![Bohol Yoga Festival](/2024/apr/bohol_yoga/thumbnails/bohol_yoga.jpg)
![Yoga](/images/icons/icon_yoga.gif)
Location : Lazi, Siquijor Island, Philippines
The Joy-Factor
After 15 months in Siquijor, it was time to say goodbye. I thought I could stay here until I was old and gray but despite its beauty, I was left wanting. It felt like having a girlfriend who is bridal material but somehow, the chemistry isn't there...not enough to keep me tied up for life.
The Benchmark
In choosing a place to settle down to, what's my benchmark? When I was living in Chiang Mai, I would wake up in the morning feeling the joy of being there. I never felt that way since and I keep looking for that 'joy factor'. Wandering into Bantayan sparked new vigor into what was becoming stale resignation over Siquijor. It was time to pack again - maybe the proverbial 'joy' is in Bantayan.
Packing and Selling
Upon arrival in Siquijor from the workshop in Cebu and the short visit to Bantayan, I didn't waste time. I started packing up and selling/giving away things I could not bring with me (stove, LPG, water dispenser, lounge chair, icebox, snorkeling set, etc.). I had my motorbike checked and adjusted. I was committed.
I'm glad I left a lot of my things in Cebu (folding bike, clothes, shopped items, etc.) otherwise I'd be bringing them with me.
Bolo-Bolo Spring
The one thing I'll sorely miss from Siquijor is Bolo-Bolo Spring. This is where I get my drinking water, where I rinse my wash, where I take a refreshing dip and my bike workout destination. Perhaps there is something similar in Bantayan.
I thought I would miss doing yoga by the seaside, but Bantayan is likewise surrounded by beaches for sunrise/sunset yoga.
Natural Delights
A few things I treasure in Siquijor are also available in Bantayan - tuba, tuba vinegar, fresh fish. But maybe tableya (native cacao used to make a hot chocolate drink) could be hard to source - so I hoarded a few months' supplies. I may not find native chicken eggs from free-range native chickens in Bantayan (no antibiotics, no growth hormones, etc).
Ivan to the Rescue
I originally thought of strapping my 2 big luggage on my motorbike and ride from Siquijor to Tagbilaran, then to Cebu City. Just to be sure, I did a dry run - I strapped the 2 luggage and drove around the town center. It was an accident waiting to happen. Every turn slid the luggage and every bump loosened the tight strappings. Ultimately, I had it shipped via the Sugbo Urban bus. Ivan, the Russian volunteer at Hostel 7 Cebu agreed to pick it up and store it at the hotel until I get back. I paid P300 for the luggage and of course, Ivan for his troubles. This arrangement saved my sanity.
Siquijor's Blessings
In Siquijor, I lived like a monk in pursuit of deeper yoga. There was no distraction - no social life, no love life, no entertainment. I would start the day with yoga, research more into yoga the rest of the day, and go back to the seawall at sunset for more yoga. Yes, I deepened my yoga like no other. But after 15 months, it's time to go back into the real world. Bantayan is still an isolated island, but there would be more interaction for me.
Prospects in Bantayan
The most immediate prospect is teaching yoga on a regular basis (I purposely did not teach in Siquijor. I just wanted to practice). I met Charmagne and her sisters, who together with their yoga group, are looking for a yoga teacher. I can teach once/week and make a little to pay for my rent. Rent in Bantayan is much more.
Cebu City would now be more accessible to me. I can easily go to the city for workshops and attend events. Mikko's hostel at Tops should already be operational - this means more projects in the making (Pecha Kucha, pizza nites, etc.)
Bohol Yoga Festival
When it rains, it pours. Joan invited me to teach 2 classes for the festival at Fox and the Firefly Cottages. En route to Bantayan, I segued a few nights in Tagbilaran, Bohol to conduct my Siddhi-Activation classes and connect with members of the yoga community.
Ending Thoughts
I left Siquijor even with no definite place to stay in Bantayan. I don't really know what is up ahead, but the signs and the energy are encouraging. I embrace Bantayan with open arms and open myself to what lies ahead.
For everything that was, thank you Siquijor ❤.
--- Gigit (TheLoneRider)
YOGA by Gigit
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Next story:
Bohol Yoga Festival
(April 20/21, 2024) I was in the midst of my move from Siquijor to Bantayan when I got an invite from Joan to teach a class at the Bohol Yoga Festival in her resort, Fox and Firefly Cottages. I said yes, and went to the event with all my belongings for Bantayan....more »»
Kat's Community Invite
(Apr 28 - May 19, 2024) Feeling like I've already exhausted Bohol's abundance with all the events I'd been invited to with nothing else on the horizon, I bought a boat ticket for Cebu City and secured the Coastguard documents for my motorbike. But just hours before boarding the boat, I got a message from Kat. Without much deliberation on my part, I let the boat leave without me.....more »»
Moving to Taloto, Tagbilaran City
(May 19, 2024) Even though I could have stayed at Kat's place until June 21, it was best to start looking for a suitable residence early on. So when I found this place with a bedroom, bathroom and kitchen/dining area just 2km away from Kat, I took it. At P6k, this doubles my budgeted rent and cuts in half my one year safety lifeline. But having this place already eased my racing mind and bought me time....more »»
More on Siquijor Island:
Jeeps - there are only 2 routes for jeeps within Siquijor Island - and they are rare. Most people have their own motorcycle transport.
Food - these were suggested by a local to me
En route to Cebu City, the ferries usually make a stop-over to Tagbilaran (Bohol) to pick-up more passengers or unload.
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.
These are the nearest popular destinations from Siquijor by boat
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