Timubo Cave

Timubo Cave: Exploring the Unknown

Timubo Cave, Camotes Island, Cebu
Travel Date: April 13, 2019

Timubon Cave

Clear cold bluish water is what you'll expect when you visit Timubo Cave. It is around 30 km ride from the Consuelo Port of Camotes Island. At high tide, expect depth of 6ft, and 5ft during low tide. From the cave entrance, you are to climb down for less than 50 steps to reach the cave pool. The water temperature is not too cold, just enough to feel relaxed on this trip. The cave is well lit and locals are available and accomodating to take you and your group a photo.

Timubon Cave

Timubon Cave

The best way to get there is through motorbike rental. Hotels like, Mangudlong Beach Resort, offers arrangement for this service. The cost is 300 for a day excluding the gasoline.

Timubon Cave

Take around 15 kilometer ride from the Consuelo Port until you reach Barangay Campo. On your right side, you'll see a signage directing you to turn left. Take the left turn and drive for another 15 kilometers until you reach Barangay Esperanza. You know that you have reached Esperanza if you are seeing the beach on your left. Take a right turn on a steep hill and drive straight. On the end is  where Timubo cave is. Local folks on the way are very accommodating on directions. Just tell them you are heading to Timubo cave.

Entrance to the cave costs 50.00 pesos/person while an additional 5.00 pesos/person is paid for an environmental fee.

Entrance to Timubo Cave

Outside the cave, tiny stores are available offering local delicacies. Try their Salvaro. It is a cassava cracker sprinkled with sweet brown syrup. You'll have fun with this. I tell you, I bought two.

The must-try local delicacy: Salvaro

Just a tip for this cave trip. Expect less air inside the cave. The cave is slippery. People who has hypertension is advised to have caution descending the cave. Cellular signal is poor in the island thus your inate cartographic skill is to be unleashed. Nonetheless, this trip is safe and exciting. Like what I said, the locals are very accomodating.

How to get to Camotes Island:

Take a ferry via Jomalia Shipping in Mactan. The port is near Island Central Mall, beside Cebu Yacht Club. Travel time takes 1hr and 30minutes and costs 500 pesos. Ferry schedules are as follow:

                         Mactan - Consuelo

                         8:00 / 12:00


                        Consuelo - Mactan

                        10:00 / 16:00

*************

Follow in IG:


@kiko_manila

Timubon Cave

The Kiko Squad

Tawi Tawi

TAWI-TAWI: Southern Paradise

Click for Itinerary: Tawi-Tawi

On my next trip, Tawi-Tawi was the destination. Amidst the terrifying news, I almost cancel the trip in fear of going to the southernmost part of the Philippines. However, due to curiousity about Tawi-Tawi, the team decided to continue the trip with a day itinerary. 

Taking an early morning flight from Zamboanga, a 45-minute ride will bring you to Tawi-Tawi. The negative thoughts instilled to me from news were still there the moment I stepped out of the plane. High visibility of soldiers was observed. But as a traveller, I knew there was something good I need to discover about this place.

The life was simple and normal. I was very observant on every people's moves outside the airport. Our team quickly called our tour coordinator for assistance. Wearing a red helmet and a white shirt, Raja approached us. With a smile, he warmly shook our hands, did some introductions and in a few minutes, we were already riding his habal-habal for our tour.

* habal-habal, or a motorcycle bike, is the common transportation used in Tawi-Tawi. 

Raja is one of the three accredited tour coordinators in Tawi-Tawi and is part of the Layag Tawi-Tawi Tour Services, which our team found in Facebook. He was conversant in tour industry, as how he dealt with us during our stay was warm. Surprisingly, our team was actually the 4th visitor for the island this 2019.

Layag Tawi-Tawi Tour Services 
Contact No.: +63-995-820-4682. 
Look for Raja or Wads.
Layag Tawi-Tawi Tour Services Link

After leaving our things on the modest hostel, which the tour services arranged, we were off to our first destination, Luuk Banca (Badjao Village). In earlier times, Badjao people in boats have settled in the area, thus the place derived its name. Today, the place have already been constructed with stilt houses. It was a busy day for the Badjaos. There were lots of kids on concrete bridge playing cara y cruz while some ladies were selling local food on corners. There were mothers carrying their babies while having a morning conversation.

The houses were built on wood. Peeping through the door, Badjao house doesn't have room dividers. The sleeping area, dining and kitchen were all together. There were no fancy things inside too.

