TRAVEL BLOG: Visiting the Natural Wonders of Mystical Siquijor Island.
Located in Lazi, these waterfalls are well-known for their cool, refreshing waters and a fun exciting adventure that comes along with it. Even at an oblique angle, you cannot help but feel a sense of amazement at the vast jungle that surrounds the waterfalls. What is striking for me is how the spring water is actually three tiers of cascading waterfalls all within close proximity to each other. Each pool has a different size and depth, but it is surprising how the seemingly cool blue waters are pleasantly warm throughout any of the tiers....
Today, I will take another trip down memory lane and share with you my experience at Glamping Siquijor and in San Juan. During our visit to Siquijor, it was initially planned that we stay in a bungalow-type homestay in Lazi, located at the southern part of the island. We booked it at Airbnb at a very affordable price. The place was really great and we loved how accommodating the host was to us.
However, we did encounter a slight problem. Little did we know that our homestay was quite far, located on top of a steep hill, overlooking the sea. The roads were simply made of very slippery dirt pathways. Additionally, there was not much light. This proved to be a hazard for us, especially at night. Because of this, we were left with no choice but to give up the comforts of our bungalow at Lazi and look for another place to stay for the night, minding our safety first.
We were already aware of Glamping by the beach being a popular must-do in Siquijor so we wanted to give it a try. We visited Glamping Siquijor's online Facebook page and dropped by the resort to book ourselves for the night. Thankfully, we got really lucky as there was still one large glamping tent available to accommodate us all. Without hesitation, we decided to stay there, starting a rather unexpected adventure for us.
GLAMPING SIQUIJOR, San Juan, Siquijor A Taste of Campground Glamping by the Beach
Glamping, otherwise a portmanteau of the words "glamorous" and "camping", features a more exquisite way of camping out; with ready-made beds, light fixtures, electricity, and even WiFi connectivity. This offers a more luxurious way of staying outdoors than traditional camping. The concept has gained a lot of traction, especially among chill-seeking tourists, looking for a more convenient and stylish way to connect with nature.
We were beyond thankful to the caretaker of the resort for allowing us to stay, and at a discounted price! According to him, it was not permitted to have visitors as large of a group like us to stay in one large tent. But since we were desperate, he gave us a chance. The caretaker was very chatty and even explained to us how the idea came to fruition. We were adamant to hear him out. After a couple of minutes of talking and answering our questions, he eventually revealed to us that he was part-owner of the entire resort!
That came as a surprise considering his carefree, laid-back demeanor towards us. In fact, he even shared to us a secret - that resort plans to expand to other beaches in the Philippines. Maybe soon, it would no longer come as a surprise that Bohol, Cebu, and Siargao would be teeming with glamping resorts as well. I am in full support of their mission as long as it supports responsible tourism, finding balance in profit and environmental preservation.
What is striking about the resort is the abundance of the palm trees which are evenly spaced in between glamping tents. At a glance, it would seem that the trees were intentionally placed at consistent intervals among the tents, although it is more likely the other way around. You do have to be mindful of your steps as thin strings attached from the sides of the tent are pegged strongly to the ground. You wouldn't want to sustain an injury at this tropical paradise. Native-looking torches, made of bamboo shoots and recycled glass bottles are also stationed near tents which illuminate the pathways at night.
In between the palm trees are native hammocks resourced from fishnets and pieces of hardwood. I'm fond of hammocks so the place was a heavenly paradise. Each tent has one hammock conveniently attached to the trees surrounding it. Imagine the feeling of the sun touching your skin, the cool sea breeze filling the air while lying back and enjoying all that this resort has to offer.
Aside from the vibrant tropical atmosphere, the interior of the tent also complements the experience. Inside each tent is a small coffee table made of bamboo, a light fixture, a couple of beds with nice clean sheets, and a power socket. It's hard not to be embraced by how cozy it is. The amenities were very basic but were more than enough for our needs.
I guess we made the right decision coming here. We did intend to camp-out someday and this could be the closest thing we had. Besides, spending the night by the beach seems like a really great way to utilize your vacation rather than fancy hotels and expensive homestays.
