The beach, the sea surrounding the islands of Britania, the river. If you run me through the wringer, I'd probably fill a barrel. But that's not enough. Off to find another body of water!
Stop #4
Tinuy-an Falls
Brgy. Burboanan, Bislig City, Surigao del Sur
From Hinatuan, it's just a one-hour bus ride (Php55) to Barangay Mangagoy in Bislig City where one can hire a motorcycle to get to the waterfall. Of the many habalhabal (motorcycle) drivers who flocked at the bus terminal in Mangagoy, we picked Dondon [0908 382 5809] who agreed to take us to Tinuy-an and back for Php400 (2pax, roundtrip). From Mangagoy to Tinuy-an Falls, it's 16 kilometers of mostly rough road.
As seen from the parking area... this is not the grand waterfall. Nope, not yet.
This is the bottom level.
Entrance fee is Php50 per head. Tables and chairs (Php100-200) and cottages (Php300-500) for day use are available. There are also rooms (Php600, 2 persons) for overnight stay. Camping (bring your own tent) is also allowed for Php100 per person (on top of the entrance fee).
The grand waterfall
A little bit about Tinuy-an Falls:
♦ Tinuy-an Falls is a three-tiered waterfall: bottom level is 3 meters high, second level (the grand waterfall) is 37 meters, and the topmost level is 5 meters.
♦ It is 95 meters wide and is said to be one of the widest waterfalls in the Philippines.
♦ Tinuy-an is Visayan for "intentional". According to the Bislig Government website, legend has it that "the Magdiwata Mountain settlers were enslaved by cruel tribesmen coming from hinterlands of Agusan. The settlers were forced to hunt with their masters, construct barotos (small boats) and perform forced manual labor. Tired of being slaves, one day, while rowing the barotos boarded by their cruel masters, they intentionally shoved the barotos towards the waterfalls killing all their cruel masters." But this got me thinking...how could they have shoved the barotos without endangering themselves? Did they jump off at the last second? Possible. It is shallow (see left photo below).
At the topmost level
Pay Php100 to get a beating
♦ swimming - if you don't trust your swimming skills, life jackets and salbabida (life buoy) can be rented for Php30 per hour. Changing rooms are available.
♦ picnicking - as mentioned, there are tables and chairs or cottages for rent.
♦ camping - they have a camp site, but bring your own tent.
♦ hiking - to the upper levels. Guides are there to lead the way; no guide fees but donations are most welcome.
♦ rafting - if you want to get pummeled by the strong waterfall, it's Php100 per raft ride.
♦ gaping - yes, I gaped at its awesomeness.
I thought that guy was the raft master...no, he was just enjoying the mist.
If staying overnight in the city, stay in Brgy. Mangagoy, not Bislig. Mangagoy is livelier—there are more accommodation options and eateries here—than Bislig. Before going to Tinuy-an Falls, we dropped our bags at Tfanny's Inn, where we will be staying a night. Tfanny's Inn is just a 5-minute walk from the bus terminal.
Tfanny's Inn
P Castillo St. Mangagoy, Bislig City, Surigao del Sur
(086) 853 6304 / 0919 470 8998 / 0912 200 8159 / 0930 795 8703
Rooms go from Php 650 (for 2 pax, two single beds or one double bed) up to 1200 (3 beds for 5 pax). All rooms are air-conditioned and have its own toilet and bath. Towels, toilet paper, and soap are provided. Some of the rooms have TV (cable). Breakfast is free and is served from 630AM to 10AM. I can't tell you what they serve for breakfast—we were not able to avail of it because we had to leave very early the next day in order to catch the bus to Cateel, Davao Oriental.
Butt–rosying Route:
A Beauty T(r)ip
In the Beginning: Cagwait, Surigao del Sur
The Quickest Island Hopping Ever
Hinatuan's Enchanted River
Bislig's Marvelous Waterfall (you're here!)
(more soon!)