Raja led us to one of the houses and introduced us to a Badjao well-known weaver of mats. With different colors of pandan threads in her hand, she free-handedly weaved it to come up with a mat on very intricate design. She will then sell it to market for 500 to 800 pesos depending on the size. Depending on the difficulty and size, the weaving may take months to finish.

The next tour destination is the capitol site. Inspired by Taj Mahal, the capitol building, painted in white and decorated with golden dome, sits on top of the hill overlooking the whole Tawi-Tawi. On a normal day, this building is busy with the different needs of its people. However, for  this day it was laidback that only goats were present on its building entrance.

Before the morning ends, our team went to the next itinerary, trekking at the Bud Bongao (Bongao Peak). Standing 342 above sea level, Bud Bungao is the highest elevation in Tawi-Tawi. Believed to be sacred, the peak welcomes pilgrimages of Muslims to give respect and to pray for wishes. Prior the trek, all visitors are asked to register and to pay environmental fees at the tourism facility located on the foot of the peak. Proper disposal of garbages are highly enforced on this conservation, thus all plastics and bottles of the tourists are monitored by the tourism authority. 


Click for Itinerary: Tawi-Tawi

A roughly 45-minute trek on its newly built paths is to be expected. Along its path, wild monkeys expecting for bananas keep the trekkers entertained. Throw them some bananas and get amused and relieved from the series of assaults to the peak.

The exhaustion from trek was changed to delightfulness after reaching the top. The beauty of Tawi-Tawi was impecable with its white beaches perfectly matching the blue skies. Celebes sea engulfing the Tawi-Tawi island complemented the calmness of the moment.

The view made a peace in my heart. From there, I felt tranquility. I felt that the news about how chaotic Tawi-Tawi were all selective. At real, it was different, very different.

After the trek, Raja brought us to a local restaurant and introduced us to our next tour coordinator, Wads. The food was simply served. No posh garnishes or table settings, but the taste was indeed remarkable, a southern asian-ish blended with a Filipino flavour. Our team was served with sorts of seafood, from curried manta ray to fish cevishe.

After lunch, Wads brought us to our next itinerary. Like Raja, Wads is also interesting and knowledgeable about his job. After preparation, our team boarded a small boat to Simunul island and went on a 45-minute journey.

Simunul island played an important role in the history of the Philippines. From this island, Islam faith was propagated in the country through Sheik Karimul Makdum on 1380. It was also through the Sheik that the first mosque in the Philippines was conceived in the island. The original mosque lasted for 500 years. The original pillars, which are made of ipil, are still preserved inside.

Other attractions in the Simunul trip included the visit to Papa Bulls Park. The park houses a seawater crocodile spanning an eighteen feet. It was brought to captivity on 2017. Bohe Sallang Natural Pool is also found in this island. The pool became a famous attraction because of its unknown depth.

After the Simunul Island, the team embarked on a 20-minute ride to Sangay Siyapuh Island. From a distance the Bud Bongao created a silhoutte trademarking Tawi-Tawi.

Click for Itinerary: Tawi-Tawi

Before the night arrived, the team prepared to return to Bongao Island. On the way back, I realized how rich Tawi-Tawi is with its culture, people and place. The culture, through time, had mixed from South Asia, Arab, Chinese, Indian and the Philippines, and blended it into a unique element. The people had been noticeably warm. The dialect may be different, but one could feel the respect given to each other, whether of different religious beliefs. Everybody was at peace and there were no signs of violence.

Generally, Tawi-Tawi is safe and it will remain safe as long as everybody will keep it that way. For the future travellers of Tawi-Tawi, proper communication to the accredited tourist coordinators is the key. Before visiting, ensure that it was well-planned and well-coordinated like our team did. 

Tawi-Tawi is again another road less travelled and surprises are just around the corner.

Magsukur Tawi-Tawi. Thank you Tawi-Tawi. 

*************

Post Memo: 
Like other places in the world, Tawi-Tawi also faces problems on waste disposal. Plastics and garbages may be found on beaches and under stilt houses. The belief that the vast sea can accomodate the peoples' trash is still existing.Culture and peoples' attitude were seen as main factors for this problem and education is a key player to combat this problem. It is a big challenge for the local government of Tawi-Tawi, but through initiatives and efforts of everybody, this may be resolved.

Follow in IG:
@kiko_manila

Itinerary: Tawi Tawi

Siargao, Philippines

SIARGAO: Sizzle in Coconut Paradise

Things to do in Siargao

From food, surf sites, tourist spots and adrenaline-pumping parties til the break of dawn, Siargao has a lot to offer. This island indeed gave that Asian feels being surrounded by vast coconut trees plantations strectching up to the white sand beaches and blue waters. Just perfect for your IGs.

