Monday, January 10, 2011

Siquijor: Salagdoong Beach

The sun's rays kissing the white sands of Salagdoong Beach in the late morn was blinding my sleepy eyes. I just stepped out of Hotel Agripino. I yawned and stretched (and heard my idle bones crack) and trudged to the shore.

Blinding white.

Shervin, equally sleep deprived but already donning his board shorts, walked beside me. After semi-circumnavigating three islands in the Visayas for six days, we agreed on taking a breather. A preggy backpacker is in dire need of one every so often. The habal habal ride and trek to Casaroro Falls we did a couple of days back left me bushed.

And that beach before us was the perfect spot to laze. Well, that and our hotel room with a view of Maria Bay.

First order of business was brekkie. The restaurant in the hotel is under the same management as the one by the beach. Both got the same limited menu, so we decided to dine al fresco.

During our almost three-day stay, we have sampled everything they offer. The usual silog fare, pasta and Samyz Pizza. There's nothing to rave about. Rice meals come in small portions (perhaps I just think so because preggy me's got a huge appetite!), pasta's so-so (though we mysteriously got addicted to their spaghetti meatballs), and Samyz Pizza? The epitome of cheap Pinoy street pizza: bland sauce, dodgy cheese, and an odd mix of toppings. Let me tell you though we kinda enjoyed the pizza we ordered the night before for Shervin's birthday.

A rocky outcrop splits the shore into two.

What the restaurant lacked, the view and ambiance totally made up for it. While waiting for our order, we climbed up the outcrop via a short concrete bridge. The small gazebo that sits on it provides shelter to those who wish to stay to savor the scent and sight of the sea. It also serves as a view deck for the sunset.

Adrenaline junkies may dive off this cliff. Check the tide though.

Speechless and lost in our respective thoughts, we inadvertently watched fishermen on their boats drift by. Siquijor does have the power to bewitch its visitors, in a non creepy way.

I snapped out of my daydream and tugged Shervin's shirt for him to snap out of his. Time to take the resto's uhm, concoction.


Trip's Nitty Gritty:

1. Salagdoong Beach is on the eastern side of the island. It's government-owned and managed by Siquijor’s Provincial Tourism Office. To get there you can easily hire a motorcycle or tricycle from Siquijor town. Price depends on the list of places you wanna go to.

2. Admission fee is very affordable at P10. If you wish to swim in the pool you'll be charged an additional P50 for adults and P25 for kids.

3. Picnic sheds can be rented for P50. They got barbecue pits too.

4. Rice meals and pasta dishes at the restaurant are priced at P65-75. Pizza about P150.

5. Air-conditioned twin room in Hotel Agripino costs P800 a night. Tissue and towels are provided. Ask for a room with a view of Maria Bay. At the time of our visit, the bungalows near the beach were being rehabilitated.

[This is part of the Voyaging Visayas Series which took place February 2010. Price of goods, transportation and so forth may already be different.]

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27 comments:

Cedric said...
January 10, 2011 at 10:14 PM

So this is what I missed during my trip to the region! The place is pretty beautiful. Will add this to my must-go to list. :)

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
January 10, 2011 at 11:47 PM

Ced, I am pretty sure you would cross this out from your must-go list someday soon :)

C A R L A said...
January 11, 2011 at 12:28 AM

its a must-see talaga. thanks for sharing! very helpful since im planning a trip to this mystic island :)

fetus said...
January 11, 2011 at 2:51 AM

when i'll go to siquijor, i'll definitely pay this place a visit.

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
January 11, 2011 at 3:39 AM

Happy planning Carla! I'm pretty sure Siquijor will meet your expectations :)

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
January 11, 2011 at 4:22 AM

Fetus, yup... Make sure you pay this beach a visit!

lakwatsera de primera said...
January 11, 2011 at 7:04 AM

Is the beach good for snorkeling Gay? How is it like in its underwater world :)

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
January 11, 2011 at 7:26 AM

Hey Claire, did not check. I was scared to do that kind of stuff when I was preggy. I think divers go to Sandugan beach, there's one full service dive resort there. Lagi nga lang fully booked.

Chyng said...
January 11, 2011 at 1:08 PM

wow,it makes me excited for my siquijor trip this year.
i'll check the underwater world for claire ^_^

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
January 11, 2011 at 3:20 PM

Haha! Go Chyng! Sa Australia na sumisisid yang si Claire.

Mayet said...
January 11, 2011 at 4:28 PM

this should be our next destination--we skipped Siquijor during our vacation.sayang!

ayan said...
January 11, 2011 at 6:32 PM

whoa..andyan ako kanina.. =)

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
January 11, 2011 at 9:57 PM

Really Ayan? Cool! Awesome beach ei? :)

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
January 11, 2011 at 10:00 PM

Hi Mayet! Thanks for dropping by... hope you get the chance to go when you're back in the Philippines.

Pinoy Boy Journals said...
January 12, 2011 at 12:30 AM

dito ako naglunch nung island tour. di ako nakapag-beach nakipag-inuman lang with my guide, mainit na SMB grande! hayun, nakamotor may tama! he he

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
January 12, 2011 at 7:42 AM

Hahaha! Awesome Jerik. A recipe for disaster.

maierz said...
January 12, 2011 at 11:55 AM

Hey! Thanks for visiting my blog. Followed u na so I could read your past entries one-by-one!! my gosh so many places you've been to!!! naiinggit ako! :) love the photos too! :)

Mai
http//maierz.blogspot.com

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
January 12, 2011 at 2:10 PM

Ronster, 4x? I envy you!

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
January 12, 2011 at 2:25 PM

Hey Maierz! Thanks for following :) Glad you like the photos. Cheers to more adventures for 2011!

Ian | GoingRoamingWandering said...
January 13, 2011 at 2:35 PM

The beach is tranquil and serene... I hope to visit it someday if given a chance to see Siquijor.

Blueberry Girl said...
January 14, 2011 at 4:28 AM

dearie, great entry^^ I can't wait for October! For gazillions of travels to come your way :)

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
January 14, 2011 at 11:28 PM

Ian, add it on your list of future destinations!

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
January 14, 2011 at 11:30 PM

Thanks Sweet for dropping by. Good luck on your 30 before 30 :)

edsan said...
January 14, 2011 at 11:43 PM

I am still new in travel article writing and your blogs inspire me much. How I wish I could visit Siquijor. May I invite you to visit Bucas Grande Island, Socorro, Surigao del Norte Philippines and savor the beauty and richness of its island vacations spots.

Anonymous said...
March 22, 2011 at 1:22 AM

How many hours from Dumaguete to Siquijor? thanks.. :)

Pinay Travel Junkie said...
March 22, 2011 at 7:39 AM

Hey there! It's about 45 minutes from Dumaguete to Siquijor town port.

Unknown said...
November 19, 2012 at 10:38 AM

This place is amazing. I've been staying in the Philippines for 2 months now, and I haven't gone out of the City. This place is just perfect. Thanks for this post!

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