Summit to Sea Adventure in Biliran

I am a backpacker not a climber...and so what? I want some thrills! I finally found the courage to click the going button for Mt. Panamao climb invites by a couch surfer. Never had any background about mountain climbing nor scaled any, quite an ambitious move since Mt. Panamao is quite a mountain for a newbie having an elevation 1,056 above sea level.

19 climbers confirmed but only 6 came, cs Fern the organizer (Tacloban), Miguel (Catbalogan), Ejay (Cavite) his younger brother Dodjaye and their cousin Kath (Cebu) all were experienced climbers. We all met for the first time in Tacloban City, had dinner, pre climb drinks and spent the night in the city before heading to Biliran the following day. The group decided to climb Mt. Tres Marias instead, with an elevation of 1,315 MASL that requires 6-7 hrs river trek (faint). Never heard about Mt. Tres Marias as I was only browsing blogs about Mt. Panamao, what convinced the group to change the route were the various waterfalls along the way, Fern & Migs scaled Mt. Tres Marias already. 



pre climb drinks at Camilaroma

Summit:

Mt. Tres Marias

Good thing though as we all fit in Mig’s car no more commuting hassle, call time was 6am with barely hours of sleep as we went to our respective hotels around 2am. We finally left Tacloban around 8am after looking for butane, had an early lunch in Naval before heading to Sampao, Almeria the jump-off point.

Imagine how I felt when we started the trek around 1pm, I was nervous that I might not be able to make it and scared not knowing what’s in store for me,  almost peed in my pants (err nappies) yeah of all the days!   good timing eh? I was able to relax when I saw the 1^st waterfalls and the forest.. yup It was one amazing scenic river trek! as much as we wanted to linger each waterfalls but we need to move in order to make it to the camp site before darkness sets in. Did I mention that it was a very challenging trail? as in climbing through slippery boulders, mossy muddy paths with our heavy the backpacks (with tent & provisions) and I almost fainted and mightily screamed on top of my lungs when I almost stepped on a viper snake in its ready-to-attack position waahhh!



with our guides at Ula- ulan falls





my 1st mountain sign with our guide Dodex & Ejay

Rain soaked and sweat drenched but thankful that we finally hit camp site around 8pm. We were in high spirits and was looking forward for dinner and gulping the 1 liter Tequila we brought for the socials. I was so sleepy and tired so decided to hit the sack after 2 shots. The plan was to ascend to the peak (the highest of the 3) at 5am, a 3 hrs assault but I was too sleepy to get up and join the boys.

 



heater ;)



dinner

We broke camp after brunch around 12nn, the descend was a bit challenging, it was a different route passing through thick forest and vegetation, a very slippery downhill trail. Around 4pm when we arrived at Sampao with aching toes, thankful to finally be able to change foot wears. After an hour of rest, we then proceed to Kawayan port where we hired a boat to Sambawan Island where we camp for the night (2 hrs boat ride).

Sea:



Sambawan Island

 

Sambawan used to be an inhabited island until recently, there are open cottages for rent at P600.00, entrance fee at P50./pax there was no tent fee yet but they will eventually charge. No fresh water but you can buy from the caretaker for P20.00/container. I wish we have the luxury of time to stay a bit longer or maybe spend another night but we need to reach Tacloban by noon for Jay & Doodjaye’s flight back to Manila.

boat ride to Sambawan

touchdown Sambawan Is.

We made it on time and we were able visit the Mc Arthur Park, had lunch at Ochos then proceed to Samar and back after some photo op at the San Juanico Bridge. I was able to travel back home (bus&roro) 2pm the next day after a night with friends.

hungry birds at Ochos

Samar



San Juanico Bridge



I am forever thankful to the Lord for keeping us all safe… to our guides and the crazy climbers hehehe thank you for I had so much fun! Truly one unforgettable summit to sea adventure! See you next climb? J

Should you want to scale Mt. Tres Marias or Mt. Panamao, you can contact our guides Dodex Alao (09182665867) and Erwin (09482750507).

 

Photos lifted from Ejay, Dodjaye & Kath's album..Thank you guys!

Your deepest roots are in nature.  No matter who you are, where you live, or what kind of life you lead, you remain irrevocably linked with the rest of creation.~ Charles Cook

Holy week break

When everybody rushes off to go somewhere for the long holy week break, I always look forward to staying at home… and who needs to go somewhere when you have this sight right in front of you.

 This is like a few steps from my high school classmate’s private beach house, about 1 km from my crib located in an almost secluded part of my village.

Last year there were only 3 of us, this time with the kids in tow some even spent the night in tents since all the rooms and 2 huts were occupied.

We always end up staying very late exchanging stories, catching up, pigging out and believe it or not everybody was sober. Funny how time changed us, we even attended the same Easter mass celebration together before going back to the beach.

The serenity of the place with the waves and the laughter of friends as background, what more can I ask for?

