Enchanted River

Last April 2nd, Toni and I went to Hinatuan Bay and together with Jovy, Neay and Loida of CERD we visited the different islands in the Bay. Late afternoon after making the rounds, around 5pm, we wandered off to Enchanted River. This was my third visit to the river, my first visit was early morning with Neay and Gary last year and the second one was with a large group during lunch. Each visit was different as the sun defines the colors and the time of day the number of people bathing and getting fresh water.

The delta of the river opens to Port Lamon near Cambatong fishing village. We rode a pump boat and entered into the winding river, the water getting clearer as we slowly moved along. It is a scene right off those movies I watched about researchers and explorers visiting the Amazon river. At the end, there is pool of sparkling blue waters and the river stops at a wall of ferns, rocks and an underwater cave that is very small. Spring water comes out thus making the water in the river brackish- mix of fresh and saltwater.

This particular afternoon, the sun was slanting and part of the deep pool of blue water was shaded. But the sun continues to shine on the other parts where the fern and rocks along the river bank. The locals called it enchanted because there are local folklore that things come out under the pool, old china plates from the galleon trade they say and that it opens up to the other town's river. One would think that it was enchanted by the sudden change of color at the mouth of the river from green at the delta to a sparkling blue at the mouth. Also there is an eerie sense of silence as you swim and move towards the deeper end.

Toni and I jumped into the crisp cold water. The bottom of the pool gets narrower as you go deeper. Toni explored deeper and saw some cigar fishes. A slight current can be felt as you swim along. It was a refreshing break after a long humid hot day on the Bay.