Manjuyod Sandbar – In Sync with the Tides (Itinerary)

A clear bright sky over the nipa huts on stilts

Sandbars – we always get excited when we hear that it’s part of our itinerary (or is it just me?). It could probably be that thrill when we get to feel so lucky that the tides were on our favor and let the sands appear before our very eyes!

Manjuyod Sandbar is no exception. I just knew that time that it is going to be fun! The weather and the tides cooperated really well that I could write and share insights with you today! Now let’s walk on the sand!

How to get to Manjuyod Sandbar?

• If you’re in Dumaguete, you have to take a motorcab to Ceres Bus Terminal (P10.00)
• Take a Bus that will pass Bais City (I took a bus bound for Guihulngan) and tell the conductor to drop you off in the City Police Station (P60.00). It will take around an hour and a half to reach the city.
• Take a motorcab and alight in Canibol or Capiñahan Wharf (P30.00 to P50.00)
• Rent a motorboat for a whole day activity (P2,500.00 for a 10-person boat or P1,500.00 for a 4 seater). There are boats for more seating capacities, but I am not certain of their prices. I personally took the 10-seater because i find it safer. 😛

Where to stay in Manjuyod?

There are no hotels in the area. The only available option if you are planning to stay overnight are the cottages. The large cottage may be rented for P4,000.00 and the smaller ones for P3,000.00. You also have to take note that electricity is limited so you may not be allowed to charge your phones and other gadgets, unless you want to stay in total darkness. 😛 For more information or booking, you may contact the Bais Tourism Office at (035) 402 8338 or email them at baistourism@gmail.com

I personally felt a whole day tour is fair enough for a solo traveler like me, so i got back to Dumaguete around 5PM to rest for my flight back to Manila the following morning.

The cottages for overnight stays. July 2017

Other activities to do and spots to visit

• Dolphin watching – You have to take the tour early to catch these wonderful creatures. I personally reached Bais City from Dumaguete at around 6:30 AM. This was my first activity and from Capiñahan Wharf it will take you around 30 minutes to reach their sanctuary.
• A visit to Mangrove Forest – Another 20 to 30-minute boat ride from the dolphin watching point. It is basically a mangrove forest with a concrete pathway at the center. No entrance fee. Pictorial gallore.

Literally a new breath of fresh air. July 2017

• Olympia Island hiking – This is an island of a fishing community. You can take a hike to the highest point and witness an overlooking view of the sea. Hike usually takes 10 to 15 minutes.

Olympia Island from afar. A grotto was built on its peak. July 2017

To have a hassle-free trip, you may consider the following:

• The dolphins usually appear in the early morning, so you better schedule it accordingly.
• Never forget to check the tide forecast to ensure that the sandbar is evident on your visit!
• Bring your own food! There are no restaurants in the middle of the sea! There are few vendors though who sell cooked seafood (mostly steamed shrimps). If you are allergic with crustaceans, you gotta think twice!

Personal insights

Manjuyod is often called the Maldives of the Philippines. They are both exceptional, but i have to honestly say that Maldives is ways ahead just to set your expectations.

Manjuyod sandbar is a good swimming spot, don’t get me wrong, but i have to say that it’s amenities and cottages on stilts can be better to make it more appealing to the tourists!

On the othe note, the turqoise waters is very picturesque! Very relaxing and engaging! Take a plunge in the shallow waters and check on small sea creatures swimming around. You may take a  banana boat ride with your friends too to complete the fun or go on a jetski! You can also have a taste of the sea urchins sold at P20.00 per piece. It is totally a perfect and low cost destination for a summer outing or family gathering!

Soloist Galaero Score

This is how I rate Manjuyod Sandbar and other attractions collectively

• Accessibility and Convenience of Transportation – 95% Instructions for the destination can easily be followed. Public transportation is affordable and good.
• Tourist Experience and Impact – 83% Limited activities. The tourist spots need to be properly maintained and developed. The Mangrove forest needs some clean-up and the cottages need some serious repairs. The spots have great potentials, so I hope the local government will look into this and decides to level up.
• Availability of General Accommodations – 83% Limited cottages (need repairs) and limited electricity. 
• Overall Rating – 87%  Generally a great place to visit. The sandbar may not be the best, but still an experience for a first timer. The  views are scenic and refreshing and are good places to unwind and distress! Hopefully on my next visit, improvements are evident for more fun!

