An Afternoon at a Mangrove Swamp Park in Lilo-an

Well, it was just a spur of the moment.  After our half-day duty at work one Saturday, we decided to make use of the remaining time of the day with something meaningful.   Then we came up with a place just 45 minutes away from Cebu City.

This neighboring town called Lilo-an has just did up its tropical coast.  Their mangrove swamp that was unheard of is now officially known as PAPAKITS Mangrove Park.  There, visitors can do a range of activities such as ziplining, horseback-riding, biking, boating, fishing, and karaoke singing.  Yes, it's all in one! We don't need to go to Busay, Cebu City to try its zipline; we need not stay in Talamban, Cebu City for the horseback-riding; we don't have to travel to Mactan island and go fishing or boating there;  and neither do we have to rent a room to sing along our favorite songs.

What I most especially like about the place is the fact that it's the first Mangrove Park ever with such amenities.  The place is a juxtaposition of activity and inactivity.  Why is that?  It's secluded location is ideal for relaxation, lazying around, delighting in the cool breeze of the coast along its hushed pathways.  It's able to maintain this peaceful surroundings with all the leisure interests available.

For a first time visit, I suggest trying out their energizing activities should be the first thing to do.  The laid back atmosphere can be enjoyed later when cooling down.   And that's exactly what we did. So how was our visit there?  Here goes...

Upon our arrival, we had to buy an entrance ticket worth 100 pesos that was consumable at the canteen beside the Zipline station.  So cheap right?  We can either take this cart (left picture) to the zipline (because it's quite far to walk) or start exploring the place on foot.  We decided to do the latter (see down there).

Well, what is there to do inside? As mentioned, you can try horseback-riding and biking.  You can rent horses and bikes right away at the entrance ticketing area.  But we didn't do that because we didn't have the skill. Too bad.

On the way to the zipline, we passed this fishing place where families stay in cottages, have fish BBQ, and kill time catching fish from the ponds.  This is a good hideout for family bondings indeed.  And it's such a good place for photo shoot.  Here's one from the causeway there:

Now comes the real action.  This was our main intent in coming here:  the 800 meters zipline in Cebu, the longest line so far that can take one hover above the swamps of Lilo-an.  Isn't that great?  Most ziplines are situated in the mountains.  But this one can show you a different view down there.

they are so ready to fly!

and yes they're now flying!

and they landed safe and sound

this shows my own attempt:
that's the awkward me on the left

and this is what transpires down there while waiting for turns

After all of us had had our share of  flying over the sea water, we propelled our way back to where we came from.  But of course, we took the route not taken by many for some additional adventure.

passing through the mangroves

walking along the bamboo bridge over noiseless waters

making our way to the karaoke bar at the causeway

Just outside the karaoke

It's a big daylight we thought it wasn't really a good time for some singing act.  Ergo, we did the usual act of sightseers. 

taking advantage of the view

chilling at some cottage along the causeway

So that's mainly it.  Just a normal afternoon turned special.  Though we were not able to do all those available activities there, I'm pretty sure there'll be a next time for some more hangouts and/or retreat there.  Interestingly, there's a bonus at the corner of the street outside Papakits.  For just 25-35 pesos, we can have this very original and delicious Halo-Halo to ease our body from the heat of Lilo-an's afternoon sun.

Halo-Halo, the pride of Lilo-an