Clouds, Coffee, Camaraderie | The Jomax Peak Kind of Fun

Yes, girls, just wanna have fun!  We are all connected by the Love of Travel, Nature, Adventure and just having pure fun.

It was a “not-so-fine-kind-of-Thursday” when we found our way up to the beautifully landscaped municipality of Don Salvador Benedicto. Target for today: Jomax Peak.

I have heard about this place countless times and seeing pictures going viral on Social Media ignited my curious spirits. Well, let’s see and find out what this place has to offer. At a glance, it is very peaceful. Well and true, it did not disappoint me when I finally touched its grounds.

Jomax Peak used to be the rest house of Jomax Ortiz and was made open the public to the during the latter part of 2016.  Don Salvador being known as a home of beautiful mountains, spring resorts, waterfalls with lush green forests, Jomax peak became one of the top destinations in Negros.

As you can see from the background, one of the many falls found here in Don Salvador. Unfortunately, it’s not open when we visited due to bad weather conditions. We just content ourselves with the view and cool breeze and took as many pictures as we can.

This paradise doesn’t serve food for now so you have to bring your own. They can cook meals for you for a minimum fee, just bring the stuff that you need.

You may also opt to spend the night here.  They offer night rates for only Php 200.00/person (minimum of 5). No tents for rent, so bring your gears.

There is also a swimming pool but who would like to dip in a freezing cold water? If you want just a place to relax from the hustle and bustle of the city. This is one great spot that will give you that.

 

Of course, the DSB Experience will never be complete without a picture in its pine trees.  This is our little Baguio here in Negros Occidental.

HOW TO GET THERE:

From Bacolod City, Jomax Peak is 100m after the 48km post and 200m before the Malatan-og falls viewing deck. We rented a private car when we went here.
If you prefer to ride the Ceres bus, you may instruct the conductor to drop you at Brgy. Kumaliskis, rest house of Atty. Ortiz. Regular fee is something in between 60-100 pesos from Bacolod. Students will have discount if they present their ID.
  
RESERVATIONS:
Message them through their Facebook page and inquire for your chosen dates.
Send them a picture of your recent ID with photo and give them your contact details.
Once reservation is made, there will be NO cancellation/change of dates.
Please be informed that Jomax Peak is still a work in progress to serve you better in the future.
  
Happy Travels!

Lunch and a Walk in the Beach of Malapascua Island

Upon arriving in Kalanggaman Island, we saw several boats docked near the coast and according to some of the care takers, they were divers coming from Malapascua Island.  So out of curiosity we asked them how far is the island from where we are. Surprisingly, we were told that it will only take an additional 2 hours to get to the premiere diving site.

The supposedly Leyte Trip came with a sidetrip to an Island that is part of Cebu. Malapascua is located in North Cebu and has attracted foreign tourist especially divers because of its rich marine sanctuary. It is best known for Monad Shoal where thresher sharks can be seen regularly. However, diving is not the only activity you can do in this island, it is also ideal for a laid-back holiday by the sea.

Malapascua is located in the center of the Coral Triangle, makes each dive a pure delight filled with new discoveries! Sharks and mantas, wrecks and reefs, wall dives, caves, muck dives and spectacular night dives.The town’s name is derived from two Spanish words “mal” and “pascua” translated in English as “bad” and “Easter” of Bad Christmas. According to locals, Spaniards named the island that way when they arrived there on a story Christmas.

We didn’t came here to dive although the island itself is a promising spot for one.  We dropped by Malapascua to have a sumptuous lunch and hoping for a great beach experience. It is worth the quite strenuous trip.

We left the Kalanggaman Island past 9 in the morning and we arrived in Malapascua just in time for lunch. From afar, I can see coconut trees teaming the island and some cottages. Contrary to Kalanggaman Island, this is quite developed and commercialized.

As suggested, we headed to Mabuhay Restaurant to have lunch. Food in the island is not a problem. There are lots of restaurants you can choose from offering various specialties- American, Italian, Filipino, etc.  Since this is a beach trip, I opted to grab seafoods.

 

Accommodation in the island isn’t a problem too. You can find an ordinary room for as low as Php 500.00/night and as your preference increases, the price goes up too.  As I walked along the beach, I passed by some of the beachfront resorts. There were a lot of foreign tourists who were having their daily rituals. Foreigners outnumbered local tourists significantly, reason why the prices here were too high.  This is Boracay and Puerto Galera minus the crowd.

 

I had a great noontime walk exploring the beach of Malapascua. I grab my camera after having lunch and walk towards the other end of the shore.  The mildly blowing wind produced a soothing music of waves. It was indeed a great day

Our short trip to Malapascua Island was almost finish, I wanted to stay longer to the explore the island more, but we had to leave. The trip made me appreciate the inland beauty of the island more, and for this, I can’t wait to be back.

