2-day Extreme Outdoor Weekend

What's the best way to de-stress from work? Inject some extreme, adrenaline pumping activities during the weekend! Last Nov 27 - 28, 2010, some friends and I spent the weekend in Cagayan de Oro and Bukidnon doing some of these activities.

Part 1: White Water River Rafting, Cagayan River, Cagayan de Oro

The best extreme outdoor activity to be done in Cagayan de Oro is the infamous White Water River Rafting (okay, it wasn’t really white water, more on the murky, brown water rafting). So we rented out some red rafts and rode off to the starting point of the adventure. There’s actually not much to say about it except that it’s wild, scary, fun, wet and cold adventure.

With several courses to choose from, we picked the Advanced course which had 21 major rapids -- the first being a Class V. Our group was lucky as no one fell overboard; I cannot say the same for our other companions as they actually managed to capsize their raft. If you're a visitor to Cagayan de Oro and have some adrenaline junkie blood in you, then you should definitely try this extreme outdoor adventure. It's offered  all year round (unlike other parts of the Philippines where rafting is offered but seasonal) so there's really no reason not to try it.

Also, don't hesitate to get the photo/video coverage offered by whatever company you decide to hire. It's really fun to look back on what you conquered in the river.

Part 2: Asia's Longest (840m) Zip Line, Dahilayan Adventure Park, Bukidnon

With a bit of luck, we set out for the beautiful countryside known as Bukidnon. There is always something magical about Bukidnon for me because I spent some time there. But this is not for reminiscing. We went there for one purpose and that is to dare the life out of us and conquer Asia's longest zip line.

With half-empty stomachs and lack of sleep, we took a 2-hour drive to what is called the Dahilayan Adventure Park to consume whatever adrenaline was left in our system. We paid for the All Rides which consisted of the 150m, 320m and 840m zip line rides. The lines were long and we had to wait but patience paid off and we weren't disappointed! It's really hard to explain the feeling, especially the 840m ride. I flew for close to 2 minutes and it was exhilarating! You have to try it to know what I mean.

Oh yeah, the guy who prepped our harnesses and what have yous said that next year they are opening a 2.6km zip line! I don't care how long the line is for that, but I am going to try it when it's available.

I am not an adrenaline junkie by default. But that weekend sure as hell made me experience nature albeit in an extreme way. I hope I get the chance to do it again someday with the same, or more, friends.