Mar 17 - Apr 15, 2023
Kris Visits Siquijor
Location : Siquijor Island, Philippines
Post Chiang Mai
After Chiang Mai, Kris and I continued to keep in touch. We had long exchanges mostly about spirituality, evolution and existence. Even though it was privately done on Messenger, I will post some of our Exchanges as nothing is personal and most of my reply has already been mentioned on this website. I'm posting it also for the reason of posterity. It's a time capsule that tells me how I looked at the world and my place in it...in this time frame.
Exchanges
Sacred geometry
Kris: Random thoughts on all kinds of geometry in relation to our world and attaining Realisation?Gigit: Sacred geometry is a telltale sign that nature operates on a repeating pattern. There is a natural law in place. Not sure if there is a call to action there or strictly fyi.
Enlightenment for all
Kris: Maybe enlightening people en masse is not a good idea because we couldn't wield the powers?Gigit: Even if I can wield the power, I won't. We are born into humanity to learn something unique to our karmic path (otherwise we're just occupying space). If we give everyone enlightenment, it's like passing all the students in a class including those who failed. Why make them students in the first place if you will pass them all?
Witches and Goblins
Kris: Dianne told me that Siquijor is known amongst locals to be enchanted?Gigit: I feel an affinity to the enchantresses and sorcerers. I already met a few and will meet with a few more. There is nothing to fear when your heart is in the right place. The most powerful of them become your staunch allies. The sorcerers are not as scary as 'friends' who look away in your time of need, or friends who betray your trust.
Kali Yuga
Kris: I think the world will get dark before it gets brighter. As of now I can’t see a pathway without mass suffering. Hope I’m wrong.Gigit: In yogic lore, we are in the Kali Yuga age....the age of turmoil and upheaval. It's healthy to do your best but expect the worst. I wish I also lived in the best of the 4 ages - Dvapara Yuga. There wasn't as much divide between divinity and man. Godhead and human existence were closely intertwined.
Global matters don't really matter to me because it has its own karma that needs to happen. I focus on my 'duty' regardless if we are in Kali Yoga or Dvapara Yuga.
Overthinking
Kris: If God is within, and intuition is guiding us towards our greatest Godlike expression, then sin is equal to not adhering to what our intuition tells us to do.Gigit: Don't you get tired of over-thinking? You are telling your right brain hemisphere, "shut the fuck up!", when you overthink. When there's too much mind, the heart is left behind. Let the left hemisphere take a back seat and allow the right hemisphere do the driving.
Zeitgeist
Kris: I feel like the whole new paradigm is slowly opening up, a new frontier of possibilities. At the same time, world’s problems are heating up too (literally and figuratively)Gigit: We live in interesting times....thank God! It's good to have a ringside seat when shit hits the fan.
Austerity
Kris: My day started with 2€ in my wallet, I have no money in my debit card and I’m not planning to ask my parents for a bailout.Gigit: Ha-ha, when you are at the mercy of the universe, the real magic happens. Brace yourself for a wild ride.
Peace in the concrete jungle
Kris: Do you find peace despite the duality of life these days? Personally, I don’t, in this season of my life. Feels like I cannot put a firm gripping on one identity or one thing as I try to balance between the two poles.Gigit: If I have a choice of being on a mountain top/cave where I am not distracted and can devote my entire time on my practice, with villagers providing me sustenance, I will say NO. I find that cheating. That's why I"m not a big fan of monks who devote their lives in pursuit of spirituality in a temple but rely on the alms of others (who might be doing back-breaking work) for their meals - that's just my opinion. I'd rather gain my self-realization as I meditate, as I do my yoga, as I get slapped around by life, as I find creative ways for my next meal, as I get betrayed by people I trust, etc. No crutch from anyone. If I never gain liberation, then so be it. This is just my personal philosophy and mandate.
Karma tank
Kris: ...otherwise my karma tank will run outGigit: From my experience, karma tank is unfathomable. It only runs out when you think it will run out. Belief creates the limitation.
Covid vaccine
Kris: I met a guy who's saying Covid vaccines are lethal, taking away 25 years of life and part of the globalist agenda, etc. I deem you as a very reasonable person, what's your take on covid vaccines?Gigit: This should not come as a surprise. The global vaccination initiative was spearheaded by a known eugenics who advocated global population control. You cannot find 'proof'. You simply have to connect the dots.
