Almost Around Siquijor on a Folding Bike in 3 Days

Solar Powered Phone with coconut Husk!

The Master Plan

It was a long time that I’ve planned in going to the Isla del Fuego but as always, something came up. For a long time, it remains the same until one of my officemate wanted to tour Siquijor by folding bike. Instantly, I joined the pack together with our other officemates. It was Jan 21-23 2012.

There were 8 of us who joined the tour. I’ve never really prepared much. I didn’t even brought a tent. The plan was to bikepack Siquijor in 3 days since it was a long weekend that time. I also bought an experiment with me which involves unlimited supply of power and GPS but i think didn’t last long.

The Experiment

Although kind of noob when it comes to electronic stuff. I brought along with me a 5watt solar panel which I used to provide power to my GPS enabled phone. Without the solar power, my phone only lasts 3hours using its battery. I wanted it to last for 3 days so that I could really map the route we are going. But in the end, you really need constant sun’s rays in order to harness its full power.

The Bus Ride

Like all bus rides, Its kind of normal, waited for everyone at the terminal. Folded the bikes, load them under the cargo area. When the cargo hold was full, we placed the bikes on the last row seats which was really scary when the bus suddenly stops. That was 4 hour ride worth P160 (bikes were free). At Oslob, we have unloaded everything except Sheena’s bag. She has to chase the bus until the next town to get her bag. She was back an hour later. Lucky it was not stolen or something. Had a quick breakfast near the port. And a quick deposit in the book depository which the faucet was broken and I have to gather water on the beach with a big ass bucket.

Bikers

At the port we met some bikers. Big guys with big bikes. They will also go around the island. We are lucky we were only charged P100 for the folding bikes while they are charged with P900 to board the Ro-ro. I think the fare was P300.

Boat Ride

I think it was the best part yet since i slept during the whole trip. The last thing i remember was General Tiboy, one of the bikers along with his nephew Mr Delgado, talking about reforestation somewhere in Cantipla (near Mt. Manunggal) which is really good idea. Lets support environmental stuff!

Isla del Fuego Day 1

The gang rested from the blistering heat

For maybe 3 hours of never-ending seas, at last we arrived at Larena Port and i was the first step into the island of fire (or my bikes tires). Sleepy town, nice seas nice people everything felt so provincy and I like it  . We ate our lunch at some local restaurant and rest a bit, reload our water supply and off we go. The folding bike journey around Isla del Fuego Begins!

For several hours, we passed by houses, beaches, trees some people, not to mention the heat of the sun with our mini folding bikes. I used a Chevrolet 16” black folding bike which was a surplus but still, it feels like brand new (i sold it to an office mate a week later). We stopped by Siquijor Town and toured a bit and then went on to continue the journey of unrelenting heat (lucky i had an arm sleeve on under a long sleeve shirt feels hot but well protected from the harsh rays of the sun. My solar panel was enjoying it).

After passing another batch of resorts including the Cocobana, the Capilay Spring Park in San Juan and more tress and houses, some of us were tired and night is very fast approaching. We have noticed a cove along the road with fresh water spring nearby. We decided if we could camp by the area for the night. Asked permission from the locals there and they agreed! We don’t have problems with food since we have bought some on the way (mmmm.. humba). We setup our tents, prepared for dinner, locked the bikes and rested. After dinner we had a night swimming with the underwater fireflies (probably shrimp/squid larvae).

Bike2x

Good Morning Siquijor

Was planning to sleep on a hammock but it rained that night so, i was sleeping in a tent. Woke up kind of late, had a hot Nesvita breakfast and was ready to go. Thanked the locals for letting us stay for the night and headed of for the road.

Balete Drive

The plan was to go straight to Salagdoong resort which was our stop for the day. We passed by the milk station which was closed on Sunday but as soon as they heard our voices, they opened the shop just for us. I only had a mango flavored fresh milk and was not being friendly with my stomach. After the milk area, we passed by the old balete tree. I wanted to have a dip but we were in a hurry. There’s always next time. Several minutes later, we met the bikers probably done with the round Siquijor and maybe going back to Cebu. We just pretended that we were not that exhausted and cheered as they passed us.

