sam heart travel

Siquijor Sunset (That Wasn't) and Paliton Beach Bliss   Okay, so Day Two in Siquijor! We finished all our planned activities super early – like, 4 PM early! This left us with a dilemma: Bucafe sunset or Paliton Beach sunset? Given that our tour was winding down and the sky looked suspiciously gloomy (sunset seemed unlikely anyway), we opted for Paliton Beach. It's closer to our hotel, which was a major plus after a long day.   The drive to Paliton Beach from the Balete Tree (and that whole Old Balete Tree saga – another story for another time!) took almost an hour. And guess what? No sunset. Zip. Zilch. Nada. The sky remained stubbornly cloudy. But, hey, at least we weren't the only ones there!   Paliton Beach was buzzing! Turns out, the real attraction isn't the sunset (at least not on this particular day). It's the famous swing! Seriously, there was a massive queue of people waiting their turn to get that perfect Instagram-worthy...

My (Slightly) Disappointing Trip to the Old Balete Tree   Okay, so, full disclosure: I wasn't exactly thrilled about visiting the Old Balete Tree. It was part of a package tour, and honestly, I'd been there before. I'd already done the whole "Old Balete Tree experience," and I wasn't exactly jumping for joy at the prospect of a repeat performance. I tried to gently suggest we skip it, mentioning that I'd already seen the, shall we say, unique charm of this ancient tree. But nope, the tour was set, and off we went.   The thing is, the Old Balete Tree is... well, it's a tourist trap. I'm not saying it's bad, per se. It's just... underwhelming the second time around. The first time, the mystique was there. The sheer age of the tree, its gnarled branches reaching out like skeletal fingers, the stories whispered about its supposed supernatural powers – it was all quite captivating. But the second time? It felt a little… manufactured. The ...

Laggan Falls: A Hidden Gem in 2025   Okay, so confession time: I got lazy after our time in Hapitanan Broomshot, and that laziness carried over when we got to Laggan Falls. The thought of another waterfall hike after Cambugahay Falls had me feeling a little…meh. Hiring a guide? Even more effort!   But something about Laggan Falls kept calling to me. Maybe it was the allure of the unknown, or maybe it was the promise of a less crowded experience. Whatever the reason, I eventually pulled myself together and decided to go for it.   The trek down was…well, let's just say it involved a fair bit of huffing and puffing. We descended almost 100 feet, winding our way down below the entrance to reach the river. It was a bit of a challenge, but the reward was totally worth it.   When we finally arrived, we were greeted by a truly stunning sight. Laggan Falls is a beautiful, quaint waterfall, far more intimate and less crowded than the bu...

Hapitanan Broomshot: A Perfect Stopover After Lunch   After we had lunch, we headed to Hapitanan Broomshot. Hapitanan! (Much better than that other name, right?)   My first visit was… well, let's just say it was a classic tourist trap. The main attraction? Posing on a broomstick for photos. This time, I skipped the broomstick photo, having already experienced it. Instead, I spent my time soaking up the view and window shopping for souvenirs.   This time around, I took a cigarette break, enjoying the scenery at my own pace. It was the perfect stopover after all the earlier adventures. The place has a certain calmness to it that I missed the first time.   So, the verdict:   - For first-timers: Go for it! You'll probably get that iconic broomstick photo. Just be prepared for crowds. - For repeat visitors: Unless you need another broomstick photo, consider it a quick stop for a break.   There's still no entrance fee, but donations ar...

Siquijor 2025: Day 2 – Salagdoong's Scorching Beauty   Okay, so Day Two in Siquijor, 2025, started with a serious case of sun worship. We finally made it to Salagdoong Beach, and let me tell you, the welcome party was…intense. Think blazing sun, almost noon, and the kind of heat that makes you question all your life choices. It was a total 180 from my last visit – gloomy and breezy, remember? This time, it was full-on tropical inferno. But honestly? The beach’s beauty was amplified tenfold under that scorching sun. The turquoise water practically vibrated with brilliance, the white sand gleaming like a million tiny diamonds.   We were already pretty cooked from the journey, but the sheer visual feast was enough to kickstart our inner photographers. Cameras came out, phones were prepped, and the usual chaos of a group photo shoot ensued. My travel buddies, bless their hearts, weren't initially thrilled about my insistence on hiking to the Sedime...

Travel Blog: Siquijor 2025 - Day 2 - Lunch Shenanigans   Salagdoong Beach's cool embrace finally released us, and our rumbling stomachs led the way to lunch. Our tour guide suggested Lilibeth's Pan Bisaya Bakery – a place I hadn't heard of until then, but apparently, it's huge, even featured in Julia Barretto's vlog! Seriously, who knew?   The bakery's pugon oven (a traditional clay oven) filled the air with the most incredible aroma of freshly baked bread. We sampled practically everything they sold, filling our bags with goodies for the journey to our next stop: Barracuda Dive Resort.   The twenty-minute drive was scenic, and we happily munched on our bread, enjoying the views. But, a bit of a bummer – the resort's diving was shut down due to rough waves. Snorkeling and free diving were also out of the question. Safety first, right? So much for underwater adventures! Plan B: lunch!   Five minutes down the road, di...