Reflecting like a mirror. Water and sky synced together. July 2017

Enjoying the views of Manjuyod sandbar. July 2017

-jiyon

Apo Island – Your Ultimate Ingress to the Water World (Itinerary)

The ocean is so vast! In fact 71% of Earth’s surface is covered in water! No wonder that we attempt to explore it for we have less surface (land) left for us to rediscover! 😛

Kidding aside, I just cannot blame anyone why we keep on rediscovering the water world! How can you resist a totally different horizon which is full in color and is in total harmony? It really is a double or triple pounding heart heart!!!

If you love snorkeling or diving, then this topic is just right for you! You gotta take note that Apo Island is a good haven to experience Poseidon’s fluid world. I have to say with full conviction, that this sanctuary delivers super big time!!!

Sea turtles are sauntering freely in the sanctuary

General information about Apo Island

Apo Island’s name is derived from a Filipino word meaning “old man”. The island is part of the municipality of Dauin, Negros Oriental and has a marine reserve on its nearby waters. It can be reached by a 30-minute motorized boat ride from Malatapay, Zamboanguita, Negros Oriental.

Apo Island upclose.

Snorkeling and diving packages
This one was a little easy for me. I just contacted Harold’s Diving Center, had my self available on the day and paid P1,200.00. The whole day activity package (approximately from 9AM to 2PM) is already inclusive of the life vest, snorkel set and fins, unlimited drinking water, coffee or tea, lunch (pancit canton and egg) and dessert (fruits).

The vessel we took for the snorkel activity

I initially researched for an itinerary, but i found the insights a little of a hassle and more costly. 

• You will need to take a bus bound for Bayawan.
• Alight at Malatapay Market, take a short walk and look for the information center.
• Rent a motor boat (RT, P2,000 good for 4 persons, P2,500 good for 6 and P3,000 for 8)
• Upon arrival, get a tour guide for an additional fee. You are not allowed to enter the protected area without a guide.
• Rent for snorkel sets for an additional fee.
• If you are not planning to stay in the island, you will need to get back to Malatapay before 4PM.

As you can see, taking a package is more convenient. You can spare the saved time for other things related to your tour the following day! In the end, it is really up to you to decide! Just do not forget to enjoy, socialize and have fun!

Personal insights

I took Harold’s Diving Center’s package and I have to say that i am very much satisfied with the tour. This is not cozy or the most comfortable one, but i believe all the essential points are covered and accounted for – experienced staff and guides, relatively functional vessel, snorkel and diving equipments, life vests, drinking water and of course food! It is basically a complete package!

The activity is exciting! A little scary at first because you don’t know what is in the waters! But as soon as you witness the coral forest, the colorful fishes and the sea turtles, you will just want to explore for more! I got a little envious of the skilled free divers because they can get upclose with the wonders! How i wished i could swim like them!

Literally corals everywhere!

I also have to share, that it was exhausting! I would sometimes catch my breath because it was really a long swim!!! I even got dizzy for minutes and skipped the second out of three snorkel/diving sites (an abominable non-swimmer problem)!!! Thank goodness i was able to catch up and was able to snorkel on the last and most wonderful site of the tour! Literally colorful corals everywhere! Coral gallore at your heart’s content!!! Honestly, aside from Siquijor, this is the highlight of my 3rd visit to the Visayas! This is a place that I will definitely visit again!!!

The corals and the cute blue starfish

Soloist Galaero Score

Here goes my rating of the place!

• Accessibility and Convenience of Transportation – 97% Taking Harold’s Diving Center’s package, going to Apo Island was a breeze! Not the most comfortable but tolerable!
• Tourist Experience and Impact – 98% Snorkeling and diving to the area will make you feel heaven! Plus the sea turtles!
• Availability of general accommodations – 98% The package is reasonably complete.

• Overall rating – 98% – I will definitely comeback and try it again!!! Next time, it will be with my siblings!

Contact numbers:

Harold’s Diving Center : 

+63917 302 4455, +63939 935 6322

Apo island is one of the bests! See it for yourself and enjoy!!!

Myself and the other tourists prepping up for another round.

-jiyon

Lake Balanan – A Handsome Catastrophe (Itinerary)

Rediscovering the serene lake.

Lake Balanan as mesmerizing as it is, is technically a “new” tourist spot of Negros Oriental. Resulting from a landslide after a 6.8 magnitude earthquake in 1925, trapping and blocking the Balanan river and eventually forming a lake, it is now the major attraction of Siaton.

How to get to Siaton?

