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6/3/13

Bais City Dolphin Watching

Hi there you guys! It has been long since I left this page. I have a lot going on lately, and it's pretty much handful. I know it is not an excuse, but God knows how many times I tried to open this page and tried posting. I just couldn't find the right words, or perhaps I just don't know where to start. Hmmp! Well to start off, I have this huling-hirit-sa-tag-init post in my draft. I finally got to experience Bais City's dolphin watching. FYI Bais City is a city next to our city- not Dumaguete but Tanjay City; my birthplace or my place of origin. That last statement sounds silly!

We started sailing around 6:00 AM
Let me share some of the amazing facts of Bais City. This city is a third class city located on the northern part of Negros Oriental which is 35.83 Kilometers away from Dumaguete City. Probably 1 hour and 15 minutes by land travel. It is but recognizable that you are nearing this city when you reach the boundary, because this city has a high spanish influence. Most of the houses and establishment's structure would testify it. The wide vast of sugarcane plantation would welcome you, so in this city hacienderas and hacienderos are not such an alien word.

This steel-train tells you you are crossing Bais City. This is also the landmark of Central Azucarera de Bais (CAB)- a sugar mill established by Tabacalera of Spain in the early 1900's. Photo credits to: www2.ttcn.ne.jp
I always have this plan since college to experience the Dolphin Watching, but I haven't got the time, no I mean no one ever invited me. Boo right? Anyway, I always have this feeling that I can get there anytime though, it's just a 15 minute ride from home, right? I never thought it would take years to have this task crashed out of my bucket list!!

Rent: P4500 Capacity: 25
The back portion of the pump boat is actually the grilling area. It is like a pump boat/cottage.
With my SFC peeps.
From left: Arlyn, Diane, Eddie, Me, and Ate Bocks.
From left: Cathy, Dean, Jhulem, and Kurt
This is my second dolphin watching experience. You can check out my first Dolphin experience (here). I was hoping it would be different, but it wasn't unfortunately. We are like chasing them. The only difference is the quantity- they are just so many in this part of the sea, and that they come really near the watchers like they are reachable. They swift through the water gracefully really fast. They are really wonderful creatures don't get me wrong, but it's just so tiring to go after them all the time. I guess their elusiveness is what makes them beautiful and wanted.

There you go. So hard to take photos of these fellas.
This is the most decent photo that we got.
I intend to cut this post short, just so I have the reason to post the next stop. For everyone who continuously gives me traffic despite my shortcomings, thank you so much! I would do my best to be online and visit your page as well. I would just wanted say opps-I-miss May, but it would not happen on June. Till my next post...xoxo!


4/26/13

Sumilon Island

There is this island that you get to see while riding through south from Cebu City. It is a landmark that would give me a hint that I am nearing home. Sumilon Island in particular. Upon staring at this island from a far makes me think of wonderful things and would really use my imaginations. I was enchanted so to speak, and I really wish with all my heart to be in this place one day. Well, glad to spend this day tour with my lovely friends last summer of 2012. I know it is a very old summer escapade, but I must admit that I actually forgot to post this one until it got old on my drafts. It is still in-line with the summer time, and I just thought it is the right moment to talk about my day tour in this enchanting island.

photo credit to asiatravel.com.
Sumilon Island is a 24-hectare coral situated at Bancogon, Oslob, Cebu. This island is very famous for being one of the best diving area being the first marine protected area in the Philippines way back in 1974 with the guidance of Silliman University Marine Reserve of Dumaguete City. Their best diving spots are the Garden Eel Plaza, Nikki's Wall, Coral Landscape, and Julies Rock. One of the major attraction of the island is the changing shape of its sand bar depending on the season.


How to get there: If you are from Cebu, take a bus at the South Bus Terminal to Oslob and then stop exactly at the Sumilon Signage and take a motor boat to Sumilon. If you are from Negros, be at Sibulan port for Sibulan- Santander fast craft. You can visit this link for the schedules. So from Santander, you can hire a pedicab to Bancogon and then off you go.

The port of Sumilon Bluewater Island Resort.
Me and my fabulous friends took the day tour package for P1500 during weekdays and P2000 on weekends. This includes the to and fro boat transfer, buffet lunch up until 2:00 PM, hiking, snorkeling, kayaking, and the best thing is that you can use the resort's amenities such as the pool and cottages for free. Just a heads up, you can't actually climb up the island if you are not a guest, so I suggest that you book the day tour package from them.

Me, pretty Val, the blogger Gagay, Boging, and Phioxee
Excited faces.
The first thing we did after that short walk up to the resort which was tiring but very exciting though is to change our outfit. Girls as we are and not to mention camera whoring again! I know we are just celebrating nature at its best.


