Tumalog Waterfalls

Our next stop after our whale shark-watching activity was Tumalog Falls.  To get here, one has to ride a habal-habal (motorcycle), which are readily available as they are just parked right across the registration area for the whale shark-watching.  Cost is pegged at Php 120.00, two-way.  One habal-habal can accommodate a maximum of two persons.  

The falls is about ten to fifteen minutes from our accommodations and whale-shark watching area.  There's this signage to signify that one is already near it.  

We were dropped off at the entrance where we had to pay Php 20.00 per person.

And this is where the hard part begins.

According to my driver and our staff who hailed from Oslob, Tumalog Falls used to be inaccessible so the government carved a roadway out of the mountain.   The latter added that the road just got finished early this year.

Since it was a steep climb, it was very tiring but a view of the falls from where we were was what spurred me into going.

After about fifteen minutes of walking (trudging, more like), we finally reached the foot of the falls and my, was Tumalog Falls a breathtaking beauty!

It was by far the prettiest falls I've ever been to.

What made it prettiest is that the water is just so thin and shimmery it looked like showers of rain.

We were so lucky because when we arrived, there was only a couple present (One of the two caretakers said a group of rowdy Koreans just left.  Hurrah!)  so we had the place all to ourselves.

Here are more shots of this natural wonder.

I initially did not want to go on a dip but the shimmery waterfalls looked so inviting so I ended up swimming, enjoying the feel of the cold sheen of water.

I loved sitting on the nook and crannies of the rocky waterfalls' bottom while showering.   

I was also curious about the green thing-y so I came near it and discovered it was moss.

These bamboo grasses that provided the place with shade also caught my attention.

After swimming on its basin (the water's very cold, mind you!) for about thirty minutes, we decided to leave.  By then, another family had arrived and their kids and teens were a little noisy and playful for us to tolerate.

If you ever go to Oslob, I strongly recommend this place.  It is definitely worth the sweat and effort!

Lugnason Falls

Supposedly, we will checkout at the Danish Lagoon at 9:00 AM, leave our things at Coco Grove then go trekking at Mr. Bandilaan but it rained so we ended up checking out at 12:00 NN.

We then left our things at Coco Grove then once the weather permitted it, proceeded with our half-day tour.

We started with Lugnason Falls, which according to Noel was just recently discovered so it's not as popular as Cambugahay Falls.  Compared to Cambugay Falls though, the trek down Lugnason Falls was easier as we need not hurdle through 135 steps but just walk through rugged terrains though it could still be a challenge since the walkway was craggy.

The view of the falls though was enough to compensate for our efforts.

Lugnason Falls has two stairs.  The one above is the stairs on the front but this is mainly used for going back up as it's better to use the side stairs when going down as it's not as steep.  Below is a photo of the view from the side stairs.

Reaching the bottom of the view deck afforded me with these views.

According to Noel, the government has not yet developed this falls so when we were there, there was still no entrance fees.

Honestly, I found Lugnason Falls prettier than Cambugahay Falls as it has a higher drop.  The only downsides are the color if the water as it's brownish and the fact that here, one cannot go swimming as the basin is not accessible though Noel said over time, this water become clear and it might become swim-able once they have developed it.

I hope they don't overdevelop it though.

Cambugahay Falls

Cambugahay Falls could easily be Siquijor's most identifiable tourist spot as all their brochures and pamphlets feature this attraction.

As it is farther down the main road, one has to go down a flight of 135 stairs to reach it.  It was tiring but the view was definitely worth the trek.

Interestingly, Cambugahay Falls has three levels and this is the first one.  

After testing the waters and finding it cool but not too cold, I climbed up and found the second level.

The topmost portion is the third level and this for me is the perfect spot to bathe in and go swimming as it's secluded compared to the first and second levels.  The drop of the falls though is not as high as in the other levels. 

While here, this Tarzan of a child was the center of everyone's attention.

First, he would get this vine using a stick, which hang on he falls' first level.  

He would then do some stunts...

...before splashing down the cool waters.

Other visitors actually followed his example and it looked so much fun.  I just couldn't try it myself as I don't know how to swim and so I was afraid I'd drown once I hit the water. 

We spent almost an hour here and when it was time to climb back up the 135 stairs, I had to stop each time I conquered 10 steps as it was so tiring.  Everywhere I look, guests were panting and a couple even doused themselves with water as the stifling heat and the grueling walk could be such a challenge.

"This is killing me," a woman who seemed to be in her forties remarked and I could only sympathize with her as I felt the same way.

I couldn't help but cheer when we were finally back up the main road.  I felt so tired and thirsty I bought a can of coke at Php35.00 to refresh me.

Sipping on it, I took a photo of this signage.