Month: April 2015

Weekend Escapade at the Island of Camotes ๐Ÿ‘ฃ

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The weather these days has been so hot (of course.. Summer gani dba? Hehe). And sometimes it could stress us more especially when you are living/working in a busy and polluted place called city where fresh air is nowhere to find because the trees (Sad but true ๐Ÿ˜”)

Thus, if you want to escape from the stressful city, why not go to some place where you can relax, breath fresh air, no traffic and pollution. But what if you only have the weekend to do this? Well.. That is surely not a problem! ๐Ÿ˜„

Buy a ticket, pack your things and head to Camotes Island! You read it right. In about 3 hours, you will reach and experience the life in the island, a total opposite in the city. Exciting right? ๐Ÿ˜Ž

  Please check my other post “A Trip to Camotes Island” to know how to get there.

Now, let us start our weekend escapade at Camotes Island! (Sorry if this will be like a diary.. Hehe.. You can follow our on the spot itinerary courtesy of Kuya Michael, our driver for the tour.)

April 11, 2015 8:30AM

Arrived at Consuelo Port at Camotes and we were picked up by Kuya Michael. He then drove us to the resort we will be staying, Santiago Bay and Garden Resort. The resort is 20 minutes  away from the port. After we checked in, we just rested for awhile because our trip was so early. So we instructed Kuya to pick us up at 10:30 AM for the tour.

At 10AM, we ate first our second breakfast/snack/first lunch (we kept on eating the whole time.. Heheh). 

11:00AM

Kuya was already waiting for us and then we started our Island tour. He mentioned 6 tourist attractions that we will be visiting. Let us see if we all made it there.

Buho Rock

 Our first stop is Buho Rock, an hour away from Santiago Bay. This is a public beach that is perfect for cliff diving aside from swimming, snorkeling and picnic. The entrance is Php 20.00. 

  

  

 

  This is us taken after my boyfriend successfully did the cliff diving and I failed to do it. I am about to but when I saw the rock, my knees got weak. So disappointing but will do it next time! ๐Ÿ’ช

Baywalk

A few minutes from Buho Rock is Bantayan’s Baywalk. It is just like the baywalk from other places. 

  For lovebirds out there who want to spend some quiet and alone time ๐Ÿ‘ซ

Timubo Cave

After a photo op at the Baywalk, we travelled for 25 minutes to get to Timubo Cave. A cave which has a grotto and a pool-like inside where visitors can swim all they want in the cold water. Just wear some slippers so not to hurt your feet with the stones beneath. You can also offer a little prayer to Mama Mary at the grotto. Your things may be left at the side near the grotto. Before reaching the main entrance, you need to pay Php5.00 then the entrance fee at the cave is Php20.00.   

 

  

  

  

 When we went there, there were many visitors and these were just some of them ๐Ÿ˜ƒ

Bakhaw Beach

After the cold swimming time, we then headed to Lake Danao. But, our driver is so kind enough to offer us a sidetrip at Bakhaw Beach (10 mins from Timubo cave). If I am not wrong, this beach is newly bought and will be developed. For now, anyone can freely swim, take a picture, and have a sunbathing at this white sand beach. Grab the chance. ๐Ÿ˜‰

   

 

Lake Danao

Our next stop is Lake Danao, 10 minutes from Bakhaw Beach. In this place, you can do kayaking, boating, horseback riding, and a photo shoot. The entrance is Php15.00.

But before doing one of these activities, we decided to eat our 2nd Lunch/Snack. (Yeah! We were eating too much.. Hehehe.. Sira ang diet!)

So, we decided to dine at  Kanlingiw Garden and Pool. Aside from having a munch here, you can also swim at their infinity pool at Php100.00. 

  

Burp!๐Ÿด๐Ÿš๐Ÿ๐Ÿ— And we were full and ready to ride. ๐Ÿ˜‹ 

   

  

And what we tried is kayaking in their wide, brown lake. It costs Php50.00 each, either your having the single or double kayak and that is for 30 minutes or until you get tired.  ๐Ÿšฃ

 

 

After a couple of minutes, we went back to the docking area because we (actually, my boyfriend) were tired of rowing. The paddle is so heavy. Hehe..

 

 A must when you visit Lake Danao ๐Ÿ“ท

Paraiso Cave

When we were done with the picture taking, we departed for Paraiso Cave. After  15 minutes, we reached this new cave. The differences between here and Timubo Cave are in this cave, the entrance is Php25.00, there is a beautiful landscape (a garden) where you can stay and relax, the cave has a cold and deeper level of water and the cave is small and not crowded.

