IslandVloggers: 2015

Sunday, April 5, 2015

A spree in a hidden public beach in Siquijor Island

I don't want to name this place as it really bothers me saying it...

Yet, whenever i come back to the island, i always find time to visit the place hoping that some day i'm going to be uber rich to be able to buy this beach lot...

If you happen to have lots of time to diacover the island, get out of the tourist traps and make a side turn towards this secret spot... If you are going towards Salagdoong Beach Resort from the Larena to Maria perspective or if you are going about the island in a clockwise direction, then your stop will be at the curved road, around 300 meters from Bogo, Elementary School.. It is about 500 meters away from the intersection going to Salagdoong Beach resort located at Olang, Maria , Siquijor.. they are adjacent barangays.. The beach side is at your left when you are going from Larena to Maria....

See what i mean.... .

You may also enjoy the swings tied securely to the branches of Talisay trees near the shore..

Perfect for emo moments ... And its for free...!!,!!

There are cottages nearby but no ones living there or no one was ther when we arrived.. most of the townsfolk will be swarming here during Saturdays and Sundays because that is the scheule for 'bukad' , the term used by the locals to refer to their fishing practice involving getting giant fish traps made of bamboo from the deep waters nearby and casting them off again after getting their catch. the catch will be shared by those who will help pull and lift the big fishing boats back to shore and some of the fishes will be sold to those who await in the shorelines...

Here are more photos of the place..

The water is not that deep for around 3 meters from the coast.... It is a bit wavy because of bagyong Chedeng but nevertheless , we swam are hearts out...

Here are a few other things that i saw there... Driftwoods, cut off part of a tree , corals and some more driftwooods

What to do while waiting in The port of Larena

Portside Cafe in Larena Port , Siquijor

If you are merely passing by Larena , Siquijor aboard Lite Ferry from Plaridel, Misamis Occidental, then you may try to visit Port Side Cafe, located adjacent to the ticketing office of Lite Shipping...

if you have qualms on going about the port, the security guards are your bestfriends... The secret is the traveller's Rule of Thirds... Ask three random people in 3 different places doing 3 different jobs/work/businesses just to be sure.

The cafe is just so near and is the only candy-colored infrastructure near the port... It used to look like an abondoned governement establishment and now it houses the uber friendly tourist police, the Tourist Information Center,

the Pasalubong Center,decent restroom aka comfort room(which you can use)

A copy of the schedule of boats to and from the island, (they will call restaurants and motor rental services for you)

and the cafe...

This is what the cafe looks like from the inside ....

With the crew offering a warm welcome while he waits for your order

You may stay outside to take a breath of fresh air... Wofi connection is still good here and the shade from the acacia tree will do you good... Plus you will have a view of the ship and other passengers who got off from the ship to their respective destinations... A good spot to observe thelocals too... Fronting this are many habal - habal drivers waiting to get hailed by passengers...

They offer free wifi if you place your order on their menu...

They also serve burger-based snacks, fries , pancit special among others...

Here is what we had.... An ice caramel macchiato. A hawaiian burger combo and a house burger. And a hazelnut iced coffee and a cup of cafe americano

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Sinulog 2015- Php5000/pax all-in trip to Moalboal

Sinulog 2015

Php5000.00 all-in trip

We were on board Cokaliong on the 16th of January from Ozamiz City to Cebu City Pier 4 in the morning Php1800 round trip ticket

While waiting for the ship to dock and recharging the batteries of our phones for the major selfie moments. We spent Php1800.00 for the round trip ticket from Ozamiz City to Cebu City. We docked at Pier 1..

making use of the time for selfies

On board the bus to the South of Cebu, we found out that we will never go hungry as vendors of the One-Town-One-Product project will hop in the bus and lure us with food. This one costs Php10.00 each.

This one makes me feel crunchy in the inside... Chicharon at Php 20-45Php... The ones with meat and skin are more expensive at PHp45.00

On Board an outrigger boat to 3 dive sites namely Pescador island, Sardines Island and the sanctuary. we hired the boat men including life vests and eye gears and mouth piece for Php2500 all-in

The Feast Day of Sr. Sto. Nino. We pain for one room at Php150.00/pax/day

We paid Php150 for our shirts.. Themed group it is! Jones Avenue is just a 3-minute walk from Ramos Street where we were staying so budget biyahera now has a happy pocket.

