Generic Chasing Waterfalls Gag.

So it’s been a little while. I’ve had a post in mind for the last few places we’ve been but it’s taken some time due to us slowing down and no Wi-fi in a place called Port Barton. I’ll get to that paradise a little later, for now I’ll start with Siquijor (Pronounced “See-Kee-Hor”).

We had a fairly easy journey to this small island south of Cebu, it only took us a morning but we got a little pushed for time and had a mad dash at the end to catch the ferry but it wasn’t anything to write home about. You should, as always, look to take the local buses and ferries. Buses usually come every half hour and there’s enough info online about the ferries. You’ll save a lot of money this way and with Annie already on location we had some inside info, the aim was to get there and grab motorbikes to rent at the ferry port. Luckily all went well and we managed to get a discount, it’s definitely the best way to get about on the island and the cheapest, don’t spend more then 300 pesos a day on rental.

The island had a good feel straight away, it may be because a lot of the Filipino’s actually avoid the island due to its mystical powers and it’s apparent curses by a witch who lives there… What a load of bollocks! However, it did make for a very quite and peaceful place.

We met up with Annie for lunch, I think we were certainly a sight for sore eyes as she’d been on her own with food poisoning for 48 hours on her first trip alone in Asia. I suppose it’s a rite of passage in more ways than one! With hugs and vegetable noodles out the way, Ryan and I headed for our accommodation. We had been recommended it on the bus over, we were not disappointed. Greeted by beautiful little huts that sit on top of a cliffs edge with stunning panoramic views of the ocean and sunsets. The pictures will hopefully do it some justice.We only had a few days on the island so that evening decided to have a quite one and plan the next days adventure. Two waterfalls, a 400 year old tree and a beach. Luckily everything was within an hours ride.

we got to Lugnason Falls first, it’s called the Zodiac Falls as there’s 12 different mini falls for each sign of the zodiac. Unfortunately most of them are pretty rubbish but after a little trek and a few topples here and there we arrived at the final big waterfall which was decent. The best thing being the big rope swing that you had to swing through trees to get out far enough. Yep, I enjoyed the childish man made swing the most. We wasn’t there too long and got cracking to the next stop.

Up next was the 400 years old Banyon Tree. This thing was awesome, it’s been said that they have a mystical almost spiritual feel and are celebrated in many cultures, you can certainly see why. The giant roots and branches that hang down give the effect that it has more than just a physical connection to the earth and supposedly all Banyon Trees are connected through nature. The film Avatar, if you’ve seen it, is based on the properties of such trees. This tree is unique as it has a natural spring at the bottom of its trunk, the locals have build a blue pool to hold the water and you can sit there whilst fish nibble at your feet and clean the dead skin off. Unfortunately, in my view, the blue pool ruins the feeling a little but it’s still pretty epic.

Now we tried to get to a beach that we’d been told was beautiful, however, when we arrived we was greeted with a no trespassing sign and the beach had been sold to a private buyer and they’ve closed it off. Such a shame as the photos on the internet looked stunning.

We moved swiftly on to the final destination, Cambugahay Falls, we had definitely left the best till last. We was once again greeted with crystal clear, turquoise water and three different waterfalls, tiered like Kawasan Falls but not quite as high. The first was the large plunge pool that had rope swings and jumps, the second a mini version of the first and the last a collection of little falls that reminded me of Robin Hood’s defeat to Little John in Prince of Thieves. I did try to replicate Kevin Costner’s showering scene in the first falls but failed to capture the moment.

It’s not the easiest to describe the same thing over and over when it comes to waterfalls, it’s just playing around in a water but I hope the photos do them justice. They’re certainly on of the best things about travelling.

I’ll finish with Port Barton, that place is literally a paradise. We spent six days in total there and five of them on the beach. We really chilled out and did nothing. I managed to read Stephen Hawkins new book from front to back, which I highly recommend! The final day we did go exploring on a kayak, we covered 13 miles, some on fairly rough open water, I had to keep an eye on Ryan, being that he’s ex RAF and would have been wrapped in cotton wool his whole career, probably can’t even swim. The place is so beautiful, it’s got a perfect blend of travellers and locals, cheap and relaxed, I can’t imagine it’s going to stay like that for much longer.

Off To El Nido next, it’s been rated in most top ten beach destinations on the planet, no pressure.

Siquijor Island

Lugnason Falls

Banyon Tree

Cambugahay Falls

Port Barton