“Don’t grow up quickly, lest you forget how much you love the beach”. ~ Michelle Held

Stirred and Shaken in the Mystic Island

Siquijor known as Isla del Fuego or the “Island of Fire” and has a reputation as an island of witches and black magic due to the healers who inhabit the island. With a land area of 343.5km and a coastline 102 km long, Siquijor is the 3^rd smallest province in the country. Having no airport the only way on and off the island is by boat from Dumaguete, Bohol and Iligan.

Left Cebu City for Liloan around 7:30am passing through the scenic coastal towns of southern Cebu. I was able to the catch 10:30am boat for Sibulan (30 mins ride), from Sibulan I opted to ride a passenger jeepney bound for Dumaguete City. Had lunch in Sans Rival near the boulevard before making my way on foot to the ferry terminal. Got a lot of time left before the next ferry trip to Siquijor, but I was too  lazy to roam around the city due to lack of sleep since I was able to hit the sheets past 3am from CS/PTB meet up.

Day 1, Stirred:

I was hoping to catch a wink on board the ferry but wasn’t able to do so, the ride totally reminds me of HK Disneyland’s space mountain and I happen to have a squealing pig for a seatmate. It was raining when we finally docked at Siquijor port, there was a lone passenger jeepney parked outside the terminal that goes to Maria town that will pass by Lala–o where my hostel is located. I asked the driver to drop me at Lorna’s and he did alright… not until we were 2 barriors away..waahh Luckily another jeepney finally came after an hour of waiting in a vulcanizing shack in the middle of nowhere.

Day 2, Shaken:

Rented a motorbike with driver/guide for my tour around the island. Shainly who owns the rental shop doubles as my guide & driver.

Our first stop the 400 yr. old Balete tree

 we then proceed to Cambugahay falls

 St. Isidore Church and convent in Lazi

Sta. Maria Church in Maria town

One intriguing aspect of the Santa Maria Church, not to be missed by those lured to Siquijor’s mysticism, is a statue of Santa Rita de Cascia (also referred to as Santa Rita de Siquijor). The statue can be found encased in a glass box at the right side of the main altar. The statue has become the subject of visitors’ curiosity and local myth because of its frightening appearance. The image of Santa Rita is displayed wearing all black with an intense look in her eyes, dark skin around her eyes, and morbid expression. She is holding a skull and a cross (which others say used to be held inverted) on her right hand.

“She is sometimes called “Black Magic Mary” on the place where the statue was, in a place where there are many abandoned churches and undiscovered caves that some others say have become the realm of bad spirits, and that island is called Siquijor. She holds a skull that, according to legend, belonged to a woman’s husband whom she killed for reasons nobody in the island seems to know. She also holds an inverted cross.

Santa Rita de Cascia was born in Roccaporena, Italy in 1381. She spent 18 years of her life living with a defiant husband who was later on killed in a vendetta. Within that year, her two sons died. Rita became a nun and received the wound of Christ on her forehead in 1441, as though she had been wearing a crown of thorns. Santa Rita de Cascia is known as the patroness of impossible causes, battered wife, difficult marriages, sickness, widows, wounds.

Salagdoong Beach

On our way back, we stop by for gasoline in one of the store along the highway and suddenly felt the jolt, the strongest and longest I ever experienced. Yup, I was in the island when the 6.9 magnitude quake hit Negros Island. We continued the tour as if nothing happened, ended having lunch at Shainly’s place after looking for a place to eat and nobody wants to serve us and I was starving! not knowing that there was a tsunami alert and the island was included, it was eventually lifted after an hour. Close call eh?

Stirred and shaken like weng weng, Siquijor will always have a special spot in heart. I love the laid back life, its old churches, the beaches and the warmth of the locals. Siquijor definitely is one mystical island and I was so spellbound by its charm.


No, I would not want to live in a world without dragons, as I would not want to live in a world without magic, for that is a world without mystery, and that is a world without faith.” ~ R.A. Salvatore

Home in Siquijor: Lorna’s End of the World

I know it’s kind of weird for a hostel’s name but truly it is, Lorna’s End of the World. Creepy as it may sound for a place in a mystical island known for witches and black magic, the owner couldn’t think of any names so guest will not forget their place and who wouldn’t?

Came across Lorna’s when I asked fellow cser/travel blogger for her recommendation, at first I thought she was joking about the hostel name not until I got their contact number from the province website.

Located in barangay Lala-o, San Juan a mere 20 minutes jeepney ride from Siquijor port, San Juan the town where most of the resorts/hostels are located. Run by gracious couple, their 3 nieces and nephew.

They only have 4 rooms, should you opt to cook your own meals, the 2 rooms on the ground floor got a kitchen complete with a refrigerator at P500.00/night, while the other 2 on the 2^nd floor is at P400.00/night. I love my room at the 2^nd floor for its balcony facing the ocean perfect for watching the sun set and chilling out. Every room got its own bathroom and shower (hot & cold), no aircon though and who needs one? When you have big fully screened windows.



