Hello, Hive!
Who would have thought that we’re already halfway through the month? How time flies… There are only two weeks left before the Mt. Talinis major climb which @ybanezkim26, James and I will be joining, yet we haven’t been religiously practicing for it. Instead of preparation tips for a mountain hike, today, I find myself googling for nearby tourist spots that we might visit after the climb. Talk about overconfidence huh?
Anyway, aside from Tejero Highland and Adventure Park, Cata-al World War II Museum, Tierra Alta, and Matin-aw Falls, I realize that I have visited most of the top 10 tourist destinations in the town of Valencia. I’ve blogged about some of them in WP though I didn’t talk about each in depth. And since I’m still too lazy for an exercise, why don’t you keep me company as I put a spotlight on one of the must-visit spots in Negros Oriental.
The one-of-a-kind Pulangbato Falls
Pulangbato Falls is located in Barangay Malabo, Valencia, Negros Oriental. This natural cascade has been a common side trip for hikers who climbed the infamous Mt. Talinis.
From Dumaguete downtown, James and I took a 30-minute ride via tricycle which followed along Okoy River. But before reaching the falls, we passed by the iconic Mag-aso Steaming Grounds. Some people also call this area Sulfur Mountain because of the geothermal vents of sulfuric smoke rising up from a mountain of rocks.
We didn’t dare to miss this free delight so we asked our driver for a quick stop. Taking a picture with the Sulfur Mountain is not for the weak stomach though. Its pungent smell is tolerable but getting too close to the boulders would definitely remind you of rotten eggs. Hence, you might want to hold your breath as you take those selfies!
A few meters away from the steaming grounds was a hanging bridge that caught our attention. It’s a common walkway for locals who want to cross the river, not an actual tourist destination. However, for those like us who don’t get to see a lot of hanging bridges in Cebu, it was an interesting sight.
The river below it already had a touch of reddish rocks — reminding us that we were getting close to the waterfalls.
We continued with our drive and soon enough reached Pulangbato Falls. After paying the ₱100 entrance fee, we giddily headed to the falls while it’s still less crowded.
Near the entry, where makeshift huts and small stores are located, is a smaller cascade where most guest prefer to chill. Locals refer to it as Pulangbato’s twin fall though the two do not look exactly alike. This one is more like an ordinary green lagoon. Perhaps it’s a fraternal twin? LOL.
Since James and I still had other places to visit that day, we decided not to swim. Though, looking back now, I wished I had taken even just a quick dip to know how cold the water is.
Anyway, moving onto the main attraction…
Getting a closer look at Pulangbato Falls requires one to walk through the Cambucad-Sagbang Footbridge. This LGU project was just installed in 2016 and, since then, it has been one of the instagrammable spot in the area.
Guests can either watch the falls from here or go down the river for a closer look. Of course, we chose the latter for a more worthwhile experience.
Upon reaching its base, one cannot help but gasp at the mesmerizing sight. In the local dialect, “pula” means “red” and “bato” means “rock”. Pulangbato Falls is aptly named for its rusty or reddish rocks scattered along the riverbed. Because of its close proximity to Mt. Talinis which is an active volcano, sulfuric vents from the ground turn the color of the rocks to hues of red and orange. Thus, creating an idyllic scene that people rarely see when going to most waterfalls.
James and I found ourselves in awe and spent a long time staring at this falls. It’s not only the color which makes Pulangbato unique but also its surrounding walls. This 30 feet cascade features a textured natural wall that looks like — for the lack of better words — "layered bricks". Below is a closer photo. For some reason, they remind me of GOT's Iron Throne though they definitely do not look like swords. HAHA!
Again, I wish I took a quick dip in its catch basin. I’ve seen several travel vlogs and people seem to enjoy swimming in the water. Another reason for me to come back I guess.
After more or less 30 minutes, we decide to leave and head to the Red Rock Hot Spring. Just less than a kilometer away from Pulangbato Falls, this place is as literal as its name. The interiors are mostly in reddish orange and the pool takes it water from a nearby hot spring. I actually did not take any photo here since I was already craving for a swim after a day of touring around the town. And a warm bath in this relaxing sanctuary is just what we needed to sooth our aching muscles.
That's all for today's blog update. Thanks for reading this far. I hope you have a great week full of adventures and fun! 👣😁
Maria is a hopeless romantic who travels in pages and places. She is an INFP who loves sunrises and moonlight nights and reading books in between. On weekdays, she works for a self-publishing company as a copywriter. On weekends, she lives for life as a poet or hiker. She hopes to share her love for words and the world with you here on HIVE.
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