THE GREAT BALANAN ADVENTURE Aug2010

Place: Balanan Lake.  Siaton, Negros Oriental

Date: August 29, 2010

This was a family trip wherein the whole clan of Elvinia, from my mother's side, was present. The first time activity that I did spend this with my aunts and cousins. This was also the first time that my Aunt Quela arrived from New York and the second time around of my Lola Nora.

This is actually the article that my cousin Micah ask me to write as a requirement from their school to write on the things that they did during their summer break. She was asked to write on the best thing that they have learned during the break and what had influenced her. Well, she ask me to do the thing for her. And so this is my entry.

Balanan Lake view near the restaurant

“God always forgives, Men sometime forgive, but Nature never forgives.” This was the main key point that the speaker wants to convey in one of the celebrations I attended last month when I was in Negros Oriental, Philippines. No one can deny the fact that there are things that we often take for granted. Sometimes these things are essential to our existence. It is a fact that nowadays forests are being destroyed purposely to pave way for industrialization and accidentally due to human negligence. At this point, calamities, food and water crisis, and climate change are frequently heard over the news everywhere. It has been said that this is a nature’s revenge to mankind’s carelessness.

But there was another story I heard when I was in Dumaguete City. The town is known for its natural resources and peaceful and friendly people. I got the chance to visit one of their scenic spots. This is the Balanan Lake located in Siaton, Negros Oriental, Philippines. It took us about fifty kilometers travel to the said town and another ten kilometers from the national highway to arrive at the said spot. The bloodcurdling hours of travel stunned us with the awesome view of the spot-still green waters outlined by mountains, with all kinds of trees growing from them, enveloped by a clear, royal blue sky with birds flying back and forth and the sounds of the nature echoing around the whole place. This place is not just a home to thousands of flora and fauna species, but as well, a source of food and living for most of the people living there. I witnessed local residents do their part in helping the site maintain its cleanliness and preserved its splendor.

The bewitching beauty of Lake Balanan created a big impact on my life. I have learned two things with this great adventure. Now I can say that nature and modernization can live together but this entails great responsibilities. With the recent development made on this spot, it cannot be deny that sooner or later the ecosystem will be hurt by some foolish travelers and visitors. This great site must be protected for the next generation to witness its charm and benefit its gift to mankind. This means that we have an arduous task in maintaining its balance for the greater good. Nature is all good if we are good to them; otherwise we will all end up in catastrophe.

welcome to balanan... LOL!!!

End of the essay....Now my story....

I super love this shot!!!!

This is not actually my first time to hear the great place of Balanan. It was sometime in the summer of 2009 that my mom and the rest of my Aunt Nedes family had their trip in this place. I heard that the place is very nice for adventure seekers and that is located about 50 kilometers south of Dumaguete City.

welcome to balanan

Upon knowing that the we will be having our trip in this place during our family reunion last August 2010, I really got so excited. I have heard lots of nice stories from this place and that the reviews I have read from several bloggers and some websites are good.

Signage near the highway

we were on top of the mountain

The ride to the lake was bumpy, steep and ardous. Bumpy because from the national highway, you still have to  travel at least 10 kilometers passing the uncemented road. Steep because the lake is located at the center of the mountain and that you have to hurdle the heights uphill. Ardous because I need to stick my butt on the vehicle for at least 3 hours and was really aching. 

But when we arrived at the place, we certainly forget the perks of the trip. We were awed by the site of the lake. It was all green and lush. Silence was break by the chirping of the birds, flow of the water from the falls and river, creaking of the insects and of course the noisy family I have. (LOL)

The grenery lush of the lake. Love it!!!

The first attraction of the site is of course the lake. The lake accordingly resulted from the great earthquake that hit the Negros Island long time ago that it created a certain crate. The waters from the rainfall and continually collects at that site that over time it became what is now the lake.

3 pools all in all

The second attraction is the infinity pool located at the left wing of the resort. There were all sorts of depths in the pool to cater all sorts of adventurer across lifespan. The water is very clean and cool as accordingly the water that supplies the pool came from the river nearby.

Water sports anyone???

The third attraction is the the banca ride, canoeing and all sorts of water activity. This we had the chance to explore the opposite pole of the lake. According to the tourist guide we hired, that the depth of the lake is roughly around 50-60 meters deep. As far as I can remember, we spent Php100 for 10 persons per ride, thats cheap!

Bumpy rode to waterfall

Jemar on the side!

Man Made bridge to the waterfall, Katakot!!!

The fourth attraction is the waterfall. I did not have the chance to dip in the waterfall as there were other tourist around. So instead, we just took silly and wacky photos.

The fifth attraction according to the guide was the camping activities. And I have seen several houses, cottages and camp fires around the lake.

I consider my trip to Balanan Lake as GREAT, WORTHWHILE that I will treasure for life. Imagine a rare family reunion with my Lola Nora and the rest of the family together in a very awesome place in Negros. Truly wonders of life, Gods gift to mankind, God's gift to me for keeps.

Elvinia Clan, not complete though sa picture

TILL NEXT TRIPPING!!!!!! THANK YOU BALANAN LAKE!!!!!