Have you met my materialistic side? *Barney tone*

Yes, I know, it's five months away from December and yet here I am listing down the things I want for Christmas. Or right now.

Camera bag - The one I'm using right now is the default freebie bag that has a Batman stitching on the front. The problem is it's not going to keep it safe and dry. I need a light and durable camera bag that can protect it when I'm outdor.

1. Customized Leather Luggage Tag - I love the vintage feel of this.  it looks like it belongs to my grandparents then handed down to me. 
2. Combination Bag Lock - I want this because I got so paranoid about the drugs issues in airports. This is to make sure that no one opens my bag and put some drugs and whatnot inside. It also prevents someone from taking stuff out of my bag. I am particular about this brand because a card is used to unlock  instead of a key. 
3. Lonely Planet Southeast Asia on a Shoestring - Just because! Maybe, someday. Soon!

What's inside my backpack?

Promo fare means no check-in bags so I packed really light on a recent trip to Iloilo.

Here's what's inside my backpack for an overnight beach trip:

1. Clothes - Clothes take up the most room in my luggage so I rolled it neatly to save space.
2. Swimsuit - What's a beach trip without something to wear on the beach?
3. Travel towel - Compared to normal ones, this chamois towel is easier to dry, not bulky and will not get heavy when wet.
4. Mask & Snorkel - I brought my own set to save money from renting.
5. Dry Bag - If I know I'll be riding a boat, I make sure to bring my Rubber Ducky dry bag. I don't want my electronics to get busted in case the boat turtle turns.
6. Hat - I don't want my hair to get really dry since I'll be spending a lot of time under the sun.
7. Sarong - This one is definitely a travel must-have! I can use it as a cover-up when swimming or a blanket when it gets cold at night.
8. DLSR - This one is very obvious.
9. Waterproof Camera - Cameras are always a must have on vacations no matter where where my destination is but I don't want to risk the DSLR getting wet on the beach.
10. Tripod - For obvious reasons that I don't want to bother other people to take my pictures.
11. Food - In case we get hungry while on the road.

2/2 Of aswang, mangkukulam and black magic

Salag-doong Beach

 

From what I read on travel blogs, Salagdoong has the best beach in the island. The beach didn't fail us though. The sand was powdery white but not as fine as the sand in Boracay nor Panglao Island. The water is crystal blue just like the one that welcomed us at the port. And slides are usually seen in the swimming pool, right? But here, the slide is built on top of a rock formation and goes straight down to the sea. The only thing that held us from staying there was.. Let me put it this way. Salagdoong Beach Resort is to SM Department Store while Coco Grove is to Rustan's. Get the picture now? Yes? Yes.

Tubod Beach



With 800 meters of white sand beach, you will always have a private spot on the shore. And since we went there during the rainy month of July, there were not much of guests. Just a few foreigners getting their dose of sunshine from a tropical country like ours. Although my feet hurt because of the rocky sea bed. The sand was not fine but it's white so that's good enough.

Tubod Marine Sanctuary




On our second day, we decided to check out what Tubod Marine Sanctuary has to offer. We paid Php 50 each for the conservation fee (I'm not really sure) that's good for the whole day. There was really nothing interesting underwater coming from a person who dives in Anilao. The waves are strong that time which makes it hard for us to swim away from the shore. After an hour of snorkeling, we gave up as we were struggling with the surf.




We got to talk to the locals who work for the resort. We curiously asked if there are really aswangs and mangkukulam in the island and they jokingly answered with a grin "Opo, kami po lahat dito aswang."

Will I go back tho this little paradise? Definitely!!!!

Aswang, manananggal, mangkukulam and black magic all comes to mind when we hear Siquijor. My family booked tickets going to this place to find out. Just kidding, we went there to see white sand beaches, old churches and convents.



From Dumaguete Airport, there are many vans waiting just outside. Going to Dumaguete Port will cost Php 350 but we haggled and just paid Php 250.

The ferry ride to Siquijor was smooth but the ferry's aircon got busted and so it got really hot. Negros Navigation's ferry are old and musty and looks like it's going to fall apart any time soon. Nonetheless, we still arrived in Siquijor just in time.

We were welcomed by a very beautiful white sand and clear water beach with coconut tress on the background. It's surreal. I felt like I was in Hawaii.



It was 9 in the morning when we arrived and checking in the resort was not allowed until after 1PM. We hired an EZ cab (multicab) to tour us around Siquijor.



Here is a map of Siquijor:

1. Siquijor - that is where the port is located
2. Tubod - this is where Coco Grove Beach Resort is
3. Lazi - Siquijor's biggest and oldest Balete tree, Lazi Church and Convent
4. Salagdoong - this is where we were supposed to stay for a night but we changed plans which will I tell you why later

Tubod

It is where the most famous resort in the island is located. We got the Orchid Villa (the family villa) which is a loft that is good for 6 persons.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Photo credit: Coco Grove Beach Resort"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Photo credit: Coco Grove Beach Resort"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Photo credit: Coco Grove Beach Resort"][/caption]

Good thing, we stayed here for 2 nights instead of staying at Salagdoong Beach for another night just like the original plan. Click here to see Coco Grove's website.

2. Lazi

Just along the highway is where the Old Balete Tree is to be found.



According to the very reliable Wikipedia:

The Municipality of Lazi is famous for its oldest churches and convents. Its convent is considered the biggest of Asia, if not, the whole world. It consist of 42 rooms. This place is also famous for its Cambugahay Falls. It is a series of at least 5 falls downstream making up a lagoon which is very good for diving and swimming.

Lazi Church

Lazi Church's floor is made up of wood. That's how old it is. I noticed that there is a net place on the church's entrance door.





Lazi Convent



Spanish times looking structure



To be continued..

I've always had a fascination about sandbars. Visible for some time, and then one moment it's gone. It's like magic to children while sandbar is to Riki.



Two months before our flight, I've always had Guimaras on my mind. All plans have been laid out. I put on too much effort researching on my itinerary. I already know where to stay and what to do in Guimaras until I have encountered a travel blog featuring this off-the-beaten path in Iloilo.

The night before our flight, I thought about not pushing through with this trip because there were two typhoons in Manila and going to island involves a boat ride. I prayed to the gods and goddesses of sun for the rain to stop and the typhoon to leave the Philippines.