Daily Archives: 24 February, 2014

Sunset at Tiguis Beach (Tibiao, Antique)

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We have just ended our fun-filled Tibiao Eco-Adventure Tour activities and, back at our van, we made our way along the National Highway, to Tiguis Beach, Tibiao’s popular seaside scene, where we were to watch the great sunset. This gray sand beach, in Brgy. La Paz, faces the Cuyo East Pass, a part of the South China Sea.

Fishermen and family members hauling in their net

Fishermen and family members hauling in their net

This typical swimming beach is also a place where one can and feel the ambiance of peace and serenity by just listening to the surf.  Along its shores are cliffs, talisay trees and huge, century-old balete (locally known in the Visayan dialect as lunok) trees. While waiting for the sunset, we also watched children playing along the shore and fishermen hauling in their nets.

The magnificent sunset at Tiguis Beach

The magnificent sunset at Tiguis Beach

The sun soon reached the horizon and its setting was quite spectacular, as the conditions were right, with hardly any clouds to block the view.  All the photos we took were gorgeous.  No wonder it is included in the itinerary of Katahum Tours.  A cave is said to be located nearby. After watching the sunset at Tuguis Beach in Tibiao, we again returned to Culasi for another overnight stay, this time at the Anna Sophie Hostel & Garden. The resort, located within Culasi poblacion, next to Northern Antique High School, was already operational but still undergoing some additional construction.

Check out “Hotel and Inn Review: Anna Sophie Hostel & Garden“

Still the owner, Mrs. Palacios, tried to make our stay as comfortable as possible, seeing to our every need as best as she could.  After checking in and freshening up, we were all invited for dinner set up at the driveway, the resort having no restaurant yet.

Media group with Ms. Palacios (left)

Media group with Ms. Palacios (left)

In spite of minor discomforts brought about by the ongoing construction, the cool breeze coming from the sea negated the need for airconditioning and assured a good night’s sleep, even for those checked in at fan-cooled rooms.  Another big plus was the wireless internet access which allowed me to post some blogs and the others to access their social media accounts, something we sorely missed the past few days, Typhoon Yolanda having struck Antique just 3-1/2 months ago, disrupting communications within the province.

Anna Sophie Hostel & Garden: Felipe S. Alpas St. Centro Sur. Culasi, Antique. Mobile number: (0920) 476-2508.

Katahum Tours: Tibiao, Antique.  Mobile numbers: (0919) 813-9893 and (0917) 631-5777. E-mail: flord@tibiaofishspa.com. Website: www.katahum.com.

How To Get There: Tibiao is located 73 kms. from San Jose de Buenavista, 12.6 kms. from Barbaza and 17 kms. from Culasi.

Kayaking the Tibiao River (Antique)

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Upon our return to the barangay hall of Tuno, we again boarded our van and were brought to the banks of the Tibiao River where the river kayaks and the staff of Tribal Adventure Tours were waiting for us.  This was to be the last stage of our day-long Tibiao Eco-Adventure Tour – actual kayaking at the Tibiao River.

The Tibiao River

The Tibiao River

The swirling Tibiao River, rising on the slopes of Mt. Madja-as, plunges with over 1,000 m. on its short run to the ocean. With 23 kms. of rocky, narrow but navigable, grade 3-4 rapids, it is being promoted by the Department of Tourism as a whitewater kayaking destination.

All ready to go

All ready to go

The usual is a pleasant 8-km. (one-day) excursion as access to the upper section is difficult.  Put-in is at Igpitoy and ends at a spot called Tigbaboy.  The river has many chutes, playable holes, eddies and waves, a number of small drops with substantial and nearly continuous, grade 3 rapids and no really dangerous spots except in very high, grade 4 water.

Jandy's kayaking run

Jandy’s kayaking run

There weren’t enough kayaks for all of us so it was just Jandy, Arjay, Arthele, Clelia, Jonathan, Laurie, Leah, Marcos and Regine on the kayaks, all wearing the required life vests and helmets.  After being instructed on the basic kayaking skills, it was off to the waters for them on their short, maneuverable kayaks.

Jandy back on land after kayaking run

Jandy back on dry land after kayaking run

We observed their kayaking run from the vantage point of the 80-m. long hanging bridge suspended above the Tibiao River. This usually serves as a finishing line in kayaking-slalom competitions.