The day was slowly passing by and we had to get going with our limited itinerary. We decided to take some more photos and even visited the shore before proceeding. It's just hard not to be beguiled by how picturesque the site was. We were getting hungry and had to head out soon yet it was also hard to leave the place while the sun was still up, illuminating the place with the afternoon sunlight.
If I were to give a rough approximation of how many tents there were, I think it would be around ten to fifteen. That would mean that the entire resort could accommodate around fifty to eighty people. We were told how lively the place was at night. The caretakers would sometimes set up a campfire by the beach and even initiate games among the tourists. People would dance around, sharing stories while having shots of alcoholic drinks. We would have loved to join in but we had already planned places to visit for the night.
To put it shortly, the warm tropical vibe, exquisite yet very affordable glamping tents, the beach just a few steps from your camp, and the lush palms that shroud the entire resort would make this place an ideal getaway. Glamping Siquijor is perfect for a romantic vacation or just spending the night at Siquijor with friends.
I would not be surprised if this place would be fully booked and packed with tourists. The owners did a good job conceptualizing the resort and the market is just starting to catch up to it. With responsible tourism, this could be a great future for flaunting the pristine beaches in the Philippines.
THE LATE NIGHTS AT SAN JUAN Visiting some of the famous night restaurants, bars, and cafes in the vicinity
In our two-night stay in Siquijor, we would make sure to have dinner at San Juan, Siquijor. This area is said to be the hub for restaurants, bars, cafes, and features some of the best resorts on the island. Indeed, we were greeted with well-lit streets and attractive stalls. Conveniently, Gamping Siquijor is only a five-minute ride from the center of the bustling nightlife. We simply took on our motorcycles and proceeded with caution. We visited these spots primarily because of their great reviews and splendid ambiance.
[ Monkey Business - A Rustic Restaurant with a Quirky Twist ]
Among the restaurants that arrayed the streets of San Juan, Monkey Business was the one that caught our attention the most. Firstly, the place was spirited and attractive, offering a native impression to it. It consists of bamboo-paneled walls and roof, with comfortable wooden furniture positioned neatly in a spacious dining area. The floor is made of concrete but finished with a thin layer of loose sand, giving the appeal of dining by the beach. Finally, the entire place is beautifully lit, with woven rattan light fixtures to illuminate the place. There is also a cocktail bar at the side, consistent with the features of the restaurant.
Monkey Business Restaurant spotlights native Filipino cuisine. We were able to select from a wide variety of great choices such as Fish Fillet, Pancit Canton, Adobong Pusit, Kinilaw na Isda, Calamares, Sisig, and Hilaw na mangga. The dishes were laid out in the traditional Filipino boodle-boodle set-up, with a dried-up banana leaf at the center of the table where the food will be shared.
Since the island had an enigmatic reputation filled with superstitious magic and voodoo, we could not help but also feel a sense of enchantment with how delectable their dishes were. The ingredients and the ambiance blended perfectly with each other. We began joking around that maybe the food here was "kinulam", or enchanted with magical herbs and spices, owing to how scrumptious our dinner was that night. Without a doubt, we were pleased with the meal that not a single grain of rice was left and not a single strand of meat was leftover.
After dining, you could even relax by the road to where an exterior counter was at. Instead of standard seats, the place is fashioned with wooden planks suspended in native abaca ropes to create some sort of a swing. This must be where Mankoney Business, the name of the restaurant gets its inspiration from. Pair that with an order of milkshake or a shot of alcohol, you are left with a feeling of bliss.
Needless to say, the restaurant was highly commendable. All of the features combined to create a pleasing dining experience.
[ Dagsa - A Highly Inviting Restobar with a Native Appeal ]
If you are interested in bars and music then Dagsa Restobar is highly recommended. In another one of our nights in San Juan, we wanted to surround ourselves with great music to liven up the night. While riding out with our motorcycles, we had to stop to the sound of the captivating music. The live band showcased a variety of reggae, indie, and acoustic music. This led us to stop by and have a drink.
