OCTOCLIVE 2010: The Hospital Cave

OCTOCLIVE (October Climb and Dive 2010- 10/16-17/2010)
the Caving...

Talking about War Hospital seemed creepy but, it's still exciting... We went down in a Cave Hospital. After preparing our mountain breakfast we headed up to what was known by Amsikong locals to be the Japanese Hospital during the World War II. Conel is famous about the Japanese tunnels or man-made caves at the surrounding area. History says, those tunnels served as bunkers, watchtowers, and first line command centers during the Japanese invasion.

Okay, let’s go back to the cave hospital… The path going to it was quite challenging, although it was just half a mile away from the Ecopark Campsite. It was steep and slippery… You have to cling on some roots to be able to get on to the next step. After minutes of root gripping, my team already reached the opening.

The cave has three openings, but unfortunately, there was a blunt-headed tree snake guarding the first opening. It took us awhile to pass on because our tour guide had to blow the snake away- a good snake shoo-er dude!!!


Anyway, we were able to enter in the 3rd opening. Well, it was a small cave with spaces which, according to our guide, served as the patients’ rooms or the wards. There were also small compartments where medicines and reagent bottles were once found.

We came across a deep hollow portion of the cave that is believed to be the morgue because, when this cave was first discovered, explorers found human skeletons buried in there. We didn’t proceed to explore that due to uncertainties... there might be cave snakes along the way, huh...

Just like the typical cave, there are also bats flying around. We also found Swift Bird’s nests, famous as an ingredient for the Bird’s Nests soup.

Aside from this hospital cave, there's also a smaller cave on the other side of the river. I wasn't able to enter in it again but I'd like to share to you some photos of our caving experience the first time I explored Conel Ecopark.

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OCTOCLIVE 2010: Survival Rice Cooking 101

OCTOCLIVE (October Climb and Dive 2010- 10/16-17/2010)
the CAMPSITE and the OUTDOOR Cooking...

We pitched our tents to stay overnight at Conel Ecopark (home of Kalilangan Eco-Carrera Activity). Water is not a problem at the campsite since it is just beside Amsikong River. There are a lot of springs safe for drinking, likewise.

Amsikong River



Mukam Gal-nam (B'laan Settler)

We're lucky to have met one of the B'laan settlers, Mukam Gal-nam. He taught us how to cook rice in a bamboo. I've learned there is another variety of plant, other than bananas, which has leaves more recommended to be used as wrap- the Agik-ik plant. The Ecopark is surrounded with bamboos, as well as Agik-iks, so all you need to have is a bolo and of course the raw rice.

Related posts:

for more photos of the OCTOCLIVE click on this link

OCTOCLIVE: Gensan's Mount Olympog

OCTOCLIVE 2010: The Hospital Cave

K'laja Adventures 2010

OCTOCLIVE 2010: Gensan's Mount Olympog

OCTOCLIVE (October Climb and Dive 2010)
featuring the CLIMB part...

It was a sun-drenched Saturday and, as usual, the 7A.M. departure time was moved to 8 A.M… Yeah, it’s obvious! We’re following the Filipino time. We rode our bestfriend “Saddam” going to Conel and we arrived at the Baranggay Hall around 9 A.M. already for a courtesy call. The ever supportive officer-in-charge of their tourism council, Kagawad Mascardo, gave us a 15 minute talk about what to expect in the activity. We then had a short bumpy “Saddam” ride going to the jump off point. To get ready for another heat penetrating trek, we ate our brunch to Little Tagaytay, as what locals call about the Lautengco Rest House. Minus the horse back riding and the volcano within the lake with a hotter environment, I would say, the place is comparable to Tagaytay.

After taking a full lunch and a little photoshoot, we started our trek to Mt. Olympog (General Santos City’s Highest Peak). To evaluate, this mountain is very different from the others like Mount Matutum because instead of large tall forest trees and the slippery mosses, it is mostly covered with wild grasses, “talahib”. There’s also a bit wider road for mountain vehicles so for those who don’t want to take more effort, you just have to drive along your off road runners with you… And guys, you have to expect more heat, heat and heat as well. But despite that, our fulfillment won’t any longer be altered when we reached the top. Overlooking the landscape of General Santos City and the gulf of Saranggani plus the fresh mountain breeze embracing my tired sweaty body, I couldn’t keep away from the thought of being the King of the World.

Counting it all based on our pacing, the whole trek was about 2 hours from the jump off point. We only spent about 15 minutes resting at the mountain’s peak. After replenishing ourselves, we went ahead to our campsite at the Conel Ecopark, particularly, a place called Amsikong.

As what others would say, mountaineers won’t be contented with just one mountain. Whether how long you spent walking or how difficult the trail will be… whether how high or how less it is elevated… every mountain gives you unique pleasure. I think, Mount Olympog in General Santos City is not well known for mountaineering enthusiasts. I mean, I just even learned about the mountain when I saw the itinerary. However now, I will be telling you… This mountain is worth to climb for.

Related posts:

for more photos of the OCTOCLIVE click on this link
OCTOCLIVE 2010: Survival Rice Cooking 101
OCTOCLIVE 2010: The Hospital Cave
K'laja Adventures 2010

Lemlunay Dive Resort

Panoramic View of the Beach During the Low Tide

Photo of the Cliff

Lemlunay Resort, located at Tinoto (somewhere in Maasim, Saranggani Province), gives you such great satisfaction- A paradise as what the name translates. Surely, one of the place to release stress from a busy urban life.

As the Home of SouthPoint Divers, it offers diving activities for professionals and amateurs. There are staff conducting diving lessons for beginners, as well. Lemlunay dive resort is one of the gateway through the famous Tinoto Wall, wherein a variety of corals cling on it, not to mention, the different kinds of see creatures living in them. The Tinoto Wall could go as deep as..... infinity?...

There are also other amenities being offered at the resort. The food are mainly Filipino and Tropical....The taste? It's deliciously BETTER than the BEST. There are the CASCO BAR for the big guys and the BILLIARD HALL. Now, they are on the finishing touches for their playground.  They have Mediterranean rooms for you to spend the night or even three or more days...

And...Where else can you find an infinity pool in SOCSARGEN? It's only in Lemlunay Dive Resort. So, after being awed in scuba diving, you can then take a refreshing plunge in their pool...Or eat your meal along the side.. Or chitchat while looking at the beauty of the wide open Saranggani Bay. 

  

It's not difficult to get to Lemlunay Dive Resort. The place is just along the Saranggani Highway, about 30- 45 minute ride from General Santos City.