Oslob Whale Sharks and Tumalog Falls

A call for another spontaneous adventure as my colleagues came up with another weekend trip to meet the Gentle Giants in Tan-awan, Oslob. This is another municipality in Cebu located in the southern part, stretching around 135 kilometers from the City.It's one perfect getaway trip for all of us after a weeklong stressful work, and after getting frustrated from our trip in Donsol Sorsogon attempting to catch on the whale sharks or commonly called in our native language as "butanding" or "tuki". 

This is our chance to catch a glimpse of the latest discovery for the fishermen in the south making this possible. 

As they say you don't have to go far deep in the blue waters, the fishermen themselves will drive them closer to spectators - thus feeding these creatures every time they show up. 

Many have talked negatively about the means as it disturbs the natural habitat of these mammals but other than that it has really promoted tourism in this quiet old town. 

I leave it up to the Environment officers responsibility to make necessary assessments for this.

We all gathered in Cebu South Terminal to catch a bus going straight to Oslob. We brought some food and drinks to make sure we won't be starving for this 3hr trip. 

Upon reaching the town around 7PM we were informed that they don't have available rooms anymore. They gave us an option to stay in one of their Nipa Huts in which we didn't give a try as it has been drizzling that night. 

Some Oslob residents helped us to look for a place to stay for one night. We were at eased when this boatman approached us and that we now have a place to stay. 

We were very blessed enough to have been housed by this hospitable family in Oslob and they let us occupy a room in their humble abode, all for FREE. We insisted on sharing a certain amount, but they have sincerely expressed that they were happy to be the host for that weekend stay.

Tranquility sets the mood as we decided to spend our dinner beside the beach smelling the breeze of the seawater. if the weather favors you can set up tents in the shore. I hope the tourism still allows people to do that until now. 

We rested early that night, with our boatman fetching us around 6 AM. You should be up the earliest to avoid the long que and to make it sure that you can still catch the whale sharks as they only appear in the seawater up until lunchtime for majority of the days. 

We underwent a brief instruction from the tourism group handling the whale shark touring before we had our own share of experience.

Along the Main Road of Oslob. Our host the guy in black woke us up so early to be 1st on que.

It's a safe boat ride indeed, and we can't stop smiling.

Braving ourselves with 2 boatmen and with a good friend we knew from the house where we stayed who also happens to be a seafarer accompanied us for this butanding encounter. 

It was one safe ride. All of us more than excited to see these creatures at last!

Sun is up so warm and bright  and around 7AM comes the boatmen leading the "butanding" to meet their spectators. 

There where around 20 boats more or less during that day positioned in the 25meter deep seawater. I can't stop it from soaking myself in and with my goggles worn seeing them from my own eyes. They were gigantic giants, seems to be having fun and I guess they definitely feel that happy people surrounds them now.

I can still remember that happiness in me unstoppably giggling. Our boatmen amazed at our innocent smiles were very friendly to guide us along, unknowingly we realized we've been in the waters for almost 2 hours! 

Yes, we just can't get enough. Life always amazes us, though in simple ways but in greater effects. Nothing beats the this weekend adventure!   

And the first to show up!

And there's more of them, we saw 3 for that day! Hurray!

We are allowed to dive into the water but granted we follow all the rules instructed to us initially.

TUMALOG FALLS  

Another tourist spot you should not missed when you're in Oslob is the Tumalog Falls also called "Tuslob Falls".  

You can reached this fascinating place thru motorcycles 15 - 20minutes away from the highway or the Whale Shark Main site. We had 1 motorcycle each and we were just so lucky that the barangay captain himself was one of our guide who happens to also lead the a group of motorist going there.

Come and see its natural beauty enjoying the fresh cold water.

We would like commend the sincere hospitability of the Oslob folks, consistently providing assistance to us from the time we arrived until we left the place. Their genuine hospitability is remarkable. We hope for more tourist to visit this place. Kudos to the tourism officials as well! Mabuhay ang Lungsod sa Oslob! 

Who doesn't want to say cheers for this majestic place! Everyone deserves a can of beer!

FYIs:

Bus Fare (ceres or sunrays bus liner)
        Php 160 -180, Air-conditioned bus 
        Php 150, Non Air-conditioned bus 
Whaleshark
        butanding watching - Php 300
        camera fee - Php 100
        snorkeling fee - Php 20

Life Jacket - Php 50

Falls Motor cycle Fee - Php 100

NOTE: 

The above mentioned prices, facilities and amenities are subject to change as per owners discretion.