The Balete Drive

You better be scared! We have 4 dogs.. oh wait, brownie just died...

Lunch

Noon came and the heat was unbearable. We have to find shelter and eat. I have to find a restroom since my stomach is brewing something bad. And yes we found a mini restaurant and coke never tasted this good. They even have an xbox machine! And I discovered the darkest toilet in town… There might be snakes or scorpions in there but no one knows its dark in there. After that ate the best lunch there is (dinugoan – blood&innards).

Inday Rosing

After lunch, we rested a bit waiting for the clouds to cover the sun’s scorching heat. But then, an old lady, she called herself Inday Rosing went inside the restaurant. She was talking about her life and how she won first prize on some singing contests. The chat went on for several minutes. We learned that she married a guy 30 years younger than her (must be the love potion working hehe).

The great Inday Rosing aka EW (ex-wife)

Kagusuan Beach

But we wont be staying for long and have a chat with Inday Rosing because we have to ride to Kagusuan Beach which was supposed to be our 1st night campsite but the place was so far away and the roads were damn painful. But then, we got to the town of Lazi in which we found some cebuano group we visited an old church made from corals. After that, the neverending ride towards the Kagusuan Beach which was very nice. Stayed for a while since it was very relaxing. If only we could camp for the night there but Salagdoong is our destination for the day and cold beer is waiting for us there. There were no food/drinks available in Kagusuan anyways. After some time, we biked again for several kilometers until Gen visited his cousins there. We reloaded our waterbottles and had a little chat and to the road we go.

The view of Kagusuan coastline.. no surfing here...

Cheap Banana Cue

I could still remember when I am still at my young age in my home town when we saw a P2.00 banana cue. That price in cebu doesnt exist anymore. I bought two.

Then Maria town was next. We stopped by some market and bought fish (giant trevali) and some swordfish for us to cook for dinner. Some bought some souvenirs and stuff. I learned that our destination was only 3kms away so that was a relief since everybody was quite tired that time.

The Beach Life

At last Salagdoong beach. We paid P15 for the entrance and P50 for the open cottage. We didnt rent a room since we have tents. I was the killer cook for the night the menu was Kinilaw (pinoy sushi) and Sinugba (Grilled Fish). I had the best dinner that time. People in siquijor did not eat fish that time because of the tragedy that happend in Iligan & Cagayan.

The fishes might be feeding on human flesh. But what the hell…

After dinner, got little stories, jokes and had a few drinks. Someones got very drunk.

Beer Again: Day 3

The last day in paradise. Rodie has hangover. We jumped the cliff, had tapsilog for breakfast and ready for another time at the road road road. Since Talingting/EV is quite near, we stayed in Salagdoong for few more hours and wait for Rodies hangover to somehow heal. Then head to Genesis’s relatives house where his grandparents live. We had a great lunch there and of course Rodies favorite, Red Horse Beer! Since the boat trip was 4:00 we stayed a little longer and hired a van towards Siquijor port coz we won’t be able to catch the ferry if we are on our bikes.

To Dumaguete

Loaded our bikes on a boat bound for Dumaguete. Since the trip was 4:00 we have to wait for a little longer. Arrived at Dumaguete at I think 5ish. And a quick tour around town with Rod as our guide. By the way, he still has hangover  . Agreed to get a multicab in Dumaguete to get to Sibulan which Was 30 minutes away. At Sibulan Port, we loaded the bikes to a mini fastcraft which I nearly fell when loading them. For 30 minutes of rough seas and nearly flying boat, we reached Santander Port. The port of the south. Ate our dinner, rested, waited for the next bus. The bus came late. Loaded the bikes at the cargo hold and waited several minutes for another boat to arrive. After that we were homeward bound.

Home

Tired and sleepy, I enjoyed my long weekend with my folding bike buddies and I have to tour siquijor on a folding bike. Although we have not finished biking the whole island, there is still next time. It might not be now. next week or next month, but we will be coming back. Im sure ill be coming back! Til next time Isla del Fuego!

Bikes for sale!

Journal also found in: http://jmxpx.tumblr.com