Tuesday, April 24, 2012

The Mystical Island of Siquijor: An Overview

The original plan was this: tour the southern part of Cebu and the island of Bohol. We successfully did the former but failed to accomplish the latter due to some unfavorable events. Because of it, Robbie and I decided to come up with an alternative plan. Good thing was, we met RV and helped us with our predicament.


The beautiful port of San Juan, Siquijor

We did not really expect that we would invade the mystical island of Siquijor the following day!

Stories about Siquijor

I first heard Siquijor from Magandang Gabi Bayan's Halloween special. According to that particular episode, Siquijor is [notoriously] known as the land of spells and black magic. More so, my great grandmother hails from that island. It one of the reasons why my brother and I had millions of anting-anting and other colorful charms pinned underneath our shirts and shorts when we were still young. A lot of people feared this island, including me.

It was only a few months ago when my perception about that island changed. Reading those blog posts about Siquijor made me realize that the place itself has a lot to offer. I planned to visit this island this year but I never, EVER, anticipated that I'd be coming there this soon!

Frankly speaking, we were so disappointed when we found out that we won't be able to visit Bohol. I have already conditioned my mind that I'd be finally experiencing jumping off a cliff or have a close encounter with the Philippine tarsier! But we soon realized that our initial disappointment was actually a blessing in disguise.

And oh, because of our spontaneous plan, we met The Pinay Solobackpacker along the road.


The day when I met Ate Gail for the first time! Awesome meet-up at Obong Spring, Dalaguete, Cebu! :D

How to Get to Siquijor

After swimming with the gentle giants of Oslob, we hailed a tricycle and zoomed all the way to Liloan, the southernmost town of the island of Cebu. From the port, we took a ferry going to Sibulan, Negros Oriental. Travel time is only 20 minutes.

From Sibulan, we took a multicab going to the main port of Dumaguete City near Silliman University. Travel time from Dumaguete City to Siquijor Island by small ferry is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

And upon arrival at the mystical island, this was the view that greeted us:


Welcome to Siquijor!

Posing at the beach resort... este... port area.

Aquamarine water!

This was, by far, the cleanest and the most beautiful port that I have ever seen in my entire life! Usually, ports are polluted by oil, grime and other waste materials but not this one! Despite the intense heat of the sun, we spent more time at the port than anyone. Lol! #touristyactions


Going Around

There are two options: rent a motorcycle or hire a tricycle driver.

Because none of us knew how to ride (and even operate) a motorcycle, we decided hire a trike instead. The tour costed Php 1,000/day or Php 333 per person. I initially thought that it was expensive but after touring the island, it was actually worth it. I suggest that you hire a tricycle driver who is affiliated to the tourism office of the province.

The tour started around eight in the morning and ended up at around three in the afternoon. We literally circled the whole island, went to different places and had a friendly encounter with the locals.

Siquijor LITERALLY took my breath away. Beautiful is an understatement; there are no adjectives that can perfectly describe the island.

The places that I've visited in Siquijor deserve a separate blog post.

Stay tuned. :)

32 comments:

  1. I always want to go to Siquijor but I just don't know how, this is very informative thank you, just dropping by here.

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  2. omg, that is a beautiful place. that aquamarine water is just gorgeous. made me miss to see a real beach someday.

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  3. Beautiful views and pictures...the water looks so refreshing :-) I have never been to Siquijor

    http://www.tropical7107islands.com/2012/04/family-holidays-to-turkey-what-to-see-and-do.html

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  4. wow, I always wanted to visit those mysterious yet beautiful islands of our country like Siquijor :) Nice post :)

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  5. hope i could be a kaladkarin too, but am married already with a kid and another one coming :) i am just so inspired to see you all guys living this passion, more power!

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  6. REPLIES! :))

    @Sahm's Dining Diary: If you're i Dumaguete, it won't be difficult to travel to Siquijor

    @Mel C. Super beautiful!

    @wifetoalinean02: Thank you!

    @Biboy: Thanks! You should visit Siquijor soon! It's a great place!

