Thursday, July 4, 2013

Part 1: Zip line and rock climbing at Papa Kit's Marina and Fishing Lagoon, Liloan, Cebu

If you're in Cebu City and looking for something really fun to do in the area, I'd highly recommend a short trip to Papa Kit's.  A few weeks ago my wife and daughter and I, along with my sister-in-law and her friend, left Cebu and drove to Papa Kit's Marina and Fishing Lagoon in Liloan, Cebu, which is on Silot Bay probably about an hour or less northeast Cebu City depending on the traffic.  Papa Kit's is located just off the coast, is in an area that is starting to transition already toward a rural province area, and is on a large piece of land surrounding a salt water lagoon.   Their facilities and attractions feature an 800 meter long zip line (not sure if that is counting one way or round trip), fishing facilities (and a nice restaurant where you can have them cook or grill what you catch), and an (artificial) rock climbing wall.  The lagoon as well as the zip line towers, fish ponds, etc. can be seen quite easily on Google Maps if you zoom in on Liloan and find Papa Kit's in the satellite view mode. It appears that they also have several units of condominium-style lodging, but I didn't investigate that further.   We had a great time, and I found it to be a nice and peaceful place.  We went on a weekday, so the place was pretty quiet and not too many people were there, although I've heard it can get pretty busy on weekends. 

When we arrived in early to mid-afternoon, we paid 100 pesos (about $2.25 U.S.) per person to get in through the gate and park (50 pesos of which is refunded as a credit for their snack shack or in their restaurant), then we parked the car near the zip line and rock climbing wall.  Our daughter and I tried the rock climbing wall, which I truly thought I would be able to climb all the way to the top (maybe about 50 feet in height).  There is an enticement/incentive, that if you can climb to the top, you get a free zip line ticket.  We've done this type of thing numerous times before and really had fun with it, so I figured we'd do pretty well.    But we're not rock wall climbers or rock climbers by any means.  I thought I could make it to the top.  My daughter and I put on our safety harnesses and quickly went to the wall.  However, once I got on the wall, I noticed that the fake plastic rocks that you use as hand grips are very thin in terms of how far they protrude from the wall, not letting you get a very good grip with your hands... I think  the ones we've experienced back in the States are for the novice climbers, and the hand holds are made of a spongier material that is more forgiving and protrudes out from the wall a little further.  They're also pretty far apart -- and I am 6'1" with long legs and arms. Not to mention we didn't have on proper shoes (my daughter even went barefoot).  OK, enough with the excuses!  I tried and tried, but soon my hands started cramping up and getting weak... coupled with the heat and humidity (this was early in our Philippines trip and I was still getting acclimated), I gradually burned out and probably only got about 20 feet up the wall.  A humbling but slightly disappointing experience.  Same thing with our daughter - she thought that the rocks were too far apart from one another and she couldn't get a good grip on them either.   

So all in all we had some good sweaty fun and father-daughter bonding, even though I couldn't make it to the top of a tower I know I could have otherwise conquered with the "cushy"  version of handholds (sour grapes ha-ha!).  But don't let me discourage you!  You might be able to make it to the top and get a free zip line ticket.  Even if not, or if rock wall climbing is not your cup of tea, there's plenty of other fun stuff to do.

She's a chip off the old block!  No need for Daddy to coach her.


Making a fool of myself -- or maybe a monkey!

Father-daughter bonding
After our daughter and I gave it up and cooled off a bit from the rock climbing exertion, we were ready to have everyone else who hadn't suited up already to get their safety harnesses and put on their helmets for the zip line.  My wife was up for it, as well as her sister's friend.  My sister-in-law opted not to go and kindly served as our photographer.

Receiving the final blessings from the safety checker guy in our crotch-grabbing harnesses

Ready to rock and roll - my wife, me, our daughter, and my sister-in-law's friend
We next made the climb up the tower that would give us enough height and velocity to get across the big lagoon on the zip line cables - 800 meters.  I can't remember how many flights of stairs we went up the tower, but it had to be at least 60 feet tall. 

No turning back!

Once we got to the top, there were attendants whose job is to safely clip you onto the zip line and tell you when it's your turn to go.   Then you sit down on seats up at the top and wait your turn to go -- it's a great view. 







Papa Kit's 800 meter zip line!

View from the top looking at destination across lagoon
View from the top looking southwest.  If you click on the photo and enlarge and look very closely, you can see the skyscrapers of Cebu City about 1/4 of the picture in from the left at the base of the mountain
Ready to zip!

Zip line daredevil

What's the bucket for? Maybe I shouldn't ask.
Second thoughts???
Then just a little bit of time to get positioned and dangle... 

Getting ready to go down "dual"

Pre-flight checklist - wings "check"

Ready to roll


Then finally, liftoff!


Of course there was no screaming from our 9-year-old daughter



My wife's turn 
Wheeee!



One thing I really regret is that I didn't take a camera with me to get some shots mid-flight... oh well.  It was a very smooth and relaxing ride, and the breeze from traveling so quickly down the zip line cable felt really refreshing on a hot and humid day.  Once we got over to the end of the zip line on lower platform on the island in the middle of the lagoon, we climbed another tower to board the next zip line that would take us back to the mainland from the island (it ends up at a platform a short distance away from the tower shown in the photos above).

Next, we took a little break at the snack shack to replenish some of those lost fluids and salts with some good cold water, chicharron (fried pork rinds), and siopao.  They do have a restaurant, too, but we didn't go there until it was time to eat dinner.

