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| At first it was wide and we can stand with
higher ceilings but as we go further the spaces just getting narrower |
Then we go
deeper. By the time you can hear and reach the water that is already the bottom
surface of the cave.
And one thing about the cave that made it challenging is not only the
tight gaps but for the presence of water or make that an underground river. Challenging
especially in taking pictures and and we need to seal and waterproof our
gadgets. No person who gets in whose clothes never gets wet in the way out.
 |
|
At the start of water |
The water flows until the exit of the cave. The water is clear only that
we just disturbed it that makes it muddy but since it is flowing it will just
clear itself in no time.
I was amazed to see that there is spring water sprouting from the side of
the cave during the previous times I got here its not there it was just
recently been put there. Daniel, our guide, said that it is potable.
The good thing about the presence of water in the cave is that you will
never have to worry about the sticky mud as you can simply wash it with water
right away. And especially during squeezing tight gaps wherein you need to
crawl, you simply have to swim into the water. And you can lessen the effort of your weight because
of buoyancy.
One of the challenging part in taking pictures especially in this cave
with the presence of water is the fog. As the body gets in contact with
the cold water, it releases heat combined with the cold air inside the cave
thus the fog happens. Fog is composed of water, and water is a good reflector
of light so when the camera flashes it reflects light from the . And it takes
time before the air in the cave cools it.
Halfway through the cave, Vinard’s shoe sole flapped. He’s been using it
for several adventure escapades , with all the torture and now probably because
of the water it give way.
 |
| Vinard and our
guide Daniel squeezing into a tight gap. |
 |
| Strands of straws |
 |
| From l - r : Daniel , Jay-ar and me. (2008) |
|
|
 |
| w/ Ely |
Just a few meters before the exit is the best part. The water gets wider,
deeper and clearer. The rock formations
just getting bigger displaying
all the grandiose of size and color.
 |
| with my favorite sandals |
 |
| cool drapers |
At a small pool in the water we saw some fish. Its color is albinow maybe because it was not exposed to light.
It is very tiring to just dodging and bending and balancing in getting in
those small gaps, for hours so we
stopped and rested to recharge
 |
| Vinard just
keeps making fun of his flapping shoe |
As we
continued on after this stop, it was quite distant enough that I have noticed
that the bag I was bringing was left here. It contains my water canteen and
tripod so Daniel and I decided to go back here and retrieve it.
Its nearing
the exit and the formations just getting grand.
The Highlights
 |
| The
sleeping dragon |
 |
| The beautiful
crystal column whose been smeared with mud and the vast array of straws and
drapers on the ceiling. |
 |
Now it’s just a few meters to
the exit. The water gets deeper and deeper.
|
You can swim your way here because it is
deep or you could just hold on to the rocks on the side to pass
 |
| Vinard enjoys swimming the deep water
in a small pool. |
A mini waterfall
And my favorite: the exit. This rock
hole is about 1 meter thick. Its summer so the water level is not high. During
rainy season, the water level gets high and this small hole gets submerged in
water, you can barely see the light coming from the outside and you have to
swim underwater to go out. Have I been true to my word?: Nobody who gets in who never gets wet in the way out.
 |
| bobot |
 |
| daisy |
 |
| Mariel |
 |
| Vinard |
 |
| Me | |
 |
| 2008 |
 |
| Me , vinard and bobot heading to the road
after the exit |
We lost track
of time. We didn’t notice that we already spent almost 5 hours inside the cave
and it’s already getting dusk when we got out. We got fond of getting pictures
and that is the only sole reason of the delays. I once joked to my companions
during the entry that by the time we get there that it might be only 5 meters
at most that we have to take pictures here and pictures there… ,and it did. We
still have to walk about a kilometer away to the suratos farm and get our
things that we have left there. By the time we arrived at the Suratos farm, Dr.
suratos is already worried and already looking for a person on an attempt to
find our whereabouts. I could see the relief of smile when he had seen us and
said that he had never experienced anything before who went inside the cave
that reached almost this long. We packed our things and it’s already dark as we
headed home.
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