Siquijor, my province, after all these years, is getting better and better. Its even better from the last time I came home. Its been 5 years from my last visit and I saw a lot of changes. One of the many things that never changed is the province's cleanliness. Photo on top is from Talingting where a lone tree stands by the white sand beach. This is just beside the road.
You can see the pier so clean. The port itself has crystal blue waters. Looking at these is pretty much amazing if you can ask me. Ived been travelling around the country and this is probably the only pier with such blue water. Usually its filthy.
This is actually my first time to ride a van, rolled on to a boat and shipped from Dumaguete to Siquijor. Usually we just ride the tricycle and go straight at my Lola's house in Larena. But this time since we brought lola from Manila, we made sure she's all comfy sitting from the van. We rented this brand new Toyota Hi Ace Grandia from Dumaguete and we rolled on rolled off to Siquijor Island.
First stop is the town of Siquijor. We had brunch their and visited one of the oldest church in town, the St. Francis of Asisi Church. They renovated the church. The roof has new paint and the landscaping is really nice. Place is really clean as well. No rubbish or leaves scattered around. Its just perfect.
This is the first Jollibee in Siquijor. Change is inevitable. If you can notice, there are a lot of tourists around. I heard that it is one of the main income of the province. Thats why big companies are starting to creep in to our humble island. I am somehow afraid and happy for this. Im scared coz it can drive the small business away. The good thing is that it can generate a lot of jobs in the island. Shortly after our visit, the 1st McDonalds openned. I saw a branch of Nuat Thai, a branch of Mang Inasal and a few more sprouting within the island.
As we were driving around, we stopped by Siquijor Island's airport which is undergoing construction. As of now, small planes can land here. By the administration's build build build project, sooner than you think we can have direct flights from Manila going to Siquijor.
We visited the famous Cambugahay Falls. Its very majestic! This place is really packed with tourists! From americans to itallians to Chinese and Koreans, you name it they are all here enjoying the fresh natural waters. I gave it a shot to swim and yes its deep alright. Around 10 feet or more i guess.
They even made rope swings around so you can Tarzan your way to the waters! That is me photographed by one of the locals. It is one of the highest rope swings there and I just gave it a shot. I did like 10 times and on that day my whole body is like aching. I even bruised my knee all the way to my hip because of bad landings and a lot of face plants!
We checked in at Coco Grove Beach Resort. This is my 2nd time there and it became bigger! I just love this place. Its vey cozy. Staff is really nice. It has big rooms. And the pool has a bar beside it. You can actually drink a margarita while in the pool. Its really nice.
One thing that this place lacks is golf carts for senior citizens to go around. And also a faster wifi. Actually internet is one of the islands problems. Not all parts of siquijor has a signal. Some places have really weak signals down to zero at all. But I heard there are plans to build more cell sites around the island.
This is the famous Salagdoong Beach. A lot of tourists flock here as well. You can enjoy its white sand beach and also they made rock slides and cliff diving spots here.
Too bad the weather is really bad and its prohibited to jump. The weather is pretty bad that time and the waves is just that strong. I managed to climb over the ledge and just took a photo whats it like.
One thing that I miss eating in the island is this. Its the meat of a Sea Urchin. This is a local delicacy here in Siquior. Its quite salty and creamy. You have to eat this real quick because it can spoil really fast. In manila, you can find this in japanese restaurants and its called U-ni.
Out on the beach, i lay down by the wooden benches and suddenly I noticed a foreign lady picking up trash swept by the waves. I was like, wow. Instead of her lounging around during her vacation she managed to pick trash during her free time.
Theres always time to get crazy. The island is known for its witches, sorcery and mystical things. A lot of people are skeptical with these kinds of things and that includes me. If ever riding a broom to work will definitely ease traffic in EDSA.
I even bought some island souveneirs. If only these things work, Joyce Pring is probably my girlfriend now. Unfortunately, you have to get girls the old fashion way. Not thru sorcery.
If you happen to visit the island, go to to Kanheron Ranch. Its like a bar but theres a museum inside it. You can see different kinds of antiques there! Theres even a 15 foot swimming pool where you can dip in in case you want to go for a swim. Its like a taste of Texas when you go there.
We visited the old Lazi Church. Its newly renovated! You can see the newly painted roof. Some new bricks installed. I believe the church was damaged from the recent earthquake and typhoons. The local government spearheaded the renovation of this century old, world renowned church.
As we go back home, im starting to miss it already. If I am given a chance to stay and live at the island, I would love to. Theres no traffic. Theres no pollution. Its peaceful. Life is very simple. Unlike here in Manila, its chaos. You try to go somewhere or simply just go to work you will face the horrible EDSA traffic. The hustle at the MRT and basically the hard life of the metro. I really miss the island life. How I wish I can go back.
I want to share this video that I made. Sorry im still new at this and still learning. I would like to thank my ate hazel and my auntie ceding for bringing us back. They basically shouldered all the expenses and we are forever grateful. Thank you so much. To the drivers and to the staffs of the hotels we'ved been to. Coco Grove thank you. Southville Guesthouse thank you! To all the people all the people who helped us and helped our lola go back and visit her home town. Maraming salamat po!
