Wanderlust. It feels like a beautiful thing, a beautiful sounding word. But its ilonggo synonyms sound other wise; Taray, lagaw, lakwatsa, panaw, layas, larga. 😁 They say invest on experiences rather than material things. This is what I'm doing, I guess.
This is the story of our central visayas trip, adventures, and mishaps. Itineraries and fare rates included for those who are asking.
April 24, 2015, Friday.
I still had to attend my friend Jenet's wedding in Goducate, Alimodian Iloilo earlier that day. 
I looked pretty that day, so might as well post some pictures here. Weh.😅 And my God, the whole wedding was breathtaking. From the forest ceremonies, surrounded by big trees and loved ones. All living things were smiling and our hearts full of joy. It was a spectacular and moving celebration of love.
It was 8 pm when we left the wedding and hitched a ride going home for I was about to catch the 11 pm roro ride iloilo-bacolod at Dumangas port. Had no time to change so I took my other backpack and was on our way to pick up Sir Dennis and miss Jelene.
And so it begins.. (Present tense were used on some parts for literary drama) weeeh.
We rented a taxi which took us all the way to the Dumanagas port. We arrived at around 10.30 pm and we left at the scheduled time at exactly 11 pm. Most of the people were sleeping inside but I decided to go outside to feel the early morning air on my skin while chasing my thoughts, overlooking the Bacolod city lights slowly fading into the night. (chos lol)
Taxi from Iloilo to Dumangas - 600 pesos
Roro fare - 70 pesos each
Terminal fee - 15 pesos each
I 
April 25th, 2015, Saturday.
We arrived in Bacolod port at around 1:00 in the morning. We then again took a taxi cab on the way to South Terminal. We were a little too early for the 3 am first bus trip to Dumaguete. We sat, talked, waited, and sligtly complained while waiting for the bus to arrive. It was 2:30 in the morning when we sat in our seats. Positioned ourselves in a way where we could all sleep comfortably. We left at exactly 3:00 in the morning and it was a non-airconditioned bus so the wind was chilly all throughout the ride. I didn't care what my face looked like while sleeping. I had a different seatmate each time I'd open my eyes. Chances are, I may have fallen asleep on a stranger's shoulder lol The trip lasted for 7 hours and I think I was asleep for 5 hours. When I woke up we were already in Dumaguete and people seemed like they were speaking in tongues lol and I realized they speak Cebuano in there. I am btw, a master at sleeping in jeepneys and buses. lol it's like a gift. lol
It was around 10 am when we arrived and walked around town a little bit to feed ourselves. We then rode a tricycle to take us to the port going to Bohol. We cried when we saw that it was 700 pesos for a one way ticket that was supposed to depart at 3 pm. We talked about other options and right there in front of us was this little sign that a ferry bound for Siquijor was about to leave at 11:00 am. It was an easy choice. And we met some tourists from Europe during the whole ride! (Wala man nag durugo ilong ko kay sagad man ko daan. Chosss. lol)
Taxi from Bacolod port to South Terminal - 100 pesos
Non airconditioned bus from Bacolod to Dumaguete - 260 pesos each
Late late breakfast - 60 pesos each
Roro ferry from Dumaguete to Siquijor - 150 pesos each
Terminal fee - 15 pesos each
Pardon our faces, this was after more than 15 hours of travel.
The enchanting Island of Siquijor! This island was formerly known as Isla del Fuego or the Island of fire. Growing up, you hear these stories of witchcraft and sorcery going on in this island. But contrary to old beliefs, it felt like stepping into paradise as soon as you see its coastal line.
Since we didn't have any itinerary, we decided to go to the tourist center. Hired a tricycle driver to show us around for two days. He also offered us a place to stay. We were all so tired and just wanted to eat and sleep so we went for this one. It had a nice view, a nice room, was airconditioned, so why not.
Later that afternoon, we went to explore Cantoban cave. It was an 800 meter long cave with stactites and stalagmites, and rock firmations, spring clear water, mini waterfalls, a bath tub, swimming pool crytal rocks. It took us nearly an 30 minutes of ascending slopy kinda road to get there? (Binhod buli mo pungko lol) The entrance looked like this.
And we ducked, crawled and held on for dear life. Lol
Fairy buth tub! There were coins at the bottom of this thing, people made wishes. We didn't have coins with us so we borrowed their wishes and wished them back.
The photobooth.
The mini swimming pool. A part if me believes that the water was healing me, from what ever disease I have or may have in the future lol
Shower bell. The water feels very fresh and cold! I tasted some and it tasted like Nature spring mineral water. lol
We only used a phone camera so I borrowed this image from google. Credits to its rightful owner.isn't it magical?
