My first time in Pagsanjan!

I never thought I would be able to see the Pagsanjan Falls. I always dreamt of going there but I don't know how to and I was always preoccupied with other more important things.

The artists and copywriters in our department have decided to unwind one weekend, so we thought of going somewhere all of us haven't gone to before. Rowel, an officemate who hails from Cavinti, Laguna where the famous falls is located, finally agreed when we asked if he could take us there and be our tour guide. (Yehey! After a year of prodding. Hehe.)

For a group of seven on a just-enough-budget, the easiest way to go there is to take the Greenstar Bus in Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue corner Taft Avenue. We left Manila past 6:30 am and we were already in Sta. Cruz at 8:30am. We took a jeepney ride going to Cavinti and left our things in Rowel's house, went to the resort where we paid P1,350 for the boat (and lifevests and insurance) and off we headed to the falls. The boat can carry three passengers, aside from the two boatmen. So if you want to save, better ride in threes.
Tourists may opt to ride the raft and go under and behind the falls.
I highly recommend this! The experience was so unforgettable.
Note: The rafters didn't require us to pay. We voluntarily tipped them.
Two boatmen were assigned on each boat. I noticed that they wore shirts with numbers (and some others, even their last name) printed at the back. This maybe so tourists can easily remember who their boatmen were, should something went wrong. Or maybe, so that those in-charge of organizing the boatmen's schedules will have an easier time.

Prior to going there, I read from blogs that there were boatmen who would ask for tips after the ride. We thought of giving them tip, really. But when we saw how strenuous shooting the rapids was, we were more than willing to give them more than what me and my officemate agreed about. It was real, hard labor. Maneuvering the boat against the current was difficult enough. What more when we passed by curves and huge rocks. They literally carried our boats! I was very impressed with their strength. You would really feel that you were in good hands...and arms!

View from the Picnic Station
I really had a great time on my first visit to Pagsanjan Falls. I wish I would be able to bring my family there. It was really an unforgettable experience! :)