How To Get There: Tibiao is located 73 kms. from San Jose de Buenavista, 12.6 kms. from Barbaza, 17 kms. from Culasi and 89 kms. from Brgy. Caticlan (Malay, Aklan).

An Unusual Hot Bath (Tibiao, Antique)

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From Bugtong Bato Falls, we all took a different foot trail, this time making a 20-min. hike to Bugtong Bato Falls Inn where we were to have our lunch, on an outdoor bamboo picnic table, of fried fish, pork adobo and steamed rice plus delicious, homemade coconut and mango flavored ice cream for dessert.

Our picnic area

Our picnic area

After this filling repast, an unusual treat awaited us – an exotic and soothing hot bath in a kawa, a huge wok (fryer) that was transformed into a jungle hot tub (PhP200), an idea similar to Japanese ofuro hot baths which use rectangular wooden tubs.

The row of baths being prepared

The row of baths being prepared

The kawa with "ingredients" added in

The heated kawa with “ingredients” added in

We were supposed to have this at Kayak Inn, an upland riverside resort operated by Tribal Adventure Tours, an adventure outfit, but there was no supply of spring water needed to fill the kawa.  Luckily for us, Bugtong Bato Falls Inn also offered these unusual hot baths – with spring water available.

Meditating inside the fryer

Contemplating the fate that awaits me inside the fryer

The five big, recycled kawas, cauldrons used for cooking muscovado (raw brown sugar) and taken from abandoned sugar mills, are filled with natural flowing spring water fed from a pipe.  Then, a real fire, fuelled by chopped wood, rice hulls, charcoal and dried palms, is placed underneath the kawa to heat the water.  Guyabano and guava leaves, said to cure skin disorders and add aroma, are then added as “ingredients” to the now heated water, together with ginger slices and flower petals.

Jandy's turn at the cooker

Jandy’s turn at the cooker

Once the water temperature was right, I took the first shot at experiencing the feeling of being “cooked alive,” the wooden ladle adding a nice touch. While having my hot dip, I felt my muscles, tired and tense after a morning of strenuous hiking, being relieved as the heat permeated my skin. As the kawa can fit two, Jandy joined me after a few minutes.  During the session, an attendant controls the fire so that it does not become too hot.  The thickness of the kawa prevents the fire from scalding our skin.

Father and son bonding moment in a kawa

Father and son bonding moment in a kawa

All the while, I enjoyed the sights and sound of the nearby forest.  It is recommended to just stay there for 20 to 30 mins., otherwise you’ll end up like a prune.  Truly, a “must do” while in Tibiao.

Peter's Lodge

Peter’s Lodge

For those, who want to stay overnight, you can stay at Peter’s Lodge, just beside the baths.  The 2-storey nipa and bamboo lodge, which could be rented overnight for PhP1,500, has a fan-cooled bedroom on the second floor, a 6-pax ground floor dining area, and a bathroom.

Fan-cooled bedroom

Fan-cooled bedroom

6-pax dining area

6-pax dining area

Peter’s Lodge: Brgy. Tuno, Tibiao, Antique. Mobile numbers (0920) 499-6903 and (0939) 492-8554.

Katahum Tours: Tibiao, Antique.  Mobile numbers: (0919) 813-9893 and (0917) 631-5777. E-mail: flord@tibiaofishspa.com. Website: www.katahum.com.

How To Get There: Tibiao is located 73 kms. from San Jose de Buenavista, 12.6 kms. from Barbaza, 17 kms. from Culasi and 89 kms. from Brgy. Caticlan (Malay, Aklan).

Bugtong Bato Falls (Tibiao, Antique)

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After our orientation at Zipline Inn, we again boarded our van for the drive to the barangay hall of Brgy. Tuno where we secured the services of local guides Arnel Vicente and Marialyn Benito for our trek to the 7-tiered Bugtong Bato Falls, so called because it is perched in the midst of a lone rock.  The first three waterfalls, with heights up to 150 ft., are easily accessible.

The trek begins ....

The trek begins ….

Zipline Inn owner Ms. Ofelia Gaal also joined us on this hike to her property.  According to her, it just takes her 25 mins. to get to the falls  but I figured it would take me much longer with my mobility issues due to osteoarthritis.  We just brought along our essential gear – cameras, water, hats, etc.

