I wonder so I wander: The Ranch and Kawasan Falls with Disisyiti

A brief respite from the stresses of the academia is more than welcome after four years of undergraduate studies and ten months in medical school. To kick off my first summer vacation in five years (!!!), me and my group mates decided to go to the South of Cebu to use the surplus of time for rest and relaxation. The so-called "surplus" comes by so rarely so we knew we had to make the most out of it.

The people with me on this trip were five of my group mates in my first year of medical school. We went to The Ranch in Toledo City and to Kawasan Falls in Badian on April 4 and 5 respectively, immediately after our last final examination on the 4th of April.

The Ranch Resort

The Ranch Resort and Farm is a three-hour drive from Cebu City. The long drive is well worth it upon seeing the place, as it offers amenities like swimming pools, adventure trail, and the wide expanse of green grass ideal for walking, biking, and horseback riding. The entrance fee is Php 100, with additional payments for bike rental, adventure trail, among others. It also offers bed and breakfast at Php 2,000 for two people. I have to commend the resort for the relatively cheap price of amenities without compromising due maintenance of the place.

We didn't take a photo of the whole adventure trail so let me just make do with this embarrassing photo of myself posing with the rope. By all means, please continue reading and forget that you saw this. LOL.

Kawasan Falls

This is one of the popular waterfalls in Cebu that continue to attract tourists, both local and foreign. It is located in Barangay Matutinao, Badian, Cebu, which requires a 3-hour travel from Cebu City. From the main road, we had to hike for 15 to 20 minutes to reach the falls. We came at around 9 A.M. The hike was easy, pleasant even, with the beautiful view of the river, cricket sounds and occasional hooting of an owl somewhere.

You can also hear the river gently flowing through rocks and creating ripples on the way there.

The river's water is pristine, unlike the usual polluted water of our rivers in the metro.

Upon arriving, we had to pay Php 10 entrance fee and Php 500 for a large umbrella with table and chairs. I was immediately enchanted by the waterfalls. Well, you have to know at this point that I am easily captivated by the beauty of nature, so it's not really surprising. However, my initial awe of the waterfalls was put off by the cigarette smoke from other visitors and guides (whatever happened to the No Smoking in Public Places). Also, the first level of the waterfalls with cottages was really crowded. It may be because of the cramped space around the waterfalls to accommodate many visitors. Yet, I believe it can be solved with proper planning and arrangement - aesthetics should not be sacrificed for convenience, especially since it's a tourist destination. The first level has a 40-meter drop and a deep catch basin. A 15-minute hike from the first level will take you to the second level of the waterfalls, with its 20-meter drop and deep catch basin. The cottages were arranged better there. The materials of their cottages were cogon and nipa, so they added to the relaxing vibe of the place. In case you visit Kawasan Falls, I suggest you go to the second level of cottages first before deciding on where to stay for the rest of the day. There was a third level for swimming but we did not visit it due to lack of time. The prices of the food there were twice to thrice the usual, so it's wise to bring your own food.

The unsightly colorful umbrellas that distract from the main view of the waterfalls.

We also rode a raft to come close to the waterfalls itself. We paid Php 1,500 for one hour use of the raft. You can also rent Php 50 for life vest (hey, safety first!). Giving of tip to the men who'll "drive" the raft is optional. We experienced the falls massage and swimming in deeper waters there. I found it relaxing for my tired muscles; ah, the well-deserved massage by no less than mother nature!