Day swim at Camuayan Cold Springs, Misamis Oriental, Philippines

 

Refreshing Bonding at Camuayan Cold Springs

Huge rock is designed as the starting block.

    The road was rough, winding and with occasional humps along the way. Houses made of light wooden materials dotted the street while common garden grasses covering each inch of vacant space. The travel self-drive or via tricycle lasted 20 minutes from the center of the town called  Bali, not Bali, Indonesia but Bali, in other words, Balingasag, Region 10, Philippines. Indeed! the springs is welcoming so are the villagers. Murmuring noise greeted us as we approached the locally known cold springs of Camuayan, named so because it is located in barangay Camuayan. 

 

                                                             Rapids grew wilder in rainy days. 

    There were not many Cold spring goers on that mid Sunday morning, though a few locals made final touch to sheds built for families or friends who wish to gather for weekend swim. River runs from the higher ground of neighboring regions down to the valley where low-lying village is. Tiny homes lined the river bank became an easy target of flashfloods; posed  great danger to the villagers and locals alike. River banks were edgy due to regular detour of waterway. Noticeably,  big volcanic rocks were scattered allowing vigorous rapids to form. Heavy rainfall in the mountain endangers their life so is their property. Despite this seemingly perilous zone, people choose to stay, their livelihood relies heavily on crop produce such as banana, coconut, rice and maize. 

    

The water was clear and cold, penetrated one's skin as soon as one took a plunge. Some parts were shallow yet others were deep. Shallow part has been frequented by children, mothers and girls. They  have enjoyed soaking in cold flowing fresh water from the forest especially after rain when drying river is replenished with fresh water anew.

                                                           Shallow area allows crawling and soaking😉

               Rivers, seas, lakes are shared resources should be enjoyed by everyone. It's not surprising that outdoor physical activity such as swimming, dining, drinking and laughing have elevated to communal activities. The venue by which communal activity occurs has been created by God for people from all walks of life savor joyful merriment.