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Published: March 31st 2013
We had originally planned to go to Camiguin Island but when we learned that the boat was booked we decided on Siquijor, the mystique island. I was personally quite excited to head t the is,and because not only was it a bit off the beaten track but who doesn't love a good island know for witches. Better yet and island like that for Easter equals a perfect time!
After two hours of sleep we almost didn't make it to Siquijor either! I don't know how I woke up but I did. For some reason none of the set alarms actually went off, but after two plus years of waking up at 6:15am to workout it seemed my body is so well trained that it did just that.
Still feeling the effects of our fun last night we ate, shoved the last bit of stuff into our bag and ran out. Like literally ran! I was bummed because I had hoped to pick up an empanadas on the way but we had no way of making it to the pier if we we to walk. Instead we hopped onto a tricycle and sped away.
Naturally when we got there we had a smidge of time to kill and probably could have walked but better to be safe than sorry right, right! On the boat we crashed and a few hours later we made it to Siquijor.
Right off the bat Siquijor impressed us. It was gorgeous! Instead of staying in San Juan, Erica and I stayed at hands down the cutest guesthouse ever! Daumahause was just a really adorable spot. It was so off the beaten track that we were the only whiteys and it was perfect! The house was just gorgeous and better yet for a room we were paying 350 pesos for both of us!
After we dropped off our stuff and put on our bathing suit we went out to find a beach. We didn't succeed like we thought we would but we did find a shaded little area where we passed out for the afternoon. When we woke up we headed into the market where we grabbed some veggies and fruit.
That evening we rocked out to some cardio strength training on the balcony to our guesthouse in the most
beautiful layout with perfect weather. This was followed by yoga and then our veggies. I also picked up some fish which was strangly the first bit of fish I had on our trip this far! It was awesome. The fish was tasty and fresh vegetables was so nice.
While eating on the balcony one of the other guest at the house came on out and started chatting with us. Her sisters kids as well and we all just relaxed together outside. She had to,d us about a festival happening out on a mountain for Good Friday that everyone would be going to tomorrow and Erica and I decided we had to do that.
Good Friday seems to be the bigger Easter Day here as opposed to Sunday. After a fabulous run we went in search of a ride. There was no jeepney and e tricycle seemed so expensive but a fellow helped us out and we got a motorbike for the day for 400 pesos. Ricky was our driver and he was a super cool dude telling us all the things we should do on the island.
Bandilaan Mountain was were
the healing festival was taking place. After a nice ride through the island we made it there and it was packed! We hiked up to the overview passing the fourteen stages of Christ on the way up. On top of the mountain the was another little thing we could climb up and from there we could see Bohol and Cebu, only we actually couldn't because it was so misty.
We moved further up the mountain were the divine faith healers were. They hung out in tents performing their rituals on the people, so many people. And while we watched this we overheard something, another Peace Corps Volunteer. We locked in and hovered as she chatted with someone else waiting to pounce.
Pounce we did and what we learned was that there where quite a few volunteers all hanging out together. We chatted it up and compared notes about our experience. Half of them were the new group the other half having just 6 months left. It was awesome chatting with them and learning about their experience and about the Philippines.
Joining them for lunch, Erica and I grabbed our snacks, hard
boiled eggs and a torts which apparently is one of the snacks we had to try in Siquijor. Te torts is a nice little baked treat paired with the rest of our meal.
Saying goodbye to the other volunteers we to,d them we would probably see them the next day and headed off. Ricky took us to Cantabon Cave were I hesitantly passed over 600 pesos for us to head into the caves. You have to have a tour guide, entrance fee, and torch fee and I just crossed my fingers it was going to be awesome.
WORTH IT! Worth every pesos, the cave was so cool. Pitch black we walked through hunched over through most of it. A times we were in water up to our hips and hopping from rock to rock. It was unbelievably amazing and I'm certain nothing I can write will actually portray how amazing it was.
We made it out, sweaty, muddy and wet and hopped on the back for Ricky's bike. We were going to go to the falls but we were exhausted so instead we chose to hit up the enchanted balete tree
which is a 400 year old tree that is thought to be well enchanted. It was pretty cool so we snapped a few photos and then moved on.
