Here we are, Neda and Mindaugas, already 3.5 weeks passed since we came back from the Philippines. Mindset already settled down, the routine is back to normal, everything flows the same way as it was before heading to vacation. We have repeated several times and still do after we came back. Welcome back to reality…
We have traveled quite a lot in the past decade and seen many different cultures, countries and beautiful sightseeings, BUT the journey to the Philippines was one of the most memorable journeys we have ever experienced.
Journey to the Philippines
Our journey started in Manila. We stayed there a couple of days and experienced non-stop life of megacity. From Manila, we flew to Dumaguete city and took the Oceanjet to Siquijor Island. During our “roller coaster” Oceanjet trip (it was quite an experience drive and thanks to Philippinen Tours & Kapwa Travel by booking business class seats, otherwise it could end to the seasickness 🙂 )
The crew greeted us with a Merry Christmas song. It had a smiley surprise to everybody on the board and for us, it was the best greeting for our journey start. We have arrived at Siquijor Island at Coco Grove Resort. The resort was huge and the area was absolutely marvelous. Small cottages build up between the palms a few meters away from the sandy beach, hammocks were hanging tied up to the palms for relaxation and day nap. The area was like a big garden: with flowers, different trees, cottages built from tiny stones, paths for an evening or morning walk, sandy beach with crystal, warm like a tea, water. Restaurants were directly at the beach and it seemed that it was made on purpose for the travelers to watch the sunset with a glass of wine. It was the perfect place to have peace and total relaxation.
Our relaxing resort at Siquijor, Coco Grove Beach Resort
Nevertheless, there was one more thing which has astonished us more than the beauty of the resort… the Coco Grove Resort staff!!!
Everybody – reception, restaurant, room service personnel, gardeners, drivers snorkeling staff… Absolutely everybody was smiling, joyful, happy, ready to help, friendly. We have never and nowhere faced something like this before! Of course, you can argue that resort or hotel staff is always polite, ready to help, but at Coco Grove Resort we felt a natural smile, without any pretending and from the heart!
Staying at Siquijor Coco Grove Resort for a couple of days we have experienced quite a few things for the first time in our life. Snorkeling. We are bad swimmers. We were suspicious about the sea snakes, we have disinfected the snorkeling gear, we were sure that we will not do the snorkeling at the Apo island, although we went for the tour. We were afraid and it took a lot of strength to go into the water. We jumped in. From that moment on, it had changed the way we look at the ocean now. It is like you are in a discovery movie… Colorful, big, moving, live corals, blue red and green sea stars, hundreds of different fishes, different sea creatures. Nemo fish! And yes we have seen the sea snake. Black and white swimming through the corals like a sea queen. We have seen giant turtles 2 meters away eating their food. We were amazed and simply speechless. We could not find the words to describe the beauty of underwater life. That was a tour to Apo island. For snorkeling lovers go pro underwater camera is a must to have!
Another tour with new experiences was on Siquijor island itself. Picked up by a driver we headed to our first stop at more than a 400 year old Balete tree. As the driver told us, the tree has healthy treatment abilities for the skin and that the spring cold water comes from the tree base to the specially made pool. We have dipped our feet in the pool and enjoyed a natural foot treatment from tiny fishes in the water. Natural pedicure! 🙂
The 400-year old Banyan tree (locally called Balete tree)
The natural fish spa at the foot of the Balete tree
After natural spa treatment, we have continued our tour by stopping at the oldest Catholic church on the island. The walls and the base of the Church are made of coral stones. Amazing isn’t it? Near by the church, the museum and the school with their tiny green buildings are placed. The whole area is surrounded by the old big high trees giving the place additional greatness.
Lazi Church, also known as San Isidro Labrador Parish Church
Our further destination – Cambugahay Falls. Falls have 4 levels and only in 3 allowed to swim. To reach the area we have gone over 130 steps down by the stony stairs. It seemed that the falls are hidden somewhere in the middle of the forest. The place is astonishing: blue water, with the deep “natural pool” to swim at each level, everything is surrounded by green forest. Rope jump attraction is one of the excitements at the falls available to try and enjoy.
At Cambugahay Falls, Siquijor, Philippines
The last tour stop and sightseeing was Salagdoong Beach. The beach is divided into two beaches separated by a large cliff where the beautiful panorama of the sea and surrounded nature opens.
The days and stay at Siquijor island flew extremely fast and we didn’t notice that we had to leave this small paradise and have to go to our next place of stay – Negros island. We have arrived at Easy Diving and Beach Resort at Sipalay. The resort is situated on the hill all the way down to the beach. Well placed and arranged small houses are surrounded by the forest. The resort is more defined for professional divers or for those who want to learn diving. The atmosphere is quiet and peaceful. We called that resort- a German touch in the Philippines.
