COVID19 PANDEMIC
It was in the middle of a pandemic. March 12, 2020. There was just a few COVID19 cases reported, although it seemed like it was becoming somewhat alarming already. No quarantine just yet but some rumors over the social media that Duterte will be announcing one soon.
We were in full gear. Masks and alcohol sprays. There were now fewer travelers at the airport. Many empty seats on the plane.
SIBULAN/DUMAGUETE AIRPORT
We arrived in Sibulan Dumaguete airport. Then went straight to Dumaguete Port to buy our Ocean Jet tickets for Siquijor at P250 each.
We were in full gear. Masks and alcohol sprays. There were now fewer travelers at the airport. Many empty seats on the plane.
SIBULAN/DUMAGUETE AIRPORT
We arrived in Sibulan Dumaguete airport. Then went straight to Dumaguete Port to buy our Ocean Jet tickets for Siquijor at P250 each.
Many travelers were still not wearing mask.
OCEANJET
The jet ride was exhilarating because of the big strong waves. It took us more than an hour to get to Siquijor.
SIQUIJOR, PHILIPPINES
For Filipinos, it is known as the black magic and shamans province. For foreign travelers, an idyllic island of beaches, falls, caves and quaint little towns. Also a haven for hikers, bikers and ocean lovers.
We each rented a motorcycle/scooter at the pier for P350/day.
ACCOMMODATION
We went directly to our booked accomodations at Zen Room EM's Seaside Inn in Dumanhog. P450/night for 3pax thru Agoda. But paid an additional P200 each of the additional 3 persons as walk-ins.
Dumanhog beach is only 2 km from the Siquijor Pier. The sand is very firm that you can drive a scooter on the beach with ease. The beach is nice, wide and clean.
Our first day was all driving. Enjoying the ride, through the small towns, the hills, the ocean views, up until the evening.
LAZI CHURCH
We made a stop by the Lazi church. It looked like it was just newly painted. In 2007, I was in Siquijor and this church appeared worn and weathered, but in an antique sort of way.
The next day...
CAMBUGAHAY FALLS
Our first stop was Cambugahay Falls. This falls of course is the highlight of this island province. Its water drops are not as high but the color of the water is like swimming-pool blue. The entrance fee is next to nothing, only like P20 each. There are swing dives being offered for P100 for unlimited try.
Our last pitstop before check out. We knew we were going to be late getting back to the Inn so we called and came to an agreement that we pay additional P50 each for an hour or so extension.
SAMBULAWAN UNDERGROUND RIVER
It is actually more of a cave than a river. The tour is P250 per person with two guides.
There is a house shack under the shade of a big tree. The only shack in the middle of nowhere in a grassy land. This is where the starting point of the cave tour.
We were outfitted with an orange lifejacket, a helmet, and a headlight. It was just about a minute walk from the shack, and then decend for a couple of minutes to the cave opening.
Inside the cave, there's going left and right. To the right is the lower level, where we went first. The wet part where the river runs.
The water is deep and very narrow. Big enough for a single pile. We swam across to the end and took us about 30 minutes or so. Then swam back.
The other direction which is the upper part of the cave is dry. We climbed up some makeshift ladders. There we saw the usual cave formations; stalactites and stalagmites.
Back at the Inn.
Time to check out. The news was, quarantine will be imposed in Manila on March 15 at midnight. No one can go in and out. Our flight back was March 16. All flights were already cancelled. We didn't exactly know what was going on at that moment.
We called the airline and there were no more available seats. We're also hearing that the jets going back to Dumaguete has stopped.
We went to the pier anyway. Luckily, we were able to catch the last jet for Dumaguete.
BACK IN DUMAGUETE
We arrived in Dumaguete early evening and decided to stay overnight. To sort out what to do about our flight back to Manila. All airline offices were already closed at 5PM.
DUMAGUETE AIRPORT
We checked out very early and went straight to the airport. Chaos is what we saw at the airport. Long lines. No more tickets available. Only two more flights scheduled for the day for Philippine Airlines. The last day of travel. Chance passenger is the only available option.
First flight, our two girls got in. Nice but damn, what about us.
The last flight, we were the first in line for chance passengers.
I looked at the other airlines' cue. CebuPac was chaotic. Long line.
Luckily for Philippine Airlines, not known to be a budget airline usually has less passengers. We got in, 4 of us plus two more at the back.
