Samar's Torpedo boat ride: It's thrilling
TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines – Looking for an eco-tourism adventure this summer? Why not try the 21-km Torpedo Boat Extreme Ride in Paranas, Samar.
The adventure ride will take you to a 21-km. journey of Ulot River in boats without outriggers but powered by 16-horsepower engines. The sides of the boats are elevated to prevent water from spilling in. These boats are manned by experienced boatmen trained on safe river travel. You and other tourists are to wear safety flotation devices at all times during the trip.
The first phase of the trip (10.5 km. downstream) takes off at sitio Campo Uno and ends at the middle of the jungle, on a place called Deni Point, a tranquil, secluded area surrounded by a forest. Along the way, you will pass by lush vegetation and some waterfalls. As you enter the jungle the trip becomes exciting as the boats evade protruding boulders and cruise through the rapids.
At Deni point, you can go “boulder jumping” right into the middle of the clear, cool and rushing waters of the river. You can also go swimming, have a picnic or commune with nature.
After about 30 minutes or one hour at Deni Point, your trip back to Sitio Campo Uno (10.5 km. Upstream) starts. The trip back is more exhilarating because the rapids are much stronger and sometimes the boats have to pulled by boatmen particularly in areas where the elevation is high and the water level is low.
The boats are named Torpedo because the boatmen and the guides are members of the Tenani Boat Operators for River Protection and Environmental Development Organization (Torpedo).
Kayaking and tubing along the Ulot River are also offered to tourists.
Meanwhile, the provincial government of Samar has recently conducted an assessment of the place as a tourist destination , with no less than Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan-Delos Santos leading the team.
Governor Tan-De los Santos did not only discuss with the stakeholders but also tested the product (She also joined a Torpedo boat extreme ride, went “boulder jumping” and swimming). The provincial government is keen on enhancing as will as promoting the place as one of Samar's tourist destinations.
Among those who attended the gathering were representatives of the Provincial Government of Samar, Department of Tourism, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Samar Island Natural Park (SINP) and People's Organizations in Barangay Tenani.
Barangay Tenani is about 60 km. from Catbalogan, the capital of Samar, or about 100 km. from Tacloban City, the regional capital.
The site of the Torpedo Boat Extreme Ride is within the Samar Island Natural Park, which covers 333,330 hectares of land and a buffer zone of 125,400 ha or a total of 455,700 ha, including about 120,000 hectares of primary forest and a large, contiguous tract of secondary forest in good ecological condition in Samar Island.
The SINP boasts of many caves, various wildlife species and river systems, such as the navigable 90-km Ulot River, which is within the Ulot Watershed Area, one of the eight watershed areas in Samar.
Who knows, while at Barangay Tenani you might be able to catch a glimpse of the elusive Philippine Eagle, the country's national bird which was first discovered in Paranas town. The mighty bird is now known to also inhabit an area near Tenani.
But for sure, you will have fun and be thrilled by the 21-km. TORPEDO boat ride. See you at Barangay Tenani this summer! (This articlke was first published in the Manila News Online)
