Posted by: Jonathan
Our five days on Siquijor (pronounced Sick-ee-hore) were split between exploring the island by motorbike and watching the tides turn at our beach front resort. One of our first notable stops on the island was Cambugahay falls. A five tier waterfall where each level had a pool deep enough for swimming and more importantly, jumping.
Our five days on Siquijor (pronounced Sick-ee-hore) were split between exploring the island by motorbike and watching the tides turn at our beach front resort. One of our first notable stops on the island was Cambugahay falls. A five tier waterfall where each level had a pool deep enough for swimming and more importantly, jumping.
A log balance beam gave entertainment for an hour, as well as a couple bruises.
We were all alone in the water but as we later noticed we were far from alone at the falls. Several locals were hiding, poised at the jungles edge, waiting for an opportunity to relieve us of our day bag. We were warned repeatedly that anything we took to the falls would probably not come back with us. Fearing for Bianca 2.0's safety we packed our things and departed.
The second day on the motorbike turned up several nice beaches. Jenn perfected her tan while I worked on my coconut tree climbing skills.
The second day on the motorbike turned up several nice beaches. Jenn perfected her tan while I worked on my coconut tree climbing skills.
We stayed at two very different places while on Siquijor island. Our first few nights were spent at a pseudo home stay on the beach. Herb, an 82 year old from West Virginia, married Lorna, a 29 year old Filipino, six years ago and they have turned a few rooms in their house into budget accommodation. Their wedding photos reminded me a bit of Hugh Hefner with one of his ladies.
Our last couple of nights on the island were blissfully spent at Coral Cay Beach Resort. Situated on a nice stretch of white sand beach and equipped with a pool table, Foosball table, board games, a movie room, fitness center, rope swing, spa, and swimming pool made it an epic stay, especially for $10 a person.
As we continue to travel in non-touristy areas we (Jenn) have been forced to adapt to the local cuisine as tourist restaurants are few and far between (not to mention grotesquely overpriced). Almost all local Philippine restaurants lack menus and the hot, fresh, and made to order the way you want it mentality. However they do have a row of pots filled with things like fried chicken, pork, meatballs, spring rolls, fish or potato soups, mixed beans, noodles, rice, seafood, and several mystery dishes usually expelling enough funk to make even me pass. These dishes are cooked each morning and undoubtedly mixed with yesterdays leftovers, which sit out all day at room temperature. You walk down the line cracking the lid on each pot and pointing to anything that you want a serving of, which is then scooped (at room temperature) from the pot to your plate and never reheated. Getting full on anything you fancy costs between $1 and $1.50 a person.
The other food of choice which has shown to be almost as prevalent as sand on the beaches are bakeries. Any town with a population over 20 has at least one if not four or five. They serve everything from cookies, muffins, and brownies to banana bread, butter rolls, and rolls stuff with chicken (careful with the bones).
From Siquijor we caught a local ferry to the college town of Dumaguete on the island of Negros where we plan to recharge our batteries (literally) and where Jenn can hopefully find a suitable meal (McDonald's).