July 2010 via Cebu Pacific Air promo fare – got it on a cheap P2,060 per pax.
The six of us (Ms. Shiela, Cecille, Mira, Soce, Jeanna and
I) left shortly before our time-out (which well, was legally permitted by our
kind boss) to catch a 2PM flight to Cagayan de Oro. Almost less than 48 hours
later, we had to wake up early at 3AM for a 5AM return flight to Manila. In a
span of less than two days, it was unimaginable how we’d actually managed to
realize whatever was on that itinerary…until it’s marked done. It was all too
fast from the booking to the trip itself. So how did it go?
Day 1-Arrival
Stepped in CDO’s grounds at around past 4 in the afternoon. The
hotel which housed us for the next 24 hours and so is a real good one – first
it’s cheap, second, it’s within the city.
There was not much time so we had to stay in the hotel real
fast, dropped the bags and went directly to the Divine Mercy Shrine in a nearby
town in Misamis Oriental (about 30 mins travel by bus from CDO). One thing I
realized about commuting is the fun of transferring from a public vehicle to
another and being for a while, one with the locals. And this particularly was
just more, since they (the locals) did not fail, not even short, in manifesting
their city’s slogan – The City of Golden Friendship.
1. Shrine of the Divine Mercy
We took a habal-habal (a motorcycle which
could accommodate two passengers at 40 each, two-way) to go to the shrine.
Entrance is free. Shorts and sleeveless are not allowed. But for most tourists
who would still arrive at the shrine not properly dressed, you will simply be
provided by wrap-around skirts and shawls for your top.
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2. Limketkai Mall
This is CDO’s SM. Its surrounding areas are
also a great stop for dining. We tried Sunburst and Cusina de Oro.
3. Xavier University
The Ateneo affiliate is just within the
city. Actually passed by the university on the way to Divisoria street.
4. Divisoria Street Night Party
CDO’s late night “gimikan”. Crowded, like
Manila’s Divisoria. Only that, it’s packed with not just dry goodies but a
number of “kainans” and “inumans” along the street, made alive by a local band
performing at the central plaza.
Day 2-Adventure Like No Other
Our call time was quite early. Since a cheap and
budget-friendly breakfast was available at the hotel, we didn’t have to leave
for a walk in the city – quite convenient really. We were fetched by our
service vehicle as early as 7AM and travelled almost 30 minutes to their office
for the a briefing. Thought we were the only ones in the tour but two others
were invited by Kuya to join in. We are on separate rafts. That’s a fact. But
from orientation to the travel to site, until the rafting and so on…our groups
have been together. We’ve met an acquaintance in him who would later be the
cute little story for that day’s trip. But let’s leave it at that to save this
page.
1. White Water Rafting in CDO
Great White Water Tours offers a
P1,100 tour package for intermediate course (which means there’s flipping of
the raft…and it was exactly the exciting part of that 2-3 hrs. course on the
raging rapids of CDO’s river). Aside
from the rafting gears and equipment, package includes pick up from hotel,
service to and from site, snacks (we were given our first taste of the famous
pastel) and lunch (unlimited chicken inasal, barbecue, atsara, toyo-mansi and
rice and a bottle of coke). The tour and the people behind them defined SULIT.
From the name itself, it is I guess
a military camp. We didn’t really take time to go see and explore. It was just
one of the extras served to us by Bukidnon as we took our way to Dahilayan.
3. Pineapple Plantation
Another free serving from Bukidnon...
A quick stop for a jump shot would make a good souvenir of that long stretch.
5. Pastel
It melts in the mouth. One shouldn’t
miss this. Bringing one home would complete the trip.
