SuriVao Escape: Tres Marias Falls - Mantunao Eco Park

On our 1^st day at Davao Oriental, another falls that we visited is the Tres Marias Falls at Mantunao Ecopark.  I admit, I’ve been here several times already but each visit is truly memorable.

Just like the waters of Aliwagwag Falls, the water at Tres Marias Falls is really cold. I remember before, we would just dip our bottle of soft drinks in the running water and after an hour or so, the drinks are already cold (not ice cold of course but cool enough). The falls has 3-tiers and maybe that's the reason why it got it's name.

Stairway going to the falls.

 

There are no nearby sari-sari store in the vicinity, so its highly recommended that you pack your own food. Good thing that my mom was with us, she prepared all the food that we have hehe :) You might want to note that there is an entrance/ registration fee upon entering (I just forgot how much it cost). The area is not yet fully developed so don't expect cottages and tables. Although for me, it is one of the charms of the area. My friends and I just sat by the rocks while chatting and enjoying our food. By the way, that day, we were the only group there so it feels like we rented the whole area haha

 

Like I said, there are no tables and cottages there :)



Small cave just beside the falls.



It was a short but memorable side trip to Tres Marias. What better way to cap off the 1st day of our SuriVao Escape. More photos below for your viewing pleasure :)

Looks refreshing :)

SuriVao Escape- Aliwagwag Falls

My mothers' hometown is a little charming place called Cateel (in Davao Oriental). Although we always travel there during Christmas and summer vacation, I've never really explored the exotic and amazing Aliwagwag Falls. So for our SuriVao Escape, this falls is definitely part of our itinerary!

According to my mother, back then it was difficult to visit the falls which is in Barangay Aliwagwag due to unpaved roads and you have to ride a habal habal to get there. Today, it is much easier to visit the area since the construction of Cateel-Compostela Road.



As soon as we reached the place, we can't help but utter words of praise for this majestic falls. We all rushed towards it and go gaga over taking pictures here and there! Seriously, the place is truly breathtaking that not taking pictures will be a major crime!

Aliwagwag Falls is actually composed of mutiple tiers and runs down to a river. If I can describe the falls, it's like a stairway to heaven. You can't help but want to climb the top tier :) 

Be careful! The rocks there are slippery.

He's obviously loving the water :)

As of writing, they are already developing the area (building cottages and cemented stairs) perhaps to attract more tourist. I just hope that they don't alter much the area since its already beautiful as it is. 
And hopefully, they will be able to maintain the beauty and cleanliness of Aliwagwag Falls so that future generations will still be able to marvel at this majestic body of water.

Another epic jumpshot from Fred! Hehe..



One last groupshot before we left the area :)