Siquijor 2025: Day 1 - From Manila to Island Paradise   My Siquijor adventure kicked off bright and early at NAIA Terminal 3. Smart move checking in online – skipped the long queues! First stop? The ATM, because who travels without enough cash? Then it was off to the boarding gate. We lucked out and found a Krispy Kreme – six boxes of donuts later (don't judge!), and a large iced macchiato for me, we were fueled up for the flight. Waiting for boarding time turned into a mini photoshoot; I practically created a whole album dedicated to our Manila departure!   Right on schedule, our 8 AM flight soared into the sky. The flight was smooth as silk, and before I knew it, we touched down in Dumaguete around 10 AM. A quick trike ride to the OceanJet ticketing office, and we were on our way to Siquijor. The 3 PM ferry was a relaxing cruise across the calm sea. By 4 PM, we were finally there!   Stepping onto Siquijor and seeing...

Siquijor 2025: Day 2 - From Falls to Beach Bliss (and a Missed Cave!)   Okay, so Day 2 in Siquijor started with a bang – or rather, a splash!  After our epic photoshoot at the stunning Cambugahay Falls (seriously, those pictures are going to be amazing), our tour guide whisked us away to our next adventure: Sambulawan Underground River.   The excitement quickly deflated, though.  As we arrived, I realized we were facing another trek, and the guide mentioned the cave itself wasn't exactly a visual feast.  Fresh from the waterfall shenanigans, my muscles were screaming for a break.  I'm not proud to admit it, but I was being a bit of a grump.  Turns out, my fellow travelers felt the same way.  We unanimously decided to skip the cave and opted for a much-needed dose of caffeine and delicious siomai instead.  Milk tea and siomai – the perfect post-waterfall fuel!   Next on the agenda: Salagdoong Beach....

Siquijor 2025: Day 2 - Cambugahay Falls Adventure!   So, Day 2 in Siquijor started with a trip to Cambugahay Falls in Lazi. We aimed for an 8 am arrival, figuring we'd beat the worst of the crowds. Nope! The line was already forming, but thankfully it wasn't too crazy. My Siquijor buddies grabbed breakfast while I took a smoke break – my stomach wasn't up for food that early. The weather was amazing this time, a huge improvement from my last visit when it absolutely poured.   Our tour guide joined the queue, and after paying the 50-peso entrance fee, we were off! Before even seeing the falls, we had to tackle 180 steps down to the river. Going down was a breeze, but I knew that the climb back up would be a killer on our aging muscles (and it was!). After about 120 steps, BAM! The turquoise river appeared, a gorgeous sight.   Cambugahay Falls truly lived up to its reputation. It's huge, easily the biggest and most beautiful waterfall in S...

Siquijor Night Lights: A Backpacker's Paradise at JJ's   Siquijor surprised me. I expected quiet beaches and laid-back vibes (and wasn't disappointed!), but the nightlife on San Juan Tourism Road was a delightful unexpected bonus. Our first night culminated in an unforgettable experience at JJ's Backpackers. This isn't your average bar; it's a whole compound!   Imagine this: lodges nestled together, the buzz of backpackers mingling with the locals, and a beach-side bar with a stage pulsating with energy. The vibe is electric, a fantastic mix of millennials, Gen Z, and a healthy dose of international travelers. We arrived after a satisfying dinner, paid a modest and affordable 20-peso entrance fee, and were instantly immersed in the lively atmosphere.   The crowd was a beautiful blend of friendly faces – gorgeous girls in their party outfits, cute guys, and everyone in between. Two bars kept the cocktails flowing, and little be...

L Cafe Restobar: Sunset, Matcha, and Amazing Vibes (Sijiujor Day 1)   Okay, so Day 1 in Sijiujor was supposed to be all about that famous sunset, right? We checked into RCM Ecolodge, had a quick refresh, and I was pumped for the beach. But then, 5:30 pm rolls around, the sky's looking seriously gloomy, and my friends are all about that nap life. Sunset seemed like a no-go. I was bummed, but then, BAM! The sun peeked through the clouds! I practically dragged the boys out – the girls were stubbornly committed to sleep – because, seriously, who sleeps on a potential sunset like that?kip UFinding transport in the RCM Ecolodge area proved a bit tricky, especially with a sunset deadline looming. Tricycles were scarce, so we initially struggled to find a ride. Eventually, we managed to secure a shared ride with a friendly foreigner who agreed to whisk us to L Cafe.   This place is seriously located in the best spot. Right on the tourism road, it's basically t...

Hotel Review: Siquijor Day 1 - RCM Ecolodge   Stepping off the Ocean Jet Ferry in Siquijor, the tropical heat hit us like a wave – a fantastic sign of the good weather to come! First things first: lunch. Joel's Lechon Manok was our target, and their roasted chicken and beef soup were exactly what our rumbling stomachs needed. Fuelled up, we contacted our tour guide to whisk us away to our hotel, the RCM Ecolodge in San Juan.   The journey was a short 15-minute ride from the port, but the location was a bit of a surprise. Nestled within a quieter, inner community, the hotel's proximity to the main tourist road is deceptive. Tricycles were scarce, so having a rented vehicle would definitely be recommended for easy access. It's a short 5-10 minute walk to the main road, which isn't a huge deal, but it's something to keep in mind. The upside? We were right in the heart of the JJs Backpackers area, which added to the laid-back vibe.   ...