    @McRICH You can travel with your family! :D

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  7. Siquijor!
    What a scary place...
    This is my first impression of the island
    but when I saw these photos, I realized how beautiful
    and peaceful the place really is.
    Thanks for sharing though.

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  8. wow! Just by seeing your photo, I can't help but agree with you about the cleanliness in Siquijor. I heard negative things about Siquijor like nakakatakot daw because of kikik, mangkukulam and all? What can you say about that? :)

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  9. I have always envied people that travel. I can't wait to finish college and visit this wonderful island and also the other beautiful places of our country. :)

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  10. Wow.. Siquijor!!
    Ang Swerte mo naman Sir..
    Nakita mo si Ms.Gael.. :)

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  11. siquijor is a very beautiful island. i'm kinda sad why it was always tagged to be scary... when it has much to offer... people should stop scaring other people in visiting the place because its a great loss if they will. Yahweh bless.

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  12. I haven't actually heard of that place but it looks wonderful! :)

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  13. I've never been to the Visayas region, and yet it seems there are a lot of beautiful places to visit over there! And yes, I first learned about Siquijor from Magandang Gabi Bayan Halloween Episodes haha! What an interesting way to discover a place!

    I'm glad you had a blast touring around Siquijor! And oh, your pictures are beautiful!

    Take care and God bless! :-)

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  14. lalalaPatricia: Wala naman eh. Super bait ng mga locals.

    @Jana: The world is waiting for you. :)

    @Tripper10: Oo, it was a pleasure to meet one of the prominent travel blogs!

    @ralph: Ditto

    @Grysh: Visit Siquijor soon!

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  15. Siquijor is a big surprise to all of us. It helps din na hindi magresearch masyado para andun pa rin yung Wow factor :D

    Really enjoyed by stay in Siquijor. Yung presence ninyo nina Ate Gael at Robbie made it more special... and LOUD! =))

    Siquijor, the mystical island that won my heart <3

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    1. Grabe nung nasa end of the world na kami, tawa pa rin kami nang tawa :)) Woohoo! Good times

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  16. That port is perhaps the most jaw-droppingly beautiful port that I've ever seen in my life! Especially pag lowtide. Mukha syang virgin version ng Boracay. Pwedeng-pwede magswimming :D

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    1. YESSSSSSSS!!!! Agree! Though medyo high tide nung dumating kami diyan :D

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  17. Siquijor! I love it because it is still unspoilt...

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  18. I'm glad you enjoyed your stay in Siquijor Renz.
    Next time road trip tayo with the bagets using the Wrangler or we could borrow my Tita's Montero.
    That way, we own our time and we can explore more places than the usual tourist spots.

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    1. Thanks Dylan! Next time babalik talaga kami diyan!

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  19. I totally agree that Siquijor is a mystical island!

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  20. Siquijor is another place that is worth visiting for. the water is clear,ganda ng mga photos. My mom is from Cavite but like you we grew up with some anting anting or pangontra din ,hehehe.

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  21. Love it! I wan to visit!

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  22. Siquijor has always remained a mystery to me until I read this post and another blogger's. I'm glad the island has a lot more to offer that horror tales.:)

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  23. Siquijor looks so beautiful! I want to visit there someday.

    *Probably to shoot for a travel show episode! (nagpaparinig) LOL! :p

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  24. Saya naman dito.. I hope to be able to visit Siquijor din... And I hope to join the Kaladkarin friends. Haha!

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  25. Siquijor is one of my dream place to be in. I am intrigued by the mystery of this place and I want to unravel it myself.

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  26. wow! their port area's water is so clean!! Haven't seen a port this clean before :)

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    1. Yah, that's exactly what I thought when I got there. What an amazingly clean port!

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  27. I just went and I loved it there- unspoiled paradise talaga. Thank goodness for all those stories, hindi pa siya nasisira. Hopefully, the development and tourism will keep it as clean and as gorgeous as it is.

    Btw, the boat ride from Dumaguete to Siquijor is only 45 minutes, not 1.5 hours, unless you took a really slow one :)

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  28. Thanks Renz for superlative words that modifies my island....please try to come back again...there's so much more to see. Visit my home Olongapo as well.

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