This spot in front of Crown Regency Hotel , as recommended is a vantage point for viewing celebrities and the dancers as this has been proclaimed to be where they are scheduled to stop during the parade. Thanks to government officials who gave us a prior notice.

Melai and Ogie it is!

I suppose we woke up late so we haven't seen the others' performance

the Gutz- they look different and slimmer in person... was more shocked with ruffa.. and i now understood Richard's penchant for sarah... I touched Chard.. ayiiiie much!

She said she'll post our photo in her travel mag in korea as we were wearing similar shirts for this event

Nope.. He speaks pinabundak nga Bisaya

Selfie King on the go

have seen your photo Manong whoever from last year's Sinulog in the same outfit

Let's go

This time I bought water. Php 15.00.. tsk. tsk... wish I brought my own

free Candies from Daniel Matsunaga

Kaye is an outgoing woman , I suppose

This time, after the hustle and bustle, the 4-hour sleep after 2 nights of bar hopping and energy busting activities, we finally met the Rice-meal of our dreams at Bigby's. Happy Tummy

We paid Php350 each for this meal. Fisherman's platter and baby back rib's for each of us 4 children of Heaven

obligatory selfie at Maldita

Like I told ya

Php 180 for this overrated caffeine

Php8.00 for the ride to Sto Nino

Php100.00 for the candles

Php8.00 in going to SM then Php 300 for the pasalubong

Php400 each for this birthday surprise

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How to get there

Moalboal is easily accessible by Bus or Vans for Hire (V-hire)

1. Get to the South Bus Terminal (CSBT)

If you are just within the city, hire a jeepney or a taxi. If you go with the jeepney, check on the jeepney’s signboards, if not, locals would always be there willing to help.

Fare: Jeepney = Php 7.50

Taxi = Php 80.00 ( + - )

2. Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT)

In going to Moalboal, you may take the trip with the LIBRANDO Bus Liners which has its own terminal across the CSBT . You may also take CERES Bus lines located inside the Cebu South Bus Terminals. Refer to signboards and validate the Bus liner's personnel on the bus’ destinationjust make sure it passes through Moalboal since they offer different routes to different destinations going south of Cebu.

Fare : CERES BUS/LIBRANDO BUS Php 100.00 ( +- )

3. Vans for hire (V-hire)

You can go to the the CEBU CITILINK Terminal if you want V-hire. Getting there is easy by Jeepney or Taxi.

Fare: Jeepney = Php 7.50

Taxi = Php 80.00 ( + - )

V-hire fare: Php 150.00 (+ -)

*I wouldn’t recommend V-Hire for safety reasons.

Enjoy the 2 Hours Scenic ride... If you see the beach coast for the first time, don’t get too excited yet. You may have to wait for around 45-50 minutes before you arrive in your stop.

3. Getting to Moalboal Town Proper

When you pass by Gaisano Moalboal, you are around 5 minutes from the Public Market. For first timers, the bus conductor is your best friend in getting you to the Moalboal Public market fronting Moalboal Elementary Public School. The bus will then drop you at the bus stop area.

4. At Moalboal Public Market

Upon arriving at Moalboal Public Market, you will be met with tricycle and motorbike(Habal2x) drivers. You may want to stock up on necessities as goodies at the beach are more expensive as they are far from the town proper.

Fare: Tricycle : Php 20.00/pax (+ -) will not go over php 30.00

Motorbike (HABAL2x) : Php 20.00 (+ -) will not go over Php 30.00/pax

* Drivers are good sources of information as to which resorts or beaches to go to.

*You may ask them to wait for you if you want to go back to Cebu City on that night as trikes and habal-habal rarely pass through the area at night time.

*Last trip to Cebu City is at 9pm.

5. Choosing Bas Daku over Bas Diot

For travellers on a TIGHT BUDGET, beach front cottages + own bathrooms are available at a very affordable rates ranging from Php 150.00 to Php 800.00 - 1000.00

However, because we want more to cost less, here is what we did…