Google Map If there is anything that convinces me how powerful A.I.(artificial intelligence) is, it's how Google Map has evolved through the years. Before, there was practically nothing there except roads and major establishments. Now, especially when I was in Thailand, Google Map served as my personal tour guide, telling me what bus to take, on what side of the road, what time it will arrive and what route it will take, and where I get off.
Now in Siquijor, Google Map lets me see many natural features that weren't there before - waterfalls, springs, caves, underground rivers, etc. A lot of them are practically unheard of...even to the locals!
The Trail On Google Map, I noticed a cold spring just 1.5 km from my location - Tubod Cold Spring. It couldn't be that hard to get there, right? Still in my white button-down long-sleeve shirt, I rode my bicycle to a bridge where I had to turn right through a narrow trail. It didn't take long before the trail became a muddy track. On some parts, my bike was sliding sideways - my shoes and bike were all muddy. The trail was brushy too.
Tubod Cold Spring From the map, the spring was along the river, but I couldn't see anything unusual. It took a while for me to figure out I already went past it. I had to backtrack. Finally, I found it! There was a crumbled wall around the spring. It was unkept, hasn't been used in years, and didn't look inviting. It didn't even look clean.
But it was on the other side of the river. I had to go back to the bridge, cross it, and find the trail leading to the spring.
from the other side of the river, I saw a crumbled perimeter wall around the spring - that's as close as I got.
The Other Side of the River I embarked on a faint trail on the other side of the river. But the trail disappeared. I had to backtrack and find it. I came to a point where my bike could no longer cross what looked like a dry gully. From there, I had to do it on foot. The trail was brushier. I came to a dead end - no more trail and in front of me was brushy overgrowth. The only way was to wade the river. No way! I had to bail and turn back. It was frustrating to just see the spring from the other side of the river and not actually dip in it.
Ending Thoughts I was all muddy and sweaty by the time I got back to my place. Sure, Tubod Spring didn't turn out to be what I expected, but it was an adventure that made the day worthwhile. From time to time, I need to break my routine and do something either crazy, unusual, or memorable. There are still many unsung natural attractions I see on Google Map, a lot of them within my Lazi Municipality - Sambulawan Underground River, Locong Falls, Kawasan Falls/Cave, Lagaan Falls, and Kinamandagan Falls. Boredom cannot happen here!
(Feb 4, 2023) I tried a new type of abdominal workout that left both upper sides of my pubic bone slightly bulging, inflamed, red and tender to the touch. WTF???..more »»
(Feb 5-6, 2023) Siquijor is a hub in Central Visayas that neighboring islands are just an hour away by boat. Why not Dumaguete for an overnight change in scene? It's been 7 years since...more »»
(Feb 9, 2023) In Siquijor, Cambugahay Falls is the mother of all waterfalls - for good reason. But eclipsed by Cambugahay should be a few other noteworthy waterfalls. I've come to Locong Falls to check it out...more »»
Resorts - Lazi has some beach/dive resorts on its west coast - Gabayan Riviera, Lazi Beach Club, Bahura Dive Resort. However, the popular area for tourist resorts are in San Juan
Transport - Lazi is the junction where the jeeps begin their clockwise route (Lazi-San Juan-Siquijor Port) or the counter clockwise route (Lazi-Maria-Larena Port). Because the jeeps are rare with about 2 to 3 trips/day only in the morning, it's practical to just have a motorcycle here in Siquijor. With its affordability (a brand new Rusi motorbike is as low as P45k), people just buy motorcycles...especially those who live up in the mountains.
The Boulevard - Lazi's main draw is its seaside cobblestone promenade. When the sun goes down, people gather here for eats, drinks, open-air, harbor view and the sunset
Lazi Port - Kho Shipping, the shipping line operating from Lazi Port, has stopped its service to Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Dumaguete, Tagbilaran and Cebu. Passengers can go to Siquijor Port or Larena Port for boat services out of Siquijor Island
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
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