Aside from the main-stream surfing, what can you do to Siargao? Let time take control, and relax on how blessed you are to experience Siargao.

1. Cliff Jumping in Magpungko Rock Pools

Get you feet wet and soak it in the famous Magpungko Rock Pools. You can dip in, your choice or try to jump from tall rocks. There are coves and cliffs perfect for jumping shots. The path is rugged though, and bringing a good pair of slippers is the best weapon. Just make sure you go there as early as 7 in the morning or earlier to catch up the low tide. if you'll be coming from the town proper (General Luna), the ride will be around 1 hour.

2. Top shot of coconut trees plantation

On your way to Magpungko Rock Pools (30-minute ride from General Luna), stop and take snaps of the thousand-acres coconut trees plantation. On your way, pull-over at the elevated road to get the perfect bird's eye view of the coconut trees below. Perfect lighting is on early morning or sunset. 

3. Spelunking in Tayangban Cave Pools

This has been an unexpected itinerary, the moment we entered the cave, the cold water made a thrilling sensation. Crossing the cave in darkness was even surprising. We had a single flashlight for a group of 7 people. Don't fret, the cave is safe with a tourist guide with us. You'll have to reach out from one bamboo pole to another while floating in the cold water. Look up and you'll see lots of bats taking a day's rest. Try not to create sounds to avoid disturbing it. This was one of the highlights of the trip and very recommendable.

4. Sunset and surfer watching from Cloud 9 Pier

A time-stopper, this place is one of the places you'll get to view the slow setting of the sun. Silhouttes of surfers and jagged rocks make it more dramatic. Time lapsing from this view is also recommended. 

5. Island hopping on Guyam, Daku and Naked Islands

A short trip from General Luna, island hopping in these islands can be made. Guyam is the nearest island from General Luna. The island, teardrop in shape, has a small stretch of powdery-white sand and dotted with coconut palms. The island is so small that one can cross from edge to edge for 50 steps. 

Daku Island, as the local term for "large", is the biggest island among the three. Having the turquoise waters, lush coconut trees and cream white sand, each visitor is enticed to swim in the waters or get lazied on the shore. Snorkeling and kayaking are also available. The good part is eating seafood on the shore. Ask for grilled fish or squid offered at an affordable price.

Naked Islad is a sand bar facing the Pacific. The term got it from having bare features with a small number of grasses on the island. You can enjoy swimming and snorkelling on this island.

6. Close encounter with jelly fish in Sohoton Cove, cliff jumping and spelunking

A dedicated one-day itinerary is alloted for this stunning trip. It was a long trip, with huge waves along the way, but with a filled heart at the end of the day. Lunch is usually bought by the visitors and is requested to be prepared at site. Upon arrival, visitors are to pay for the registration fees. The visitors will then be transferred to smaller boats to explore around the cove. Another boat is dedicated for getting to the jelly fish sanctuary.

Located in Bucas Grande Island, Sohoton cove is a large interconnected waterways. At low tide, accessibility to the cove is at ease. For not to get lost, tourist guides makes us of the famous horshoe as a marker.

The cove is also a sanctuary of hundreds of fruits bats taking a rest for a day. You can see them, in large numbers, hanging from trees covered with their wings.

One of the things to explore in the cove is the Hagukan Underwater Cave. This became famous for the greenish glow it projects inside the dark cave. The cave got its name from the local word "Haguk" means snore. This is the sound created inside the cave as the tide recedes from the roof.

A thrilling experience is then offered by Magkukuob Cave. The experience starts with spelungking inside the cave and ends with a heart-stopping cliff jump, which is around 25ft. the cave is adorned by the crystal reflections coming from the stalactites and stalagmites. 

The next boat trip would bring you to the jellyfish sanctuary. In here, 20-minutes is provided for each visitor to swim with the jellyfish. Swimming with the jelly fish creates a magical feeling underwater.

7. Drink fruit shake near Patrick's

I have to insert this in because this is really special. A real fruitshake, at a very cheap price. The serving is rich, the taste is real while your pocket is smiling. Get it at only 50pesos ($1.00).

***************************

Travel date was on August 18 - 22, 2018
This article is brought to you by this crew for kikoplusmanila.blogspot.com.

Follow us on IG:

kiko_manila
kim_machine
emmanmartinez
mrkjsnhrrr
itsbisente_
naasonvelasco
penguintheexplorer