There sure is a lot of ways to get to Siaton, but me coming from Dumaguete, a non-Visayan tourist that I am, a soloist for a reason,  had to take a motorcab, head to Ceres terminal and take a bus bound to Bayawan. Make sure to tell the conductor that your drop off point is in Siaton.

It is interesting to note that the usual route has changed and that you may need to tell the conductor that you will alight in the habal habal terminal bound to the lake. I had to walk for a few minutes before reaching the terminal which is just near the gate of Siaton chuch. If in doubt, just ask the locals where the habal habal terminal is and they will instruct you accordingly. They will usually converse in Bisaya, so just inform them if you speak otherwise :).

What to expect?

First, you need to condition your mind that it will not be a smooth ride going to the lake. It is not because the drivers are wreckless, but because the road is rocky, super bumpy and muddy (if it is rainy).

The scenery going to the lake is breathtaking. Lush trees overlooking the cliffs, fresh breeze touching your face and sweet smiles of children you pass by – it is all positive energy hovering around. 🙂

Once you get to the gate, you will need to pay the entrance fee and then the adventure begins!!! But before anything else, make sure to inform your habal habal driver to pick you up after the tour. I have to stress that looking for a ride going back is super tough, so you better settle with him coupled with your haggling skills!!!

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You may also want to pay attention to the river which serves as a grand entrance before you fully view the lake. I am telling you, it is as enchanting!

The rivers who wants its own spotlight

The Lake

The lake is majestic and mesmerizing. It may look a little eerie at first but after realizing how picturesque it is, that’s the time you take action, saunter around and let the photographer in you do the talking.

There are lots of activities that you may opt to do too!

• Boating and Cruising
• Trekking to the falls
• Swimming to the tri-level pools (swimming on the lake is prohibited!!!)
• Zip lining

I personally had the chance to try  boating and trekking in the area, and overall, it was a great experience!!! I just had those scary thoughts during that time because the lake looks like a haven for crocodiles, pumped up by the water’s greenish tint and the floating decaying leaves of surrounding trees. The boatmen were just accommodating enough to clear my thoughts and share that swimming in the lake is now prohibited because of one drowning incident before.

I also had the chance to witness the falls that supplies the lake. It is not totally majestic, but the trekking path going there is super scenic and refreshing.

Balanan falls supplies the water of the lake

Needless to mention, the lake resort also has its own lodging services for those who want to spend a night. Tree houses and apartment like lodgings are available to make way for a sunrise photography session the following day 🙂

Expenditures

• Motorcab to Ceres bus terminal – P10
• Ceres bus to Siaton – P70
• Habal habal ride round trip – P150 (single trip is P50, but the habal habal driver was hesitant to pick me up unless he has a customer headed to the lake. I decided to pay the fare to the lake for a return ride) depends on your haggling skills. I am terrible at this.
• Entrance Fee – P50 (free on Tuesdays)
• Boat – P200 ( P100 per hour)
• Tip to boatman – P60 (not imposed, just a personal obligation)
• Ceres bus to Dumaguete – P70
• Motorcab to your hotel – P60 (if exclusive)

Resort rates

• Room rates : small room P1,500 and big room P2,000
• Tree house – P1,000
• Boating and Cruising – P25 per pax, per hour
• Rubber boat – P200
• Picnic table – P30

Personal insights

The lake is captivating! It is a place for those who appreciate nature and the lush greenery! It has a lot of activities to offer so it deserves a day of exploration!

Being budget friendly, this place is a good value even for students who don’t want to break the piggy bank! Bringing food is allowed too, so more reason to visit the lake really soon!

You may visit this place on a soloist mode for sure, but I think visiting the place in groups is more suitable because it tends to be a little boring if you only have yourself appreciating the place. This is very much perfect for a family gathering or a barkada getaway so find the circle now and saunter around!

Soloist Galaero Score

Here goes my rating of the place!

• Accessibility and Convenience of Transportation – 80% Bumpy and super rocky road. No readily available ride going back to Siaton town.
• Tourist Experience and Impact – 88% A Wonderful and enchanting place at a very affordable price range
• Availability of general accommodations – 83% Decent lodging but no available staff at night. 

• Overall rating – 83.6% – I will likely comeback. 

Still a high a score! I just hope the road to the lake gets improved and completed to attract more tourists to the place! The services and accommodation have to step up too to make it more appealing to the people! At the end of the day, what is important is the tourism aspect of the place! It is a good place to visit, a good venue for exploration and noteworthy getaway indeed!
For inquiries regarding the place, please contact @BalananLakeMountainResort (Facebook page)

Cruising the placid lake