Interesting Places to Visit in Siquijor Part 2

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INTERESTING PLACES IN SIQUIJOR

We traveled to the Philippines with one dream – finding the perfect beach. Palm-fringed, white sand, pristine turquoise sea. You know, the works. The Philippines were on our radar for ages, after several of our friends visited and posted pictures of stunning beaches, world class dive sites and multicolored sunsets, we simply couldn’t wait.

The day after we finally hopped on the ferry and made the journey to Siquijor. As soon as we set foot on the island we were like ‘that’s it’. This is the kind of place we were looking for. There was a cute pebble beach right next to the ferry landing, with a few houses along the shore, and hills covered in forest. If this is just the harbor, we thought, the rest of the island must be seriously stunning.

Siquijor is famous around the Philippines for being the home of spirits, mysteries and sorcerers practicing voodoo and dark arts. The island was named ‘Isla del Fuego’ (the island of fire) by the Spanish, and Siquijor retains the nickname to this day. The name was related to the eerie glow surrounding the island when the conquistadores arrived, which were in fact in swarms of fireflies blinking in the twilight.

When we got to Coral Cay, the resort where we would be staying, the ‘that’s it’ feeling got even stronger. We were staying in a bungalow barely 20 meters from the beach – which seemed to have been taken straight from my dreams. White, soft sand. Azure wavelets lapping at the shore. Palms bowing at the sea. Hammocks strung between one tree and another. Bangka, traditional Filipino boats, moored in the shallows.

When sunset came, the sky turned multicolored – and every day, the show was different. One day the sky was bright and warm, the same color of a juicy orange. Another day it was blue-purple, streaked with highlighter-pink clouds. One day it was overcast, and the colors were muted – but as the sun approached the horizon it seemed to rip through the clouds, illuminating the shore with beams of light.

Yet, Siquijor will always be a special place, because it was the first time we found the Philippines we were looking for. Over the rest of our month in the country we would fall in love again and again, but Siquijor will always be our first love. Read More: http://www.thecrowdedplanet.com/siquijor-tourist-spots/

Cang-Isok House

Photo from: https://baldrunner.com/tag/siquijor/

The oldest known surviving house in Siquijor is the Cang-isok House in baraangay Libo, Enrique Villanueva or Talingting town. It is also called the Tejano House. Residents also tell of goosebump-generating stories about the house.

The Cang-isok House is said to be built by a Spanish man by the name of Mariano Tejano in the mid-1800’s. This explains why it is also called the Tejano House. It is known as Cang-isok because it is beside the Cang-isok village. But aside from these scant details about it’s history, little is known about what happened through time at the Cang-isok House.

The Cang-isok House is built to stand on stilts and uses local hardwoods such as tugas and molave. The stilts are probably to keep wild animals away from the house as most early Philippine houses are. Or it could be because of the changing tides in the area. Cang-isok House is built not very far away from the shoreline. The roof of the house is made of nipa. Read More: http://www.aroundphilippines.com/2015/11/cang-isok-house-in-enrique-villanueva.html

Cantabon Cave

Photo from: http://www.thelonerider.com/2012/feb/cantabon_cave/pages/P2233683.shtml

One of the must-visit places in Siquijor is the Cantabon Cave. Location is in Barangay Cantabon, it is a 20-30 minute continuous ascend up the mountains of Siquijor. Adventure awaits you as you do spelunking at the 800 meter long cave. Also prepare to get wet and dirty as this cave is 100% alive. Too many things to see inside and lots of beautiful natural creations are in showcase for you.

Caving fee is Php 500 for a group of three persons inclusive of guide (mandatory), headlamps and helmets. Helmets are really required because the height of the cave is short, most of the time you have to vow down walking along the muddy, watery floors. So many stalactite formations inside that some of them may hit your head if you don’t wear helmets. Slippers are okay yet sandals or aqua shoes can be better. Waterproofing of your gadgets is a must. If you bring with you your phones and cameras, be wary that water drippings are abundant inside the cave so waterproofing is necessary. Read More: http://www.findinghenru.com/cantabon-cave/

Capilay Spring Park

Photo from: https://thetravelvisionary.wordpress.com/2013/11/08/siquijor/

Siquijor province is home to many natural cold springs. One of them is Capilay Spring Park in the town of San Juan nestled on the southwest coast of the island-province.

Situated at the heart of San Juan town, Capilay Spring Park is among the well-known natural spring parks in Siquijor. This natural, open-to-the-public swimming pool is right in the middle of the town plaza where everyone is free to take a plunge into its refreshing spring waters.

This spring park has three main areas, such as the upper pool, the swimming pool and the laundry pool, all flowing into the nearby ocean. There is also a playground, kiosks, and booths around the park which are perfect for families or friends who want to have a picnic. To get a better view of the entire park, you can even do a little hiking and climb the hill that leads to the town’s church. Read More: https://www.lomography.com/magazine/59011-capilay-spring-park-in-san-juan-siquijor