Danao and Balinsasayao: Twin Lakes of Dumaguete

-





We took a jeep tour at Harold's Mansion to visit the placid twin lakes of Dumaguete called Balinsasayao and Danao. This is located in Sibulan town of Dumaguete. On our way from the signage below, we had an exciting roller coaster ride. The driver is such an expert and we had a four-wheel ride passing by the cliff and some almost one car at a time dirt road; most of the road we passed by is paved as a consolation. Some used habal habal or multi passenger motorcycle.

Nevertheless, the experience is both breathtaking in positive sense that we have to watch coconut trees patterned in the mountains below us while the clouds dance in the skies of blue. Buth then, it was also a breathtaking experience in the sense that we were holding our breath as the jeep comes up and down in the sloping terrain.

"The lakes are two small but deep crater freshwater lakes rising 1000 feet above sea level and separated by a narrow mountain ridge, situated in a hollow between four mountains, Mount Mahungot to the south, Mount Kalbasan to the north, Mount Balinsasayao to the east and Mount Guidabon to the west. Lake Balinsasayao lies to the northwest of the ridge and Lake Danao to the southeast," says Dumagueteinfo.com

 Indeed, we saw the lakes. We opted to get the tour as the habal-habal fee ranges from (P100 to P150 per person and there are about 6 passengers in the motorcycle at a time). And I just could not imagine myself trailing up the mountains in that situation. Instead for this tour including a visit to Casaroro falls, we paid Harold's Place P800/pax with tuna sandwich in french bread and a bunch of lacatan banana and 1L water! We were touring with Danish couple who walked fast.

We paid P10 for local tourist (and it is P100 for foreigners) at the entrance.

Arriving there, instead of hiking, we decided to have a boat (P250/boat/hour for 7 pax and P35 for extra pax and the boat has a capacity of 14pax; they also have kayak P250 good for 4 pax. Meanwhile, the use of the makeshift watchtower overlooking Danao on the right and Balinsasayao on the left is P100).











The girls enjoyed the roller coaster ride up the mountains!

Arriving at the clubhouse of the twin lake...

Going down the trail leading to the boat...

Wacky pose of the girls...

Sexy ladies...

Welcome to Twin lake! behind me is the Balinsasayao.


The vests clinging on the hand rail!

The kayaks for four flanking the Boat we used in navigating the placid lake of Balinsasayao.

Boat Rower Arjun is happy to row for giddy girls.
 He said, Lake Balinsasayao is about 90 meters deep and same us its twin lake, Danao.
It is just that Lake B is wider while Lake D, located on the other side is suitable for swimming. 





Picnicking on the second floor (there are three floors) of the Watch Tower.

Cute signage.

Isn't it great? Once we saw this, we forgot how the road
coming here is "breathtaking" in an anxiety-rising way. 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Do you still remember how Sarali or Sirali taste?

-
Image
This "Sarali" is a childhood fruit for everyone who grew up in the Visayan area of the Philippines. Also known as  Flacourtia jangomas or Indian Plum or coffee plum, Sarali is best enjoyed by pressing one fruit between one's palm, move it in circular motion until tender, and pop the soft flesh quickly in one's mouth save the seeds. Just like apple, this fruit oxidizes quickly and thus, gets dark brown easily. It can give one's teeth a nasty brown shade. Sour with a hint of sweet, this is a must-try fruit. I believe, the fruit has an economic value just like sarguellas and lanzones. *** *** *** ***  Related readings:  Possible Treatment of Diabetes http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2959214/ Anti bacterial property:  http://www.ijplsjournal.com/issues%20PDF%20files/july2011/1.pdf
Read more

Is this a Philippine Wisteria?

-
Image
    Crossing my fingers. This is a Philippine Wisteria. Got this marcoted/grafted plant when Bartering was still a fad and when plants are fashionable. Thank you Summer and Rain's Garden in La Carlota City. I was so flabbergasted that I have a potted Wisteria, a Philippine Wisteria, I was told. I tried growing wisteria from seeds bought online but they did not reward me anything but frustration.  Voila! In less than a year when it was given to me, my wisteria produced flowers. The plant first shed off its leaves and grew new sets of leaves and the buds. Purple it came this March in time for the Women's Month Celebration. Isn't that sweet coincidence?       Wisteria can grow high and wave its flowers like rain showers. Blooming wisteria in most photos can be magical and much prettier than cherry blossoms. But I guess my  
Read more

TIKUM KADLUM (The Enchanted Dog, The First of the Ten Epics of Panay Bukidnon)

-
Image
At the house. One day, Bulawanon engaged the help of Tikum Kadlum, a hunting dog with the gift of sensing the spirits, in cooking rice for his husband Paiburong and his brother Dumaraog who will be going hunting. When the rice was cooked, the brothers ate fast. Then, while Bulawanon packed the betel nut for her husband, Paiburong and Dumaraog dressed themselves, with Dumaraog suggesting they match their sashes and belts, since he is his brother's loyal protector. To complete their hunting preparations, the two brought out their long-bladed sharp knives, shields, spears, and lances from their gold chest and wall hanger. When everything is set, Paiburong bade goodbye to his wife, Bulawanon, who reminded her husband to be careful as he might meet in the forest one named Makabagting, who is accompanied by a man-eating woman called Muwa. Makabagting is a nobleman and a warrior who is widely known as having tasted human flesh. Paiburong went out of his house, and he heard a sound. It
Read more