The Nomad
He embarked on an indefinite nomadic existence with a little safety net. He was in Bali when he decided to pay me a visit here in Siquijor. Why? Siquijor is a nice place for starters. Second, to do yoga with me and do an interview for his podcast.
Siquijor Life
I made arrangements for his stay - the room he stayed at, the motorbike he rented and took him to my eating nooks. He's a trooper for adventure and the unbeaten path. I rode on his motorbike when we got my motorbike in Siquijor Poblacion. He would often join me for my morning and afternoon yoga, join me for my cheap but nutritious carinderia meals, to my tuba place (coconut wine), the Boulevard, to the natural springs (Bolo Bolo, Camagung-hung), waterfalls (Cambugahay Falls), and the Ghost Ship.
Podcast Interview
This was spontaneous and unrehearsed. It came out a little more intense than what I thought it should be.
video here
The Girlfriend
Kris left Siquijor to pick his flight attendant Filipina girlfriend who was arriving in Dumaguete. Both of them came back to Siquijor to enjoy island life. I met her briefly at Twenty4Cafe. She even gifted me some dates from Qatar.
Post Girlfriend Siquijor
When the girlfriend left, Kris stayed a good 2 more weeks, but it was then that Marky arrived and my attention was focused on my project with Marky - developing an online yoga class. I would still invite Kris to join me and Marky when schedules allow it. He left and went back to Bali, Indonesia to continue some unfinished business.
Ending Thoughts
It was good to spend quality time with Kris here in Siquijor. It's interesting to look back at our history - from the time we met in Chiang Mai in May 2021 while doing an icebath with Jason. He continued the icebath even when I took over Jason and later on when I offered my own icebath program at my hotel. He also attended my advanced yoga and breathing classes. He was also around for our post-icebath coffee at My Mocha Coffee. Next time I see him, perhaps I would already have my envisioned yoga ashram.
--- Gigit (TheLoneRider)
YOGA by Gigit
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Kris blogs:
- 2023: A Year in Review Dec 31, 2023
- Kris Visits Siquijor Mar 17 - Apr 15, 2023
- 2022: A Year in Review Dec 31, 2022
- Peoplescape Mar 31, 2022
- Pizza Nite with Kevin, Jamie and Kris Mar 10, 2022
- Pizza Nite with Kris, Simona and Mary Feb 15, 2022
- ABS Fitness Challenge Jan 16 - Apr 16, 2022
- Welcoming the New Year Jan 31, 2022
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More on Siquijor Island:
Siquijor Island Local Info
Jeeps - there are only 2 routes for jeeps within Siquijor Island - and they are rare. Most people have their own motorcycle transport.
- Siquijor Port to Lazi - last trip leaves at 3pm from station near market
- Lazi to Siquijor Port - jeeps depart from the Lazi Port area. 5 jeeps, the last trip at 12:30 pm. Lazi to San Juan, P50.
- Larena Port to Lazi - jeeps are unpredictable. As of this writing, there is only 1 jeep plying the Larena-Lazi route. This jeep leaves Larena for Lazi at 9:50am. After that, no more jeep. You'll have to take a tricycle to Siquijor Pob for jeeps going to Lazi
- Lazi to Larena Port - 6am (daily) and 9 am (M-Th)
Food - these were suggested by a local to me
- Lechon manok & liempo - roasted pork belly and chicken at Joel's in Siquijor Poblacion. I've tried this myself...yummy, even if the chicken was no longer hot
- Bibingka - sweetened rice cake by Fidy's Bibingka (P30) in Sawang, Maria. I've come back for this and I buy for other people as well as 'pasalubong' - they love this
- Siopao - at the Rosita store near Thrifty (P25) in Siquijor Poblacion
- Peanut butter - by Rene. Just ask around in Siquijor Poblacion. It's popular
- Torta - sweet cakish bread at the Thrifty story in Siquijor Poblacion
Siquijor Island Map
Siquijor - Dumaguete Boat Trips
(as of Jan 2023)- Montenegro Lines - at Siquijor Port, P234.00/pax, P169/bicycle, 7:30am/10:00am/2:00pm/4:30pm
- Aleson Shipping - at Siquijor Port, 6 am and 6 pm daily, 1:30 pm M-Sat, Regular P200.00/pax, Aircon P250.00/pax
- Ocean Jet - 40 mins,at Siquijor Port, 0919.066.5964, www.oceanjet.net, marketing@ocenajet.net, 6:00am/6:00pm, P350/pax (tourist/open air), P580/pax (business class)
Siquijor - Tagbilaran - Cebu City Boat Trips
(as of Jan 2023)En route to Cebu City, the ferries usually make a stop-over to Tagbilaran (Bohol) to pick-up more passengers or unload.
