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.
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.