  

  

  

  

  

 

Mangodlong Rock Resort

Our last stop is the Mangodlong Rock Resort, 20 minutes from Paraiso Cave. There is no entrance fee if you are staying in Santiago Bay Garden and Resort. Definitely, what you can see here is a white sand beach, a swimming pool and cottages built at the top of the rock. You can play volleyball here because they have a wide shoreline. This place is perfect also for sunset lovers like me.

   

          

It is almost Sunset ๐ŸŒ…

But before it will be the actual sunset (after our shake and french fries merienda.. Kaon again! ๐Ÿน๐ŸŸ), we decided to go to Santiago White Beach (the public beach situated near the resort we were staying) and to catch the sunset there.

I stopped for awhile at the adjacent beach of Mangodlong Rock Resort, the Mangodlong Paradise Beach Resort. It is the newest and I think the most expensive resort in the island. This is owned by Kimwa (owner of Jomalia Shipping). Actually, you can see its beach when you are in Mangodlong Rock Resort.

Once we arrived at Santiago White Beach, we paid Kuya Michael (Php600.00) and instructed him to pick us up at 12:00noon in the resort the next day.

Finally, we explored the beach. ๐Ÿ‘ฃ๐ŸŒ…

   

    

Unfortunately, the sunset is in the other side of the island and cannot be viewed in Santiago White Beach. Yet, the view here is still mesmerizing! ๐Ÿ‘Œโ˜บ๏ธ

 Few minutes walk from here is the resort we were staying, Santiago Bay Garden & Resort. We went back to the resort to take a bath and got some rest. The tour was really tiring because of the travel on the rough roads and it’s really hot. ๐Ÿ˜Ž๐Ÿ‘ณ 

But everything is worth it. With the beautiful places (2 caves in a day), fun activities (cliff diving, swimming in the beach and caves, kayaking, picture taking), full tummy (4 meals already) & made new friends; definitely, no regrets, full of gratitude, happiness & appreciation and worth recommending to others. ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜…๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿ‘Š๐Ÿ‘ซ 

When we were charged, we agreed to have our dinner at Pito’s Sutukil. This is usually the place I read in the blog when I searched if where to eat in the island.

 

However, we were not really satisfied of the quality of the foods. We were even have leftovers. 

Then we headed back to the resort to rest. But when we were watching the TV, the lights, the TV and the aircon went off. That was brownout. The power went up after a few minutes then turned off again.

When the power finally went back, we then sleep and called it a day. That ends our Day 1 at this beautiful island. Will post Day 2 soon, a day of swimming, eating and being left by the ship. ๐Ÿ˜Ÿ๐Ÿ˜…

TIPS

  • Book a roundtrip ticket ahead
  • Choose a place to stay according to your desire, budget and comfortability and book earlier
  • Contact someone from the island that can be your tour guide/driver
  • Explore all tourist attractions that you can
  • Make friends either with the locals, tourists or both
  • Bring sunblock and sunglasses
  • Some areas do not have cellular phone signal
  • You can bring tent and use it in Santiago White Beach
  • Enjoy every moment like it is your first and last
  • Leave nothing
  • Take nothing but pictures
  • Never forget to document everyting as a souvenir

Also, just little requests for the officials.. To repair the roads and to provide something to avoid brownout (as per the driver, the brownout is every night). 

A trip to Camotes Island

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For those who have plans on going to Camotes Island yet do not have enough idea on how to get there, then keep on reading this post. ๐Ÿ˜„

In getting to Camotes Island, you need to go to Danao City (north of Cebu) first and ride a boat there.

So, first thing to do and the most important is buying your ticket ahead of time especially during Summer where there are lots of tourist going. You can buy the ticket at least 2 days from your departure at Jomalia Shipping Office in Subangdaku, Mandaue City. Their office is located inside the Kimwa Construction Compound (Kimwa is the owner of Jomalia Shipping) near the Subangdaku Police Station.

Once you get there, you need to fill up the form indicating the departure date and time, port of origin, and the name of the passengers. For your convenience, buy a roundtrip ticket so that you do not have to fall a long line in Camotes. 

  This is the schedule and fares โ˜‘๏ธ

On the day of your trip, just follow the steps below and you will get to the island without a headache. ๐Ÿ˜‰

1โƒฃ Go to Danao City by bus, jeepney or v-hire.

      โ–ซ๏ธBy bus – Hail a taxi or jeepney to Cebu North Bus Terminal. Then, ride a North bound bus. The fare is Php 40.00.

      โ–ซ๏ธ By Jeepney – Go to White Gold or Sun Gold across Sm City Cebu. Ride a jeepney with a Danao route. The fare is Php 30-35. 

