TRAVEL BLOG: Visiting the Natural Wonders of Mystical Siquijor Island.

Hello there people of HIVE. I hope you are doing well. It's me again, Aaron, with another one of my weekly travel blogs. I have been focusing more on making travel posts lately as I have spent such a long time staying indoors. It is unusual for me not to go out his often. In a sense, making these posts is sort of a coping mechanism, providing me with relief from the agony of strict lock-downs. With the pandemic going on, traveling continues to be a commodity. As of the moment of writing, rigid quarantine protocols are still in place and it is quite difficult to travel to far off places. While you may be allowed access to travel destinations, you would have difficulties with transportation. Much more, masks and face shields are a complete necessity coupled with strict social distancing measures. Anyways, let me proceed with my post, Without further ado, I will share with you another getaway I had not so long ago. Join me as we journey to some of the natural wonders of mystical Siquijor. ---- ##### CAMBUGAHAY FALLS, Lazi, Siquijor _{Taking a dip into cascading waterfalls and natural freshwater pools} --- Siquijor Island has long been on our bucket lists. Various blogs often write of how captivating the tourist spots are - with its unique waterfalls, fresh beaches, mysterious caves, and strange attractions. Right from the start, we were hooked with the idea of coming here. My friends and I were perfectly aware of how beautiful the island was but it was difficult to grasp the magnitude of this; until we saw it for ourselves.  To be honest, this has got to be one of the best trips I have been so far. Siquijor is quite unique in itself. It is one of those places which almost has it all - waterfalls, beaches, diving spots, cliff jumping, great food, an enigmatic heritage, and a tropical ambiance. And since it isn't a big island, you could definitely quench your wanderlust in a span of three to five days. But in our case, we were only there for a day and a half which meant we had to maximize our time and visit as many places as we can. We would have wanted to stay longer but sadly we had to work on the following days. Anyways, to start our adventure in Siquijor, we first visited the famous cascading waterfalls on the island located in Lazi, the southern part of the island.  Located in Lazi, these waterfalls are well-known for their cool, refreshing waters and a fun exciting adventure that comes along with it. Surely, we were more than excited to take a dip. When we got to the drop off point near the falls, we were greeted with a long and slippery descent towards the falls. Pathways were intentionally created using hardened cement inside sacks which were stacked on top of each other. This was definitely much easier as compared to stepping on wet soil and a trail of loose rocks along the way. As such, I always adored the innovative minds of Filipinos which becomes especially apparent in situations such as this. --- --- After descending the steep staircases safely, we were immediately greeted with dense vegetation and vibrant turquoise water pools. Even at an oblique angle, you cannot help but feel a sense of amazement at the vast jungle that surrounds the waterfalls. What is striking for me is how the spring water is actually three tiers of cascading waterfalls all within close proximity to each other. Each pool has a different size and depth, but it is surprising how the seemingly cool blue waters are pleasantly warm throughout any of the tiers.  If you are fond of swimming then you will surely enjoy the mellow temperature in the waters. The waters are mostly clear, the dirt and debris probably filtered out by the abundant shrubs and greenery in which the spring water passes through. If you dive underneath, you will notice how the bottom is made of mostly loose rocks and small pebbles.  Several boulders seem to have attached itself securely into the bedrock. Exposed portions, not submerged in the water were ultimately covered with moss, making it highly slippery. People usually just step unto these large rocks carefully if they prefer not to get their legs wet. --- _{*My group of friends and I before and after plunging into the waterfalls. Everyone seemed to have enjoyed the short dip*} --- Despite the waterfalls being shorter than most in the Philippines, the current is still strong enough for water to surge through. This makes a wonderful activity while within the falls. You can position yourself under portions with strong streamflow and receive a relaxing warm water massage from your head to your upper back. I was sure to have spent a couple of minutes underneath nature's free massage service.  If you are up for a little more excitement, you can swing from one of the many vines fastened near the edge of the water pools. The fall isn't really that far but I just didn't want to miss out on the fun. I was also feeling much of a Tarzan that day so I decided to give it a go. A little bit of caution though, some locals (especially kids) demand a small price in return to having a go on the vines. It wasn't much of a deal and they were more than pleased to receive even just spare change from us. It was just my way of supporting the local tourism in the area.  