Passing rice terraces on the way to the falls

Passing rice terraces on the way to the falls

Another bucolic scene

Another bucolic scene

The hike, through a craggy mountain trail, took us past streams, lush forests, beautiful rice terraces and over two bamboo suspension bridges.

Crossing a bamboo footbridge

Crossing a bamboo footbridge

Hiking through this incredible countryside was worthwhile and a treat by itself, even without the falls at the end of the trail.  Along the way we also encountered some grazing cows as well as a number of fallen trees,  visual evidence of the destruction wrought by Typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) on the town.

The first waterfall and its swimming hole

The first waterfall and its swimming hole

Surprisingly, in under 40 mins., we arrived at the beautiful falls and our prize for completing the hike – its inviting swimming hole.  It is thus with great anticipation that we dipped our tired bodies in its cool, refreshing water.  In my excitement though, I forgot to remove my belt bag with my cellular phone in it.  A total loss.  Oh well.

Steps with rope leading to the second tier

Steps with rope leading to the second tier

After a while, we decided to try out the second waterfall.  Getting there entailed a short but steeper climb up a staircase with a stout nylon rope to assist us, much too challenging for Maricar who decided to stay behind.  Once up there, it offered another cool, inviting swimming hole for us to swim in.

The second tier of the falls

Father and son at the second tier of the falls

The third fall, visible from here, was a different story as it was accessible only by swimming across this second swimming hole and then climbing another nylon rope up the slippery side of the waterfall.  Tricky to say the least. Still, I admit to being envious seeing the others do it.  If only I were 20 years younger.

Steps and rope from second to third tier of falls

Steps and rope from second to third tier of falls

Only Clelia and Rupert, as well other visiting foreign tourists, attempted this.  The third falls offers the smallest but the most beautiful of the three swimming holes, said to have deep blue waters.

Katahum Tours: Tibiao, Antique.  Mobile numbers: (0919) 813-9893 and (0917) 631-5777. E-mail: flord@tibiaofishspa.com. Website: www.katahum.com.

How To Get There: Tibiao is located 73 kms. from San Jose de Buenavista, 12.6 kms. from Barbaza, 17 kms. from Culasi and 89 kms. from Brgy. Caticlan (Malay, Aklan).

Orientation at Zipline Inn (Tibiao, Antique)

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From UA Hometel, we were again driven to Tibiao Fish Spa where we had breakfast.  After this, we again boarded our van to the poblacion where we paid a courtesy call on Mayor Gil B. Bandoja at the municipal hall.  Day 3 was to be the start of our Tibiao Eco-Adventure Tour and, right after our courtesy call, we proceeded to Zipline Inn  where we will have our orientation over cups of coffee.  Here, we were warmly welcomed by owners Leslie and Ofelia Gaal.

Check out “Hotel and Inn Feature: Zipline Inn“

Zipline Inn

Zipline Inn

The now-retired Leslie, a Canadian citizen of Hungarian ancestry, was a former serviceman and marathon runner.   His wife Ofelia (nee Cumla), a native of Tibiao and a cousin of Flord and Leah, convinced Leslie to retire here and build an inn on their 1,800 sq. m. lot.

From the road, steps lead down to the inn

From the road, steps lead down to the inn

Both philanthropists, they also financed the hanging bridge over the Tibiao River that connects Sitio Malakagat with the rest of the town.  Before the hanging bridge was built, flooding along the river, during the rainy season, prevented the townspeople from selling their produce or children from going to school. The couple also own the 4.7-hectare property that includes Bugtong Bato Falls, Peter’s Lodge and Bugtong Bato Falls Inn.

Ofelia and Leslie Gaal

Ofelia and Leslie Gaal

Zipline Inn is named as such because of the adjacent zipline facility of Tibiao Eco-Adventure Park. The inn is also the gateway to Tibiao’s many eco-adventure activities – hiking to the aforementioned Bugtong Bato Falls; kayaking at the Tibiao River; zipling and wall climbing at Tibiao Eco-Adventure Park; and popular kawa hot bath at Kayak Inn as well as in Bugtong Bato Falls Inn.

Zipline Inn: Brgy. Tuno, Tibiao, Antique.  Mobile numbers: (0920) 499-6903 and (0919) 579-5436.

How To Get There: Tibiao is located 73 kms. from San Jose de Buenavista, 12.6 kms. from Barbaza, 17 kms. from Culasi and 89 kms. from Brgy. Caticlan (Malay, Aklan).