      โ–ซ๏ธ By V-hire – Go to SM City Cebu V-hire terminal and hail on a V-hire with a Danao route. There is no assurance that V-hire is available early morning. The fare is Php 50.00 each.

The ride from Cebu City to Danao City Port is about an hour. It is easy to locate the port because there is a signage and the driver of the vehicle you are riding will stop on the port. Just make sure to inform them.

Upon arriving at Danao City Port, go to the desk where you will buy the terminal fee that costs Php5.00 each. You need to show your ticket.

Then, wait for your boarding. The trip is approximately 2 and 1/2 hours. So, make sure to board fast so that you can choose a seat that you are comfortable. There is no seat number and this is one of the reasons to board the ship faster than the others. It is a first come first serve basis. If you do not want to sit on the floor or stand the whole ride, thus be quick. Run! ๐Ÿƒ๐Ÿ˜ƒ

During summer, the whole trip is a smooth sailing. And if you are lucky and awake the whole time, you might see dolphins. That’s for FREE! ๐Ÿ‹

After the 2.5 hours of sleeping, chitchatting, watching movies, listening the music, and the list goes on just not to bore yourself, finally you will see the beauty of the island! ๐Ÿ™‰

   That’s the beautiful view from the ship! โ˜บ๏ธ

Once you are out of the ship, you will find habal-habal and tricycle drivers outside greeting and offering their service.

For us, we contacted Kuya Michael prior to our travel. I found his number on one of the blog posts I was reading and the blogger obviously recommended him. If you want to, you can reach him at 0936 6684545. Indeed, he is a nice person, he brought us to all possible tourist attractions that we can and he is very patient in waiting for us. The fee is Php 500.00 plus 2 liters of fuel. He will fetch and send you off the port.

That begins your happy vacation in Camotes Island. Have fun and never get tired of the tour! ๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ’•

Spelunking at Cantabon Cave in the Island of Fire, Siquijor

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It has been a couple of years since my sister has been requesting my mother to allow us (though I was allowed once but my sis was in Cebu that time.. Lucky me! Hehe) to explore Cantabon Cave. However, my mother always has a reason not to permit us until one sunny Black Saturday when she let us do it since my aunt from Cebu was there and wanted to try it as well.

Upon arriving, we headed to the registration area to pay for the entrance, the tour guide, helmet and the head light. Since we are 6 including two kids, we are required to have 3 tour guides. If you are 3, you need to pay for Php 500 for the 2 tour guides and helmet plus the Php 20 each entrance fee and Php 30 each head light. If you want to rent a shoes, it is Php 30 per pair. You may leave your things at you vehicle or here. You are also allowed to bring camera and if it is not water resistant, you may ask for cellophane to protect it.

Once done and ready, we then walked from the regestration area to the cave’s entrance for about 10-20 meters. 

When we reached the entrance, one of the tour guides lead the way, the other is in the middle and the third one is in the last. The entrance to the cave is so narrow. 

Once you are in, then the TWO HOURS OF SPELUNKING BEGINS! ๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿ‘Š

 

Remeber to listen to what your tour guide has to say, be careful especially some area is slippery and enjoy the moment by taking nothing but pictures, leaving nothing but memories. Just expect that you have to do almost everything just to reach the 800-meter finish line. Kailangan ka mokatkat, mokamang, mohapa, muduko, muslide, molakaw, maligo ug mag enjoy! ๐Ÿ˜„

I know below photos do not give enough justice to the beauty inside the cave but for sure these will encourage you to try it! Photos taken through my phone. ๐Ÿ˜ƒ

   

         This is a Santo Niรฑo Image.  

       One of the rock formations that is as white as snow and looks like the rice terraces 

    The mini swimming pool where guests ๐ŸŠ      This rock formation is called ALTAR    When you have a photo here, you need to place your head in the middle so tgat it will look like you have a “sungay”          

To be able to reach the end of this, you need to “kamang” 

  

      Can you see the camel? ๐Ÿช

    My aunt had a photo in the frame ๐Ÿ“ท   This is a shower bell๐Ÿšฟ  finally we reached the end! The King’s Bed.        The Fairy Bath Tub ๐Ÿ›

After more or less 2 hours of spelunking, we were able to survive the adventure!  Yehey! ๐Ÿ˜„๐Ÿ‘Œ 

It might be tiring and challenging but everything that we’ve been through is worth it for the beauty and the fulfillment we got! Definitely, a most reccommended and will go back again soon. ๐Ÿ˜‰

With me are my sister Ate Jane, aunt Abeth, Ann, my cousins Keishza and Joshua 


 What you are waiting for? Plan a trip now to Siquijor and include in your itinerary, Cantabon Cave! See u! ๐Ÿ˜

“I’d rather live in a cave with a view of a palace than live a palace with a view of a cave.”
  Karl Pilkington

The trek to Osmeรฑa Peak

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One day in the office, my officemate invited us to do a trekking at Osmeรฑa Peak in Mantalongon, Dalaguete. So, I grabbed the chance because this will be a new experience for me and I have been really wanting to visit the place. I have been to Dalaguete (my mom is from there) many times but never did I visited this one. 

