We started our day with our breakfast at Coco Grove, included in the package of our stay. This is a plated meal with a choice of rice or bread, bacon, tocino, tapa, fresh fruits, coffee or hot chocolate and juices. The food they serve are good as well as the staff for they are very accommodating and nice.
Kuya Dennis, our Tour Guide/Driver of the day, picked us up at the resort around 9am to start our tour.
Here's our itinerary for the day:
- Century Old Balete Tree
- Lazi Church
- Cambugahay Falls
- Salagdoong Beach
- Sta. Maria Church
- Cang-Isok House
- Triad Coffee Shop
While we were on our way to the Century Old Balete Tree, Kuya Dennis was telling us facts about the island. He was born at Siquijor and was able to work in Manila but decided to go back to his hometown due to an accident that turned his life around. Going back, Kuya Dennis said that Siquijor was discovered by the Spaniards during their colony was here in the Philippines. They called it as Isla De Fuego, "Island of Fire", because that time the island was like in fire due to the fireflies that wander at night. Too bad these fireflies already flew away to the mountains today.
Once we arrived at the Century Old Balete Tree, we paid 5php per person for their environment fee, I guess. Because there are no entrance fees for this, the money collected will be for the maintenance of the area. For that, you may sit all day to enjoy their Fish Spa. Yes, you heard it right. All day! Hahaha. It was my first time to actually having a fish eat my dead skin. I can say that I was frightened especially of the big fishes I was able to enjoy it in the end. Haha!
If ever you get hungry here, they have a small store in the area. My friends bought fresh bukos around 35php I guess and a pack of bread. Moving on, our next stop was the Lazi Church or the San Isidro Labrador Parish which is known for the oldest church in Siquijor. The church was made of corals and hard wood and up to today, it still stands strong and beautiful in its own way.
Lazi Church's facade
Lazi Convent
The Lazi Convent is located in front of the church which was considered to be one of the largest built during the colonial times.
Off to our next stop was the Cambugahay Falls. Before reaching the fall itself, we have to go down several steps as you can see at the photo below. Each group are required to have a tour guide to go down with them. You can give your guide any amount that you have which is sort of a donation to maintain the falls.
Upon reaching the falls itself, I so surprised on how beautiful and clean the area was. It was like a hiddne paradise waiting to be discovered.
Our friends immediately took off their clothes and have their swimming attire on. There is a rope used to make your jump more exciting and fun which are usually shown in the movies. So each one of us tried to jump the farthest that we can. It was really full of fun and it seemed like I went back to being a child again. :)
The sun was up and happily greeting us during this time. To freshen up, you may buy fresh bukos which also around 35php I think. If you have your things with you, there is a wide seat where you can drop and leave your stuff. As for your valuables, you may bring a small bag and put it all inside then you cover it with your towel or shirt if you'll go swimming.
We were so famished after our swim at the falls. Our lunch is going to be at the Salagdoong Beach Resort which is owned by the local government. According to Kuya Dennis, the resort got its name from Salag which means a nest and Do-ong which was a known type of bird in Siquijor. On our way to the resort, we have to pass by a man-made forest where Mahogany trees are planted and cultivated. These trees are said to be abundant way before but its number decreases due to some reasons.
Upon entering the resort, we were asked to pay an entrance fee of 20php (as far as I can remember). But since we are going to order food, our entrance fee was waived. Parking space is not a problem as well as picnic tables. Tables are scattered around the resort but I am not sure if you have to pay for it. There is also one restaurant which caters affordable meals and drinks.
While waiting for our food, groufie!
I was happy that this resort was managed by the local government because you can enjoy the view and do some activities for a minimal cost. After eating, we went to explore the place. It's a pretty small place compared to some resorts. If you're going during off season and during weekdays, I bet you can have this place for yourselves.
According to Levin, there's not much to see in terms of marine life in Salagdoong. But for me, I was stunned on how beautiful and serene the beach is as you can see on the pictures. These views and the place made me not want to leave anymore.
The resort has it's small cliff that they also developed to have a bridge from the restaurant area. This will lead you then to a slide which is no longer used and the two level for cliff diving. The first level was like 10 feet high while the second level was about more than 20 feet high. Once you're at the resort, you may enjoy jumping off the cliff as many times as you want. There are no guides or life guards when we visited so I am not sure if there are really any. So jump at your own risk!
At the second level of cliff diving
Too bad we needed to say goodbye after our mini exploration on these place. Our next stop was at the Sta. Maria Church which was known for the Black Maria. According to the urban legends, the statue of Sta. Rita wanders at nighttime and some locals saw a track of muddy footsteps going to the spot where the statue was standing as proof. Well, the place is not that creepy at all. Though I don't know this story yet when we visited the church. Haha!
The church is simple with its cemented flooring and walls that have several windows which made us see the interiors clearly.
After Sta. Maria Church, we passed by the Cang-Isok House which was known to be the oldest standing house in the island. Remember my post about the Baha Bar? This is the exact piece where they got their design. Today, it still stands near the main highway and you'll be able to pass by it when you're touring around the island.
Our last stop for our tour was the Triad Coffee Shop. It is located on top of Larena where you can see a 360 degrees view of Siquijor. The some parts of the road towards the coffee shop are steep but our van conquered it smoothly. It is best to visit Triad for sunset and coffee! You can order drinks from coffee-based to fruit shakes and juices while you are enjoying the view. There is also a function hall here and during the time that we visited, they were preparing for some event.
You may bring your own binoculars too, just like Levin here. Haha
The platform
Well, that was our day tour on Siquijor. Indeed, this island has a lot to offer and are waiting to be discovered. Too bad, many of us are afraid to visit this beautiful island because of its myths and legends. Let us be adventurers and I guarantee you, this is going to be one of your best trips in the Philippines!
Should you need someone to tour you around, you can contact Kuya Dennis at 0905-178 0092. He actually works with a friend for their travel agency. He offers his day tour with a new van for around 2,000php when we had our vacation. I am just not definite if he still offers the same price so go and call him!
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