- Ocean Jet - 8:20 am, at Siquijor Port
To Tagbilaran: P800/tourist & open air, 2 hours (arrive 10:20 am), P1200/business class
To Cebu (Pier 1): P1600/tourist & open air, 4 hours (arrive 12:40 am), P2400/business class - Lite Ferries - at Larena Port, no Senior Citizen discount for online ticket purchase
To Tagbilaran: T-Th-Sun, 3 hours, depart 7 pm - arrive 10 pm, P475/standard (Tourist, PHP 750)
To Cebu: T-Th-Sun, 10 hours, depart 7 pm - arrive 5 am, PHP 605/standard (Senior P484), Tourist, PHP 770 - Apekoptravel - at Larena Port to Tagbilaran: 1:00 pm, xxx hours, P750
Reserve through call or text: Cleare - 0938 283 4760 | Grace - 0936 534 6564 | Jessel - 0961 759 6711, Pay via G-Cash: +63-917-880-1464, Email: momovillageadventure@gmail.com, Facebook messenger: Apekoptravel. Enter your birthday and nationality to get discounts: 0 to 3 years old free, 4 to 9 years old will have 20% discount, 10 years old and above full price, Filipino Senior Citizens will also have 20% discount
Siquijor - Plaridel Boat Trips
(as of Jan 2023)- Lite Ferries - at Larena Port, T-Th-Sun, 2:00 am, 5 hours, PHP?
Siquijor - Cebu (Liloan) - Cebu City BUS Trip
(as of Jan 2023)There is only one bus plying this route - Sugbo Urban. Tourist class coach, a/c, comfortable, Sun-Fri (these dates keep changing). P420 for bus, P275 for ferry to Liloan. Larena Port around 5 am, makes a clockwise roundtrip around Siquijor Island - Larena, Enrique Villanueva, Maria, Lazi (stops at Lazi market for breakfast and leaves 6:50 am), San Juan, Siquijor (arrives 8am, P50 from Lazi to Siquijor Poblacion) and catches the 1pm ferry at Larena Port (Sundays at 3 pm) for Liloan, Cebu and resumes its land route. Arrives Cebu City (South Bus Terminal) 10 pm.
Sugbo Urban is the cheapest and most convenient way because it goes around the island (clockwise) along the circumferential road, passing through - Enrique Villanueva, Maria, Lazi, San Juan, Siquijor...and back to Larena where it takes the ferry at 1 pm. This saves you the hassle and high transport cost of a tricycle. Besides, it's a long trip from the other side of the island to be taking by tricycle.
Suggested Destinations After Siquijor Island
These are the nearest popular destinations from Siquijor by boat
- Bohol - Bohol is an island northeast Siquijor. Tourist attractions are Chocolate Hills, Tarsier Monkey, Loboc River Cruise, Beaches of Panglao, whale sharks (recent offering), freediving (recent offering)
- Cebu - Cebu City is the usual gateway into the Visayas. But in Cebu Island itself, there are many offerings - Whale Sharks of Oslob, sardine run at Moalboal,Thresher Shark of Malapascua
- Dapitan (Zamboanga del Norte) - I haven't been there but a lot of island ferries ply this port. There must be something here.
- Dumaguete - Dumaguete is a small charming progressive coastal town in Negros Oriental. Cafe and restaurants line the famous Boulevard Boardwalk. Tourist attractions include Japanese Shrine, Casaroro Falls, snorkeling along the southern coastline (Dauin, Masaplod Norte, etc), Balinsasayao Twin Lakes
- Plaridel (Misamis Occidental, Mindanao) - I haven't been there but a lot of island ferries ply this port. There must be something here.
