique: Dip Now in Tibiao

Leaving Molo Plaza at 5AM in the morning on a rented van, we pick a few friends along the way until the van is filled to its capacity of 15. Along for the ride are my officemates, friends and the bf. We are bound south to visit the beautiful neighboring province of Antique. Our first stop will be in Tibiao and the next is Culasi. The van is rented to us for 8k (8 thousand pesos) for this 3day-2night escapade.

We arrived in San Jose, Antique at about 9AM, making good time, withdraw some money in case we need to buy something unplanned on this trip. San Jose will be the last stand of civilization where access to ATMs and malls is still available. After this, it will be more of the provincial way of life.

Welcome to Tibiao!

An hour or so, we arrived in Tibiao, already at awe with the beautiful stretch of sand and sea that we glimpse through the van’s window. We stopped at the marquee heralding our entrance to Tibiao, got down from the van and have our picture taken as any tourist may have done. Our itinerary is quite lax since we did not get ourselves a tour as we have friends who hails from Antique and the places to visit are places she have been to before, therefore connections. For ready-made tours, a friend owns a katahum.com and he offers different tours for different places in Antique. But if you want to do it for less, you can always DIY.

Before proceeding to Kayak Inn, we also stopped at the tinda (market) of Tibiao to buy food supplies. No restos on the mountains, but the caretaker’s wife offers cooking services for a fee of 250pesos/meal. Quite reasonable for 15 of us. We bought 15 kilos of rice, pork, chicken, veggies, seasonings, ice for the cooler where we will be storing our food, and other things one might need for cooking.

Exploring if safe for swimming

Kayak Inn is located on the mountains, the van really has to climb a little bit as we wind our way into it. The driver really needs to be cautious, aside from the steepness the road is also under repair. At the entrance to the barangay where the mountain resort is situated, we were hold up a bit because the back hoe needs to be moved out of the way first so that the van can pass.

Glenn d monkey and Tanya d pig

We paid 50 pesos as environmental fee upon entrance. The dual zipline is also situated at the entrance. It costs 300pesos for each person. As we were hungry, we did not linger there. At around 12NN, we finally arrived at the Kayak Inn where we will be spending the night. We discussed what meals to be cooked for lunch, deliver it to the capable hands of the caretakers and relaxed.
 

While waiting for lunch, or afternoon mess; some of us relaxed in the shade, went exploring on the river and the hanging bridge, and befriended the animals as there are pigs, dogs, a monkey around the premises. Around 2PM, we lunched on fried chicken and pork with monggo and kalabasa for ‘sabaw’.

Malakagat Hanging Bridge

We would have loved to go kayaking or banana boating on the river, but since it’s the summer the water is quite low and its really not fun rowing in that. But there are places that are deep enough, so some frolicked and swam in the river.

swimmin coz no boatin and kayakin

After that, we reserved ourselves for a Kawa Bath which the place is sought after for. They have kawa that can hold 4 persons at once, there slightly smaller ones that can hold 2 and the slightly bigger than the one used for cooking that can only accommodate 1. While waiting as the Kawa is being prepared, some played basketball and some just sat talking while enjoying the mountain breeze. Quite a breath of fresh air after living in the city so long.

Kawa in flames for good boiling (sauna)

The Kawa Bath is for 250pesos and you can dip yourself in it until the water turns cool or until you feel that you are slightly cooked :D. Kidding aside, the advised max time is 30minutes until you are boiling and the vegetables are ready to be added.

At around 7PM, we have dinner on grilled pork and the leftover monggo from lunch. After this, we prepared for bed. There is electricity in the place but there are no entertainment sets. So, we make do cards and talking and gadgets while waiting our turn to use the bath.

We have an early night as well, for we planned on a trek to the falls before we leave in the morning.

Before the sun has risen, I was awake and about as one of our companions is taking photography lessons and she plans to have a picture of the sunrise. Woke everybody up as well at 530AM so that we can leave by 6AM for the falls.

A dip in cool 1st falls

Bugtong Bato Falls is located an hour away from the inn on foot and into the mountains. You cannot go there without a guide, so you need to hire 1 for 5persons at least. We hired 2 from the barrio and the caretakers’ daughter came with us. The trail is quite easy to follow, on the way to the falls. The 1st one has a place to swim in and also a spring where you can get drinking water. The 2nd one also has a place to swim but water is not so deep and you need to climb the stairs to get there. The 3rd one is amazing. It’s a 12ft basin below the falls with a wide area to splash into. The water is cool as well, and if only we are not going somewhere else, I could stay there all day to dip myself in that inviting freshness. You have to rappel your way into it or go via the stairs which is steeper than rock climbing.

Rock climbin to swim!

Sadly, good things must come to an end for a greater good. So we climb back down to bring ourselves back to the inn. We paid 300 for the barrio guides and some tip. Then we prepared to leave for Culasi. Our overnight stay is 250pesos each but the bed smells and feels nice so that makes up for it. The food was great to.

The 3rd falls is approved!

SHOUT OUT to the OWNERS of the PIX… Thanks to @goldpiz @mikejohnsabido @elzniv

 
Don’t forget to check back the next day for our adventures in Culasi.

Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!