You see. We are so camera shy. hmmmph! We straight ahead and get on our swimming gears and head off to kayaking lagoon.

Phioxee finally learning how to kayak. She is always my kayak buddy...hehe
The love couple val-wable...
Mark and Gagay capturing everything she needs for her blog. I remember me and Phioxee were so enchanted when she talks about her blog and how it works. We were newbies at that time, well we are still newbies now, but at least we already have 1 year of blogging experience.
We headed right to the snorkeling area to get a hint of what they can actually offer to divers like them.


The corals that we saw are actually that not extreme. We understood that we are on the beginners lane, we were not allowed to go their advance diving area because its very deep and the waves are beyond challenging. Well at least I saw something there. We headed to the sand bar after and had fun with the camera?...haha of the beach of course.


Haha...sorry Phiox. I know you hate this shot...haha
emo mode.
We got starved after having so much laugh at the sand bar. Just in time for the lunch, we got ourselves fill by their sumptuous lunch.

seafoods baby! nom nom
We rested for a while and went straight to their infinity pool and Jacuzzi before we get sleepy.



This is by far one of those treasured moments that we have as a girl group. I love this day tour that we got. You see, we are day-tour backpackers. The friendship that I have with this girls are as solid as it can be. That feeling when you don't have to talk, you surely knows they know what you're thinking and that kind of people where you don't have to explain your self.

Photo of the day!

Poor pedi. They got soaked in the sand..:)
I would be dedicating this post to a very close friend who will soon be migrating to the states. I know its too early to say but I know you'll gonna be there before we knew it. I am not that kind of person to do a dramatic farewell, but surely I am going to miss this friend, and if you access this page, well this is for you and I'll be missing you and your wonderful family. Remember that you always have a friend in me and that I would always be around. I love you friend. I'll miss you too, but I'll survive...xoxo!



4/15/13

Spontaneously at Apo Island


When April comes, one island is surely waiting for me- Apo Island. I have always love to come back here every summer and get my tan. This island brings a lot of fun memories. I would never get tired of always going back each year. I must also tell you that this post is kinda nostalgic because Apo Island is by the way my first post. You can check it out here. Let me share this year's escape- I must say.


Me and my pretty friend actually have no plans of being in this paradise this year, but we have ATO or (Authorize Time-Off) at around 7:15 am. The inner vixen in us is saying we really need to go and be back later in the afternoon. Well, let's go.

Fare: P100 and P2 for the terminal fee.
It is their island fiesta. So, free food, stay, and fun of course. Viva Sr. San Vicente Ferrer!
Apo Island is geographically located on the southeastern side of Negros. 7 kilometers away from the town of Zamboangita, and 25 kilometers away from the the main city of Dumaguete. This island can be reached by a boat ride approximately 30 minutes from Malatapay, Zamboangita. Apo Island is one of the best diving area in the Philippines. This island has been blessed with beyond rich marine sanctuary.

My beach bum friends.
The small island souvenir shop. I have been gaga over magnets lately. So, I got my self one and I'm good to go.
I must tell you all guys that this island has no water supply. For drinking water the locals needs to transport gallons and gallons of water from the mainland. They have schedule power on that is from 5:00 PM to 3:00 AM. So power savers are really helpful.

I would like to credit Phioxee for taking these photos. I swear I'm having some lone moments. Surely, true friends sees you in ways others cannot. I love the photos indai..mwah!
Apo Island also has a turtle area where you can actually swim with the sea turtles or Pawikan we call it. You can as well trek the Rockpoint View Deck and the lighthouse or the Parola. I have already trekked the Parola, I am now trying out the Rockpoint View Deck.

My muscles ached, but it was all worth it!
The rest of the trip was a never ending beach trippin' and eating! I think I gained a few pounds I guess? Well, never mind it. I just want to live free and enjoy every thing that comes along my way.


The sun is making everyone a bit drowsy.
My best travel buds. Phioxee- the body beauty, the pretty hot Val, and Me- just me...hehe
We stayed for the night. We were not able to go home as scheduled because guess what? I didn't go on absent just so you know, my Paid Time Off or PTO was approved later that afternoon. I guess my heavy bag is all worth the carry...hahaha I would also like to shout out my Happy Birthday greeting to my beloved best bud Phioxee. I lurv you always gurl. I would love to spend every travel with you. Cheers!


This is one of my memorable trip because my phone go stolen here. I did some mobile tracking, but I realize it was not worth the fight. I have came to this point in my life where acquiring material things is gratifying, but never to depend my happiness on it. I love Apo Island and I'd always do. Anyway, unplanned vacation is always the best. Well, brace your self chicas because it's summer and I am on for beach post all summer. Till our next trip...xoxo!