Cambugahay Falls

Day two of our Siquijor adventure was our 25th wedding anniversary. I had struggled to plan something special for the day from afar, but it was proving to be too difficult. I had tentatively reserved a private boat, but it quickly became clear that the considerable extra cost wouldn’t get us much value over taking the tour with everyone else. Some times you wish you had made a plan, other times an ad hoc approach is best.

It quickly became clear today was an ad hoc kinda day. Robert took the impulsive decision to rent a tricycle. Nikki and I immediately couldn’t see how the five of us could crowd on to the tiny bike. But we were wrong.  On we all crammed.  Destination was Cambugahay waterfalls, but just like life, I found the journey to be the interesting part.

Yep. You can get five on a tricycle. Easy peasy!

Watching the world fall behind us from a tricylce

The Falls were a fair drive away, about an hour I think. But the driver and the road surface were good, and it was reasonably comfortable. (At least for me.) Locals watched and waved, chickens crossed the street, other vehicles overtook our overloaded bik and we passed a few interesting spots to stop on the way back.

Lazi was an interesting town, and we stopped at the wonderful St Isidore Labradore church. It was huge and surrounded by ancient acacia trees.  We snuck inside and took a look inside. It was cavernous and seemed way too big to me for the location. It was build in the 1850’s and parts of it looked at least 150 years old, but other parts like the roof, altar and floor were well cared for. Other parts were crumbling. I loved the mix of old and new, it gave it a special kind of feeling. Like we were discovering something old and abandoned but secretly cared for.

Inside the Church. Beautiful wide wood floors, brand new pews and a well cared for altar. Huge!..

Convent next to St. Isidore Labradore

Outside of St Isidore Labradore church

Less fixed up in here…which looks like the font room

Looking out through the old windows

After that energizing side trip, we traveled a little further along and finally made it to our Cambugahay Falls destination. Upon arrival, it was clear we were in a tourist location because the vendors descended. Paul and Nikki got their first taste of vendor chaos as several vendors approached at the same time, all selling the same drinks. We ended up in total confusion with multiple drinks purchased for the same person. It took 10 minutes to break away from them and start the descent down the stone steps to the falls.

It was midday and we were not alone.  There were some tourists from our resort and local kids  playing on the vines, diving into the water.  Not swamped with people, but a bit crowded for my liking.  Early morning would have been the best time to come.  Paul, Nikki and Latham followed our taxi driver to a spot higher up where no one else ventured and they had a waterfalls pool to swim in alone.  Much nicer!

Swimming in one of the lagoons

Caught mid swing!