Technorati Tags: Malapascua Island

Summer Ender | B.O.D Series (Bais Edition)

Simple but fun. It is with these words that people often describe their dream destination. They look for qualities in destinations suggested by friends or other sources but often ended not finding them. We’re often unaware that it is what you take with you to a place, and not what you find at your destination that makes travel appealing. Yes, we all know about these spots, but this vacation became memorable because of the people I went along with.

Summer is finally commencing, and before we bid goodbye to the summer sun, we head to the southern part of Negros Oriental to see dolphins and whales playing in an open sea: Bais City.  A third class city in the province of Negros Oriental  and located 45 kilometers from the provincial Capital, Dumaguete.

This getaway has been planned a month ahead to have ample time of preparation. Originally set to go out with highschool friends, but I ended up inviting external friends to materialize the trip.

On a Friday morning of May 30th, I took the earliest flight bound for Bacolod and will head south. It was a beautiful Friday morning up in the air.

  

Spent the night in Binalbagan with friends before heading to my first destination the day after.  It has been more than 24 hours that I am wide awake but this vacation keeps me alert and most of all excited.

We left Binalbagan past 4 in the morning and reached Bais City around 7. The trip could have been faster if we didn't have to make endless stop over.

DOLPHIN WATCHING

Our guide met us at the City proper and take us to Capiñahan port for our Bay Cruise. After everything has been set up, off we go to start our tour.The tour group will have an onboard dolphin spotter. Everyone involved in tours, from the boatman to the spotter, has undergone training and activities and follow strict rules.

 

Whales and dolphins usually feed during early hours of the morning, so it is ideal to start cruising as early as 7 in the morning. Out of 23 species of marine mammals documented to have been sighted in Philippine waters, 9 have been sighted in Bais Bay-Tañon Strait area, acknowledged to have one of the biggest concentrations of cetaceans in the world. The flat calm water of the strait makes it a suitable breeding and feeding ground for whales and dolphins. We were cruising the waters for more than 2 hours before we got a glimpse of the dolphins from afar.

Every time our boat come across other fisherman, our guide would ask, where the dolphin is swimming and we head to that direction. The first group that we found were afraid of the boats so we continued our search for the other types of dolphins that swim near the boat and actually following it. Yes, we finally found them. Were like kids jumping in happiness when we finally saw them. All hard work paid off, patience indeed was a virtue we developed. You can really appreciate the natural playful behavior of the dolphins

 

This wasn't the first time I saw dolphins, but it felt different this time. Seeing them playing in an open water and not in a pool makes it more appealing. Watching them freely playing, so graceful  and lovely, it was heavenly.  I should say, the feeling is awesome. Boats are also not allowed to speed up, rather they keep a steady slow pace. to avoid injuring the dolphins swimming beside and under it. Also, we are not allowed to feed them.  As much as I wanted to jump and swim with them to tick one item in my bucket list but the guide said we can’t. They will be fined.  I just settled sitting at the edge of the boat and take as many memories of the dolphins as I can.

MANJUYOD SANDBAR

After the dolphin watching, we went to Manjuyod Sandbar to enjoy the clear water. The sandbar is a 7-kilometer stretch of whitesand perfect for Swimming, Sunbathing and Snorkeling to top some of the water activities you can do.  Since the water started to rise, we were not able to see the sandbar, floating wooden cottages welcomed us. The cottages can be rented for Php 3,5000 – Php 4,000 a night. Nevertheless,  the crystal clear water completed the experience.

 

Tired and exhausted from the half day water activities, we were served with sumptuous seafood lunch while cruising. Mouth watering Crabs, shrimp, grilled fish and fruits replenished us. For me, nothing beats eating seafood while cruising :)

 

 

Tour is not yet over, after having lunch we were taken to the snorkeling site to see and enjoy underwater creatures. Yes, we found a blue starfish. (Happy Me!)

 

 

We enjoyed the tour  and food provided by  Mam Jen and her father Mr Jesus Pancho(Boatman/Tourguide)

Contact Persons: Jesus Pancho Jr. 0920-253-8099 (Mam Jen might answer your inquiry)

Tour Package: Boat for 8-10 persons capacity Php 3,500.00 (whole day activity)

Lunch Buffet: Seafood / Pork&Meat Menu at Php 250.00/pax (menu might change in the future depending on the guests’ preference)

Seafood Menu: Steamed Crabs, Buttered Shrimp, Grilled Fish, Fruits, Soda and Unlimited Rice

Pork/Meat Menu: Grilled Pork, Adobo, BBQ, Fruits, Soda and Unlimited Rice

Technorati Tags: Bais Whale and Dolphin Watching,Manjuyod Sandbar

Whale Shark Crazy Swimming Experience in Oslob

The world has been a crazy playground and remained to be a very mysterious place. More things left unknown, species and places yet to be discovered, and some that has been discovered still remains a puzzle. I guess that’s what makes this life truly interesting and worth living, it is full of adventures and uncertainties. 

