CEBU, Philippines - The municipality of Danao in Bohol put on a new cloak in 2007 that permanently concealed the “revolt” with the installation of the Danao Adventure Park that hosts the famed Educational, Extreme Adventure Tour (EAT Danao).
It’s an imaginary cloak that significantly allows a daredevil to fly across the utterly breathtaking gorge without breaking a sweat, swing from side to side like a pendulum just as Tarzan defied gravity, descend and ascend on the cliff in a heartbeat, and generally lets an adventure buff give in to his whims. These are but a few highlights of the park, the major come-ons that formed a framework of adventure tourism.
In 2007, I was among the first visitors of the then newly developed Danao Adventure Park via a sponsored trip by the Department of Tourism. We tried our hand in spelunking (Kamira Cave), root climbing, rappelling, river kayaking, trekking, bouldering and zip-traversing. The experience gave birth to a novice adventurer and, believe it or not, I learned that it was possible to suspend my acrophobia even just for a sec.
Upon my return a few weeks ago, still a coward, I was stunned seeing a new picture of the developed adventure enclave that hit the ranks of the country’s must-visits. More options are presented: Sky Ride, Plunge (canyon swing), Suislide (their version of the zipline), a 60-meter rappel, among others, that magnet various adventure junkies. It has surprisingly morphed into a destination, a major asset of Bohol.
According to tourism officer Jerome Labra, the local government’s goal is to develop two new attractions every year that are unusual, unique and extreme. In fact, they’re eyeing on paragliding as their next project that hopefully will roll in this year. In addition, something in the pipeline will definitely rock Asia as Danao Adventure Park will vie for the title of having Asia’s longest zipline of 1.5 kilometers! Be sure to visit them by December.
But my admiration of Danao grew deeper when I enlisted for The North Face’s Thrill of the Trail (Trail Running Series), organized by Primer Group of Companies – exclusive distributor of The North Face in the country, last September 12 where I emerged into another slice of Danao – green landscapes with exotic and diverse flora and fauna, untouched pocket forests, vast rice fields and farms with cozy dwellings – all depict a well-preserved environment not to mention the warm locals who cheered me up in moments I made stops to simply catch my breath and marvel at the view at the same time.
Danao is poised to lure backpackers and even ordinary traveler who wish for a healthful jaunt. It’s a wide area to trek and breathe some fresh air…away from the toxicity of the metro. Here are a few photos for you to appreciate Danao. Enjoy!