Our trip was cut off but a great sigh of relief. Hopefully, we'll do Bais City next time.
EXPENSES:
OCEANJET
The jet ride was exhilarating because of the big strong waves. It took us more than an hour to get to Siquijor.
SIQUIJOR, PHILIPPINES
For Filipinos, it is known as the black magic and shamans province. For foreign travelers, an idyllic island of beaches, falls, caves and quaint little towns. Also a haven for hikers, bikers and ocean lovers.
We each rented a motorcycle/scooter at the pier for P350/day.
ACCOMMODATION
We went directly to our booked accomodations at Zen Room EM's Seaside Inn in Dumanhog. P450/night for 3pax thru Agoda. But paid an additional P200 each of the additional 3 persons as walk-ins.
Dumanhog beach is only 2 km from the Siquijor Pier. The sand is very firm that you can drive a scooter on the beach with ease. The beach is nice, wide and clean.
Our first day was all driving. Enjoying the ride, through the small towns, the hills, the ocean views, up until the evening.
LAZI CHURCH
We made a stop by the Lazi church. It looked like it was just newly painted. In 2007, I was in Siquijor and this church appeared worn and weathered, but in an antique sort of way.
The next day...
CAMBUGAHAY FALLS
Our first stop was Cambugahay Falls. This falls of course is the highlight of this island province. Its water drops are not as high but the color of the water is like swimming-pool blue. The entrance fee is next to nothing, only like P20 each. There are swing dives being offered for P100 for unlimited try.
Our last pitstop before check out. We knew we were going to be late getting back to the Inn so we called and came to an agreement that we pay additional P50 each for an hour or so extension.
SAMBULAWAN UNDERGROUND RIVER
It is actually more of a cave than a river. The tour is P250 per person with two guides.
There is a house shack under the shade of a big tree. The only shack in the middle of nowhere in a grassy land. This is where the starting point of the cave tour.
We were outfitted with an orange lifejacket, a helmet, and a headlight. It was just about a minute walk from the shack, and then decend for a couple of minutes to the cave opening.
Inside the cave, there's going left and right. To the right is the lower level, where we went first. The wet part where the river runs.
The water is deep and very narrow. Big enough for a single pile. We swam across to the end and took us about 30 minutes or so. Then swam back.
The other direction which is the upper part of the cave is dry. We climbed up some makeshift ladders. There we saw the usual cave formations; stalactites and stalagmites.
Back at the Inn.
Time to check out. The news was, quarantine will be imposed in Manila on March 15 at midnight. No one can go in and out. Our flight back was March 16. All flights were already cancelled. We didn't exactly know what was going on at that moment.
We called the airline and there were no more available seats. We're also hearing that the jets going back to Dumaguete has stopped.
We went to the pier anyway. Luckily, we were able to catch the last jet for Dumaguete.
BACK IN DUMAGUETE
We arrived in Dumaguete early evening and decided to stay overnight. To sort out what to do about our flight back to Manila. All airline offices were already closed at 5PM.
DUMAGUETE AIRPORT
We checked out very early and went straight to the airport. Chaos is what we saw at the airport. Long lines. No more tickets available. Only two more flights scheduled for the day for Philippine Airlines. The last day of travel. Chance passenger is the only available option.
First flight, our two girls got in. Nice but damn, what about us.
The last flight, we were the first in line for chance passengers.
I looked at the other airlines' cue. CebuPac was chaotic. Long line.
Luckily for Philippine Airlines, not known to be a budget airline usually has less passengers. We got in, 4 of us plus two more at the back.
Our trip was cut off but a great sigh of relief. Hopefully, we'll do Bais City next time.
EXPENSES:
2,674.00 PAL round-trip
155.00 taxi to t3
50.00 taxi to port share
250.00 ferry boat ticket
180.00 lunch
14.00 terminal fee
175.00 scooter rent share
25.00 gas
100.00 accommodation share
14.00 tubig
25.00 gas
10.00 Cambugajay entrance
250.00 underground entrance
20.00 tip
30.00 buko
12.00 gas
250.00 ferry boat ticket
68.00 lunch
14.00 terminal fee
10.00 tryk to hotel
15.00 tryk to lafian
300.00 agoda lafian share
15.00 tryk to lantaw
250.00 lantaw
15.00 tryk to lafian
25.00 tryk to airport
75.00 taxi home 2
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4,959.00 Total
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