Freezing out in Taytay Falls - Majayjay, Laguna

I looooove waterfalls…. Among others.

We went for a weekend in Taytay falls, in the town of Majayjay to chill out.

And I almost froze (grrrr!!).

Since it was early am yet it took us only 2hrs to reach the Sta. cruz Market where we took a jeepney going Majayjay. Since none of us had been to the falls before, we had to rely on our instincts. Fortunately though, among the passengers was a family who was going also for a swim in the falls.A lady was helpful to give us directions, however, we may have gotten so entertained with her accent and lost what she was actually saying.



So a few more inquiries and we were off to the Majayjay chuch where a few hundred meters more was a gasoline station where jeepneys going to the falls stop and load passengers. While waiting for the ride to fill up, we were entartained with the raucous family with the children just laughing and giggling. It felt like a teaser for the fun we were up to.

The ride was steep, the jeepney almost came to a crawl in some parts, with sudden turns on the road. But who would complain when all around us was verdant scenery of greens and blues and whites. The air was cold and fresh. Our eyes feasted and the first time we saw a river, we already wanted to jump out and swim. The water was very clear and the more we came closer to the falls, we saw more river crossings and by the time we arrived we were already lusting! for the waters.

The base where we paid 20 pesos for entrance was complete with various sells the campers and backpackers would need from sari-sari, vegetables and fishes to choose for viands, cooked meals, and grill stand. There were also rooms and tents rented out. For socials, there was a videoke machine, stacks of beer enough to regurgitate the whole town.


We had to hike another 15 minutes thru a paved path going the main falls.To the right is a steep angle onwards the river and to the left was a creek of water which was very tempting. Could imagine being thrown into it and freezing, yaay!

It was all so perfect except for the throng of people who came here to camp and swim. I wondered how the falls and the river could maintain its cleanliness when it seemed to me that the whole town came here to party. There were scores of tents pitched on our visit and almost all kinds of people gathered together to enjoy this offer of nature. It was obvious that on weekends, it is a favorite!



The falls is at the foot of Mt. Banahaw and is braced both sides by mountains. The water most importantly is very clear and clean. The falls falls on a wide basin that is only about 5ft-6ft, even more shallow on the sides. The place is very ideal for swimming. Among all this, the place is famous for its chilling water, It is also believed that water flowing from the underside of the mountain below this falls is clean and actually good for drinking but for weak stomachs.

For me though, it was the sheer power of the falls and the sound of each impact that always had the effect on me. It was beautiful.



Up above the drop, we were told was another basin and a smaller falls. We were enticed to climb up the steep mountain side so we could escape the crowd. the trail was muddy, the kind that I always slip off. I had to grab a few hardy roots and branches to make it up.

Though the waters were calling us, it was the will of discovery which triumphed. We heard that this falls has seven cascades and we decided to follow a trail on the right of the mountain and started to climb. It was steep and wearing only my slippers, i had to use all four at times. There was a group of teen-agers who followed us and upon seeing that the trail was getting steeper, aborted their quest. For us, who were in nature hard-headed, we continued. From time to time, we heard soft rumblings of falls, a river maybe but we never did see a drop. Until finally, there was no trail, just the sound of the water and the light of the sun penetrating thru the thick greens above the mountain.

We reached the peak but we never saw the seven cascades.

Deciding that maybe the falls were on the other side of the mountain, we started our descent. After a couple of vines and crawls, and insect-bites, (ouch!) we came again to the smaller basin. This time, we attempted swimming. We chilled the ponkans that we brought in the water, and yummy, they tasted so delicious. I did not stay though in the water. I can not. Only a few minutes and I already felt my teeth chattering. Grrrrrrrr. I was ready to chill but to freeze?





















After everyone each had a fill of the feel of this falls, we climb down to the main falls and clowned under. It was 3pm but there was no way for us to feel the heat of the sun. We were far away from the heat and stupor of city traffic. We spent a few more minutes just feeling everything and it was sooo good.