Last but certainly not least, okay maybe least, was the capilay spring park. Ricky drove us by but it is really just a natural fed swimming pool and with no bathing suit and feeling exhausted we just headed back.
We said goodbye to Ricky and relaxed in our room for about ten minutes before heading back out. We wanted to see if the St. Francis of Assisi Church for Good Friday and there was indeed a huge thing going on. The stages we made into floats and people were walking around the town in a huge procession. The two of us joined in and walked around. At the end we grabbed some popcorn and went to look for dinner.
Pretty much everything was closed, but fortunately Joy Joy restaurant was opened and we got there before everyone else! I got an eggplant with egg dish and green bean with beef dish, both of which we über tasty!
I also wanted
to get the halo halo. I was so disappointed with my first go that I needed to try it again. We were full at the moment so we went and walked along the pier watching the sunset. Erica was full but I was still determined to give it a go, so back at Joy Joys I ordered it up and Erica could resist the amazing creation that was placed before me. No weird gelatin things or anything like that. Instead the was shaved ice with ice cream and syrup and corn flakes and mike and fruit! So fabulous!
While stuffing our face the power went out but that didn't stop us! When we had finished it all, practically licking the bowl, we walked back in the dark. The stars were amazing, especially with all the power out and even more amazing were all the fireflies n they were everywhere in this one little section. They don't blink like the ones back home but they were bigger and brighter and adorable.
Back at the house we washed up and sat on the balcony enjoying the cool breeze and beautiful stars.
Sleeping in
was fabulous! Well ok I didn't actually sleep in, I woke up at my usual 6:15 and hopped outside to do some yoga, relax and catch up on some journaling. After groggily getting up and out we hit up the market, grabbed some veggies, hopped in a tricycle and made out way to JJ Backpackers, where the rest of the volunteers were.
Saying our hellos Erica and I just wanted to get some ice and find some shade because that morning we had dropped a lot of pesos to buy our boat ticket to Cebu and feeling frustrated we just wanted to drink our rum and watermelon.
First we hopped in the beautiful ocean and then Really took in where I was. The beach was just breathtaking. White sands, turquoise oceans, palm trees and NOBODY outside of us volunteers and a few others. It was perfect.
We set up our soot, grabbed ice and hid in the shade. Here we were introduced to Oneball. That is what his name sounds like but I don't know if that is right of not. Either way he was awesome! As Erica and I drank
more of our rum juice and got a bit more sillier we learned a lot about Oneball, Kurt and Paolo who all came by and joined us.
They invited us to join the in lechon fiesta which is apparently a pretty special celebration in this case to celebrate Easter. They were doing it a day early because everyone was leaving the next day.
I didn't really want to, but I did watch them blood let the pig which squealed for far to long. But I felt that if I was going to eat it, I had to be able to witness it. So all of us did and it was difficult, but in the end we did a little blessing which was really nice. Then that sucker, Bogart, was spitter and put over the fire.
The five of us chatted away the afternoon and then indulged in some coconut wine as we watched the pig roast. Time was flying and it was great. Theses guys were so cool although we did learn that they we huge bullshitters and I no longer could believe in anything they were saying.
A few hours after we first witnessed the slaughter the pig was being placed before us on the table and we all dug in. It was really quite delicious. The crispy skin was off the chain amazing! The tail was delicious and eve the tongue wasn't bad. I have no idea if people actually eat the tongue and tail and such but Kurt and Paolo were giving me pieces and I was trying them and it was all good. But nothing was better than the delicious rib that I tried. OMG. That is all I can say! It was sooooooo cute. The flavor was just off the chain. I can't even write about it anymore because I'm currently on a boat starving.
The rest of the evening was spent with San Miguel's, Tandory Rum and really great company. The guys were great and the other volunteers were chill people. Unfortunately we we crashing so we had Kurt drive us home.
Another early boat in the morning!
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Nancy T
non-member comment
Hi Erin, It sounds so amazing where you are. Sitting here on this gray, cold, rainy day makes the beaches there sound beautiful. We are all waiting patiently for any sun and warm by this time of spring. Am glad to hear that you are keeping up with your running so you will be ready for the spring lake 5! I am still training for the half on april 20th. Have had a sore leg so am getting worried cause it doesnt seem to be responding to rest. I will probably be crippled by the time I finish! stay safe and have fun! tty soon!