Discovering the Enchantment of Siquijor: A Personal Journey to Hapitan Beach and Cambugahay Falls

 Siquijor, a small national island of the Philippines is the land which is always surrounded by the mystic and the folklore. It is known as the country of stunning beaches, beautiful waterfalls and culturally active places which led to the fact that it became one of my favorite travel destinations. My recent visit to Siquijor was something magical, with gorgeous sceneries and spectacular experiences mostly the Hapitan Beach and Cambugahay Falls.  When I entered the island, I was received by the rays of the warm sun as well as a cool breeze with the smell of the sea. And the beauty of the island caused the first impression in me. It was not full of hustle and bustle as it is in the case of most tourist places and this is what sent me to relax right away. I also hired a scooter and explored the island on my own and found some stunning vegetation, beautiful villages and photosque coastline.  One of my destinations was Hapitan Beach, yet another paradise that made my whole trip really wonderful. When I arrived at the beach I was amazed at the blue color of the ocean against the white soft sweet sand. The beach was never too busy and thus it gave the best place to chill and to analyze things. I laid my towel down and cast off my sandals, and the warm sand oozed about my feet.  At the Hapitan Beach the water was as clear as glass, and was very tempting to venture into. I plunged into the mild swells and the feeling of silence engulfed my soul. The serene atmosphere was a nice retreat away from the day to day rush. I spent hours just swimming and floating about as well as enjoying the beauty of the oceans.  When I drifted ashore I felt disposed to discover something of the surrounding country. This palm-tree edged beach was shady with a beautiful scenic view of palm trees swaying. I enjoyed a lazy drift across the seashore gathering shells and admiring the scenery. The sound of waves beating the rock shore created a soothing background to complete the experience.  The next stop I had in Siquijor was at the Cambugahay Falls and should I say, another highlight to my Siquijor trip. The falls assume the underlying form of the cascade of pools surrounded by lush vegetation and assume the aspect of an idealistic dream brought to reality. When I stepped foot at the place, I was welcomed by a pleasant noise of flowing water and I was exposed to a breathtaking view.  The waters were turquoise and I could not help but enjoy a dip in its cool relaxing waters. I enjoyed the natural waters where swimming in them felt refreshing and I spent hours playing around with different levels of the falls. The beauty of the falls was supplemented with the beauty of the natural snow themed park, tall trees and colorful flowers creating a magnificent backdrop.  The fact that the locals have a sense of community is what made Cambugahay Falls extra special. Families sat at the falls and had picnics together and told stories. I engaged locals in random conversations and they told me stories about how rich the culture and tradition is in Siquijor. Their nice people and friendliness made the visit all the more memorable.