Eight years ago, I visited siquijor with friends at work. We roamed around Siquijor, Balete Tree (Having my first fish spa!” We visited Kambugahay Falls and played with the little waterfall. We’ve been to Churches in Lazi and settled in San Juan for a night.
It was one of our colleagues birthday so we bought her cakes, etc. It was my first time sleeping in a Nipa Hut, there were lots of mosquitoes but we’re good. That visit was amazing! I never 💭 thought of coming back but I kept my mind open.
Just this year 2024, I got invited for a fiesta celebration. A friend for 10 years now, a “Kumareng” since she gave birth to her first daughter where I became a happy and proud God-mother, also for the first time. These past few years, I fell in love to provinces, the silence and the views! Luckily this year, she invited me.
I was scheduled to camp and enjoy the silence in “Kamp Aninipot,” however on our way to Siquijor, as I was visiting the Facebook page to book, I saw a notice posted last December, 2023; they closed the place for business; so I I had to change plans. I looked for options and I found these Five beautiful places in Siquijor which I have not visited yet:
- Cantabon Cave
- Bandilaan Mountainview park
- Butterfly Gardens
- Triad, Viewing Deck
- Siquijor, boulevard
By the way, as I was travelling; Kamp Aninipot posted that they’ll be back in business, hahahaha. Anyway, I got redirected to these wonderful activities and experiences. Let’s begin with Cantabon, Cave.
- Cantabon, Cave!
Welcome to Cantabon, Cave!
A safe place, around 1 hour and 1/2 trek to kings bed back and forth. It has plenty of bats which cannot be seen in the morning. A place full of rock formation that will astound your curious and adventurous self!
When stalagmites and Stalactites gets connected, they build a tower. If you’re wondering what Stalactites is; well, that’s fine, I was wondering too! Thanks to my lovely guides, I got reeducated about them. Stalactites are those stones at the ceiling, while stalagmites were stones below. What’s above so below, even though they have different names; just like sunset and sunrise, it’s just one sun, correct?
***Stalactites
***Well, another Stalactites 🤭 I really thought I took some photos of Stalagmites.
Let me show you the best inside this cave! Aside from me, the Fairy Bath Tub, Mermaid, Kings Bed, The Crystals, The witch hat, Altars, mushrooms and rock terraces; were very amazing inside! Haha.
Up! A photo of me drinking the healing water of Cantabon, Cave! Oops, not all waters can be consumed by us safely, but that area is safe, I was led by the local guides, so I knew that I’m safe.
I just wanted you to see that! It’s so beautiful inside, I hope I can touch it, but it’s not allowed for good reasons. It will turn the stones brown and it’s not what you want to see, you want to see fresh and clear stones like below:
I showed you a waterfall. Yes! It’s a waterfall, I’m not sure how it happened. It just happened! 🤓 Like this one, it looked like a mermaid. It could be a fairy too if you’ll count the legs, that’s really up to you; this is a fee world!
The rock formation below is called “Bubbles,” and I asked “Why?” They answered… Oh, I hear silence but it really looked like Bubbles, so let it be. I’m so glad to have seen those beautiful rocks, I have only seen on TV.
I have also seen real crystals. It sparkles, and I admit I was tempted to take one but I did not, I just felt “Hope” that someday I’ll be able to buy a crystal for me. A real crystal! For now, let’s watch a crystal from a cave.
Wow, isn’t it? Now let me show you the mushrooms!
Beautiful! I know, right? Now, check this out!
It’s um, name it! It looked like a fan! 🤓 What do you think? Now, how about this?
A chandelier? I was gonna show you a witch-hat but my face is in it; so just imagine a witch-hat that in a form of a white rock, okay? I’ll show you the kings bed, instead.
Oh, no! I missed that! I have not taken a photo of Kings Bed, but I have a video of them all! Let’s be friends, follow me @ roselynmina.facebook, link below 😎
https://www.facebook.com/lifeiswhatithinkitis
What you have seen above was a terraces rock formation; get used to it, there’s plenty inside.
I have so much to show you in my videos, just search for #HappyRose in Facebook! For now, let me show you the Bandilaan Mountain View Park!
After this!
That’s the Fairy’s BathTub and it’s so clear inside. It’s the only place in the cave with such a crystal clear water, aside from the drinking one!
2. Bandilaan Mountain View Park
A place with that healing presence. You’ll feel that energy going through your inner soul. It felt so good! Mt. Bandilaan National Park is the best park and the highest peak in Siquijor. It’s where the tower is located where you can see the entire Siquijor island. Yesterday, was foggy, but that’s fine. There’s always going to be next time!
I have not taken so much photos because I enjoyed the trail specially going down. I tried the new way, used for station of the cross during lenten, and we came out safe! I saw foreigners visiting the place with their partners. It was so much fun!
“So I said, ‘Hi,’ he answered, ‘Hello!’ I said, ‘enjoy the view!’ he said ‘thanks!’ I saw him heading to where we came out, I cared so much that I told him, ‘No, not that way!’ He said, ‘Just looking!’ Seconds after, his GF said, ‘This way?’ pointing to the right entrance. ‘Yes!’ I confirmed.”
I’m just happy I’m finally speaking and talking to foreigners in person; just like I have always shared in my other blogs, I’m so shy before and really hoping to get over this shyness and establish a connection, even if it’s just wishing them a ‘Good Stay’ in the Philippines.
Now let’s move on to the 3rd destination.
3. Butterfly, Garden
The last time I visited a butterfly garden was 10 years ago, in bohol! Now Siquijor has one, and it’s beautiful inside. It was raining so I have not really spent so much time with the butterflies but I managed to have seen a few of them. I love their colors: yellow, brown, and the two most common.
I took a video of them flying, and it will be available in my Facebook page!
4. Triad
It was called a triad because of the “Mushroom” shape of the Roof. I’m not sure though, “Nathan” told me. Hahaha. So here’s the view! Worth staying longer for everything, food related.
It is ended a healing place! It makes people happy and in peace!
Imagine yourself in it! Sitting in that bench, eating halo-halo! 😎
Imagine yourself in my place with plenty of food in front of you!
Looking at this view! I can assure you, the place is so refreshing! It’s really different from the other cities. It’s not crowded and people have their own vehicle for transportation. You may rent one as long as you have a license. I saw lots of foreigners did that! I’m amazed and proud of them all! I’m also inspired to get my own license, I hope I would but I think I won’t, but it won’t hurt, right? So why not? I just like having someone drive for me, char!
It was really nice saying “Hi” to them and wishing them a happy stay!
5. Boulevard
This boulevard was not born yet 8 years ago, but look at how the place has improved.
It’s Siquijor’s boulevard, and it’s pretty! “Yang2x” was right!
Yes, I do! 🦋
Special thanks to my Friend’s Family!
“I felt welcomed! I had a place to stay free for two nights, free food, and a guide that’s very supportive!”
Climbing, Rocks! 