Whitewater Rafting at CDO

Every time I read the Smile magazine of Cebu Pacific, it always states that the must-do in Cagayan de Oro is whitewater rafting in the Cagayan River. We wanted to try it during our last visit in 2005. The package cost P1,200+ per pax then. This time, it's already part of the itinerary and we're fortunate that the beginner's course package costs P700 per pax consisting of transportation from the pick-up point to the first station and from the endpoint back to the city proper. The beginner's course covers a 12-km stretch of the river with 14 rapids and an average of 3 hours of travel from start to endpoint. The first station. We almost backed out after seeing the first rapids... We're a group of 12, 6 in each raft... all geared up for the extra challenge... Oh no, we were the first raft to brave the first challenge... forward paddle... forward! That's it! We survived the first rapids! High five... awu! awu! I thought the first one was the most difficult because I didn't know what to expect. After that, I said to myself that the rest would be easy. Actually, braving the next 13 rapids was a much more daring, exhilarating yet fun-filled adventure. Thanks to In-in, our very able guide. And Maldo, our cameraman aboard a kayak, for the documentation. On to the next rapids with interesting names that describe the nature of the rapids or the rafting experience... face the wall... rodeo... etc. Getting a free massage from the waterfalls that we passed by... All wet and sunburned from the 3-hour energy-filled rafting adventure... Awu! awu!