If you get tired from all the swimming and swinging, you can take a rest in any of the bamboo rafts in the waters. The raft is enough to accommodate four to five people, at least. If you have been to Kawasan Falls in Cebu, a raft ride will cost you a fair amount. Luckily, this one is free of charge and is available for anyone to experience. ---- ##### SALAGDOONG BEACH, Maria, Siquijor _{Plunging into the island cliff-jumping destination} --- From the waterfalls, we headed northeast to Maria where we would have the chance to drench ourselves with an adrenaline-inducing activity in Salagdoong Beach. This tourist spot is a well-known spot for cliff jumping, an activity we just could not dare to miss. We headed out with our motorcycles and drove through the long winding roads with anticipation  It was quite a long ride yet I was clearly amused with the journey for a couple of reasons. First, I always enjoy riding motorcycles as it gives me a sense of total freedom. There is something quite liberating with the wind blowing through your face as you rev up the engine to the maximum speed you could tolerate. Second, what really fascinates me in Siquijor is how picture-perfect the roads are. We would be greeted with such scenic views and a combination of various species of trees complementing each other. _{*Siquijor is full of long winding roads outlooking panoramic views and landscapes*} --- Often times along the way, my friends and I would slow our pace down to have a clear perspective of the scenery in from of us. I would ask them to keep their speed steady and slow, then we would be mesmerized by what we would see. I am always in awe at how nature captivates us all. Nature has a way of calming our nerves and redirecting our thoughts to the present. Talking a breath of fresh air, I gazed into the horizon and the towering canopies that this island had to offer. I reminded myself that it's great to be alive, to experience beauty in its purest form.  Soon after, we arrived at the beach to which we were not a bit disappointed. What makes this beach one-of-a-kind is how short its shoreline is. It would approximately only stretch fifteen to twenty meters. However, it would still be enough to accommodate a number of people. To where the water meets the shores, you are caressed by the calm waves the sea softly pushes away. The waters were mostly still despite encountering the strong sea breeze. From the shoreline, its crystal clear waters extend forward transitioning into a cool cerulean tone towards the majestic horizon.  Salagdoong beach is quite popular for dare-devils and adrenaline-junkies. The towering boulders are equipped with a seven-meter and ten-meter plank which could take you straight into the deep waters. We simply had to give cliff jumping a try. Looking straight down would send shivers down your spine as the drop downwards is not a joke. However, when you muster all the courage you could get, the jump isn't really that bad. I took a leap of faith and tried the ten-meter plank. It was indeed a memorable experience. As soon as my feet let go, I was hurled straight towards the sea. It was as if I could feel my innards rising and my soul separating from my body. Unexpectedly, the drop seemed like it would take forever. The anticipation of finally plunging to the sea was all I was thinking of, that each passing second seemed to take so much longer. When I finally reached the waters, I was met with the cool waters embracing me entirely.  My friends and I each took our turns on the planks before deciding to go back up the boulders. However, this time, instead of cliff jumping, we took this moment to admire the view atop. Gazing into the sea, you can catch sight of an impressive horizon. The dark blue seas touch the surrounding mountainous islands, where land meets the sea. To top it off, the cool sea breeze would leave you feeling relaxed and refreshed.  By this time, it was already almost the end of the day so we had to get going. We headed our way back to Lazi to where our homestay for that day was located. As always, the roads of Siquijor were always eccentric. They never failed to disappoint me with its natural form and diversity. ---- ##### CENTURIES OLD BALETE TREE, Lazi, Siquijor _{Taking a stop at a mysterious tree with an outdoor fish spa} --- Our last stop for the day was the famous Lazi Balete tree. This tree is quite famous not only for the beauty that it holds but also the enigmatic lore behind it. It is said that this tree has been around for well over 400 years, owing to the supernatural creatures which reside in it. You see, Siquijor island is widely known all over the Philippines for supernatural creatures, witchcraft, healers, and spiritual rituals - a practice which was said to have survived up to this day. Asking the locals about it will leave you confused, with conflicting answers both debunking and supporting these claims. This leaves Siquijor full of mysteries which I could personally attest to.  Even without hearing these stories of voodoo and quackery, the ambiance of this part of this island would still fill you with enough mysticism. Nearing the sunset, it was rare to find a lot of people out on the streets. There is a gloomy atmosphere that surrounds the area. It was a similar feeling of experiencing the calm before the storm as if something awful is about to happen. --- Just hearing stories about it might cloud your judgment. Additionally, a lot of locals near the area would burn the fallen dried leaves every afternoon contributing to the eerie sensation we felt. Sure enough, I could say that the island is completely safe. Still, that does not change the fact that there is something quite mystical about the place. Thankfully, we were blessed to have had a safe ride. While one of my friends would sustain a fall, later on, I don't think it would be fair to associate the accident with the island's mysterious history.  Arriving at the tree, we were mesmerized by how enormous it was. The tree is said to be enchanted, with multiple stories of strange sightings late at night as if signifying visitors to give respect to their presence. The entire place looms with a peculiar calmness. We did our best to be as silent as possible, mirroring simply the actions of others that came before us.