Kalibo| Bakhawan Eco-Park

happened on June 21, 2016

the lush mangrove forest with a river

Preservation of our natural resources always excites me.  With too much developments being done left and right, the harm it's causing our natural habitat is getting out of hand already.  It's a great fear that our next generation will no longer be able to see how beautiful our world is.

Since our flight is at 11PM and we have left Boracay early, we have so much time to kill.  we asked our van driver cum tour guide to take us to the famous attractions in Kalibo.  So he took us here.  In my mind, "what can we expect here?".  But I was in for a great surprise.

walk, walk, walk

Hats off to the locals of Kalibo for this very worthy and meaningful project.

The Bakhawan Eco-Park is a 220-hectare mangrove forest located in Kalibo, Aklan, Philippines.  This mangrove reforestation project started in 1990 when the local government and several non-government organizations transformed the muddy shoreline of Narangay New Buswang into a mangrove reforestation site to prevent flood and storm surges in the community.  The park is dubbed as the Philippines' most successful mangrove reforestation projet.  The Eco-park is operated by the Kalibo Save the Mangroves Association (KASAMA). (Source: Wikipedia).

So for almost 26 years now, it is still being well maintained and developed into a full blown forest with different variety of mangroves.  They still continue to plant trees which I'm sure will make this forest a sustainable one.

the entrance

The trip on this Eco-Park starts at the registration area where you will be oriented on its history and mission to protect this mangrove forest.

the entrance fee

the progress.. quite remarkable

Then you will be directed to a 1.1km bamboo trail.  It's expected to complete the trail within 30mins per way.  Since you have to return from where you have started, completing the tour will cover 2.2km of walking within one hour or depending on your pace.  This is also sort of your work out for the day.  Since I'm so keen to details, our group took all the time we needed for this trip.

indication of healthy eco system

Aside from the healthy mangroves, with thousands of varieties planted, they also have shrimp, crab and fish cultures.  These are added source of income for the members and for the operations and maintenance of this forest.

We were amazed with the mud crabs we saw which stopped us from walking and just marveled at their beauty.  It's my first time to see a blue crab.

There is this high bamboo bridge that is quite terrifying to cross.  It seems fragile but it manage to carry our load.

Then there is the camping site, at the middle of the trail.  You can rent tents and camp here.  There are provided toilet and baths.  I just don't think the kids will love the idea of camping here, alone in the wilderness.

Then the end part is the lake.  It's still summer time so water is too shallow to appreciate the sand bar.  We would have been nice to have rented the bamboo raft and paddle around but no water around so we just have a photo ops.

the sand bar

Then, it's start of another trail again.  Getting back is faster this time.  I super love this side trip.  It's so refreshing to see the forest and the natural wonder there is.

Note that there are rest areas every 100 meters of walking.  You just can slow down and enjoy the view.

Tip:  Please ensure to bring an extra change of clothes, water, towel, hand sanitizer and some munchies as you will sweat, get thirsty and hungry during the hike.