I have been wanting to go to Siquijor for a long time. My prayers were indeed answered and for days I have been Siquijor high. Siquijor is the kind of place when you want a laid back vacation, an exhilarating adventure, a genuine culture studying and views to die for.
An island province, Siquijor has six major towns namely San Juan, Lazi, Maria, Enrique Villanueva, Larena and Siquijor. Unique to every town is their different century old churches, views and some history. Siquijor was known as land of magic and witchcraft but contrary to popular beliefs only very few of the population practices it.
San Juan
The town prides wonderful pristine beaches. Amongst the famous resort is Coco Grove. An all in one stop shop resort. Clear deep blue seas with corals and rich sea fauna.
A house that has a name and it's called Taas na Balay (tall house).
San Juan also houses the Lugnason falls, falls deep-sitted among the volcanic rocks and privy of the forest.
Scenic diving cliffs are mere children's playground in Siquijor.
It also has mini-forests of mahogany tree were we dated.
In the center of the town, lurks the beautiful natural public pool, stretch of vast white-sand ocean were Apo Island and Dumaguete can be seen, an old bell tower, large acacia tree and a clean public market.
Of course Margarita nights swell in this town but locals still say that tuba (coconut wine) still hails over the foreign drink.
Lazi
A 400-year old balete tree is found in this town. It is believed to be one of the mystical and magical spots. Fun part is the there is a flowing pond below the tree were you can get a free fish spa.
Among the area we gone to is the famous century-old San Isidro Labrador Church and Convent. It has been in Lazi since 1854. It is considered as a cultural heritage. This church and convent has kept all the original materials and all of which I marveled at.
The scenic Cambugay falls with its blue waters provides a cool splash after the sun basking.
Maria
According to the locals, Maria is were the witch craft in Siquijor is born. High born good and bad witches hailed from this place.
Another old church, the "Our Lady of Divine Providence" houses the Black Mary a famous icon of spooky tails. Read http://www.fliptravels.com/2013/03/siquijor-semana-santa-sorcerers-shamans-and-a-spooky-statue/ (for some spooky stories).
But the fun part of Maria, is the Salagdoong forest and Salagdoong Beach Resort. Scenic and epic.
Enrique Villanueva
On the highway to this town is a century-old house lurking the shores. It is unfortunate that Typhoon Pablo, robbed this beautiful house to ruins. I do hope a team will repair this, might it not be considered a cultural heritage, it should still be preserved.
Since we are trailing down churches, we stopped by the Mt. Carmel Church, one of the few towns that has ATM. The church is not as old as the other churches though.
Larena
Larena is one the busier towns apart from Lazi and Siquijor who all have port areas. She busies her self with larger infrastructure and some modernizations. Still, besides the lack of nature tripping here, we still managed to find the Larena Bell Tower, also a century old structure embedded beneath a modern church of St. Vincent and St. Vincent Academy.
Siquijor
The port of Siquijor welcomes you when you are from Dumaguete and Cebu. A big welcome dawns upon your arrival and beneath the background is the oldest of their churches and bell tower found in the province, St. Francis de Assisi, built in 1795.
I love the simplicity of Siquijor Province. The beautiful and accommodating people. But what I love the most about Siquijor is the magic. It is true the place has magic, a magical beauty the makes you fall.
No comments:
Post a Comment