Then the not-so planned (coz until Friday we were not sure who is coming) activity happened. With the help of my friend, Jack (who came from Mantalongon), I was able to ask him pointers and ideas in going there. Aside from that, he also contacted his cousin so that he will be the one to take us to Osmeรฑa Peak’s foot from the town.

What to prepare?

Before going to Osmeรฑa Peak, please make sure you have the following.

  • Jacket – not just for the heat of the sun but more on the cold weather 
  • Cap & Shades
  • Water – there are water being sold
  • Snacks – you can bring foods  if you want to have lunch at the camping area but for those who won’t, just bring something to much when your tummy complains after the walk going up
  • Sunblock – to protect your skin from damage due to the heat
  • Camera – to take pictures of the view from the peak
  • Smile & Greeting – when you get there, mostly there are other groups also visiting the place. Thus, as a courtesy to the other trekkers and the residents, always greet those people you will meet 

How to get there?

At Cebu South Bus Terminal (near Elizabeth Mall), look for a bus with a route going to Bato via Liloan. If you take the Airconditioned Ceres Bus Liner (like us), the fare is Php 105 each. All you have to tell the driver is you are going to Dalaguete. After approximately 2 hours, you will then arrive at Dalaguete. If you do not have contact for the Habal-habal, you have to stop at the Bus Stop where Habal-habal going to Mantalongon parks. But for us, since we have contacted already someone to take us there, we stop at Dalaguete Municipal Hall. He waited us there. 

From Dalaguete proper, you need to travel for more or less 45 minutes to reach the foot. The roads going to Osmeรฑa Peak are not fully cemented. You will be able to pass rough roads. By the way, the driver will ask you if where do you want to stop. Either at Mantalongon Market (fare is Php50) each or the foot of Osmeรฑa Peak (fare is Php 100). If you choose to start walking at their market, it will take you almost 2 hours to reach the peak. On the other hand, if you will start the trekking at the foot, you have to walk for less than an hour.

Please leave a messge if you want to contact our driver. They are very good and kind.

The moment we arrived at the foot, a staff asked us to register our names. The trekking is free but if you want to hire a tour guide (will lead to the trail), there are children at the foot of the peak that can give you this service for Php100 (depends on you). For us, Jack’s cousin, Clifford was our tour guide. A very shy boy who is also our photographer.

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๏ปฟClifford the tour guide! ๐Ÿ‘

Photos below are what we can see in the peak. Hold your breath for this amazing place. ๐Ÿ˜Š

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“Never measure the height of a mountain until you have reached the top. Then you will see how low it was.”
 Dag Hammarskjold

Cebu City to Dumaguete City on a Holy Wednesday

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Holy wednesday it is and tomorrow is the start of the long weekend (no work for Thurs and Fri.. Yehey! ๐Ÿ˜ƒ). And we will be going home but the problem is how to get there when surely there will be many passengers and the Cokaliong Shipping Line (for Dumaguete) was already fully booked.

Thus, we decided to start our journey in going home in the afternoon of Wednesday and take a bus to Southern Cebu and ride a ferry to Dumaguete City.

We met at Cebu South Bus Terminal at 3:10PM and the line for Liloan (viaSantander where we can ride a ferry) is so long. So, we went to the departure area of Ceres Bus Liner for  Dumaguete City via Bato.

Fortunately, the line is shorter and after a couple of minutes, the bus already arrived and we were able to ride on it. At 3:30 PM, we headed to Bato. After 4.5 hours (at 8PM), we arrived at Bato (where we can ride the barge for Tampi) and had our dinner. The barge then departed at 8:10PM and we reached Tampi Port at 8:40PM. Weew! That is so fast for a barge with heavy cargos loaded on it and passengers. From Tampi port, we continued our journey to Dumaguete City at 8:50PM. And oh, 25 minutes later, we were able to arrive safe and sound with less hassle and stress in Dumaguete City.

We will now check in and wait for the first trip of fast craft that will go to Siquijor. 

This was indeed a much better route and trip for a season like this. Thanks God for the protection and guidance. Thanks to the driver and conductor of Ceres Bus Liner for a safe ride. Thanks Maayo Shipping Line for a smooth sailing. ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ˜„

Til next trip! โ˜บ๏ธ