hidden gem
Its unlike most of the waterfalls I have photographed. Instead of single drop, it has a fantastic wide configuration, with silky strands of water flowing over rounded boulders and on to mini-cascades and pools downstream. It looks delicate rather than powerful.
The day I was there was not exactly the perfect day to shoot waterfalls. We were in Burgos, Ilocos Norte a little after 9 in the morning after 10 hours on the road. It was a cloudless day and the sun was shining brightly but my companions and I decided to go ahead with the trek to Kaangrian, I reckon we may never get the chance to visit it again during the rainy season when the falls is fuller.
All of us were very excited we forgot to have lunch first, thanks partly to the over zealous Burgos policemen who escorted us to the jumpoff point after we failed to contact our guide (cellular phone coverage is spotty at best). Luckily we met our guide along the dirt road leading to the falls.
A few wild guavas (lots along the trail) and an hour or so of hike later, we reached Kaangrian. The last few hundred meters were on slippery and muddy single tracks, but the trail is fully shaded.
So there we were, at lunch time, with nothing but a few cookies and chocolate bars. Lunch will have to wait. The area around the falls was cool and shaded, but the falls itself was in the open. Now we will have to wait.
small cascades
The say patience is a virtue. I was glad we had plenty of it that day. Our guide and another local who tagged along decided to snooze it off, while we went around trying on different POVs, hoping and praying for some clouds to block the sun.
silky strands
After more than 2 hours of waiting, just when we were about to pack up and leave, the sky went overcast. It was pure bliss. At that moment everybody went on a shooting frenzy (the guides are still snoozing). After a few minutes the sun shone again, but by that time we all had smiles on our faces.
Kaangrian upper level
More about Kaangrian Falls
- Kaangrian means "pungent smell" in the local dialect. This is because of guano from nearby bat cave(s).
- There is a second (much bigger) layer downstream but it requires a bit of climbing down slippery boulders and forest roots. (Reserved for the next visit)
15 comments:
oh wow! these photos are incredibly beautiful! i was in Burgos 2 weekends ago, too bad i did not know about this place until now.
Grabe! I really like your shots po!!! Any technique you use? Pa-share naman please! I love shooting waterfalls. I once took pictures of different waterfalls in Lake Sebu (my fave vacation spot), pero harsh ang sun at that time...do you use tripod for these kind of shots? :) I love the mystical appeal of your photos :)
@luna, you should definitely go there next time
@saggi, i have tips here: http://lantaw.blogspot.com/2009/06/mt-romelo-buruwisan-batya-batya-and.html
Ang galing naman, ang ganda ng mga kuha mo sir. Sarap magbabad at naman sa falls na yan.
very beautiful, i haven't seen waterfalls of like these before! fore sure it's worth the trek and wait!
sir allan kumusta? nice shots... change career na? :-) /robert CoE 2000
Useful Information. This place is very beautiful.
Very NICE!!! the water's so beautiful. I want to visit this place someday. Hope you can visit and take photos of Cagayan de Oro City too. ;)
mystical and charming photos..
one beautiful spot to be proud abt island Phils.!
May we ask for the contact nos. of tour guide for this trek to Kaangrian falls? we will be in Ilocos Norte and explore up north this Oct. and we'd like to include this in our itinerary :)
Maraming salamat - chedeng23
i didn't know that we have such scenery... Thank you... and to think i'm from Ilocos Norte... eoow... agyamanak kakabsat
I have been there last year.. The scenery was breath taking... We don't even remember how many times we said "and ganda"....
I am a native of Agaga (the barrio where the falls is at) and last time I've seen it was 2004 before we left. We hiked and carried my 4 year-old daughter on my back then through the thick foliage to the falls. I had a 25 mm SLR film camera then,never got th chance to have the the film developed, never got the chance to bring it with us kasi bawal dalhin ang undeveloped film papunta US. It's a shame that not one native from that place ever shared any for the world to see. Thanks for braving to go and for sharing your images.
Kadakayo kailian nga taga Agaga... Annadan yo daytoy nga sagut kadatayo ti namarsua. Please preserve it.
FilMalaviPer
wow, i want to visit this place someday.
This is very beautiful.
Filmer ..is that you cuz.? :-)
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