Couple of weeks ago, I crossed an item off my bucket list- to swim with the sea turtles. It was a magical experience, it was surreal. Taking selfies with them underwater was quite a challenge though for someone who doesn't swim (like me hehehe) but to witness how they gracefully glide through the water was something I will never forget. What an experience!
Our first destination: Dumaguete. It took us almost 6 hour bus ride from Cebu City. You can also book a direct flight to Dumaguete to save time. This trip was quite challenging because we only have limited time to explore each city we visited. We also need to adjust on the ferry and bus schedules. So yes, pang Amazing race ang itinerary namin.
HOW TO GET TO DUMAGUETE from CEBU
9: 30 AM - 3: 00 PM - Snorkeling/ Diving at Apo Island. You will dive or snorkel at three different spots around the island.
- Take a cab from Mactan Airport to Ceres Bus Liner. From Ceres Bus Liner, take a bus to Bato via Liloan.
- Once you reached Lilo-an terminal, take a ferry to Sibulan port.
- From Sibulan port, you can take a tricycle to Dumaguete City.
We stayed in Harold's Mansion for a couple of nights. We paid Php 975 per night for a double room with extra mattress.
SAMPLE ITINERARY
DAY 0
9:30AM - 2:30PM - Travel time to Dumaguete City. (Php 215/pax. Aircon bus)
3:00 PM - Arrived at Harold's Mansion. (Our first day was our free time. We walked around and explored the city. Of course, you shouldn't missed to try Dumaguete's Silvanas and Sans Rival.)
DAY 1
We woke up early for Apo Island tour. Harold's Mansion offers snorkeling and diving to Apo. We paid Php 1000/pax for snorkeling inclusive of lunch, snorkeling gears and ride to Apo Island.
6:45 AM - Call time. (But we left the hotel at around 7:30AM)
7:30 - 9:00AM - Travel time to Apo Island.
9: 15 AM - 9:30 AM - Quick briefing with the divers.
9: 15 AM - 9:30 AM - Quick briefing with the divers.
9: 30 AM - 3: 00 PM - Snorkeling/ Diving at Apo Island. You will dive or snorkel at three different spots around the island.
4:00 PM - Back to Harold's Mansion.
After the island tour we took a rest then went out for dinner. This was our last day to chill and relax so we decide to treat ourselves with a sumptuous meal. We slept early to catch the earliest ferry to Siquijor the following day.
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| Excited!!!! |
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| Hello my dear friend |
HOW TO GET TO SIQUIJOR FROM DUMAGUETE
Siquijor is known for witch crafts and sorcerers but according to the locals that is just a myth. In fact, as soon we arrived in Siquijor we were welcomed by friendly locals. It is just a small island but I was astounded by its turquoise waters and white sand beaches.
- From Dumaguete City, take a tricycle to Dumaguete Port.
- There are several shipping lines that operates as early as 5:30 AM. We took the 7AM trip to Siquijor. Travel time is 1-2 hours.
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| Capilay Spring Park |
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| Old Balete Tree |
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| San Isidro Church |
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| Lazi Convent |
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| Cambugahay Falls |
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| Salagdoong Beach |
DAY 2
7:00 AM - 9:00 AM - Travel time to Siquijor. Ferry costs Php 130/pax.
9: 30 AM - 3:30 PM - Siquijor Day Tour
You can rent a van or tricycle to take you around the island. Once you reached Siquijor, you can ask the locals to take you around. We rented a tricycle for Php 1,000 since we are only a group of three but you can rent a van if you're on a big group.
We have to be back to Siquijor port by 3:30PM so we can make it to the 4:30 PM ferry back to Dumaguete. According to our tour guide, we need to catch the 4:30PM trip because it will be risky to take the next one as most of the time shipping lines cancel the last trip.
We have to be back to Siquijor port by 3:30PM so we can make it to the 4:30 PM ferry back to Dumaguete. According to our tour guide, we need to catch the 4:30PM trip because it will be risky to take the next one as most of the time shipping lines cancel the last trip.
Places we visited:
- Capilay Spring Park
- Enchanted Balete Treeand Fish Spa
- San Isidro Labrador Church and Lazi Convent
- Cambugahay Falls
- Salagdoong Beach
HOW TO GET TO BADIAN FROM DUMAGUETE
- Take a jeep or tricycle to Sibulan Port
- From Sibulan Port, take a ferry to Liloan
- Once you reach Liloan, take a bus to Cebu via Barili.
Ferry Schedule:
NOTE: The last bus trip to Badian is 6:30PM so make sure that you will arrive in Liloan before 6:30PM otherwise you have to wait the next day.
We opted to travel from Dumaguete to Cebu instead from Siquijor to Cebu due to time conflict. We went back to Harold's Mansion to get our stuff then headed quickly to Sibulan Port as we were advised that the last ferry trip to Liloan was 5:30PM. As soon as we arrived Sibulan Port, we were told that the last trip is 7:30PM but it could be risky (again) as there are chances that last trip can be cancelled. We left Sibulan port at 6:30 PM. We just took a very quick dinner at a nearby carinderia. We haven't had any decent meal since we left Dumaguete.
When we finally arrived in Cebu, we were told by the locals that we missed the 6:30 PM last trip. So we spent the night in Liloan, Cebu. We rented a room few steps away from Liloan. Room costs Php 1,500/night (original price was Php 2,000 but we haggled).
DAY 3
We left the resort at 4:30AM.
4:30 AM - 4:45AM - Tricycle to Ceres Bus Station
5:00AM - 6:30AM - Travel time to Badian.
6:30 AM - Arrive in Matutinao Beach Resort
8:30 AM - Left the resort.
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM - Trekking to Kawasan Falls. The duration of the trek will depend on your group's pacing.
2:00 - 3:30 PM - Lunch/ Prep up/ Rest
4: 00 - 7: 00 PM - Travel time to Cebu City
7: 30 - 8: 00 PM - Cab to Mactan Airport.
There are Ceres bus passes by every hour in front of Matutinao Resort bound to Cebu City. Travel time is 3 hours.
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| View from Matutinao Resort |
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| Kawasan Falls |
