For a month and a half, I spent my weekends out of town on different travel adventures with various people. The surprising thing was that these weren’t really planned at all.

I thought all my travels for the year were over and I was going to stay put in order to finish writing articles and other freelance tasks. I had unexpected trips but had a great time in the process. 

Weekend 1: Boljoon, Osmeña Peak, Kawasan Falls, Moalboal

November 12-13, 2011

• Boljoon Church
• Trek to Osmeña Peak
• Swimming in Kawasan Falls
• Chilling at Basdaku, Moalboal

Doi, Edwin and I went with travel blogger Dong Ho to Boljoon to visit the church and climbed Osmeña Peak, which is the highest peak in Cebu. Then we met up with another travel blogger, Jerome, in Kawasan Falls in Badian and chilled at Basdaku beach in Moalboal. We slept at a barangay hall, climbed down a mountain with hardly any light, took a dip in the waterfall, relaxed at a beach and visited our friends, George & Isa, at The Outpost.

Conquering South of Cebu

Weekend 2: Dumaguete, Siquijor

November 18-21, 2011

• Motorcycling in Siquijor
• Jumping in Cambugahay Falls and Salagdoong Beach
• Visiting Lazi Church & Lugnason Falls
• Food Trip in Dumaguete City

Headed to Siquijor with Ron & Monette, Chichi, and Doi and spent a couple of days on motorbikes while touring the island. We visited a couple of falls, jumped off a cliff, tried to swing like Tarzan (but failed), made crazy videos, and had a quick side trip to Dumaguete for food! We met up with travel bloggers, RV and Mervz, as well as chatted with a kind soul along the way.

Motorcycle diaries in Siquijor

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Last part of my Siquijor adventure.  There were no jeepneys available so we habal-habaled our way back to the pier. But we dropped by their century-old Balete tree and Capilay Spring Park-->a natural spring converted into a swimming pool.

We weren't able to go to Salagdoon Beach Resort because it was low-tide and the cliff I was planning to jump off from would be useless. I wasn't able to take a dip in salt water the previous day but when we got back to the pier, I was surprised to see the beach beside it. The sand was really fine and white that when we still had an hour and a half to spare before the fast craft would arrive, I couldn't wait to spend the remaining time soaking up under the sun. It was a bit weird since I was the only on the public beach but I didn't care as I was craving for it ever since I went back schooling since I didn't have time to go out.

When we boarded the boat and got settled, we thought everything was going to be fine. However, the passengers at the back were panicking in the middle of the ride because of smoke emitting from their side. The crew stopped the boat and some people (including us) already took out some life vests from the compartments. Some of the staff were just smiling and telling us not to panic as they said it was just normal. But considering what happened during one of my island-hopping escapades in Mactan, I opted to be safe than sorry.

They told us that a spring in the engine broke and they just replaced it that's why they stopped. The boat was running again but then a darker smoke was coming out from the back so the we had to stop again. We still had our life jackets (dirty ones) in our hands. When everything went okay already, we were able to reach our destination without getting ourselves wet. But somebody puked inside which made others clap and cheer saying that it's what the boat deserved. To think that it was a special trip probably because of the holidays, that's special for you alright.

San Juan to Lazi market - P20 (jeep-slow jeep)
Lazi market to Cambugahay Falls - P10 (motor)
Lazi market to Siquijor, Siquijor - P150 (motor)
Delta Fastcraft from Siquijor to Dumaguete - P160 (45 minute ride)

Dumaguete to Cebu - P375 (student rate)

(click to enlarge)

Lazi, and going back to Siquijor, Siquijor

Enchanted Balete tree

century-old

gave me the creeps

looking up

Capilay Spring, San Juan

fresh spring water!

we didn't take a dip.

belltower and I dunno which church

beach beside the pier!

white sand! yey.

Siquijor pier poses

Delta fast craft. one effin' ride

St. Isidore Labradore Church and Convent. It is known to be the largest Convent in the Asian region. We passed by this church in Lazi when we had to go to the terminal so we can get back to Siquijor before dark. I'm not really fond of taking pictures of churches but this one just caught my eye beause of how clean it looked. Infront of it is the Convent but we weren't able to go inside already because we thought we were running out of time.

Lazi Church and Convent
Lazi, Siquijor

(click to enlarge)

St. Isidore Labradore Church

Lazi Church, bricks and grass

convent infront, rols and cirs

posing

nah.

Lazi Church.

inside Lazi Church

funny sign

inside outside

another pose

red

board

reminds me of the amphitheater in Silliman.

altar

seats

last look

After Catulayan in San Juan, we planned to go to Cambugahay Falls somewhere in the town of Lazi. We waited for awhile wishing that there were some jeepneys available that would bring us there as there weren't that many vehicles passing by. It's a good thing we were able to get one though.

We dropped by the Lazi market first to find a place to eat. Then we hired a motorcycle going to the drop off to the walk to the falls. At least, compared to my Casaroro falls trip, the trek wasn't that long. We were able to take a dip in the fresh water after a few meters. What I like about the place is that you can jump and nobody would stop you probably because the place isn't really as commercialized as Kawasan (or nobody has really met an accident yet?)

San Juan to Lazi market - P20 (jeep-slow jeep)
Lazi market to Cambugahay Falls - P10 (motor)

Cambugahay Falls,
Lazi, Siquijor
(click to enlarge)

lunch at Lazi market

It had to be Kris, going down

just a few steps and tada!

Cambugahay Falls, Rolica, posing

falls, cold water

not planning to slip

jumping maybe.

swimming

another walk

having fun

sigh. fresh water!

tree, water

trekking back

having a break

people were getting many when we went back up

short trek, waiting

Cambugahay Falls, Siquijor