As soon as we entered, we were once again greeted with a rustic vibe and a native appeal. What is striking with this place is the bundles of dried balete tree vines that hang from the ceiling. I guess this feature alludes to the centuries-old balete tree, one of the most famous tourist spots in Siquijor. The interior design did a good job of adding mysticism to the place. Dagsa bar is said to be always packed with foreigners and locals alike, I can see why this is the case.
We sat by a small table and ordered a pitcher of pink lemonade margarita. The ladies were more than thrilled at the sight of it. But beyond its captivating color, the drink also packed a punch. We each had two shots aside from individual orders of beer and enjoyed ourselves surrounded by great company and music. Since we wanted to stay a little bit longer, the ladies also did not miss the chance to order a blue margarita cocktail just to even out the game. We finished the drinks in no time.
Dagsa Restobar offers a variety of alcoholic drinks. Bottled beverages and canned beers are also popular choices here. Additionally, the dining experience here is worth the mention, featuring a boodle-boodle fight dining setup as well.
San Juan is not short of cafes, too. To those who are not up for alcohol, music, and dining, there are also other destinations to chill-out. An example is this coffee shop by the road which was nearing closing hours. Since three of us had an order, the saleslady extended a couple more minutes to accommodate us. The stall offers tea, hot and cold coffee, and even fresh fruit shakes.
Once we were beyond satisfied with our night out, we cautiously headed back to Glamping Siquijor to get some rest. At this point, we were already aware that this would be our last night at this paradise. I always dread that feeling of a perfect getaway coming to an end. There is that longing desperation to intend to stay at this place and enjoy the simplicity of life here. Sadly, all good things must come to an end.
THE CAPTIVATING CANOPIES OF SIQUIJOR A final gaze at the supernatural evergreens of the island
As soon as we were awake the next day, we wasted no time to pack up and get ready to go. Since we had a few drinks the night before, we woke up later than expected. Groggy and hesitant to leave, we forced ourselves to start moving or risk getting left behind by our ferry ride back home. We took one last glance at the beach right in front of our glamping tents and began to head out.
Just when we thought our journey couldn't get any better, we were pleased to behold some more natural wonders of the island. Riding on our motorcycles, we were greeted with trees that seem to form artistic sceneries. Narra, balete, palm trees, and various shrubs fill the roadside. On our way to the port, the island continues to mesmerize us with such charming beauty.
After driving our way through the canopies, we finally reached Siquijor Port where we would be bound for Dumaguete city, before getting back to Cebu province. On the port, I scrolled through some of the photos I had taken. It was difficult not to be taken aback by such a wonderful island. Truly, Siquijor is a place with enchanting beauty. I hope this won't be my last time here.
If you want to read more about Siquijor, I suggest you visit these note-worthy posts by @ybanezkim26 about the island:
So I guess that ends this post. Thank you very much for reaching this far. I hope you enjoyed traveling with me on the mystical island of Siquijor. Join me again as we traverse some more places in the Philippines. See you soon.
🍺Live like a templar🍷 | ⚔️Serve like a knight💉.
Every writer needs to have his pen name. In that case, welcome to josejirafa's blog.
Aaron is an aspiring travel blogger whose dream is to visit the world's most famous tourist spots. A thinker and frustrated philosopher, Aaron spends his days off learning about himself, others, and the world. He enjoys discourse about philosophy, politics, religion, emotional intelligence, and has an aptitude for being vocal about his point of view. Although a registered nurse by profession, Aaron has an inclination for business and finance.
Siguijour was one of mine and @millcf1976's favourite places. We were planning another visit with @biggypauls and co and had planned to go glamping this time. This post makes me yearn for things to open up as its our first destination as its close to us really as we are in Moalboal
I totally feel the same. Siquijor was really enchanting and I enjoyed myself there despite staying for only 2 days. I am sure you will enjoy glamping there too. Watch out for glamping in Cebu, I hear the owners are very eager to set up another site on the island. Maybe once all of this is over, traveling wouldn't be so difficult then.
