Siquijor Adventure Dec08

Coco Grove, Siquijor

The last month of 2008, that was December of 2008, I got the chance to visit the mystical island of Siquijor.Some hear says and scary stories were heard about this place. It is tagged as the home of witchcraft, shamans and sorcerers in the Philippines. Some of the superstitious beliefs originated here as well.

Well I must say foremost, that I went to this wonderful island for free, my friend Ela and her mom paid the expenses for us and all we have to do is to enjoy it with them. If it were’nt for my friend, I would not be able experience the amazing things that happened during my stay in the island.

Ela, is a friend of mine during College days. we got close during our junior years in nursing in Brent. We were members of our gang named LAWUY TEAM, name created by Paulie. She just arrived from California and had their vacation in the Philippines. Coincidentally, I happened to be in Dumaguete City that is why she invited me to join with her and explore the Island.

Now so much for that, I set my foot to this island last December 15 to date. During that day, we were so excited as to what and how the island looks like, are people from that place really having magical powers like the locals says tiktik, or is there something about the island that long before I was born has been plagued in the minds of the people whenever they hear this name. There were lots of questions in our minds that will be answered once we set foot on that island. In short, we were just so excited.

ashraf, ela and rm at the Dumaguete Sea Port

During our trip towards the capital of Negros Oriental, the Dumaguete City, we were having mix feelings as some of the adventure seekers were late. My friend’s mom was so outrage because Ela was very late. She kept talking about the departure of the fastcraft that we will ride to Siquijor. But luckily, we arrived about 15 minutes earlier than the boat is set to depart.

The sky was gloomy and the sea was kinda rough, so we were all thinking what if the mystical island sense our coming and did not want us to pay her visit, so the signs were showing. But, no, we still continue our voyage to the sea.

Siquijor Port

I fell asleep few minutes before the departure as the boat was really swaying so fast due to the roughness of the big waves brought about by the bad weather. I was so nauseated and had problems with vertigo and i blamed that to the weather condition, so I nap. I just remembered that I opened my eyes and were on the shore of the island Siquijor. I forgot my digital camera back at home, but luckily i got my sister’s cellphone, so I grab it and have picture taking all over.

One of the huts along the beach in COCO Grove

The shoreline already invites you to dip in and experience their sea. I must say that unlike im my hometown Zamboanga, this is totally different scene. Their seaport is way to foggy but believed me, the seawater is so clean that tiny fishes are visible swimming, big fishes in different colors and the corals from the boat.

There were so many people, like us, looking for an incredible experience in the island. There were countless foreigners on board and some local tourists as well. But just like us, we cant help but grab our cameras and videos to shoot in the majestic scenario.

Coco Grove Sea Front View

To continue onto our voyage, since we are aliens of the said island,we rented a local tourist guide. The guide recommended the Coco Grove Resort as the best in the island. Ela heard a lot of good feedbacks about the resort on her web research beforehand. So we went to this resort.

Coco Grove Pool at sundown

The entrance was so inviting. It had an orange shade of walls and some wooden gate. Looks like a picturesque of an ancient city. Inside was like a forest, full of trees and plants.

Macky the Parrot

at the coco front desk with friendly staff

We stumbled upon a very big cockatoo on the reception area, but it was not friendly though. I was almost bitten in the hand, lucky for me it didnt. After we unloaded our packs on the rented cottage which by the way was located on the extension annex of the resort. It was far from the reception area but was just few walks from the best pool in the resort. We immediately went to the resort’s dining area to quench on and relieve our stubborn stomach. We were given a welcome drink by the resort personnel. It was so savourful, twas a coconut juice with a cherry on the side of the glass. Then off to the main menu of the day.There were also dove birds that seemingly welcoming us to the resort. My friend was so amazed and captured it.

welcome meal, dono the name, but its delicious

Welcome Drink

After being satisfied witht the flavorful menu we had, we then scroll around and tooks lot of pictures. The resort had 3 swimming pools in all, and one which just near on our cottage was the biggest and with a side pool bar in it.

