Thursday, June 20, 2013

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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Friday, June 14, 2013

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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Monday, May 20, 2013

The Dahilayan Fun

It was four days after mother's day. My mother and her friends planned to visit Dahilayan Adventure Park, famous for it ziplines, for a post celebration. It is located in Camp Philips, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. It was dawn and we have to get ready to enjoy the ride all the way from Iligan City, Cagayan de Oro and towards Bukidnon.

Happy mother's day Ma.

Mama and her friends
We stopped over to pee and looked for a good place to have breakfast unfortunately the park signages signals us to go straight ahead. So we keep the pace until we arrived.

We ended up having breakfast there and manage to marvel at the view since we arrived to Camp Philips. I revel at the thought of my memories during the days in college were we did our field trips and thesis. I missed it. The fact though that I have some oldies to go with actually restricts some of the things I do. I'd love to have more stop overs and have pictures taken but alas I can't. I enjoyed it still.



Dahilayan has different mountain resorts located nearby. We rented a small gazebo for Php 200.00 to have a place to rest on the Pine Grove Mountain Lodge.
 
A cute chow-chow obeying his master because he can't contain his happiness.
So glad that we went out for a horse ride. I'd like to be able to learn how to ride it on my own someday. 


Dahilayan Adventure Park house the Zipzone, one is 840 meters and other is 320 meters. I love ziplines the thrill and thought that somehow you are flying. Of course I took the 840 meters. 



There are still so many adventures to conquer and I will when I come back someday.





The Forest Park another juncture of the whole Dahilayan fun houses the other rides plus. It also has a mini forest, animal sculpture and a little more family friendly for picnics and picture taking.

Wonderful views from here.

Who said foxy old ladies can't play?

Good thing it's not real.

Temporary boyfriend for the day.
Getting to take the 840 meter ride and enjoying the laughter of these mothers I did have so much fun. Thanks again wonderful ladies, until next time.

How to get there, accommodation, rates and adventure: (I decided to take and scan tariffs for more detailed information)


 





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