To be able to experience the wonders of the world is truly a gift, and I will be forever grateful to that. Taking that leap of faith to make the first step requires a lot of commitment that you will never give up.  This traveling and exploring things I believe is not just about going to places and escaping a stressful life, but also a self discovery and feeding one’s soul with pretty good stuff.

I know most of us wanted to see this gentle giants up close, and as a water person, I am not an exception.  This side trip in Oslob Cebu was never part of our original plan. We intended to just have Bais and Dumaguete back to back tours for 2 days but since we found out that it’s very convenient to go there via Dumaguete, we grab that opportunity.  Talk about spontaneity and flexibility!

GETTING TO OSLOB FROM DUMAGUETE

We woke up past 5 in the morning as we will begin our Oslob Adventure early. A town where sightings of whale sharks (aka butanding) were made in the past couple of years. To get there, we needed to ride a ferry from Sibulan port to Brgy. Liloan in Cebu, then ride a tricycle from Brgy. Liloan to Oslob proper.  The ride was smooth and fast and after 30 minutes we found ourselves in Liloan Port. I can’t help but notice the clear water despite that this area has been used 24/7 by large vessels carrying passengers from anywhere. Fare is just Php 45.00

 

  

We hired a tricycle to take us to the whale watching site. As we moved towards the area, my heart is filled with excitement, finally, I am ticking one item in my bucket list. The drivers took us to a private resort with Php 100.00/head entrance. What???? We tried to haggle and finally settled at Php 50.00. The good thing about beingi in a private resort is you will be prioritized. There’s one area that doesn’t have any entrance fee but you will be placed in the waiting list on your whale shark encounter.  After we settled our dues, we left our things inside the locker provided by the resort, yes, we put sunblocks to find out that it needs to be removed. (big sigh) The boatman guided us to the orientation area for the basic guidelines. The whalesharks have been Oslob’s main attraction that paved way for tourism to boost in this side of town.

 

30-MINUTES WHALE SHARK ENCOUNTER

After few minutes of waiting, we’re now ready to rock the boat to the whale shark sanctuary. Wohoo! A bit fearful since they are huge and any wrong move I will make might place myself in danger but I am very much excited to see these creatures up close.  The boat man started to paddle and the 30-minutes encounter started. I told my friends, we were only given very limited time so this should not be wasted. Alas! All of us started to take the splash as these gentle creatures swimming everywhere.  I have to be honest, I take all the courage I have before jumping in especially when I saw the whale sharks approaching.  When I finally plunge in the water, it felt like I am in a humongous aquarium. The water was crystal clear, the visibility wickedly great. And right in front, below, to the right and left, and finally, behind, are the world’s biggest fish. Four, five, six—it was useless to even count. And they didn’t look like they were going anywhere else.The area for whale shark watching was no more than 20 meters from the shore, a swimmable distance.Though whale sharks have a gentle nature, we still felt a rush of panic when one of them comes up from behind and swims to our direction.

 

It’s tiring to swim, so I keep on clinging to the side of the boat.  The fishermen continue feeding them  and their mouth look like vacuum cleaners just taking all that was feed to them.  They passed by our boat and we started screaming. During the orientation, they said we’re supposed to maintain 4 meters distance from the whale shark. However, they are really close and I even touch one of them with my foot. Slimy and hard, ewww… I couldn’t believe it.  It was crazy and thrilling and I was surprise to see myself laughing like a lunatic.  We were surrounded by whalesharks . I can’t keep the huge smile from my face especially when I tried to see the whale shark underwater again and again.  They were breathtakingly gigantic, it’s my first time to see such enormous marine life.

 

 

For those who are planning to go on whale watching in Oslob please make sure to come here early. Whale Watching is from 7AM – 1230NN only and preferably weekdays, it’s less crowded.

Items	Rate/Pax unless stated
Ferry Boat to Liloan	Php   45.00
Tricycle Fare to Oslob (RT)	Php 200.00 (4 pax)
Swimming with the Whale Shark	Php 500.00
Resort Entrance	Php  50.00
Camera Rental	Php 500.00 (entire group use – 8 pax)
Ferry Boat to Dumaguete	Php  37.00
Total Expense/Person	Php 757.00 /person

Short but one of the most thrilling underwater experience I’ve ever had.  Swimming with the whale shark was an experience of a life time; it’s a must try!

 

Technorati Tags: Swimming with the Whale Shark,Oslob