While we were on our Ilocos trip, Janine of Wowtrippers asked us when we are going back to Butuan. When she learned that we still had two days to spare, she suggested a road trip to Laguna after a day of rest. The cool thing about Wowtrippers is that they treat us like friends. Since this was an unplanned road trip, no additional fees were collected. We just pitched in for the van rental and paid for entrance fees and all. They even contributed their share! We would have pitched in for their share, too, but it was our last day of our trip to Manila. We were running low on budget.
We have no prior expectations for this trip since we do not know the itinerary. We just knew we were visiting some falls like Pagsanjan.
Our first stop was in Panguil, Laguna. We visited Ambon-ambon Falls. No, it was not the regular trek-and-pose-for-picture type of trip.
We trekked and crossed bamboo bridges.
Photo credit: Mau Rago
We waded the river.
Photo credit: Wowtrippers
We “climbed” boulders.
Photo credit: Wowtrippers
We rode a raft.
Photo by Wowtrippers
Funny story about the raft: Only 5 passengers are allowed. My 5 friends went ahead (see picture below). When it was our group’s turn, I walked confidently to the middle and found myself sitting comfortably until I felt that I was sinking. Woah! Was I that heavy? I tried to maneuver myself with my legs up. Poise forgotten. I was laughing my ass off.
Photo credit: Mau Rago
We swam. There are ropes to hang on to for those who do not know how to swim. (Me!) Below is my friend trying to show me how to do it. Nah, she was posing for the camera. 😀
Photo credit: Mau Rago
No, this is not yet the falls.
Photo credit: Mau Rago
After another river trek and a few meters of swimming (using the rope), we finally reached Ambon-ambon Falls.
Photo by Wowtrippers
But wait, there’s more! On our way back to the starting point, we dropped by the river tubing area. River tubing is an activity where a group rides on connected lifesavers (salbabida). It was a fun activity!
Photo credit: Mau Rago
We really had fun with this activity.
All the trekking and swimming made us hungry. Prior to trekking, we paid the guides to cook for us. There were no utensils so we had a boodle lunch. Yum! We even had soup. We took turns in using the cut-up plastic softdrink bottle.
We had our lunch in a hut near the river. This was our view.
We were already full so off we went to our next adventure: Pagsanjan Falls. No, we did not ride the fancy boats to get to the falls. We used the alternate route where we walked 589 steps downhill (It should be called “downmountain”!).
Photo credit: Mau Rago
We had to rappel twice. No, the rope did not break even with my weight. We asked Toto of Wowtrippers to take a photo of us. He already rappelled down. He climbed up again. We told him he should not have climbed up because he could take the photo from down there. He replied that the angle is better from the top because our faces will be seen. From the bottom, all the photos will be of our behind! Oo nga ano?
Photo by Wowtrippers
When we reached the ground, we rode the raft going to the falls.
Photo credit: Mau Rago
Notice how happy we are? Notice also that the Korean tourists had life jackets on and helmets on their heads while we only had a rope to hang on to. Ha! The happy poor people still had fun.
Photo credit: Mau Rago
My friend, Mau, had a photoop with the colorful Pagsanjan boats. This easy route costs P1,250 per person. You get to help the boatmen earn their living. They only get a fraction of the amount. I am not sure where the rest of the fee goes.
Photo credit: Mau Rago
After this is another 589 steps up. I suddenly regretted the times when I did not exercise. HA! Each step was a challenge.
It was already getting dark when we reached the top. Time to go home!
We had dinner at Isdaan in Calauan, Laguna. It is also a nice place for picture-taking.
Photo by Wowtrippers
We had dinner in one of these huts.
Food was a little pricey but it was good since the restaurant is owned by the same people who own Barrio Fiesta.
By the time we got to the pension house, I hit the sack without changing clothes. I was that tired.
Do you want to experience the Laguna road trip? Wowtrippers offers such an experience with white water rafting. Check out their Facebook page and get in touch with them.
I was not asked to write this post for Wowtrippers. I am just a happy client.
Wow – what amazing photos and looks like such an incredible adventure. It reminds me a little of when I was in Costa Rica, and we went on a zip-lining trip. Wowtrippers sounds like a great organization too. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for visiting, Emily! Wow, ziplining trip to Costa Rica? Must be fun to do that. 😀
You guys had fun! I can see it in your happy faces! I had a cousin whose family did ziplining in Costa Rica. I saw her pics and the view was awesome!
I want to be with your next unplanned trip. This is like so much fun and adventures, kakamiss yung food tsaka yung fish naku.. sarap!
You are welcome to join! Naku, you live in the US pala. When you visit Philippines, road trip tayo! Err, bus trip. hehe Naks, feeling close ako.
Impromptu road trips are the best! These photos looks great – fun adventure and yummy food too.
this is really a great eco-adventure…fabulous photos!!! would want to try this out too!
It’s worthy trip I must say. I love the floating huts. Floating nga ba? Buti ka pa you get to experienced travelling in Laguna. Ang ganda pala no? I will suggest nga sa company outing namin ang Laguna 🙂
Not floating. They are on stilts. Magandang teambuilding activity. 😀
Wow, sooo fun! Unplanned road trips are really the best, no? Your blog is turning into a full-fledged travel blog na!
Hi, Maan! The next posts will be staycation time. 😀 How I wish I can be a travel blogger. I will write about a food experiment soon- inspired by you!
Great sights and great food…I guess sometimes, unplanned things turn out well 🙂
I want to join your next adventure.. ang saya! 🙂
wow, adventure sa nature! i’d love to experience this too.
i’m sure you guys had lots of fun. pangtanggal stress talaga.
thank you for sharing these great shots!
Amazing shots. May I ask what’s the make and model of your camera sis? You really got crisp photos. 🙂
The one with theunstressed.com watermarks are my shots. I use a Canon100D. My friend, Mau, uses a Canon DSLR, too. I forgot the model. Wowtrippers uses a digicam, I forgot the brand.
I smell great adventures! this is an interesting trip. Nothing is wasted in here!
Yung tita ko na nakapunta na sa Panguil, Laguna said na super ganda daw nong place. Super adventure daw talaga pero worth it naman. I would love to go there and experience it for myself.
The place looks very nice. kakatuwa ugn salbabida ride. Parang local version ng banana boat.
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