Chasing Tumalog Waterfalls

I know TLC has this song which lyrics say ‘don’t go chasing waterfalls’ but for this destination located at the southern part of Cebu one can definitely say let’s go chasing waterfalls. I mean this literally. This can be included in your itinerary as a side-trip if you’re bound to the south of Cebu.

Cebu itself is packed with beautiful natural wonders. In the southern part of Cebu lies the municipality of Oslob which personally I think offers a lot of natural wonders. Over the years, Oslob has made its name because of the people both locals and foreigners who visit the area to see the famous butandings or whale sharks. I have a separate blog post regarding our butanding encounter in Oslob. If you wanna read more about it you may read it here.

Recently another facet in Oslob has started gaining attention from visitors of the place after it became a famous side trip for the people who came to see the butandings. Of course, I am talking about no other than the Tumalog Falls.

Oslob is like a 2.5-hour drive from Cebu City. Since we jump started from Dumaguete, we took an early fast craft ride from Sibulan wharf going to Liloan port in Santander, Cebu. From there buses bound to Cebu city are available in Liloan Port. Unlike driving from Cebu City, Oslob is only around 30 minutes ride from Liloan Port.

There’s no need to worry about getting lost. Just tell the bus conductor to drop you off the highway junction going to Tumalog falls. If Tumalog falls happen to be your side trip from the whale shark watching area, no need to worry because habal-habals are stationed in the area which you can rent to take you to the falls. Yes, there are two stations where you can get a habal-habal to take you to the place. One at the whale watching area which cost more of course and one at the crossing heading up to the falls. Since we asked the bus driver to drop us off the crossing going up the falls, we only paid Php30.00 per head per way going to Tumalog. If you take the habal-habal from the butanding area, I think it would cost more than Php100.00.

On the way to the falls, we asked our habal-habal driver for a stop over on the road side because of this beautiful view. Guys, we present to you Sumilon Island on our view from the top.

The road to Tumalog is a long and winding one which takes more than 20 minutes from the highway. You might want to make sure you guys are fully covered from the sun’s heat if the weather is hot. The view going to Tumalog is already breathtaking if you a nature-lover.

The long and winding road going to Tumalog Falls

Stop over. The view is irresistible.

Entrance to Tumalog is Php20.00. From the entrance area, you can ride another habal-habal to take you down the waterfalls or you can just walk since it’s not that far away. The top part of the waterfall is even visible near the entrance area. However, the only down side about walking down the road to the falls is you’ll gonna have to walk back up the road to the main entrance. If you’re not into hiking, it’s definitely tiresome and time consuming to walk back up from the falls because the road is steep.

The top part of the Tumalog falls that can be seen from the entrance area.

Here’s Rani walking backwards on our way up going back to the entrance area. You guys can try this it makes walking on steep road or pathways more easy and less stressful. Hahaha!

Tumalog also known as the horseshoe waterfall exhibits magnificent and delicate water curtains which fall down the mossy rock walls creating a basin of shallow water at the bottom where tourists can happily take a dip in the cold water without having to worry of being drown. Yes, there’s no deep parts in the area. The deepest part we have encountered only reaches the waistline.

The water curtain that falls down the massive cliff.

Just like I said the deepest part of the water is only up until waistline deep. Photo by Mark Trayvilla

This horseshoe waterfall is huge or should I say wide because it covers the entire cliff. The water runs off a stream that goes into the forest. The area covered in vast green forest gives off a cool ambiance on top of the cold water that falls down from the cliff making up the waterfalls.

The water that falls down the mossy rock walls of Tumalog Falls. (Photo by: Mark Trayvilla)

Tumalog upclose. The moss-covered rock wall filters the water making it look like and feel like rain showers as the water descends.

Tumalog is indeed a real beauty within the forested mountain area of Oslob. Tables and cottages are available a few meters away from the waterfall. Just make sure to bring a dry bag to keep your valuables dry since the water mists in the area is quite heavy especially when the wind blows.

Photo by Mark Trayvilla

Overall, I can say Tumalog Falls can be a good side trip when you’re in Oslob. There’s no need for you to stay longer in the area. There’s not much place to swim or explore. The place is wonderful to see and take pictures but the area is not made for people to conveniently stay there for quite a while. Just make sure you don’t miss out Tumalog on your side trips when in Oslob.

That’s all folks! From Tumalog with love. 🙂 🙂 🙂 (Photo by: Mark Trayvilla)

Enchanting Isla del Fuego

WELCOME TO THE ISLAND OF FIRE!

Don’t worry the island isn’t literally blazing fire though. Siquijor is located in Central Visayas Region and is known to be the third smallest province in the country in terms of population. The island is coined as Isla del Fuego or Island of Fire, which moniker started long ago when Spanish colonizers noticed the glow of multitude of fireflies that would gather nightly around the island. So now you know where the term ‘fire’ came from.

This small island in the Visayas is known for its traditions of folk healing, folk tale of witchcraft and sorcery as well as supernatural encounters. Some people are maybe scared to visit the island. Others may have hesitations too. However, the island holds so many secrets and definitely bewitching in so many other ways. The only thing to do is to discover these secrets and experience the hidden treasures of the mystical Siquijor when you come visit the island.

My teammates and I had the chance to explore the island and discover its wonders summer this year. All thanks to Charm who welcomed us in her lola’s house to experience an overnight stay in Siquijor. What a way to start up our Summer story for 2015?!

The obligatory signage photo op. If you happen to dock in Siquijor, the island’s capital named after itself you can have your group picture taken here.