The climb up.
It took us two hours navigating underneath the cave. We were thanking the heavens that we came out unharmed. lol It wasn't dangerous or anything, it will test your leg, back, arm, and leg muscles though. It was like a mini underground river, only you could touch the stones and bathe in the fresh water this time. And you would expect that it would be eerie and smelly inside, but it wasn't. It smelled like springtime. :D <3
Tricycle rental port to diamond resort - 100 + tip
Diamond resort room plus extra pillows - 500 pesos each
Lunch - 150 pesos each
Cave Contaban tour - 620 pesos (entrance fee and flashlights included)
Tricycle rental back and forth sa resort - 1000 pesos
Dinner at the boulevard - 70 pesos each
We had a very good night sleep. We arranged for breakfast to be served at 6.30 at the resort so we can leave at 7 am for another set of adventures!
April 26, 2015, Sunday.
We were excited for the waterfalls so we stayed for five minutes at this park. Took some pictures and left. There was no entrance fee so its click all you like! It is like a big pool with fresh water and little fishes coming out of it. People swam on it. The water's so clean and so fresh. Superstion believes it to be a healing sort of water.
Then another 20 minute ride and you get to experience this! There was a steep staircase made out of stones to get to the falls.
I just has to try this! I couldn't post the mini video here nor I have any idea on how to ma a gif of it. It was fun and I realized how weak my arm muscles were. Or maybe I just couldn't carry my whole weight long enough.
This was the first of the three waterfalls.
Two of three.
Three. This was the deepest of the three.. 15 feet or so.
Sir Dennis was brave enough to take the plunge. Miss Jelene did it twice. I, on the otherhand, cheered for them. lol
By 11.30 am, we were back at our resort to pack up our things. Then headed to the port to catch the 1.50 pm ferry ride back to Dumaguete. We spent an overnight at tip tops hotel in Dumaguete and explored the city the whole night, had a nice dinner and a few drinks.
breakfast - 120 each
Balete tree entrance fee - 5 pesos
Cambugahay falls parking fee - 20 pesos
Tip for the warerfalls tourguide/photographer lol - 200 pesos
Gatorade with all the stair climbing, swimming, playing, and jumping - 40 pesos each
Lunch - 50 pesos each
Manong driver/tourguide - 1000 pesos
Ferry ride Siquijor to Dumaguete - 210 pesos each
Terminal fee - 15 pesos each
Souvenirs - 150 pesos
Dinner at Dumaguete - 100 pesos each
Triycycle ride going around the city of Dumaguete - 100 pesos
Tip tops tower suites inn - 300 pesos each
Monday, April 27, 2015.
OSLOOOOOOB!
We got up at 6 in the morning, had take out breakfast, rented a tricycle to take us to the Sibulan port.
We were able to catch the 7.30 ferry ride to Liloan Cebu. (There's either a ferry or a pump boat that leaves every thirty minutes so no worries and no hurries) The boat ride lasted for only 20 minutes! Then as soon as you leave the boat, there are buses and jeepneys, tricycles for rent going to the site. You just need to say the magic words, Manong, can you take us to the place where we could swim with whale sharks? lol
The orientation was brief, and the staff were taught to deal with every guest as fast as they could, that time was clearly gold for them. So every group were only allowed to swim and take pictures with the whale sharks for 30 minutes so you really need to inhale and grasp the fear of the unknown in a short period of time. lol next thing we knew were already in the middle of the sea waiting for our first encounter. Manong tourguide took nice pictures and instructed us on how to pose underwater lol these were the practice shots. They were very nice creatures, I accidentally kicked one on its tail but I guess that's just a tiny pat for them considering how gigantic they were. lol
We were slowly letting go of the katig, our safe escape. lol
Ta-daaaa!
This was how big they were!
We then headed back to Dumaguete and packed our bags. :(
Took the 1.30 pm ac bus ride to Bacolod. The ride was uneventful for I mostly slept.
We decided to stay in Bacolod for the rest of the night and catch ghe first trip to Iloilo the next morning.
Tricycle rental Dumaguete to Sibulan port - 120 pesos
Breakfast - 90 pesos each
Ferry Subulan port to liloan port - 70 pesos each
Bus from liloan port to Oslob - 30 pesos each
Swimming with whale sharks plus entrance fee - 600 pesos each
Underwater camera rental - 550 pesos (I suggest you rent their camera so you don't look for the whales and shoot awkward poses yourself, instead you just wait for them to insturct you that a big one is coming and that you should go underwater and pose!)
Seven thousand plus islas, sa mahal kong Pilipinas.
Oh darling, I wish you were here. <3
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