The moment i stepped out of the ferry, Siquijor and it's enchanting beauty stunned me. I was lost for words for a moment. I was impressed that this island could be one of the cleanest places I've been to.
So me and my friend Louie arrived in Isla del Fuego (Siquijor) around 11:30am. Kuya Neol, our tour guide, welcomed us at the port with a smile! :)
So we started heading to our accommodation which is located in Larena, We rode kuya Neol's tricycle and along the way we already started the tour. Our first stop-- St. Francis de Assisi Church. This is very near Siquijor port.
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| St. Francis de Assisi Church |
Then, we passed by this beautiful bay, and all i could say was.. "WOW!" I was amazed how clean and calm the area was. (I wished the same for Manila Bay, like seriously)
After about 40-45 minutes of tricycle ride, we arrived in Casa de la Playa Beach Resort.
We had our lunch first, our first meal of the day.
They are also offering home made Yogurt, in which i love instantly! Yum! :)
After we ate, We checked our room and wow! It was huge and Greek inspired. Amazing!~ if you want to know the rates and other facilities they have you may check their website Casa de la Playa.
The view outside the room. We took some pictures before we went back to Kuya Neol who was waiting at the reception.
Then we started heading to Salagdoong beach, along the way we passed by Barangay Camugao and tried their famous Pandecoco (bread with coconut filling) this one is not too sweet so it makes you crave for more.
This is the way to Salagdoong Beach, these trees welcomed us and left us curious what's waiting out there.
Then, the beach says Hi! It's time for Cliff jumping!!! we rented out life vest since we both don't know how to swim. It costs 50 pesos/hour.
It took me about 30 minutes before i actually jumped off that cliff. While I was in the mid air i cannot feel my body, it feels like I was floating forever. I was trying to hold my breathe until I reach the water so that it won't get in my nose, but since it feels forever, i couldn't hold my breathe that long, i ended up inhaling the saltwater. But it was such a relief after I felt the water on my body, yeaaaaaah!! i'm alive!!!! :D I felt my knees gotten weaker, the life guard was already waiting for me and ready to assist me, i told him I don't know how to swim so please whatever, just save me. He assured me that he'll be staying in the water until i jumped.
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| ** photo credits to Louie and Thanks Kuya Neol for taking this pic :) |
THE JUMP!
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| ** photo credits to Louie |
After I knocked my knees together, my friend Louie decided not to jump -_-
and we just head to Sta. Rita Church (Saint Rita of Cascia)- the locals have given her the name, Black Maria - Clasps in her hands is a Crucifixion at the right hand, and a skull on the left. She is known to be the patroness of abused, and mourning women.
Next stop is the St. Isidore the farmer Church, that is located in the town of Lazi, built by the Agustinian priests in 1857.
Across is the St. Isidore Convent, it used to be considered as one of the largest convent in the country.
We decided to end the day by watching the sunset at Paliton beach and it was breathtaking!
All i can say was..... awwwwww!!! <3
No words can explain what i was feeling at that moment..... So beautiful! :)
After this, we had dinner at Villa Marmarine, A Japanese Resort, then we head back to our place to take a rest and prepare for the adventure the next day.
The next day, we checked out from Casa de la Playa as early as 4am because we planned to witness the sunrise in Salagdoong beach but that day it was cloudy.
After the not so successful attempt to see the sunrise, we had breakfast in the town of Maria.
Then we started the Mountain Tour which includes the Mountain at Barangay Cang Lasug, where we had a lot of Jumpshots.
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Even Kuya Neol did the Jumpshot craze! :) :) :)
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Then We started going to Mount Bandilaan and passed by Mt. Bandilaan Park.
Mt. Bandilaan is 1,394 feet high and It is known to be the highest peak in the island.
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| Then we went to Cantabon Cave (**photo credits to Louie) |
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| my friend Louie |
After this spelunking experience, we directly go to Cambugahay Falls! :)
I must say, this is my favorite falls, of all.. Maybe I FALLS in love with it? :p Kidding aside, Cambugahay falls is such a beautiful place and you couldn't stop yourself from getting mesmerized. I felt like I am so close to nature, very relaxing, very calm. The "tarzan jump" added to it's attraction since you'll be swinging your way to the falls by holding a piece of malleable branch of a tree. I love the rush after I let go of the branch and felt the plunge after falling into the not so deep,yet refreshingly cool water!
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| I really love how this place makes me feel so relaxed. |
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| coz I am Jane!!!!! lol :) |
After the plunge in this amazing waterfalls we started trekking back up and started heading to the famous Balete tree.
This is the 400 year old Enchanted Balete Tree. We stayed here for a while and tried the foot fish spa! :) It's very ticklish yet the fish are fun to watch! Then We passed by Capilay's Spring park.
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| **photo credits to Louie |
** Here’s our Itinerary: (August 13~14, 2014)
Day 1:
- Arrival in Dumaguete
- Take a tricycle to the port
- Take a ferry (Fastcraft) to Siquijor
- Kuya Neol Welcomes usand started the tour - St. Francis de Assisi Church
- Checked- in at Casa de la Playa Beach Resort.
- Lunch
- Buy Pandecoco
- Go to Salagdoong Beach
- Cliff Jump
- Go to Santa Rita Church (Saint Rita of Cascia)
- Go to St. Isidore the farmer Church
- Go to St. Isidore Convent
- Sunset at Paliton Beach
- Dinner at VillaMarmarine Resort
- Wash up
- Sleep :)
Day 2
- Checked out
- Sunrise at Salagdoong Beach
- Started the Mountain tour - Barangay Cang Lasug
- Trek Mount Bandilaan
- Spelunking Cantabon Cave
- Go to Cambugahay falls (tarzan jump) Drink fresh coconut juice here!!! so refreshing :)
- Foot Fish Spa at Balete tree
- Go to Capilay's Spring Park
- Lunch
- Washed up
- Go to Port - head back to Dumaguete
**Estimated Expenses:
- Tricycle to the port - 120php/ 2 pax
- Ferry - 160php/pax
- Terminal Fee - 15 php/pax
- Casa de la Playa - 2,200/night/ 2 pax ** Greek room
- Lunch - 610php/ 2pax
- Dinner 300-350/pax
- Cave tourguide - 500php * good for 2-3 persons (3 persons and above plus 100php)
- Cave Entrance- 10php /pax (Filipino) **20 php (Foreigner)
- Cambugahay Falls entrance fee - FREE!! :)
- Parking fee - 20 php
- Salagdoong Beach entrance fee- 15php/ pax
- Parking Fee - 15php
- Life Vest rental - 50php/hr/pax
COASTAL TOUR - 1,000/ 2 pax
- Saint Francis Church
- Capilay Spring Park
- Balete tree
- Saint Isidore Church
- Saint Isidore Convent
- Cambugahay Falls
- Salagdoong Beach
- The Old house
MOUNTAIN TOUR - 1,200/ 2 pax
- Cantabon Cave
- Mount Bandilaan
- Mount Bandilaan Park
- Butterfly Garden
- Lugnason Falls
Kuya Neol. :) ------ +63 926 286 0947
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| me and Kuya Neol |
I would definitely go back to this island and I'll make sure to savor every moment and not to be in a hurry :) hopefully SOON! :)