Meanwhile, as we are not divers we have enjoyed the stay and anything that the area could offer to us. We stayed at the beach and got some sunburn. We rented a boat for the whole day and visited the islands around the area. Snorkeling was already in our must plans and again we were amazed by the beauty of the ocean. During our boat trip, we have entered several caves, even going with the ship inside them. We stopped at several beaches and enjoyed the company of the locals. We have tried resort beach massage services and celebrated Saint evening before Christmas.
The friendly locals at Dumaguete Island
Once again we have been lost in the time and didn’t notice that the stay at Negro island was coming to an end. Our next destination was Panglao island across the bridge from Bohol island.
The trip went not as it was planned and with some small deviations. Heading from the Negros island to the seaport, we have faced heavy rain and all the ships due to small typhoon were canceled and re-scheduled for the next day. Oh well, you can’t predict mother nature, right? Especially at the Philippines where seismic activities are quite high and typhoons are quite often phenomena. Sometimes it is interesting to drive out from the planned road and experience something new! To be sure that we will not miss the ship for the next day we have stayed in the line to receive our rescheduled ocean jet tickets. 🙂
Welcome to the Philippines, the given ticket was something that will stay long in our memories – simple, trustful and VALID!!! 🙂
Our memorable handwritten ferry ticket, only in the Philippines
After we have received our tickets and a place where to spend the night, (Philippinen Tours & Kapwa Travel have responded at once and organized immediately the stay for us). We went for a walk along the coastline in Dumaguete city center; enjoyed Christmas evening in the restaurant, tried different seafood and of course for the first time we have used tricycle services. 😀
Our delicious seafoods dinner
The humble coastal life at Pamilacan Island, Bohol, Philippines
The next day we were again on the tour in Bohol island.
The first stop was at the local market. A choice to satisfy your appetite is exceptional: small, big, colorful fishes, crabs, lobsters, dried fishes, sea plants, fruits, different rice and lots of more that the Philippines can offer.
Our next destination that day was visiting a protected forest area with its small inhabitants – Tarsiers. The small animal is under protection and we were kept silent by observing them during their day sleep.
The cute and charming little Tarsier
We continued further with our tour. The next incredible feeling caught us up at Loboc river. Going with the small boat along the river with naturally growing palms hanging over, seeing small bamboo houses, dark green blue river water, all the way to the waterfalls, we felt like we are in a Hollywood movie and that suddenly some action will take place.
The calming beauty of Loboc River in Bohol
After the river trip next our stop supposed to be a butterfly garden, fortunately, there was a road deviation once again. 🙂 During the boat trip we saw a zip line attraction over our heads and for sure we had to try this. So, we skipped a butterfly garden and made a zipline ride over the river and had a chance to see the beauty of Loboc not only from the boat but also from above. We believed we can fly. 🙂
Our fun zipline at Loboc
Chocolate Hills, Bohol, Philippines
We were back on the road once again… Destination – Palawan island. It was our last stop. We took an Oceanjet ferry to Cebu, after we flew to Puerta Princesa and with the transfer from the airport we have arrived at Sheridan Resort.
The resort is modern, big and famous. Miss World participants were staying there before the competition. The resort has a wide, long and sandy beach, hammocks hooked between the palms, quiet and peaceful, crystal water…Sounds familiar? It is not a Coco Grove Resort copy but it has its own beauty and it is ideal for a 1-2 week relaxing vacation. That is exactly what we did: we took those 3 days for total relaxation, enjoyed our last days laying in the sun and taking baths in the sea, massage services.
During those days we still took 1 short tour to see one of the 7th new world nature miracles Underground River. It is amazing how our mother nature can make such things happen. The Underground River is a separate ecosystem with there animals, bacteria and time flow. Careful, don’t open your mouth during the boat drive along the underground river. We were told that the water drops, coming from the rocks, have bacteria.
A story always has an end… Vacation never last forever… One moment you realize that you have to come back to reality 🙂 Why we say that was because it was a magical journey. There was so much indescribable on what we have seen and what we have experienced in the Philippines.
There is so much that we didn’t mention here in the story. There is so much to say…but we can’t…we can’t find the right words to describe this wonderful land and its beauty. You have to see it!
Dear Philippinen Tours & Kapwa Travel, we hope that you enjoyed reading our short story and how we enjoyed our stay in the Philippines. 🙂 For your prepared journey plan to us, for your quick activity, for your 24-hour support, for your tips and advice and everything that you have done to make our journey be a memorable one, to ALL and EVERYONE from Philippinen Tours & Kapwa Travel, we say a BIG BIG THANK YOU!!!
-Neda and Mindaugas
P.S. We do not say goodbye. We say see ya next time soon.
TO BE CONTINUED… 🙂
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