Lorna's beach front



my P400.00 room

Too lazy to cook or go out? Lorna is a great cook, food priced way cheaper than the other restos in town with ice cold beer at P30.00/bottle, for sure you won’t consider eating out.

with fellow guest celebrating Lorna's birthday

And oh you can use their boat and snorkeling gears for free, you can even pitch your tent at their beach front and use their facilities for a minimal fee of P100.00/night.

 

How I wish I could stay a bit longer as I felt at home the whole time. Nope, it’s not really the end of the world at Lorna’s.

sunset from my balcony, hours after the tsunami advisory

Lorna's End of the World

Lala-o, San Juan, Siquijor

contact person: Lorna Cheuvront

mobile no. : 09273816377

email : lornacheuvront@yahoo.com

Faith is an island in the setting sun, but proof is the bottom line for everyone. ~Paul Simon

Cebu-Dumaguete-Siquijor trip post accounting

lifted from the web

Me thinks this is the cheapest possible way to Siquijor from Cebu via Dumaguete, opted to ride public transport e.i. jeepneys and vans instead of taking taxis.

My first time to stay in Sugbutel Bed and Bath and I like to there. So glad I stayed at Lorna’s in San Juan, Siquijor as they’ve got a great beach front, clean spacious rooms with hot and cold shower and they serve great food, way cheaper than the restos in town.

Since I was traveling alone, I rented a motorbike with a guide/driver as to have company. Surprisingly Shainly, the owner of the shop doubles as  my guide and driver. You can rent a motorbike from her for P270.00/24 hrs, additional of P100.00 should you need a guide, the 2 liters of gasoline covers the whole trip.

Wasn’t able to spend much on food, as my friends treated me (3 meals) while in Cebu.

Below breakdown covers my 5 days expenditure.

 
Budget: a mathematical confirmation of your suspicions. ~A.A. Latimer

SUG-CEB-SUG Cebu Pacific	774.78
Lodging:
Cebu
Subutel Bath & Bed	740.00
(2 nights, with beddings)
Siquijor
Lorna's End of the World	800.00
(2 nights, double)
	1,540.00
Transportation:
jeepney Mactan airport to Gaisano Mactan	7.50
van Gaisano to SM Cebu	25.00
jeepney SM to Sugbutel	7.50
jeepney Sugbutel to South bus terminal	7.50
bus Cebu to Liloan (ordinary)	162.00
ferry Liloan to Sibulan	62.00
jeepney Sibulan to Dumaguete	10.00
fastcraft Dumaguete to Siquijor (Delta 1)	160.00
jeepney Sijuijor to San Juan (hostel)	15.00
1 day tour with guide/driver	370.00
tricycle from San Juan to Siquijor	150.00
(special trip @ 5am)
ferry Siquijor to Dumaguete (Jaylann)	120.00
bus Dumaguete to Sibulan	10.00
ferry Sibulan to Liloan	62.00
bus Liloan to Cebu (aircon)	169.00
jeepney bus terminal to Sugbutel	7.50
jeepney Sugbutel to SM	7.50
van SM to Gaisano Mactan	25.00
jeepney Gaisano Mactan to Marina Mall	7.50
jeepney Marina Mall to airport	7.50
	1,392.50
other fees:
Surigao airport terminal fee	20.00
Cebu airport terminal fee	200.00
Dumaguete terminal fee	15.00
2 liters gasoline	120.00
entrance to Salagdoong beach @15/pax	30.00
Siquijor terminal fee	14.00
	399.00
Food & Drinks	987.00
TOTAL	4,694.28

More fun

My little contribution to the Department of Tourism’s campaign to  encourage visitors to come to the Philippines. I think it’s a slick idea.





El Nido, Palawan





Coron, Palawan





Day asan, Surigao City



create your own see http://morefunmaker.com

“Wherever you are in the Philippines, it’s the Filipinos that make your holiday unforgettable.”

2011 Wanderings a Rundown

January:

Almost cancelled my trip to Kota Kinabalu, my first trip for the year due to the crazy weather.

                     
March:

Cebu for a work related trip, decided to make a quick visit to Bohol for the 3^rd time.

April:

A mini reunion with old friends in Tacloban.

                     

June:

 Coron finally!

     

                            

August:

My first Kadayawan festival and PTB meet up in Davao City.

September:

Back to Cebu and played tourist guide to Malaysian Cser and her friends.

October:

In Cebu for a night before my Vietnam trip.

November:

Ho Chi Minh City and Phan Thiet City in Vietnam.

December:

Road trip to Cagayan de Oro for our company Christmas party, held hours before the disaster.

I am forever grateful to the Lord for keeping me safe always and to the people I met, travelled and befriended with, for making my 2011 wanderings more memorable.

 "Experience, travel - these are as education in themselves" ~ Euripides quotes