Glamping is a unique kind of experience! It keeps you closer to nature with the convenience of a hotel room. And I agree with @discoveringarni about being mindful of the strings surrounding the tents or else you’ll trip easily. Aside from that, it’s one of the ideal ways to relax and recharge. Siquijor is indeed a mystical island worth exploring!
Definitely! I was really pleased to have experienced glamping. The concept is definitely attractive and would love it to be duplicated in my hometown Cebu soon. Combining convenience and basking in nature is the way to do it. Thanks for dropping by.
I catch your post that time :)
One word - PARADISE!
@tipu curate
Upvoted 👌 (Mana: 60/70)
Hey there fast andy HAHAHA. I am in awe that you find this worthy of attention an I am really pleased to see you here. Thanks so much for the support, my friend. :D
Haha, I am back to being fast :)
Your posts are always stunning.
One of the most quality authors currently on Hive, looking at the topics I like and based on my opinion.
Keep it up my friend!
Shared on Twitter #posh
Congratulations, your post has been added to Pinmapple! 🎉🥳🍍
Did you know every user has their own profile map?
And so does every post as well!
Want to have your post on the map too?
Ughh! Makasuya! Grabe dong! 👏👏👏
Pramis ma utgan kas kalami sa resort HAHAHA
The hell! This should be reserved in our private chats. Not here dude. Unless..
Dah mao na bawsan bi hahaha
Are you sure? Final answer na jud na? Ayaw jud ko hagita dong. 😂
I've only ever camped once in my life, at the foot of Machu Picchu in Peru, would love to do a bit more, but it will have to be more glamping, can't handle anything too tough at my age 😂
Woaaaah Machu Picchu is quite a long reach as compared to this one here though. I think you would like it there still. With the rise of PH tourism industry, glamping is the new camping these days haha. Thanks for stopping by!
I've been basic camping but never glamping before. It looks awesome. My wife wouldn't go camping but I could probably talk her into something like that for sure. The food and drinks look delicious as well
I am sure your wife will enjoy it. It has all the basic amenities, she wouldn't have to worry about anything else. Besides, a caretaker will help you out if you have a request. Imagine a camping hotel by the beach lol.
Thanks for dropping by.
It is true the abundance of good restaurants, bars and cafes in Siquijor was something we enjoyed. The location of Glamping site is really convenient for that. It made me smile when you mentioned about being mindful about strings around the tent because they always get me every time. 😅
It's nice to know that both of you have been here as well! Bilib na talaga ako sa relationship travel goals nyo haha. Anyways, yes it was a really good decision to stay here owing to its aesthetics and convenience.
Its name Glamping really fits well with the ambience of the resort. The tents blended so well with the sand and coconut trees. I can't wait for them to expand in Cebu! 😁
I sure hope so as well! Apparently, they already opened up a site in Bohol. I looked it up a couple of minutes ago. Indeed, it's exciting to imagine the possibility!
How stunningly beautiful! I gotta get down to the Philippines soon. Need to see it with my own eyes
You definitely should. We have beaches, waterfalls, mountain tops, and crazy adventures waiting for you here. Maybe when the pandemic is over, you could consider giving it a go. Anyways, thanks for stopping by.
Margaritas are love specially when you tour this kind of tropical places. Keep enjoying dude🍹
Thanks so much! Indeed, I enjoyed the company of my friends, the great music, and the tasty margaritas we had that night. Thanks for stopping by.
Hiya, @ItchyfeetDonica here, just swinging by to let you know that this post made it into our Top 3 in Daily Travel Digest #959.
Your post has been manually curated by the @pinmapple team. If you like what we're doing, please drop by to check out all the rest of today's great posts and consider supporting other authors like yourself and us so we can keep the project going!
Become part of our travel community:
Thank you so much @ItchyfeetDonica. It is both an honor and a privilege. I am in awe. :D
Camping is really fun. Great photos and great article. Thanks for sharing! :)
Thanks for dropping by. I am sure you would enjoy yourself there
Congratulations @josejirafa!
You raised your level and are now a Minnow!
Do not miss the last post from @hivebuzz: