October 1, 2020

River Rafting at Cagayan de Oro - Timeless Thursdays 18

First of all, let me greet you all a Happy October, and thank you all so much for those who joined last week's Timeless Thursdays! it was the first time that more than 10 people joined and I am so grateful and happy.

I am an adventurous person in the sense that I am not afraid of getting lost on a place because I always believe that there are good people everywhere as much as there are bad. But when it comes to extremes, I usually fold and pass, but for this one, since it's on my bucket list, I braved myself and said yes to river rafting! Besides, I have my best friends with me to do it with.

Last 2015, we flew over to the southern island of Mindanao for a mini reunion trip with the gang. We chose Mindanao because it is one of the islands we all have never been to and we thought it's time we check it on our travel maps together. One of our highlights is white river rafting in the mighty Cagayan de Oro River (it is usually called Cagayan river but we also have a Cagayan River in the north which is the longest river in the country).

All 8 Complete! (Faith, Lea, Dianne, Myrcel, Rjay, Lea, Judy, Stevenson)

We were so excited and yes, I, a bit nervous. I do know how to swim but I am not so good at it. Especially seeing the rapids, it was a bit awakening to see the water crushing through the rocks and banks. But of course, we will be accompanied by trained boatmen or rafters (don't know how they are called) so I was quite confident in case I fall out. But I kept telling them "Kuya wag mo papataubin ah!" (Brother, please don't let us fall).

Look how brave (I look like), beside my cousin Judy in front

Yes, I was super nervous the whole time but don't get me wrong, it was so much fun! There were a few rapids that almost tipped us off but since boatmen know we are quite a fearful group, they did not let it happen as much as they can. Look how they are still smiling at the back of the boat when we all look so wacky!

Towards the end, our guides led us to the still waters before we enter the final stages of the rapids because they said we had to cool ourselves. The heat was quite unbearable for a cool January day so they asked us to dive in the waters so we can submerge ourselves because the life vests tend to be too warm and can lead to hyperthermia. So we did!

(Myrcel, Judy, Stevenson, Rjay, and Faith in front) 26 years of friendship.

You can see that the waters seem dirty but those are made of soil and sediments constantly mixed with the river water due to the rapids. Though we cannot see what's below, we were quite relaxed at these moments due to the stillness of the water, though we are still constantly moved by the tide. 
But not for long, because the boatmen calmly told us, "Sirs and Maams, please don't panic. We'll slowly get each one of you back to the boat because there's a river snake just a few meters away from us". It was very good that all of us did not panic but I volunteered to be the last to be pulled on the rubber boats because I am a heavy weight! The boatmen and a few of my friends helped to pull me up HAHA.

Glad it's over, we had so much fun though!

It took us about an hour and a half of nerves and laughs! But in the end, we feel so happy and celebrated at the banks. Our guides made us strike some funny poses just like the one above. Nope, I did not pull back the heads of my two friends, I did not!

This experience was truly one for the books. I am proud of this adventure, that I have done it, and have done it here in my country. But it will not be as fun and as memorable without my dearest friends to do it with me. I miss them so so much in this pandemic especially the two that I did not pull heads on the photo because they can't just go home due to the situation (Dianne on my left lives in Paris and Lea on my right lives in Kuwait). But we never stop praying and communicating often, we believe we'll see each other again, as complete, very soon!

Stevenson the Rafter

Never stop paddling!
Stevenson

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51 comments:

  1. Oh wow that looks amazing. I have never tried rafting but I have done canoeing, in an open Canadian Canoe. I spent more time in the water though! I was forever falling in and let me tell you, the waters in Scotland are very cold! Though clean haha!

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    1. Oh my Ananka! I searched for Canadian Canoe and it looks sooooo much fun! I would love it on stiller waters because if I would do that on such rapids OMG! I also searched Canoeing in Scotland, oh my Ananka! THE VIEWS!!! I would love to do that someday!

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  2. What an adventure ~ beautiful nature shots and awesome rafting photos ~ Fun!

    Live each moment with love,

    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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    1. Thank you so much dearest Carol! It really was so much fun!

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  3. Rafting down the river with friends sounds like a great experience. I have never tried rafting and that's ok, it 's nice to see you and your friends having a wonderful happy time together. It's an experience you will always remember and treasure.
    Take care and stay safe, my friend!

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    1. Oh thank you so much my dear friend Bill for your kind words and the chance to take you through his virtual rafting :) Have a great new month my friend Bill!

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  4. What fun!! Great thing to do with friends!

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    1. Truly it was dear Lydia! Happy October to you and the kids!

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  5. Holy Smokes, I Am Smiling From Ear To Ear - You Appear To Be So Happy On The Front Of That Boat - Pure Domination Brother - Anytime That You are Feeling Down, Pull Up That 3rd Photo - Then, Ride That Bike Like You Stole It

    Cheers

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    1. I looove that Padre, "ride that bike like you stile it!" Thank you so much and I will always remember these photos as you advised :)

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  6. I totally get this post. I was very afraid but wanted to river raft too. I went several years ago. It was so empowering to do it and to have fun too. Love all your photos. I can tell you had fun and was glad you went! Hugs-Erika

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    1. Waaaa A high five with our paddles on that one Erika :) It really was so much fun :) Sending you hugs!

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  7. ...about 40 years ago I went rafting with my daughter and her Girl Scout troop, it was fun, but I don't have to do it again. Keep on paddling my friend.

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    1. Thank you so much my friend Tom! I'm bot really sure as well if I will be able to do this again haha but maybe if my friends will force me to do it again haha

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  8. Dearest Stevenson,
    Well, you all were quite daring and when they announced that river snake... Was it a poisonous one or just a water snake?
    You can be proud for having that under your belt.
    Hoping indeed that this worldwide madhouse will soon end!
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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    1. I wasn't really sure about if it was poisonous dear Mariette but it was scary. It's nothing big but it's like a teenager snake haha.

      Yes to that dear Mariette, hope it goes away very soon!

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  9. That looks great! I've always wanted to try river rafting.

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    1. It's a great experience Becky :) You should add it to your list!

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  10. I met way more helpful, friendly people than bad ones, but heck, weren´t you afraid to loose your glasses? Did you wear contacts instead?
    Apart from that I might puke... no way for such a ride! LOL!
    Oh, boy, I´m a safe swimmer but there?!!! No way. Looks scary, you really are brave, dearest Stevenson! My respect!
    Yep, that man is grinning big! Oh, it must be wonderful to enjoy your "job" so much! As 26 years of friendship, wow!
    Huhhh, brave you with that snake! I´d be the one probably screaming it away in panic... oh, wait, can they even hear anything?!
    Yes. I miss my friends, too.
    Haha, I was paddling, with my two Ts. On a lake. One was afraid to loose his smartphone, we were afraid to loose our glasses, but we paddled on, well, what else!
    Thank you for sharing this rough adventure, dearest Stevenson!

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    1. Hahaha you are right dear Iris! It was quite hard for me to see because I was not wearing any glasses nor contacts that time haha but I can still see better during that time compared to now :)

      oh dear Iris I really did not know how I made it with smiles hahaha Especially with that snake oh my! I guess I was not very afraid of the snake but if it was an alligator omg, I woul dhave died even before it sees me HAHA
      Waaaa I can imagine you and your two Ts, you guys look so cute while paddling! Us, we were so funny screaming even if there was still no wave or rapid hahaha

      And thank you dearest Iris :)

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  11. What an awesome experience you had. You are braver than I am, I have always been too scared to go white water rafting!
    I'm glad your Timeless Thursdays are beginning to take off. They are a great idea (I'm sorry I haven't participated - I'm just not doing anything like that at the moment).
    Take care and keep sharing your wonderful adventures with us, Mxx

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    1. Oh thank you so much dear Margaret, NZ is probably the most famous country when it comes to white water rafting! I remember I have these small snoopy toys from 28 countries represented and the New Zealand Snoopy was wearing white water rafting gear as it's national attire.
      Oh thank you so much dear Margaret! No need to say sorry, I will never forget when you were joining when there were only one or two entries :)
      Sending you hugs dear Margaret!

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  12. What an awesome trip that must have been Stevenson - I did not do rafting in my youth, but I did do some caving, and loved it
    Stay safe
    Blessings
    Maxine

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    1. Oh! You are brave Maxine! Caving is one that scares me, I think that is scarier than rafting because I am scared of slippery places especially if its dark! But surely there's a different world on caves that is so much beautiful :)

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  13. I have had many grand adventures in life, but I have never maintained a bucket list. I would imagine that for those who do COVID-19 is placing serious restrictions on checking another item off their list.

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    1. Oh that is alright even if there is no bucket list, the important thing is to never stop taking adventures, as you said, grand adventures :) Thanks so much David and please stay safe :)

      PS always looove your blog posts, it takes me to see nature in such times when I am so far from it! Yours and Kenneth's blogs take me to a world far from the walls and concretes of our city ughhh!

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  14. You were so brave Stevenson and look how much you enjoyed it, well done! We have an annual whitewater rafting competition here in WA, the Avon Descent. When we have had heavy rains it can be really exciting to watch.. note I said watch 😉 I now know what a tabo is, watched a video.. definitely saves cutting down trees 😊

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    1. Dearest Grace! I would looooove to watch that too! I remember I was watching the 2012 Olympics and saw a guy my age but he was suuuuuuuper cool with the canoeing he's from Germany and he won medals in the olympics. I became a fan and saw his Instagram and he usually trains there in Australia!

      Yes! Very earth friendly I must say haha and yes, squeaky clean!

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  15. What a great adventure! Something I have never thought about doing myself. You have a wonderful group of friends and relatives (inclusively). Our family is quite separated geographically and since we stayed in Florida for the winter, COVID has kept us apart for more than a year.

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    1. Very very true my friend Kenneth! And I love that you said relatives because you are so right, one of my friends of our group of 8 is also my cousin :)

      I feel so sad that you can't see family in these times but I really hope soon it will all be better and you'll get to see family again soon.

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  16. First of all, wish you a happy October friend Stenvenson. I love the images, the force of the river current and how adventurous you are. I would love to know the place that you present to us.
    A big greeting from Spain.

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    1. Thank you so so much my dear friend Miguel! It is my pleasure to have taken you with us rafting virtually :) hugs from the Philippines!

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  17. What an adventure! I've never been whitewater rafting -- it looks terribly exciting and loads of fun, unless, I suppose, you turn over in the rocks! How wonderful to revisit your time with friends here. I think a lot of us are doing that these days!Stay well!

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    1. Jeanie! I did feel when you said turn over the rocks that is super scary! There was somebody that died a month ago before we did it. he crashed on a spot where there's some kind of a whirlpool and wasn't able to float up and drowned :(

      Yes! And it's amazing to share these memories with you all!

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  18. Boa tarde meu querido amigo e especial. Confesso que não teria essa coragem kkk. Parabéns pela excelente matéria.

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    1. Thank you very much my dear friend Luiz! I am happy that you like the article :) I am sure you can also do it, it was scary at first but the fun compensates :)

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  19. I don't know if I would be brave enough to do that, we have huge crazy white water rafting events here.. btw my mum's family comes from Manilla.

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    1. Oh Yes Amy! One of my dreams is to raft there in NZ although the beginner levels of course hahaha Oh Wow! That's amazing to hear that you have Filipino roots too :)

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  20. Oh, wow the fun ..., I salute the rafting activity that you join my friend Stevenson.
    I imagine your excited expressions and the serene expression of the guide hahaha ...

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    1. Thank you so much my friend Himawan! It was an amazing experience that I will never forget!

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  21. I have only been in a canoe and a kayak and only over small rapids compared to what you and your friends experienced, Stevenson. While I wouldn't care to give rafting a try, not in any life sort of like not having a desire to skydive, your adventure looked like a lot of fun, more so when shared with special friends. We are ALL missing those special people in our lives and the best we can do is stay in contact however possible in spite of no face-to-face contact. By the way, have you ever skydived or plan to in the future?

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    1. Oh Beatrice! I have tried to Kayak but I think it was a bit scarier than that becuase I easily loose by balance on a kayak! But I always always wanted to try canoeing especially in Canada with such views or in Norway maybe? Oh to dream! Oh my Beatrice, as per the Bucket List I kept mentioning (It's on a page here on my blog) Skydiving is definitely there but I have noooo idea if I can do it! I think I cannot beatrice that is just too extreme hahahaha Like I feel like I will die of fright before I reach the ground hahaha

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  22. You are the rafter!! Great job overcoming your fear, and thanks for sharing the photos with us.

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    1. Waaaa thank you so much my friend! It is my pleasure and yes, it was so much fun!

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  23. It looks like you had a lot of fun.
    Great photographs.

    Happy October Wishes.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thank you very much Jan! Indeed! It was so so much fun!

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  24. You certainly have an adventureous spirit! I've never done water rafting and I don't think I ever will, and I can understand that youw ere nervous. I would have been nervous, too! I wouldn't have been excited about the water snake either - good that no one panicked!

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    1. That is very true dear Carola! It was fun but my nerves were pretty active the whole two hours hahahaha

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  25. Sure it was an extraordinary Stevenson experience of those that are remembered for a long time, I am incapable of that, but you did very well to take advantage of it, live and enjoy it.
    Greetings Friend

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