Goodbye Blogs
GOODBYE Blogs
April 18, 2024
Goodbye Siquijor
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.
yoga at daybreak and dawn was my typical Siquijor day
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)
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Next story:
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 »»
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(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:
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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