Friday, April 6, 2012

My Hopes for Batlag Falls

We, maybe are all familiar with the saying "Hitting two birds with one stone". That exactly is what you will experience when visiting Daranak Falls in Tanay Rizal, for in that same area just a 10 minute uphill walk is another falls equally worth visiting.




Batlag Falls is the strongest cascade out of several smaller falls in the area. Comparing to the other falls I've been to, the water flows gentler. The place is shady and offers a dreamy-like sensation with the cool breeze brought about by the several trees around the area. The smaller cascades scattered around made me feel like I'm a princess in a fairy tale wandering in the garden of my kingdom.



There are two pools created by the water flow ideal for swimming. The catch basin under Batlag falls is shallow, about 8 ft deep according to the caretaker of the falls. Some Korean tourists are happily swimming when I got there. On the left is another pool which is deeper, about 20 feet in depth. Moss grows abundantly in the moist rocks adding green to the surroundings. In some areas, vines are creeping in the trees and it the ground and it kind of looks like an enchanted forest as well.





There are cottages and a man-made swimming pool on the lower part of the falls area. The water flows directly from the mountains making it cold. The sight of the pool didn't quite appeal to me though, it seemed not to harmonize with the natural surrounding although I think it is a good addition for those who prefer the clearer water as the falls catch basin looked kind of murky to me, probably because of the rains the night before I visited.




One thing that makes me sad is the fact that when I got there, there are numerous cigarette butts scattered almost everywhere, some plastic wraps in some areas and in one area, a huge untidy pile of alcoholic beverage bottles. There's a string of artificial flowers adorning the falls which I think had been hanging there for quite a while for it isn't in good form anymore. I understand that was a props used by a TV show who had a shoot there but it wouldn't hurt removing it afterwards right? It isn't a good sight.  It kind of destroys the natural beauty of the place.The owner collects Php50 entrance fee and I couldn't imagine why this area can't be kept clean like Daranak Falls. I'm sorry for the word but after seeing the garbage area on the way to the swimming pool, I was totally disgusted and decided to go back to Daranak falls right away. I hope visitors and the owner as well, do both their share in preserving gifts like this. Other than than though, I still find Batlag Falls as a beautiful place and can just be improved more or at least, maintained.




For now, the beauty of Batlag Falls can still conceal the trash left about by irresponsible people but I'm hoping visitors and the owners both do their share.  If it get's cleaned up, this place will be a total charm,  a more enchanting place. You now that something we see only in our dreams as a perfect place? - that can be Batlag Fals.

10 comments :

  1. looks inviting! I have a thing for waterfalls.. and I easily get inlove with just the sight of water streaming swiftly down a lagoon.. beautiful! followed your blog on google connect <3 take vcare

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for following Wander Shugah. :) I feel the same way with waterfall too.

    ReplyDelete
  3. P50 admission and they can't even keep the place clean? That's sad. I was about to say, it looks clean and uncrowded... Guess you worked on your angles well.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Gay! That's maybe because when we were there, the owner and caretaker were busy with their drinking session, hehe. It's such a turn off.

    ReplyDelete
  5. this is definitely one of my favorite travel blogs.

    i like the fare details kasi im also a commuter. Astig! Keep its up!

    http://pixienostalgia.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks Geia, it's a very heart warming comment. :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks for the info, planning to go there Soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for visiting the site too Melanie. Hope you enjoy your trip. :)

      Delete
  8. We were at Batlag Falls yesterday, We paid a total of 120 per pax , 20 for daranak and 100 for Batlag. For such an amount , they could have maintained the falls clean, some of the basin where the falls cascaded is so murky and really dirty with garbage ,leaves and branches left to rot . he stones were so slippery too .They do not consider safety of their patrons save for a caretaker busy collecting fees for the tables and salbabida being rented .Calling BIR they don't issue official receipt just provisional receipt considering its privately owned . I paid a total of 2K only for Batlag . The place needs to be improve with all the fees they are collecting , P 5 for every CR use , another P 5 for the shower .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This is really sad to hear. It seems It's not only the entrance fee that has doubled since I was there but the trash too based on what you were saying. :( And I hoped that somehow, with the entrance fee collected by the owner of Batlag Falls, the place would be kept better.

      Delete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...