Almost Mapawa: Cagayan de Oro 2013

“Unexpected travel suggestions are dancing lessons from God”

― Kurt Vonnegut

My latest visit to CDO was spontaneous, unexpected, and very short, so I wanted to get the most of my trip. Fortunately, JP was game enough to cater to my whimsies. I wanted to walk everywhere, see museums and visit all the places that were just a few rides away from the city (I'm saving river rafting for a longer trip!). On my second and last day I wanted to go to see a museum or two, but since it was a Monday and the schools looked pretty busy and crowded, we went nature tripping instead. 

JP took me to Malasag, but this time we veered off the road that leads to the Ecopark and headed straight up to Mapawa, where another nature and conservation park was located. The road up reminded me of Baguio and soon enough I began to see pine trees in the fog. I could also see the city from where we were. Since it was still early in the morning we didn't see too many motorists so the ride up was peaceful and quiet. A few meters away from the park the road got muddy and slippery so I had to get off the motorcycle and make my way on foot (my poor, poor shoes!)... believe me, walking in muddy clay is not anyone's idea of a fun time with nature, especially if you are wearing flats. We got to the gate, paid the fee and proceeded down. The road looked even scarier since it was downhill, so much so that after a few steps we decided to turn back and take our chances somewhere else instead. The guide at the gate seemed sorry to see us go without seeing the park, so he told us that we can head to the viewing deck where we can have an amazing view of the park and their reforestation project instead.

I'm glad the guide recommended that we spend a few minutes here because the view was absolutely gorgeous. Stone steps lead up a small hill and over that you will see another set of steps leading down to an observation deck, where you can get an unobstructed 360 degree view of the park. So OK, we were perhaps the most unadventurous nature-seekers that anyone would have seen on that day, but we saw what we came there for nonetheless. Of course, I would want to visit the park itself but perhaps when the roads are all fixed or when I'm wearing better shoes ;)