The moment we left Agas-Agas, there was a feeling of being
incomplete. Yes. The zipline ride haunted me. With the missed
opportunity, I know that this may not happen again. And if ever I will
not experience the zipline ride, my whole experience and story will never be
complete. I was hoping that upon our return, I will be brave enough to
try this ride.
Before our cable ride and on our way towards the ride, we saw a
signage across the street in Agas-Agas about Kuting Reef. A friend of
Dimple told her that it is a beautiful place. Since we were already along
the area and it will take us more than an hour to get there, we agreed to give
it a try. They were excited likewise to this unplanned trip.
The place is located between the town of Burgos and Maasin in
Southern Leyte. In took us almost 180 kilometers for this road
trip. It was already high noon when we got there. The ambiance of
the place is indeed great. We learned that they cater mostly to
international tourists, hence, the place is really something to be proud
of. They have a recreation room, a function hall, a dining area, an
infinity pool, rooms and native cottages, spacious ground to roam around, and
other amenities. Actually, the whole place will easily capture the heart
of a traveler.
We don’t have any intention to check-in. We wanted to find
out and try their amenities like kayaking, snorkeling, and zipline. For
walk-in visitors, the kayak ride is 200 pesos per hour. Whereas, for
clients who will check-in, the kayak ride is free for the duration of their
stay. Kayaking is fun in this place because if the sea is rough,
there is a river to turn to. There is a river located at the boundary of
this place and its water freely flows to the sea. From the looks of it,
it is calm and steady and it reflects the color of the green environment.
And for an inexperienced one, this would be a perfect place to learn kayaking.
Well, never mind the sea shore and the sea. From the words
of Dimple, there was nothing spectacular about the beach. It looked so
ordinary and there are some resorts that have far better shore lines compared
with this one. And plus the fact that we were not able to bring some
extra clothes, we were not prepared for a swim. Actually, if we really
wanted to have a quick dip, it would be possible that time at no cost at all.
In order to relax ourselves of the long drive, we simply content soaking our
feet on the river water closest to the sea while enjoying a good massage from
its sands.
We inquired from their desk about the other amenities of the
place like the zipline, snorkeling, and the zoo. They have posters along
the way about their amenities and we were looking forward about it. We
learned that their place is a holding area only. Their so-called
amenities are tie ups and their clients are given discounted rates. The
cable car and zipline are the ones located at Agas-Agas which we passed
earlier. Their diving site is in Burgos that belongs to another
resort. The zoo is located in Maasin. But if you are looking for an
excellent place to stay, Kuting Reef is indeed a desirable one.
After our short stay at Kuting Reef, we decided to go home for
it was nearly three o’clock in the afternoon. Given a 180 kilometer ride,
it will be already dark the moment we get home. Along the way, I told Ron
and his family that I wanted to try the zipline upon our return. They
were also excited about my change of heart. I kept on telling myself that
it could be now or never. Whatever happens, I must take the ride.
When we passed the Agas-Agas bridge for the second time,
Ron hurriedly parked the car. When we got out of the car, the personnel
who were attending the ride were already on their way home. When I
approached them that I would like to have a ride, they readily agreed without
opposition. I was excited but my heartbeat was fast and my knees were
uneasy. All of a sudden, I wanted to back out even though I already paid
for the ride.
The moment I stepped into the platform, for the second time, I
had a full view of what lies ahead. The other end of the zipline was
barely visible. The holding area on the far distance was just like a
white dot. The cable lines seem like to vanish after the bridge. I
was imagining a plunge into nothingness. And I got scared.
Ron and his family were cheering and encouraging me as the suit
was wrapped around my body. I told the one who was preparing me for the
ride as well as the other personnel that I requested to accompany me that I
wanted to back out. Suddenly, I was not so sure. But they were just
smiling at me. The moment I was asked to be steady and the personnel
lifted my body for my suit to be hooked on the cable, there was no turning
back. I just prepared myself for the ride of my life. I jokingly
told Ron that if ever I will die, he knows where to find my epitaph.
Later on, Ron told me that he got scared also because he was doubting the
capacity of the thin cable line if ever it can support my body weight.
And he got more scared when I was released forcefully.
While waiting for me to fully hooked up, my companion personnel
was already ready hanging freely with just a simple harness attached to his
body. He sat calmly on the iron railings, just like what he does each day
when they test the safety of the ride. The moment I was all set and
ready, the other personnel radioed his colleagues on the other end. The
only thing I heard was “Line one, ready to fly” and I just felt my body being
thrown, with all my weight, in mid-air. According to Ron, after the radio
call, the personnel pulled forcefully my body harness backwards and he thrusts
me forward with all his might. And he, too, felt afraid for me.
When I heard the personnel that I was about to fly, I just
closed my eyes and hold firmly to my camera and to the lining of my body
harness. The moment I felt I was being thrown, with my eyes closed, I
held my breath for a couple of seconds. The moment was like a total
darkness, just feeling my body tossed in mid-air and waiting to fall anytime.
The rush of the wind against my face was cold and refreshing yet I felt like
perspiring. And my ever present fear made me feel that I could die
anytime soon. Haha. Silly thoughts.
After a couple of seconds of darkness and hearing my own
heartbeat, I opened my eyes and I was drawing near the bridge. I
immediately turned on my camera and took a picture of Ron’s father as he waived
cheerfully for me. Though a personnel accompanied me using the second
line, I hardly noticed him. As I cover the whole stretch of the line
flying which lasted for 30 seconds or more, I only managed to take less than 10
shots before I reached the end of the ride. And my experience was
heavenly awesome.
After landing safely at the end of the line, I still could not
believe that I was able to make it. Yes! I conquered the Agas-Agas
zipline ride. My heart was still beating fast, not because of the fear
but because of the rush. I felt proud because never in my entire
existence I thought of a ride like this one. I have my share of
acrophobia but this time around, I simply let go of myself and face my biggest
fear. That time, I felt like winning a game and I felt like I was the
happiest person in the world. And, yes, I’ll try this same ride again if
ever I’ll be back in Leyte.
The moment I was reunited with Ron and his family, I was like a
kid jumping up and down with my little accomplishment. Haha. The
feeling was beyond words and my high emotions that time conveyed my
jubilation. They, too, were all smiles for me. They were ecstatic
about my experience and they said that the zipline ride was the height of my
Leyte escapade.
During the course of our one day road trip, from Palo, Eastern
Leyte to Maasin, Southern Leyte, we’ve covered almost 380 kilometers.
What I appreciate most about the whole trip is the beauty of Leyte. The
route that we took from Palo to Maasin is something worthwhile and every
Leyteno should be proud of. The whole stretch of the road is either
concrete or asphalted and in excellent condition which proved to be good for a
road trip especially for those who would like to see the whole country
side. Actually, during the whole trip, it was like we were the only ones
travelling and we only encounter a minimal volume of cars and trikes within the
town proper of each municipality. The greenery is the big asset of the
place. Most of the landscape is forested especially the
mountainside. The green landscape makes it a worthwhile reason to enjoy
the ride where the breath of fresh air is always a welcome refreshing delight
for a city dweller like me. I hope that the forests and the trees that
hover over the road which give protection to the people and the environment
will be protected and maintained by Leytenos.
By nighttime, I was surprised and amazed to see the fog forming
in the highway. As we travel the highways of Leyte, it was my first time
to actually see the thin fog in the highway. Maybe because we were
traveling fast that’s why we were able to experience that thing. But the fact
that there’s this kind of occurrence, it only shows that the place is still
healthy and not polluted.
Kuting Reef
Agas-Agas Zipline
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