There are three options for you to be back in Cebu!
- Via Ocean Jet, going to Dumaguete; then Sibulan ferry to Liloan Port OR Tampi Bato ferry to Samboan/Bato port.
- Via Montenegro, going to Dumaguete; Sibulan Ferry to Liloan Port OR Tampi Bato ferry to Samboan/Bato Port.
- Larena Port – Cebu Port, through Maayo Shipping Lines.
If you want one way travel, choose option 3. If you want adventure, choose either option 1 or 2; the only difference is the travel time and the cost as far as I’ve noticed.
I was accompanied by my mother’s friend going to Siquijor, Port. I stayed for a day and night with them and I ate for free with coffee! She drove me with her single motorcycle, all I paid was P20 for motorcycle entrance fee at the gate.
I waited for an hour inside the port and I noticed foreigners checking-in their luggages; I thought, maybe I should ask at the entrance if I need to check-in too; the lady was nice and said, “No need to, since it’s Montenegro.” But the other lady looked at me head to toe, although she’s smiling, it still felt awkward. “That was really awkward,” so I looked at my sandals and it’s a little dirty so I wiped it out, thanks to the lady.
I need more explanation, “Why are they checking in?” So I moved closer to the check in counter, and I noticed it’s for “Ocean Jet”. Ah, another difference, so it’s not only the price, but the process too.
After docking in at port dumaguete from Siquijor (photos above), I had to figure out how to get to a port where I can buy a ticket going to Santander; motorcycle drivers near the boulevard offered me such a huge price but he showed me their banner. I knew it’s not normal. I’ve been to this place many times before.
I talked to locals and asked how to get to Sibulan Port; luckily, I was advised to get a “Bus going to Ba-is,” kuya told me to ask the driver to drop me off at Sibulan Port. I thanked him for the tip.
I waited at the boulevard, and finally a bus stopped and I hopped in!
If you haven’t been to the boulevard in Dumaguete, that’s how it looked like from afar. That’s too long by the way, and in the evening you’ll see lots of vendors, selling street foods which you will really love!
While in the Bus, I asked the driver to drop me off at Sibulan Port going to Cebu. He was unresponsive and just gave me a ticket cost P15. I was skeptical why it’s only for P15, so I asked my seatmate, a middle-aged woman, about the name of the port going to Cebu; she answered Tampi. But the motorcycle driver told me it’s Tiange.
So I was a little confused but at the same time having fun. Although I set my Google maps to Sibulan, Ferry; I still couldn’t understand why she called it Tampi. The conductor overheard us and sound upset, but he handed me a new ticket worth P30. Now that felt correct, but there’s still something wrong. The lady kept saying, “Tampi” port, while I was referring to the port with ferries going to Liloan port.
I was going to signal the bus to stop since I have reach the nearest place for the port I used to go back to Cebu when visiting dumaguete; she stopped me, told me it’s not the place yet; there’s no ferry in that area. “OH, I see!” It’s not Tampi yet. “So Tampi is a place?” I googled it, and viola! It’s actually a new port going to Bato Port in Samboan, Cebu. Or maybe it’s not new at all, I just learned it.
“Oh, now this is getting interesting.” I used land trip for an adventure and to really experience long sea/land travel; I did not complain, I allowed myself to be guided to Tampi because I think it’s new and interesting. I knew it’s stormy and I did not back out nor delayed because it’s getting interesting!
It was an awkward trip from Dumaguete, Boulevard to Tampi Port; it’s hard to communicate with people if you don’t know the places, specially that they have different dialects, so I learned my lesson, so get to know the exact location of my destination which I always do except that day, haha.
I had help but I was a little ashamed of the situation, I sound like a total idiot when the lady asked the grumpy conductor, “Dong, drop her off at Tampi, because she doesn’t know the place.” The other lady, looked at me like, “What?” Hahahaha it was really awkward. I should probably make the title of this blog, My Awkward Sea/Land trip going to Cebu!
Anyway! I have reached the place and I was the last person to get in. They waited for me, I had to run! It was raining and the wind was so strong. I was in a real adventure; ship creaking, shaking, etc. It did not bother me, I quietly enjoyed it. The noodle soup was yummy during the cold season.
It took us 1 hour and 20 minutes to arrive. I was the last to get in and the first to come out. I hope I took a photo of that amazing experience. I hurried up to the bus. Luckily, there’s one waiting for us.
I asked the driver’s assistant “How much going to Cebu?” He answered “P281” and my reaction was so obvious; as far as I’m aware, I only have P200 and some pennies left; he said, “Not enough?” Yeah! He’s handsome by the way and had a very good customer service compared to that previous conductor going to Ba-is. I simply wish I took his photo, but I did not bother, I was sleepy; maybe next time? I guess it was just temporary for him because he call the driver, Uncle. Key takeaways: document every unique situation, no matter how little that is.
Going back: I asked him if I could withdraw somewhere, he said “Yes, in Moalboal.” We had a deal, but I kept on searching for more pennies in my other wallets. Luckily, I had more, hidden pennies; so I was able to pay him. I need sleep so I postponed my plan of using the ATM in Moalboal. I informed him, I’ll be sleeping, I’ll just withdraw in the south, which I did inside E-mall. He’s so kind to me and I’m so happy! Thank you! 😍
That was an amazing 9 hour sea/land trip to Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu! I have been to many Islands this January 2024! I’m the luckiest to have been given this chance and opportunity to experience such great adventures I never thought possible. I’m not sure where the new team will go this coming March 2024! I’m so excited!
You might wanna read this blog too!
See you around! 😉
Climbing, Rocks! 