Considering that Siquijor is one of the smallest island in the country, a tour around the place can be done with a motorcycle. And yes, there are a lot of motorbike rental services once you dock in the island so there’s nothing to worry. Just make sure you have your driver’s license with you. For us, since we traveled in group and decided to stay overnight, we rented a multicab. There are multicabs for rent in the area too.

When in the island, one can rent a multicab or a motorcycle to tour around the area. If you come in group, you can get a multicab at an affordable rate to go around the island.

Enchanted Balete Tree

Enjoying our fish spa experience. 🙂 We kept on giggling that time because it’s ticklish when the fishes start to nibble your toes…hahaha

Our first stop was the centuries-old balete tree in Lazi, Siquijor. This tree is said to be more than 400 years old making it the oldest tree in the island. Locals believe that this balete tree is enchanted. A spring originates from its base flowing to the man-made pool around the area where tourists and locals can have their fish spa experience. Yes, aside from taking souvenir photos of the oldest balete tree in the province, another reason to stop by here is to experience fish spa.

So that’s us sitting at the base of the balete tree where the cold spring originates. The tree is huge right? haha

The water is really cold and you can have the luxury to spend a little longer here if you’re too happy with the fishes nibbling your foot calluses. It’s ticklish for me but worth the experience. There’s no entrance fee to this area. You just have to shell out kind amount for donation if you want.

We’re just sort of curious with the water source. However, looking at the hole where the water comes from seems eerie though. It’s pitch black and I wonder if it’s even fathomable.

Curious heads peeping down the pitch black hole at the base of the balete tree

Cambugahay Falls

Still located in Lazi, Siquijor, our next stop was Cambugahay Falls which is considered as one of the main attractions in the island not just to visitors and tourists but also to locals of the island. There’s no entrance fee to the falls except for the parking fee if you’re bringing your own vehicle. The only challenge you’ll face is the 135 narrow stone steps going down the mountain slope (and take note there’s no hand rail whatsoever) to reach the beautiful waterfall. And yes, since you have to go down the stairs to reach the area, you will have to climb back up the 135 steps to get to the highway where vehicles are parked.  Isn’t this one simple adventure you’ll have to conquer to witness such beautiful spot in Siquijor?

That’s Mara on the stone steps going to the falls. This photo was taken when she was on her way back up the highway. She almost fainted but definitely made it!

Cambugahay Falls is made of three tiers of waterfalls which flow right down into a small stream. The water is cold and crystal blue in color.

Photo op! hihihi That’s the first water curtain of Cambugahay Falls and the one on the top most part. That’s where people normally jumps off the cliff to the awaiting cold crystal blue water below the waterfall.

You can enjoy swimming with friends or doing some activities that locals have introduced to visitors and tourists such was waterfall jumping or rope swinging.

So that’s how it looks like up close and yes, that’s us on the right corner contemplating if we’ll give the jump a try while one of the local tour guide was busy convincing us to give the experience a try. 🙂

So there! That happened. Hahaha! Please excuse my funny face but yes, we did try to jump and conquered the experience. Though we opted out on the rope swing.

Group photo before we left the area. See the water there? It’s really clear and cold. If you’re wondering what they’re looking up there, one of the locals climbed up the highest part of the tree where the rope swing is tied up and off he goes down free falling with arms wide open to the river. One brave soul our there indeed.

There area shallow waters in the stream so you can opt to just chill out, lay down the shallow waters and get yourself cooled down before hitting up the stones steps going back up the main road.

Salagdoong Beach

Down to our third stop for the day is Salagdoong Beach in Maria, Siquijor. Siquijor holds quite a few swimming spots that truly breathtaking with its turquoise waters. Yes, there are a lot of beautiful beaches which the island can boast. Salagdoong beach is one of the most popular beaches in Siquijor.

Another photo op at the long and winding road leading to Salagdoong Beach. Wish we could have taken a greener version of this. Hahaha! But since it’s summer and considering the scourging heat of the sun, some of the trees, no make it most are brownish in color since the leaves fell off.

Salagdoong is a white sand beach where you can climb up a rocky hill to get a bird’s eye view of it’s scenic beach front and turquoise waters. Only you have to be not afraid of heights. On the top of the hill are to diving platforms that are literally high enough to shake your nerves if you go near it and look down. Unless, you’re hungry for adventure and are not afraid to jump off the cliff.

According to the life guard on duty that time, the best time of the day to jump off the cliff is during high tide because the fall won’t be that high and you can just let yourself drop off the cliff without gaining some momentum. Normally the best time would be in the morning. Since we reached the place in the afternoon, the life guard advised us not to jump since we’re not swimmers and we need to at least run to gain some momentum and make sure to land on the deeper part of the beach to avoid some mishap.

So that’s Argey and he happens to be the only brave soul that day from our group who managed to jump off the higher platform into the waters. So envious but that just gives us another reason to go back to Siquijor.

We stayed in Salagdoong until the early part of the night before we headed back to Charm’s place to wash up and get ready for the night. I know for some Siquijor maybe laid back but if you look at the right corner you’d see the place also has some night life and fun.

Getting some night fun at a nearby restobar from Charm’s place. This place was a walking distance from where we stayed at Larena, Siquijor.

That sums up my whole Siquijor experience with my QA family. We headed back to Dumaguete the following day. I know I may have missed some places but Siquijor is just across Dumaguete and with the right time and budget, one can always come back to this bewitching place anytime to discover more of its hidden secrets and treasures.

Getting my last photo of the place taken at the garden of Charm’s Grandma before heading to the port for our trip back home.

Goofing around the port area of Siquijor, Siquijor with bff Darrene since this is technically the first trip we shared together since the last time we traveled together which was back in college. Good old days they say. 🙂