Snack shack seating area at Papa Kit's

My sister-in-law, our daughter, my wife, and I rehydrating at the snack shack
I asked them for their brochure/flyer, which I took a photo of and inserted below, and I realized after the fact that they also have some other activities I was unaware of, such as the aqua sports.  But we were there mainly for the zip line. 

My well-folded copy of the Papa Kit's rates brochure

So this is where I'll leave off until next post, where I'll cover fishing at Papa Kit's and dining (on those very same fish we caught) at their restaurant.  Until the next time... thanks for reading!



14 comments:

  1. ah! the zipline view looks awesome! And yeah, what's the bucket for? lol We also have zipline here in Mindanao(Bukidnon) the longest in asia. It's pretty amazing too.

    haha, ive never tried wall climbing before but im pretty good with trees. haha.

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    1. Kumusta Sheena!

      Yeah, it was pretty awesome, and actually really relaxing along with being exciting! I wonder what that bucket's for... maybe it's filled with concrete and some kind of a counter-weight (??). I should have looked or asked, but really I didn't much notice it at the time because I was looking at the great view up there.

      I would really love to go to the Bukidnon and try out the zipline there... wow, the longest in Asia! I am sure it is amazing. As you know, my wife is originally from northern Mindanao also ( her hometown is Oroquieta just across Iligan Bay). We went white water rafting in CDO one time a few years back and really enjoyed it; I think we crossed into Bukidnon for a short while during the trip.

      I bet you'd be great at wall climbing. The trees that you are good climbing - are they coconut trees with the notches in them for your hands and feet? Do you do it barefoot? I never cease to be amazed when I watch someone climb them, barefoot, and how fast they can climb! I tried it, but the notches hurt my feet and I didn't get very far up!

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  2. Never tried both zip line and wall climbing but looks fun. Been to Cebu once, many years ago and maybe time to visit once again. Have a great Sunday!

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    1. Hi Jonathan,

      Thanks for stopping by! They were both fun activities, but I think I prefer the zip line because it's so much easier, relaxing, and makes a cool breeze as you zip along ha-ha! I think you would love it, you should give it a try sometime. Cebu is a nice place and I think you'd enjoy a visit when you get a chance. Have a great Sunday too (although you're Monday by now ha-ha)!

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  3. If I were to go back to Cebu, I'd most probably include Papa Kit's in my itinerary. Thanks for sharing!:)

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    1. Hi Golda,

      I think you'd really enjoy it, it's a really nice place! Thanks for stopping by!

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  4. Hi Buzz L.!
    I can see how small sized those protruding "rocks" are. It would really be tough to reach the top on that kind of stepping stones. At least you've tried! I love zip lining. Had that experience when we visited Deca in Davao. It's exhilarating! Like you, I made a mistake of not bringing the camera with me coz I was afraid that it might fall off my hand as I slide down the line. Big regret! Lol!

    Can't wait for your next escapade post. BRB! Have a great day!

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    1. Hi Beng!

      Thanks so much for stopping by, always a pleasure to see you here! Thank you for agreeing with my lame excuses for failing to reach the top ha-ha! Sometimes it's easy to forget that I'm not a 20-year-old anymore. But you're right, it was fun giving it a try and the least we can do is give it a try!

      Zip lining is definitely fun, and the nice thing is that it requires less exertion than rock climbing - all you have to do is climb up the steps of the tower, and the rest is easy and, as you put it, exhilarating! I have not been to Deca in Davao, but it sounds really nice. I would like to check that out sometime. None of us have been to Davao yet despite my wife's hometown being in northern Mindanao, but I have heard great things about it. Next time either one of us does some zip lining, we'll have to remember to bring a camera, preferably one that you wouldn't mind too much if it got lost.

      Thanks again for stopping by, and have a great day too! Happy blogging, and all the best to you and yours!

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  5. Hi there! I haven't been to Cebu yet...when I get there I'd surely check out this place you shared! I just love your smiles and that of your lovely family..shows what a great time you had...I have not tried rock climbing yet! your daughter is a brave girl! I am adding your site to my reading list! :)

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    1. Hi Kulasa,

      Sorry it's taken me awhile to reply to your comment, thanks so much for stopping by! I think that when you do get to Cebu, you will really enjoy the city as well as Papa Kit's. Lots of fun and interesting things to see and do around Cebu. Thank you so much for adding me to your reading list! I've also added you to mine and put your site on my blog list. All the best to you and your family!

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  6. That was a nice try on the wall climbing! Yes, zip line is truly exhilarating, but my partner always gets to the climbing wall first to sweat it out and get a free zip. hehehe!
    I'm sure your daughter had fun there. Papa Kits is a great place for family bonding and nature tripping without going too far from the city proper.

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    1. Hello adrenalineromance!

      Sorry for my late reply, and thanks so much for checking out my blog! I've seen your post on Papa Kit's rock climbing, and you two (especially your partner) are top notch -- you must already be semi-pro, I'm not kidding! He puts me to shame, as I am sure you would too ha-ha! Our daughter definitely had fun there... once I get a chance I will post some more. As you mentioned, Papa Kit's is a great place for family bonding and getting out into nature, a nice escape but not far at all from the city proper. Amping!

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  7. Zip line is considered as one of the most adventurous and authenticated sport for everyone. I really think that the people should try the same at least once in a life. The above blog about the Sleaddventures DYI Zip-Line Kit is very informative and one should try to go through the same while going for a Zip Line.For same visit here: http://www.backyardziplines.com/

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  8. Pag nakahuli nang isda, ano pwede gagawin? magkano bayad?

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