Callao Caves is the only well known cave I have gone since the Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur. And with all unbiased opinion, I do not understand how other countries can feature such destination when our own country has more breathtaking natural wonders to wow over.
According to the tour guides, Cagayan has over 380 caves with around 70 with registered names. The province has been dubbed by the Department of Tourism as the Caving Capital of the Philippines.
Callao Caves, which got its name from the Kalaw bird or the hornbill, is situated in Peñablanca, Cagayan, around 30 minute travel from Tuguegarao City. It boasts seven unique chambers with impressive features.
The first chamber welcomes you to the magnificent work of nature. Recently on this chamber, they found bones of a man from the early era, much older than the Tabon Man. The second chamber, since it has the most beautiful skylight during daybreak, was converted into a chapel during the time of President Marcos. The third chamber is the darkest but if you try to light the walls with your torch, you are bound to see the marvelous formations of rocks.
The fourth chamber brings you another skylights with more stalactites, stalagmites and columns are visible. The fifth has the biggest chamber hole that it allowed growth of some lichens that made some stalactites green. There's even this formation that resembles three scoops of ice cream in different flavors!
The sixth chamber was a bit slippery. Here, you will see Mufasa's head.
The seventh chamber is where you can see the last skylight by the wall. Good thing the whole cave is well-lighted on some dark parts like the third and seventh chambers.
After the seven chamber tour, we were also very lucky to have a glimpse of the Derek Cave which is about 45 minute hike atop the Callao Cave. They refer to this as a technical cave. A French companion said perhaps it's because you need to have technique to get there. The path was grassy and some parts are stiff. There was a time that we had to hold on to tree roots to climb a two to three meter high rock. Nonetheless, the long journey was worth it. We were able to see a true scientific cave being studied by speleologists. The crystalline walls and the shiny stalactites and stalagmites are proofs of centuries in its making. We were not even allowed to touch the walls and columns to avoid tainting the minerals in the elegant formations. Unlike the Callao Cave, there was no light inside Derek Cave so you need to have a head torch. Here, I have tasted the purest water nature can make, gathered from the stalagmite droplets.
It was indeed an awe-inspiring moment to see the beauty of nature as we go home. As I told myself over again, I shall be back to Cagayan in the future to do more spelunking. Next time, I hope I will have Andoy or any other kids to guide me. A piece of advice, they are more enjoyable to talk with. I loved listening to the stories of younger tourist guides.
No comments:
Post a Comment