Wanderworld

I’ve been too busy lately with work and extra-curricular activities (haha) that I haven’t been able to document the rest of my summer. Since a lot of time has passed already, I’ll just start with one of the unforgettable moments of my most recent trip: spelunking in Bakwitan Cave in Isla Gigantes, Iloilo.

I’m not too fond of spelunking, except if the cave is really a majestic one, and my body wasn’t really prepared for a physically challenging activity after all the beach bumming it has been accustomed to all summer. But since the Isla Gigantes resort we stayed in, Las Marias, included spelunking in our IT/package, we went ahead and did it anyway. At the break of dawn. Right after drinking just a cup of coffee.

We had two guides with us, our boatman from our first day and our guide when we explored the lighthouse, also during our first day. Our guide said it would take about an hour exploring the cave, but if we’re fast enough, we could finish it quicker.

As it turned out, the trek to the cave alone was exhausting already. After a straight path from the resort, we had to ascend huge, sharp rocks, some of which have ropes to assist you as you go up. It was not that long a trek, though I was already sweating by the time we reached the cave.

From the entrance, the cave doesn’t look huge or challenging, but it turned out to be the latter. Haha. Our guides first showed us various formations and explained why it is called Bakwitan, but unfortunately I forgot the reason, haha. (Sorry).

Sadly, one of the first few things you’ll notice about the caves is the vandalism — the walls have names of various persons, which is a shame.

What’s amazing though is most of the walls are sparkling, which is actually a very pretty sight, both in pictures and in person.

After a breezy tour through the cave, the activity started to become more challenging. We had to crawl through a tiny hole, and upon reaching the other side, had to ascend using a rope. The key to doing it right and avoiding accidents was to listen attentively to the guide.

The guides give you step-by-step instructions — detailed ones such as where to put your feet and hands while ascending. The first ascent with ropes was not that difficult; it was just like ordinary rappelling, except you’re going upward.

The guide said it’s our choice if we wish to go further up (it seems that the only way to explore the cave was upward, or to ascend, which made it difficult). He said there was another exit if we decide to end the spelunking right then and there.

We chose to continue, and we had to ascend yet again using a rope, and through a small hole. This was difficult for me because you really have to stretch your legs from the starting point, and there was really nothing there where you can rest and secure your foot as you go up.

Our other guide (the boatman) had to give me a push while the other one grabbed my hand so I could get to the next point easier. Once you’re up there though, the area is a bit slippery and steep (the bf, Joseph, actually slipped there), so you’d have to be careful as you steady yourself from the climb.

After that was another ascend where I had to use my hands so I can climb safely. As finale, we had to crawl through a tiny hole to get to the other side, which is the exit point.

From the exit, there was a nice view of the sea and the island below.

But the challenge didn’t end there. It turns out that the descent was difficult too, and perhaps even more dangerous because we had to climb down sharp rocks where one wrong move can send you tumbling down the rocks and toward the cliff.

Nevertheless, we still managed to pose for pictures as we climbed down, and our main guide was particularly happy (and busy) taking stolen shots during our descent.

We finished within an hour and went back to the resort tired but fulfilled and proud of ourselves for what we’ve accomplished. When we got back, a huge breakfast was waiting for us (which was just right, after what we’ve been through, haha). After eating and freshening up, we went to proceed with our island hopping, which I’ll be posting soon enough (hopefully :D).