CEBU's WONDERFUL FALLS: DAU FALLS

Posted on 07 December 2018 at 08:15

Dau Falls / Credit: Joseph Bacalso via Joycee Abaquita's Fb page

Dau Falls is one of the falls in Samboan and the most sought-after adventures when it comes to falls hopping when in the southern part of Cebu. Going to Dau is way easy once the notable Dau Falls sign along the highway is spotted. Located in the mountain barangay in Suba, Dau Falls is said to be the farthest among the falls in Samboan.

This is the third part of my Cebu's Wonderful Falls. For this blog I will be featuring another one of a kind falls that I am truly proud to share here in bitlanders. Same goes with the previous falls that I shared in my two parts blog this falls is also situated in the southern part of Cebu. Let me introduce you to one of Cebu's Wonderful Falls: Dau Falls.

What I like about traveling to Dau Falls is the extremely tiring hike as you heed to the falls. During our falls hopping the two falls adventure that left a mark in my heart is the Aguinid and Dau Falls. Both falls have its own distinct adventure as I say. In Aguinid the adventure is mostly of literal rock climbing while in Dau it is mostly of hiking, bamboo bridge crossing, riverbanks crossing, and a bit of rock climbing. So let me share with you my Dau Falls adventure as I start the listing below.

The Journey / Video Credit: Yuri Kha via Youtube

This video will show you from the drop off point to the trekking going to the bamboo bridge, crossing the river, passing through the rocky path, to the jumping site, the waterslide until you reached the falls. What's in the video will be discussed one by one below.

JOURNEY TO THE FALLS

We hailed a jeepney during our falls hopping so from the highway we head straight to the jump-off point of Dau Falls and walked to the registration table where the officials provide us a local tour guide that will accompany us to the waterfall.

After the registration, we started our 45 minutes trek to Dau Falls while following the tour guide on a trailhead. As we trek under the scorching heat of the sun, nature delights us with a magnificent view of the low-lying community, the navigable waterway that separates the island of Cebu and Negros.

► Unsteady Bamboo Bridge

Bamboo Bridge / Credit: Joseph Bacalso via Joycee Abaquita's Fb page

After burning our skin from the scorching sun we finally passed by a grove of coconuts where it aides to refresh ourselves. We then arrived at the bamboo bridge but beforehand you need to descend the solid staircase as shown in the photo above. Obviously, the bamboo bridge is wide and lengthy that is made out of bamboos that are attached to metal cables. This bridge was constructed for the farmers and children that dabbles into the river (below the bridge) as they pay a visit to the neighboring villages. It is quite scary as we step into the bridge because it was shaking. As a prankster, I jumped on the bridge and shake it as much as I could. Hahaha, it's a fun way to deal with your edgy friends.

► Bamboo Ladder

Bamboo Ladder / Credit: Joseph Bacalso via Joycee Abaquita's Fb page

As we go on our trek we passed by a riverbank and thought we reached the dead end because of humongous rocks we've seen from afar. When we got nearer our tour guide went up to the rock with the use of the bamboo ladder. You can actually climb up to the huge rocks but it's slippery due to green algae so for the safety of their guests this bamboo ladder was created by the locals.

► Rocky Road

Rocky Road / Credit: Joseph Bacalso via Joycee Abaquita's Fb page

It is a rough road that leads to the heights of greatness.

by: Lucius Annaeus Seneca

This quote is the right caption of the photo above. It isn't just rough but literally, it's one hard rocky road that will lead to the height of greatness of Dau Falls. Wearing slippers is not ideal for this trip. It will only give you a hard time trying to keep your slippers not to slip off from your feet while stepping on from one rock to the other. The green and brown algae made the rocks so slippery that I almost lose my balance. So it's best to wear a pair of durable shoes that are good for both dry and wetlands.

► Jumping Site

Cool Water Channel / Credit: Joseph Bacalso via Joycee Abaquita's Fb page

After the rough rocky pathway came a more adventurous trail of a vertical trek as you can see it in the photo above. The vertical pathway will lead the guests to higher and exhausting trek. There is a channel of blue cool water that allows guests to jump as per the tour guide's signal. You may not notice it in the photo but there is a natural water slide if you can take a look at the photo on the upper right side.

► Water Slide

Water Slide / Credit: Joseph Bacalso via Joycee Abaquita's Fb page

This photo is taken as we head our way back to the drop off point. In this photo, you can see the farther side of the channel that I described on the previous photo in the Jumping Site. It's surging water came from the falls and down to the blue cool water. The pathway is a bit narrow so there is a tendency that you have to face the wall and do some side steps for two-way traffic or you may stop for a while and give way to other guests.

► Stairway to Dau Falls

Bamboo Stairway / Credit: Joseph Bacalso via Joycee Abaquita's Fb page

After the magnificent diving site and the water slide comes a stairway that will lead you to the greatness of one of Cebu's wonderful falls: Dau Falls. From where my friend Neil posed is the starting point of the stairway. For the security of the guests, locals made bamboo railings for gripping. The hike is quite long and exhausting for me. Make sure to bring your thirst quenching bottled water.

► The Cliff

Dau Falls by Far / Credit: Joseph Bacalso via Joycee Abaquita's Fb page

The purpose of the bamboo railings is basically for the safety of the guests. Along the stairway is a cliff where you can see the streaming waterfalls. From where we're at you can finally see the greatness of Dau Falls. By far you can already feel the cool breeze because of the lush greeneries and the mists of the falls.

► The Pool

Dau Pool / Credit: Joseph Bacalso via Joycee Abaquita's Fb page

After the sweaty trek, you can never say no to this cool natural pool. The pool on the sides is on leg deep, waist and chest deep at the center and 5-6 feet deep near the falls. You can take a plunge from the white rock that you can see in the photo. If you can see a single person showing the head alone that is where the plunging will take place. It was so fun jumping off repeatedly.

► The Falls

Dau Falls / Credit: Joseph Bacalso via Joycee Abaquita's Fb page

The journey itself is rewarding enough if you are an adventurist and reaching Dau Falls is worth every sweat. Each falls has its own characteristics and this one is just amazing. Unlike any other falls, Dau falls water flows on the rock wall where waterfall massage is possible when you stick your back on the wall but not as good as any other waterfalls that fall vertically on your back. Just like any other trips a mandatory group photo is required.

Dau Falls / Video Credit: Aldrin Floyd via Youtube

A full video of Cebu's wonderful falls: Dau Falls. It will show you the drop-off point, the briefing station, the trek, the hanging bamboo bridge, the river, and the natural potable spring water, bamboo ladder climbing, the rocky path, crossing the river as you go to the jumping site and the water slide all the way to the falls.

END OF JOURNEY

The journey to Dau Falls makes a distinct falls adventure as compared to the other falls adventure. It requires great stamina and courage to face ones fear. I myself have fear of heights but I was able to set it aside by pranking my travel mates while crossing the bamboo bridge. One must be a nature lover and an adventurer to appreciate the journey to Dau Falls. It was a tire out day but it's all worth the sweat.

CEBU's WONDERFUL FALLS: DAU FALLS

Dau Falls / Credit: Joseph Bacalso via Joycee Abaquita's Fb page

The Journey / Video Credit: Yuri Kha via Youtube