As my companions’ “ooohs” and “aaahs” synchronized with the sloshing sounds of the rapids of the Tibiao River, I stared at the blue sky while my tube swirled me endlessly. Lying relaxed, I let the movement of the water send my consciousness to a Zen state of mind. Occasionally, I would look ahead to see the nearing rapids. Our guide would holler “hold on” further up the stream to let us know we were approaching what they referred to as the “washing machine zone.” Every time we passed a rapid, I would hear my friends Karla and Erica’s crescendoing voices—that time in a chorus of joyous yells.
River Tubing and Kawa Hot Bathing in Tibiao | Antique
River Tubing in Antique
River tubing was a water activity where an individual sat on a donut-shaped inner tube, riding untethered and left to the control of the river's current—except for a few occasions where the rider could use their hands to paddle. Using the International River Grading System, the Tibiao River was given a grade of four, making it an ideal river tubing and white-water rafting spot.
The popularity of that water activity in Tibiao started after a group of Australians organized a kayaking event a few years back. Since then, it had snowballed into a province-wide tourism draw, highlighted when a National Extreme River Tubing Race was held in 2018.
Katahum Tours owner Flord Calawag said:
"We have been bringing many tourists—both foreigners and locals—to this river as part of our eco-tour package. Americans, Australians, and Russians coming from Boracay visit us to experience river tubing in Antique."
Calawag also managed Calawag Mountain Resort, where river tubing sessions usually started. There, guests could also enjoy a pre-tubing boodle meal and a kawa hot bath by the river afterward. Asked if the said tourist activities might interfere with the river's ecosystem, Calawag assured that “all resort owners situated near the river are taught to uphold sustainable practices and proper solid waste management.”
After more than an hour of spinning over the cold waters of the Tibiao River, we finally rested on still waters downstream. Despite being drenched and feeling cold, we were all stoked and even wanted to ride more—but a series of huge boulders ahead made it extra difficult for us to ride the current further.
Stirred up by the activity, we returned to Calawag Mountain Resort for some deep relaxation.
Kawa Hot Bath in Antique
Many centuries ago, being placed inside a big cauldron on top of a fire would mean you were about to get cooked alive and eaten by cannibals. Fortunately, today, you wouldn't end up as human stew because those giant steamers were now used as pseudo-bathtubs, where one could experience a very therapeutic soak known as a “Kawa Hot Bath.”
Already a popular nature indulgence and tourist draw in Antique, the Kawa hot bath was the Earth-friendly version of the jacuzzi, where you sat inside a firewood-heated cauldron filled with water, picked flowers, and local herbs. You could opt to tinker with your Kawa bathwater by selecting additives like milk, sea salt, coffee, turmeric, or even wine and beer.
Following a few days of adventure in the province of Antique, comprising chasing waterfalls, hiking, and river tubing, I felt like my body needed much-needed pampering, so I opted for the beer-themed Kawa Hot Bath. After half an hour of submerging my body, I felt the invigorating effect immediately.
Changing into dry clothes, I joined Karla and Erica on a four-tiered hammock tied on top of each other. We reminisced about the day’s adventures we shared. Recounting every topsy-turvy incident we had at the river earlier and the various spots we visited the previous days, we all came to the conclusion that the province of Antique was an underrated adventure destination.
Check out a sample Antique Itinerary and Antique Travel Guide we made for you.
How about you, have you tried the kawa hot bath and river tubing in Antique?
