Dumaguete - Oslob - Siquijor Day 2

5:30 AM - Alarm beeping

Yes yes... we woke up early! We're going to swim with the Whalesharks and visit Tumalog falls today.

Oslob New Village Lodge offers a car to bring you to the whalesharks and Tumalog falls at 500 per person. Not bad for us since we want to relax and forget about all the stress.

We met a fun couple staying in Oslob New Village Lodge - Mark & Mimi. They're such a fun couple! Adventurous & friendly. We clicked right then and there, and we went on a tour together that day.

Got to the whaleshark briefing area in about 20 mins. We had to listen to the short orientation where they mentioned the rules & regulations while you're swimming with the whalesharks.

Rules:
Don't go to near the whalesharks, no touching.
No flash photography
No jumping from the  boat
Don't apply sunblock - yes that's why we wore rash guards

Here's Mark & Mimi!

 All groups are given 30mins to swim and take pictures of the whalesharks. It was a really an enjoyable experience.

After the whalesharks, we drove to Tumalog falls. The car can only get you to the top and then you'll have to walk down the path - It's a cemented path so don't worry, trekking level: easy.

We took pictures and swam in the super cold water, but it was manageable, good thing the sun was up.

After an hour, we went back to our place. We had to since we're suppose to catch the boat going back to Dumaguete since we'll still go to Siquijor. We decided not to stay another night in Oslob since there was nothing else to do after visiting the Heritage park, Tumalog Falls and Whalesharks.

We packed our stuff and waited for a bus along the main road. Arrived at Liloan Port, bought a ticket and headed back to Dumaguete.

When we arrived, Kuya Hanz & Ate Jen were waiting for us. (Ate Jen and I were together in the Ateneo Children's Theater 16 years ago. Yup! That's how long we haven't seen each other!) They treated us to lunch before our boat ride to Siquijor. Food in Sansrival Bistro is yummy!

I ordered Lengua. So yummy!

Carlo liked the Bbq Ribs he ordered. 

There are several boat rides to Siquijor but most people prefer the Ocean Jet since it's air conditioned and only takes 40mins. Others take an hour and 20, others - 2hrs. We missed the once a day Ocean Jet trip (12:50PM) so we took the GL Express (1hr 20m) It wasn't air- conditioned, but it wasn't that bad.

Finally we arrive Siquijor. I was so shocked to see a long stretch of white sand. "Is this really a port??"

Here, we booked a room in Cocogrove Beach Resort Siquijor. It's not a budget resort, but I tell you it's really worth it!

We decided to relax today since we'll be staying here for 3 days more anyway.

We just ate dinner and slept the whole night.


Expenses (for 2):
Van c/o Oslob New Village Lodge - 500
Whaleshark watching - 1000 (500 each for locals)
Tumalog Falls entrance - 40
Bus to Liloan Port - 64
Boat to Sibulan Port, Dumaguete - 124
Trike to Dumaguete Port - 150
Boat to Siquijor (GL Express) - 260
TOTAL - P2,138

Dumaguete - Oslob - Siquijor Day 1

Our 2nd anniversary. That's what we were celebrating.

We were able to get a super cheap plane ticket (P2,332 for the both of us) since Cebu Pacific had a promo.

Here's how it went:

Arrived Dumaguete at around 1:30 PM. So hungry we asked the tricycle driver to bring us to Rizal Blvd where most of the restaurants are. There are no taxis in Dumaguete so tricycle trips are the most common mode of transportation. They have regular and "pakyaw" trips at P150. Regular is the shared ride. They usually offer "pakyaw" to tourists so they have the trike all to themselves.

Our trike driver Kuya Ben, offered to drive for us the whole time and said it's up to us how much we'll pay him. People usually don;t agree to this, but since I was in favor of the convenience, I obliged. (Plus, kuya Ben looked really nice and decent anyway)

We ate lunch at Kamalig Restaurant. Carinderia Type. They have a wide variety of viands, just like any carinderia in our country. Carlo ordered Sisig, I ordered Tanigue. After lunch, we passed by Silliman University (This is a 'must visit' to others), we decided not to go down since we were catching a boat to Oslob at Sibulan Port.

There are several boat trips to Oslob every hour, fast craft or pump boat . We took the fast craft that will depart at 3:00 PM. It was a hot day and we felt sweaty and uncomfortable since the boat wasn't air conditioned. then finally after around 45 mins, we arrive Liloan Port, Cebu. Ceres Liner buses are waiting there ready to go northbound to Cebu City. We rode a bus and arrived Oslob in 30 mins.

We stayed at Oslob New Village Lodge since we're friends with the owner, Kuya Hanz Villanueva. It was a nice place. Very peaceful and quiet at night. it's also near the main road so you won't have any problem looking for a pharmacy, a convenience store or a restaurant.

After settling in, we went to Oslob Heritage Park where we saw the old church, towers, gates and headquarters built during the Spanish era. It was a beautiful sight and we really felt we traveled back in time.

It was dawn and felt a little tired already so we went back to the main road and looked for restaurants. Them we saw these tables all lined up in one side of the street. They were all selling bbq and fried chicken. Tables and chairs are set up so you can eat there too. Unfortunately, unlike other street food, this was NOT good. It was okay, but hindi ganon ka-sarap.

We bought a few beers on the way back to our place so we can drink a bit and sleep soundly.

Expenses:
Lunch at Kamalig - 400
Tricycle Ride - 350
Fast Craft to Liloan Port - 124
Bus from Liloan to Oslob - 64
Dinner - 235
DAY 1 TOTAL: P1,173