Travel Throwback: Most Unforgettable Travel with Family

                     

 Theme: Most Unforgettable Travel with Family


My sisters and I love to travel. When our schedules met like before I never miss the chance to travel with them. Gladly, those were some of the best days of my life especially when we climbed Mt. Apo, the Philippines highest peak.

Mt Apo, the Towering Beauty

When I look back at my life, I have been traveling quite well unfortunately I have not been documenting things properly. Luckily I found this old photographs. In the most, high time of my life, circa 2007, the eve of high and very low times, we went and towered our way to Mt Apo.

At the mountainous terrains in Digos we arrived at the foot of Mt Apo. We stayed for a while in house full of calla lilies and beautiful sunset settings. I look in awe for the beautiful creation.

Reaching Mt Apo in Digos trail is quite challenging. We stayed one night in a common camping place and had been merrily eating cup noodles with our guides and some solo traveler.

As our pace is not of the professionals we climbed an almost 90 degrees trail instead of passing by the easy trail among the boulders because we won't be able to reach our destination when there is still daylight.

Upon reaching the foot of the peak, we laid another night. I've never been to a snow country but I seem to think it feels like it. Our garments and a hint of alcohol were no match for the cold weather that seeps down to my bones. We were lying close to each other but nothing matches the cold. What more if I am going to a snow storm.

I was an early morning-riser. The world is seems to be underneath as I could grasp everything at the palm of my hands.

 
Time to set up for the peak and its inexplicable to every sense of the word. 

Mt Apo has football field. It was said to be the previous crater of the volcano. I ran freely like a child on this wonderful God-created sight. 

We head home. Going down was much easier and we were able to pass by the boulders, it thick sulfur smell and white ambiance which is very different from the greeneries not far away.

Amongst our family travel, this one is one of the most memorable.

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Travel throwbacks is a travel writing prompt which feature old travels unposted by seasoned and new travel bloggers. It is done on the 1st and 2nd week of every month allowing travel to reminisce old memories of travels. It is a way of sharing.

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Travel Throwback: Uncommercialized

Theme: Uncommercialized

The heart of travel is those places with no hotels, no cars and no chauffeurs. Its just you, the nature, the locals and all the breath taking views. This is what I felt a few years back when I was in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. 











Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur

Long before others went to that place, I am proud to have been in Hinatuan. It was about 5 years ago, my sisters and I ventured there. Now Hinatuan is a frequent travel destination for local and foreign guests and infrastructures are slowly creeping in. 

A beautiful river gorge, Enchanted River, has been playground for kids, haven for adventure travelers and holy ground for the believers. Sanctuary to large marine wildlife, the fishes of the Enchanted River, according to legends has never been caught.
 

Hinatuan also possess large Mangrove forests that helps protect aquamarine life. It also serves as protection during heavy typhoons.

Spending all day, island hoping with for different islands, large and small. Indeed Hinatuan was one of the best experience I've ever had. 

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The Siquijor High

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.

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