First Pool

Second Pool

third Pool

There were also other acitivities that you can do inside the resort. You can play billiards, darts, soccer, kayaking, and just everything you can imagine.

Side bar pool

Kayaking

i won over ashraf in this game

The following day of the adventure, we went on island tour. The local tourist guide guides us to the different scenic spots of the island.

First stop, the oldest Balete Tree in the island. This century old balete (strangling fig or banyan) tree is the biggest in the entire island. Because of its eerie outline created by hundreds of roots and vines hanging down, the tree is believed to be enchanted. According to the local folks that i have talked with, the water collected alongside the tree, came from the balete tree itself. I partly believe on that idea as i can not seem to find any source of water around that could have been the reason for the water collected on the pool.

the oldest balete tree (century old) in siquijor 

Second, the Mount Bandilaan National Park. Situated at the center of the province straddling the towns of Lazi and Siquijor, it is home to endemic fauna and flora. Rising at 557 feet at its highest point, the 244 hectare man-made forest covers the former Reforestation Project and offers a breathtaking view of the land below. Other attractions within the park include religious parks, natural springs, and a butterfly sanctuary. which is home to Asia’s biggest butterfly. Other attractions include a shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes and The Way of the Cross up to the top of the mountain.

the highest mountain peak of siquijor, Mt. Bandila-an

The way of the cross

Third, the Cantabon Cave. The long, winding and difficult trek to the cave’s end is both a challenge and a delight to any sprelunker. It takes an hour and a half to negotiate the trail, wading through little streams and dodging stalactites and stalagmites that abound the cavern. A dip in the natural pool at the cave’s end provides a cool respite. In spite of its reputation as the most well-known cave in the province, no one has ever explored to its very end.

Cantabon Cave Signage

the cave's entrance

Through the Cantabon Cave

were so happy when we already see the light through the caves

One very noteworthy to mention was the entrance of the cave. It is so small that we thought we can barely get inside the cave. but however we did it. Inside the cave was a great experience. it smelled bats shit i guess and there was mud all around. Ela’s dress got so dirty. She thought the cave was like other caves in the Philippines like it has a big entrance and some man made steps to get through but it was not. According to the local tourist we’ve talked to, some of the naturalist and the local tourism of the island suggested to preserve its natural appearance as it is.

the cambugahay falls

Fourth, the Cambugahay Falls. Cambugahay Falls is the most famous waterfalls in the Island. See its several levels of waterfalls and enjoy its cool and refreshing waters. Secluded and relatively unexplored, the waterfalls surely invite trekkers for a refreshing dip.

rm's moklo style

after swimming in cambugahay river

The way to the falls was a bit tiring as we have to hurdle countless steps to get to it. but once you have seen its majestic presence beeming your eyesight then you would forget the perks. A misfortune incident happened when i got almost drowned. Luckily, I was saved by RM.

RM who was raised in the southern town of Zamboanga peninsula where locals are known for their swimming ability, got the attention of the foreign tourist around the falls. Both Ashraf and RM showed their Moklo stuff and stunned the foreigners. LOL

Fifth, the Town of Siquijor. I got the chance to get a picture of the belltower of the town. This century-old churches and structures offer visitors a glimpse of the island’s religious fervor in paying homage to the town’s patron saints. Such reverence and devotion can be seen in the manner they preserved their churches.

We will not ever missed of what the Island is famous for. We asked the tour guide to bring us to the town where witches stays. He explained that witches were just stories of the past, they dont exist here, only in the upper towns. We passed by to some local novelty shop for chants and charms and there we purchased some bracelets and figures that believe to have some magical powers that the seller is claiming.

Of course, who could ever forget the well knowned Bayocbocs. Our trip to the Siquijor will not be completed without paying visit to their residence. One relevant scene we saw was the mysterious candles displayed at their house. My friend took a photo of it. We let Paulie’s mom rationalize its presence at their house, but choose not to.