Exploring Philippines 9 - Eastern Visayas (Sogod, Southern Leyte - Post 4)

During my fourth day, from Pastrana which is part of Eastern Leyte, we drove for more than two hours all the way to Southern Leyte which is equivalent to more than 100 kilometers.  Our destination was the famed zipline in Agas-Agas, Sogod, Southern Leyte.

The moment we approached the bridge of Agas-Agas, as we looked towards the hill on the upper left side of the bridge where the holding area of zipline is located, the height of the adventure is really astonishing, jaw dropping, and nerve wrecking.    This is it.

After parking the car near the DPWH Agas-Agas field office, we head straight to the holding area of zipline.  Since there were rare vehicles passing along this stretch at that particular time of the day, we had our field day taking pictures in the middle of the highway.  At the base of the stairs of the holding area, there are several stalls selling souvenir items, fruits, and other edible items.  But there is no eatery on the area.

The stairs toward the holding area could buy you some time to think of the great adventure ahead.  We all know that not everyone has the guts to try this kind of adventure.  Even for the tough ones, the rides here will really test your spirit.

There are two rides to choose from: the cable car and the zipline.  They have discounted prices if you are going to avail the two rides or if you are going to repeat the ride.  As of this writing, the ride for cable car is 200 per head while the zipline costs 280 per ride.

With the fear of heights and given the extreme setting of the ride, we tried to contemplate which ride we should select.  The idea is to involve everyone because given the long ride, it is just worthy to try and enjoy this one for this was the only thing why we were here in the first place.  And after some sweet-talk, the three of us agreed to try the cable car ride.  Two of my companions, Ron and Dimple, would like to test the water for this was their very first time to try this kind of adventure.  I could sense a great fear, especially for Ron, because we shared the same phobia.  The only difference is I’d already tried several rides like this one and I could declare that somehow my fear of heights had been lessened. 

The excitement starts the moment you climb the cable car.  Since it is suspended from the ground, the shakes give the prelude of what the ride will be.  Upon seeing the height and the environment below, one can’t help but to think of the worst case scenario.  And that very thought could really scare someone to the highest level.

We were seated facing towards the end of the line of the cable ride.  There was no individual seat belt.  The only seat belt is being drawn across the belly of all the riders.  An iron railing, which is also part of the cable car, is drawn closer to the riders in order to limit their mobility space.  This creates an enclosure in order to safeguard the riders against untoward movements that could jeopardize their ride.  Lastly, a crew will accompany and supervise the riders thru and fro the ride.

The feeling of having a company in a ride like this one makes a big difference.  It is like drawing your strength from your company.  Though you know that the ever present fear that you feel cannot be remedied by anyone, still, by having a company draws some comfort in the process.

In any form of suspended ride, a couple of seconds after the release is the most feared moment.  For those who have acrophobia, it feels like a part of you suddenly detached and the fear itself is like death about to happen. 

With the setting of the cable car ride in Agas-Agas, the height of the ride is a major factor for fear.  By looking at the scene below which is more than one kilometer in depth, any untoward accident would mean death in the waiting.  And together with the rocking motion of the cable car as it descend, adds more fear one could ever imagine. 

I admit that I had my own share of fear the moment we’d been released.  The sudden suspended thrust brought jolt to my entire body as I bravely faced my own struggles to survive this ride.  Even with my experience in suspended rides, this ride was no joke.      

Ron and Dimple screamed after the release.  I could hear Ron screaming in a manner where fear had overpowered him.  Again, this experience was no joke for Ron because he has fear of heights and at the same time, it was his first time for this kind of ride.  I really admired his courage considering that it was his first time and this is one of the extreme cable ride in the country.

After several seconds in the air, we were already chatting about our current experience.  The moment the pace of the ride was normalized, Ron and Dimple were all smiles every time I took their pictures.  We were all happy because the scariest part of the ride was over except for one thing – don’t ever look down.  It was much better to look around rather than looking down because you might not like the scene below.  That is, if ever you’ll fall, that will be your last scream. Hehe. But so far, according to the people manning the ride, all riders are able to finish their rides safe and sound.  Even with the consolation coming from our guide, Ron was still clinging to his dear life with his hands tightly squeezing the iron bar and the seat belt.  Dimple on the other hand was more relaxed.

It took us at least 5 minutes to reach the other end of the cable car ride.  Once we passed the steep slope right after the bridge, it was already a smooth ride and all of us were more relaxed.  You can’t imagine the sigh of relief once the ride slowed down.  Though we were still up in the air, most likely more than 800 meters high, it was nevertheless a consolation that the rush was over.  But it was still an agonizing moment especially for Ron to endure, because the moment you look down, the scene below is like a disaster patiently waiting to happen.

Since it is a cable car ride, the ride is a two-way process.  The challenge already passed us and for the second time around, it was like a walk in the park. We were thinking that way but another surprise was waiting for us. 

Our ascend was a bit slower compared with the first ride.  After several meters from the lower base, it seemed that the cable car had stopped.  Ron and Dimple were caught by surprise.  Ron, with his fear of heights, shout fearfully with his eyes closed and his hands firmly holding the iron bar and the seat belt.  He feared that we will be going back to the lower base.  Our guide told us that it is a normal process because the operator at the upper base changed gear because the ride is in the ascend.

The second time the gear shifted, we were already halfway of the ride.  This time around, the cable car made a rocking motion which made Ron shout again.  We were laughing at him because his face can’t be painted.  It seemed that his fear grows intense every time he felt uncomfortable all throughout the ride.

Being suspended in the air and with the fear already brushed aside, Dimple and I shared the same view that it would be a good idea to have this kind of relaxing moment from time to time.  If only it is affordable to have this kind of thing in your own backyard, it is something worth having for.  Up here  and more one kilometer above the ground, was like having the same experience as the birds.  And as you look around, the whole place is a liberating and relaxing one.

We safely set foot on the very platform where we had our descend earlier.  The sigh of relief was evident for all of us but the rewarding feeling of conquering the ride was overwhelming.  It was something worth remembering for all throughout our lifetime.  It was an experience to behold and something to be proud of since it does not happen every day.  And only if there’s a certificate for this ride, then, it will be worth displaying.

After getting off the cable car, Ron was still clinging to the iron fence for some time.  His legs were still shaking and weary because of the ride.  And yes, he was proud of his accomplishment.

After our cable ride, I was having trouble considering the zipline.  Everyone was egging me to try it but I was not so sure about the ride.  Though I bravely conquered three zipline rides in different places already, this one in Agas-Agas is a death defying one.  As time passed by, my fear and doubt grew intense.

Before our cable car ride, I really wanted Ron to try the zipline with me.  Since we already finished the cable car ride, I did not expect him to ride the zipline anymore.  He exclaimed that no matter what will happen, even if he will be called a chicken, he will not give in to the ride.  I perfectly understand him for I was like him before.  It felt like fear is eating you alive.

Our guide in the cable car volunteered to accompany me in the zipline.  They kept on telling me that my experience will not be complete if I’ll miss the zipline ride.  I really wanted to but since I was having second thoughts, I beg off.  Anyway, we will be passing the same route in going home.  I need to buy some time if I really wanted to try it afterwards.