BUDDIES

Our spontaneity led us to Escario St. It just so happened we've never been to much of the establishments here, so we were excited!

We had dinner at Buddies. The restaurant's pretty obvious along the street and it's famous for its burger challenge that you just can't ignore it.

facade

Since this is a burger place, my 3 colleagues ordered burgers while I had mild spicy sizzling squid. We never took the challenge of eating a huge burger in 5 minutes coz aside from the fact that the burger is too big for any of us, we were there to relax and not to hurry things up. Maybe next time.

So, while waiting, I took some pics.

the counter

the challenge

Our food finally arrived. And I tell you, I'm not joking, it was one of the best-tasting sizzling squid I've ever tried. The mild spices, the flavor, it was really perfect.

THE SQUID!!!

It was the kind of food I really think of whenever I'm hungry or the food that whenever I think of, makes me hungry.

The burger was also good. We tried their cheeseburger and loved it.

burger!

We even thought Buddies was just a franchise of an international chain but I found out we were wrong. But indeed made me proud.

When I happened to talk with the store's manager, who is my best buddy's sister. She shared that Buddies is a product of 3 friends' travel experiences. They've made an idea out of the places they've been to abroad.

It's either they've been to really great places or they're just so brilliant, or both. But I do hope Buddies would not stop here in Cebu.

Looking forward to my next sizzling squid encounter! :)

SIQUIJOR (Enjoying Negros Oriental - Siquijor the Backpackers way)

Continuation from Negros Oriental..

May 4, 2013 (Charisma Beach Resort - Capilay's Spring Park - Balete Tree - Cantabon Cave - Cambugahay Falls - Old Church and convent)

I woke up early and together with Grace, went to the port to buy tickets for Siquijor through bicycles (free through the hotel). The earliest fast craft schedule was already full. So, we bought Roble tickets instead leaving the port at 8.15 AM.

We hurriedly prepared ourselves, had breakfast then headed to the port. After paying for the terminal fees, we boarded the ferry. This would be a 2-hour travel. I slept most of the time and sang with my colleagues to the tune of "Welcome to the Black Parade" an hour after. It never occurred to me to behave since you may not know what to expect in Siquijor. So sorry.

See you Siquijor!

Anyway, as the boat nears the port, you can already see the majestic island - surrounded with white sand and clear blue waters. We were all so excited!

what an island!

We waited in the covered walk for the multicab. I was able to contact Kuya Charles - 09106454175 through a blog. He fetched us and brought us to Charisma Beach Resort. It was around 20 minutes before we arrived and check in at the resort.

touchdown Siquijor!

We reserved 10 beds in their dormitory that could actually accommodate 11. It was huge and was really cool even without and air-condition.

at Charisma Beach Resort

all set?!

After settling our things, we proceeded to San Juan town proper, ate our lunch and had a glimpse of Capilay's Spring Park.

lunch!

Capilay's Spring Park

We then went to the enchanted balete tree and took some pics. I've never seen such huge tree.

We then headed to the Cantabon Cave. We were a bit silent during the journey to the cave since they say we would be passing by Brgy. San Antonio, a famous voodoo place. En route the cave, I was also able to note a sign on faith healers.

Before finally going to the cave, we stopped by an office in Brgy. Cantabon to pay the entrance fee as well as the gears and flashlights. There were 5 guides that had gone with us.

where we got our gears and paid the entrance fee

spelunking!!!

Descending to the cave.

There was a small hole that served as entrance of the cave. A person really has to bend to enter the cave and should watch out of stalactites that might injure your back once you try to stand up. Head gears were given, so it made us so confident to proceed even if the rocks above us seem to always hit us. Haha.

There were also parts of the cave where you can stand up. But mostly, you'd really be wet as you sit on wet and muddy rocks and go through flowing waters.

We ended our spelunking at a mini-swimming pool. The water was so cool and fresh. It was so refreshing after having to go through the hot weather. The guides said that we may access a larger pool in the farther part of the cave but we opted to return considering the time as we still have a lot of places to go after the cave.

The spelunking in Cantabon Cave was easier compared to the trekking in Casaroro. The only challenge was that it was dark and all of the rocks are wet.

Our next stop was the Bell Tower. Actually, I was kind of disappointed as there was no Bell. Haha. But the view was all worth the climb.

the view!

 We then headed to Cambugahay Falls. Actually, we almost gave up seeing the stairs in going down. It was actually even, it's just that we had so much trekking already. Our feet were sore and really ached every time we step on anything.

the lowest layer

But upon seeing the falls, we never regretted going down. It was different than Casaroro. It was just low but three-layered.

We then settled in the highest part - the first layer. It was refreshing as well and there were lots of people too. We even happened to see a schoolmate in college.

After a few minutes, we went back the cab and then headed to the Old Church and Convent.

It was indeed really old. Just imagine having a wooden floor for the whole church.

the wooden floor!

the convent

Kuya Charles then brought us to one of the famous beaches, Salagdoong Beach Resort. We just actually took pictures. The beach was really crowded and the sand, not that fine.

Before heading back to the resort, we stopped by the Larena Port (another port of Siquijor) to know if we can purchase a ferry ticket in advance.. But cannot.

Then, stopped by Sammy's Pizza to order their famous product!

But ate it along the way..

It was kinda creepy to travel at night because when you look behind you, you see nothing but darkness. There were areas in the island with no houses at all.

Okay, we arrived at the resort and before 8 PM (not allowed after this time), tried to plunge in the pool!!!

Then, we had our dinner. I tell you, their budget meal was really worth it!

I managed to take some pics while eating. Haha.

the restaurant

the shore!

I would love to experience Siquijor's beach. And I'd have the whole morning to do that. Haha. Goodnight!

May 5, 2013 Charisma Beach Resort - Dumaguete City

Indeed, our whole morning was spent in the beach and the pool! The sand was really fine but there were weeds. I got to take some pics of the very private resort and I've had my tripadvisor review here.

After enjoying the waters and the view, we then had our breakfast..

After freshening up, we took some shots before going to the pier.

We ate at a restaurant near the port, bought a 2 PM fastcraft ticket for Dumaguete City and chose some souvenir shirts and magnets.

It was a fun and relaxing experience in Siquijor. And I just really love how uncommercialized it was.

Continuation: May 5, 2013 (Dumaguete City)