Blogs
Siquijor Island
- Goodbye Siquijor April 18, 2024
- January Chronicles: Bandilaan Meditation January 2024
- My January Yoga Practice: A Journal January 31, 2024
- Jan 2024: Squid, Balangawan, Margarita Pizza January 2024
- December Chronicles: Yuletide Season December 30, 2023
- December Snapshots: Bolo Bolo Dip, Christmas Lunch, Tuba Denizens, Friends Forever, Men Working, Cow / Crow December 1-30, 2023
- Eggplant Bulad Pizza December 20, 2023
- Canghaling Cave November 14, 2023
- Kings and Queens November 13, 2023
- Barangay Vote-Buying October 22, 2023
- Real Estate Mapping October 1, 2023
- Learning Cebuano: Oct October 1-31, 2023
- Oct Food Hack: Pizza, Kinilaw, Coconut Bread, Fish Okuy, Carrot Omelette,Lemon-Grass Tea October 2023
- Sep Snapshots: Fisherman, Granny, Pedicure, Big Fish, Garbage September 1-30, 2023
- Sep Food Hack: Fish Tinola, Ratatouille, Chayote Omelette, Flat Bread September 2023
- Together Forever Sep 11, 2023
- The Cigarette Talk Sep 1, 2023
- Siquijor Star Meditation Center Aug 31, 2023
- The Lost Dogs of Siquijor Aug 27, 2023
- Moving to a Bungalow! Aug 22, 2023
- Aug Chronicles: CDO produce August 31, 2023
- Aug Snapshots: Pan de Sal, Palpitate, Taho, Tuna, Pineapple August 1-31, 2023 [an error occurred while processing this directive]
- July Chronicles July 31, 2023
- July Snapshots July 1-31, 2023
- Learning Cebuano: July July 1-31, 2023
- June Chronicles June 31, 2023
- June Snapshots June 1-31, 2023
- Learning Cebuano: June June 1-31, 2023
- May Chronicles May 31, 2023
- May Snapshots May 1-31, 2023
- Learning Cebuano May 1-31, 2023
- In Search of a Cool Climate May 25, 2023
- The 64 km Bike Ride May 16, 2023
- Lazi Fiesta May 15, 2023
- The Boulevard Opening May 5, 2023
- April Snapshots April 1-30, 2023
- Learning Cebuano...Again! April 1-30, 2023
- Kris Visits Siquijor Mar 17 - Apr 15, 2023
- Exploring Siquijor with Marky Mar 25 - Apr 11, 2023
- Siquijor Healing Festival April 5-8, 2023
- The Talk at United Church of Christ April 2, 2023
- Mar Snapshots Mar 1-31, 2023
- Vigil for the Ghost Ship of Siquijor March 31, 2023
- Judging an Essay on Gender Equality Mar 29, 2023
- The Thief, the Shaman, the Elves and the Police Mar 20, 2023
- Finally Acquiring the Motorbike Mar 18, 2023
- Bitcoin Blunder Mar 15, 2023
- Maria's Unsung Beaches Mar 11, 2023
- Lagaan Falls Mar 9, 2023
- Tibhong Spring Water Source Mar 8, 2023
- Bolo-Bolo Natural Spring Mar 2, 2023
- Reasons to Get a Wife March 1, 2023
- Feb Snapshots Feb 28, 2023
- Camagung-Ong Natural Spring Feb 28, 2023
- Heeeere's Johnnie! Feb 26, 2023
- Manifesting a Motorbike from Thin Air? Feb 18, 2023
- The 'Bad Guy' of Siquijor Feb 15, 2023
- Amazement from Drivers License Renewal in Siquijor Feb 15, 2023
- Locong Falls Feb 9, 2023
- Inguinal Hernia? Goodbye ABS! Feb 4, 2023
- Jan Snapshots January 31, 2023
- In Search of Tubod Cold Spring Jan 27, 2023
- 1:4:2:3 Nadi Shodana Jan 26, 2023
- Lazi's Boulevard Jan 22, 2023
- Lazi: A Monthly Stay Jan 21, 2023
- 7 Days in Maria, Siquijor Jan 14-21, 2023
- Capilay Spring Jan 17, 2023
- Siquijor: In Search of Resonance Jan 9-14, 2023
- Riding Around Siquijor's 86km Coastal Road Apr 3, 2012
- Exploring the Cantabon Cave of Siquijor Feb 23, 2012
- Jovee and Missy's Excellent Adventure Nov 6-7, 2010
- Freediving in Siquijor's Marine Sancturaries Apr 23-24, 2010
- Island Tour of Siquijor Apr 22, 2010
- Kram's Siquijor Wedding Apr 21, 2010
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