8th Day Osaka

 The last day in Japan. Today is a chill day just going to the nearby places in Osaka before we fly home.

We already checked out from our AirBNB and left our luggages at the Shin Osaka Station. 

1st Stop : 

Breakfast 8:30 AM Tully's Coffee - after exiting Osakajoen Station, we were greeted by this Coffee Shop

saw these statues just near the coffee station

• Osaka Castle

The walk to the Castle takes about 20mins , don't worry though it's a pleasant walk especially during autumn. You get to see a lot of colorful trees along the way.

Gokurakubashi Bridge

Had a lot of pictures taken here as this was where the yellow trees  where

                           Then I read a special marker there. Hope I did not offend the spirits.

Tip, it's always nice to take a snap at the back where there are no tourists!

Best photospot in Osaka Castle.

Here's the view from up here:

Another Photospot! This is the base of the Castle

Here's the photo from the Front of the castle

see, the view is better at the back

Just walk a little away from the Front and get to this part, another Photospot!

There was a prenup photoshoot when we arrived at this spot, so while waiting for us to get our time, I took a picture of the cute couple.

Had my son took a photo of me here but it was all a disaster, luckily a couple approached us and requested to have their picture taken. After taking their picture, they asked if we want one! This is the attitude we want, tourists supporting other tourists. The funny thing though is the boyfriend keeps directing the girlfriend to replicate the photo I had of them.

While looking for a comfort room, we found another great spot for Osaka Castle just across the Japanese Garden.

Osaka Castle Honjin, you can also have your eki stamp here, just go inside the building

oha sino ka jan? Europe feels

We did not get inside the Osaka Castle as we already did way back 2017. We just spent scouting for spots around the Castle. I had to bribe my son to drinks or ice cream though to avoid him getting irritated.

view from Nishinomaru Garden

Here's the map of Osaka Castle grounds from Google Maps, I encircled the part where the photos are taken:

Left Osaka Castle at 11:44 PM and arrived at Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park at exactly 12:44 PM

Orange gaming at Tsurumi Ryukuchi Park

the famous windmill has no flowers yet, how unlucky

walking back to the train station

The park is so large and we only have 30mins to spend here as we need to get back to Shin Osaka 2pm.

at 3:22 PM, we are already at the Shin Osaka Station waiting for our train to KIX Aiport.

 

5Days-4Nights Siquijor-Dumaguete Trip

St. Francis Of Assisi Church

Mystical Island

Siquijor, the 3rd smallest province in the Philippines, is located in the Central Visayas Region. Siquijor is the best jump-off point if you want to roam from Island to Island due to its proximity to other provinces. To the north of Siquijor is Cebu, to the west is Negros, northeast is Bohol, and to the south, across the Bohol Sea, is Mindanao.

Siquijor has long known to be a province of magic potions (gayuma), shamans , witches (aswang), sorcerers (mambabarang), hence the tagged name Mystical Island. This belief of the province probably led to the preservation of its nature. Now in modern times, locals claim there are still some who practice this kind of stuff and jokingly adds acceptance of digital payment (lol)

HOW TO GET THERE :

There is no direct flight to Siquijor, so your nearest airport would be in Dumaguete. You can choose to fly with Philippine Airlines , CebuPacific or AirAsia.

Upon arriving at Sibulan Airport Dumaguete, you will ride a tricycle to drop you off at the Dumaguete port near Siliman University. There are tricycles inside the airport which charged more than the ones in the highway. If you are not in a hurry, you can walk your way out of the airport and then from there hail a tricycle that takes you to the same port but cheaper. We had luggages so we contacted our guide to have a trike pick us up for 400 pesos for 4 persons. I was told this is way too high but then I'm paying convenience besides we were in a bit of a hurry to catch the 10AM ferry for Siquijor,

Here are the  ferry schedules: 

For up to date schedule, please refer to:

https://dumaguete.com/dumaguete-ferry-schedules-offices/

Ferry ride takes about almost 2 hours if you ride the Montenegro lines, fast boat Atlantis and Ocean jet can take about 1 hr. Your choice of ferry would really depend on your budget and time, but most likely it will depend on what's available at the port.

We have not taken our breakfast yet just to catch the 10AM schedule. We bought some cup noodles in the ferry for 50 pesos each and entertained ourselves in taking pictures. If you have motion sickness, I suggest you just sit, and do nothing but pass time.

I contacted Kuya Jun Mark to pick us from Siquijor port to Coco Grove Beach Resort, our accomodation in San Juan, But since we were really hungry and could not wait, we asked our guide to take us the nearest resto. We ended up eating at Monkey Business. Food was so-so and not worth the price. I think Thai pork belly and Pad thai (forgot to pic) were the ones that stood out from the ones we ordered.

                      

COCO GROVE BEACH RESORT

Our rooms are not yet ready so we wandered to the resort first and familiarize ourselves with the beach area, restaurant area, and pool. The resort is huge, I did not expect so.

our not so refreshing welcome drink

1st pool at the entrance

where to?

beach area and resto at the right

 

2nd pool by the beach area

cabanas everywhere

Finally, our villa is ready!

                                        

First order of Business, Chill by the beach. We were just too tired to have a tour for our first day.

Expenses in Pesos: 

Trike from Airport to Dumaguete Port : 400 (100 each)

Ferry Fare : 936 (234 each)

Terminal Fee : 60 ( 15 each)

Trike from Siquijor Port to Resort : 300 (75 each)

Lunch at Monkey Business : 2500 ( 5 persons including the tourguide)

1st TOUR DAY

The usual tours in Siquijor combines the spots that are near to each other and would have you change clothes. I specifically requested our guide to separate the water activities so we can have our "Awra" moments. It's just hard to pose for pictures in some spots when your hair is messy.

Tour starts at 8:30 AM

BALETE TREE WITH FISH SPA

                      

The 400-ish year old Balete tree. Here you can have your Fish Spa where you let the little fishes nibble your dead skin cells. If you're ticklish like me, you won't last a minute as you will keep off the water. I even found myself laughing out loud.. Oops. don't forget to say Tabi, Tabi po.

Souvenirs and Potions 

                 Voodoo Doll for 160 Pesos                               Haplas" for Love and Luck 200 pesos

HAPITANAN BROOMSTICK

SAN ISIDRO LABRADOR PARISH CHURCH AND CONVENT

I initially scrapped this spot from the itinerary but saw posts in a travel page how lovely the place is. It did not disappoint me, Its ancient architecture complemented well in its surroundings. The big trees in its facade added a natural flair and divided it to the world outside. The creaking of the floors gives you a trip down the memory lane. I just avoided the displays in the 2nd floor, it gives me a different feeling though I did enjoy looking at the windows, and mesmerizing at the beauty of the structure.

View of the Church from the Convent

Convent framed by the Tree's Crown Shyness (front view)

Convent framed by the Tree's Crown Shyness (side view)

stare and stairs

light and shadows

lovely courtyard at the back

SALAGDOONG BEACH

 

The guide failed to mention to us why swimming and diving is prohibited but just read somewhere in the net that the place is being rehabilitated. The restaurants were demolished and pushed back from the shore. I like the new look though. no obstruction of the view, just the shore, the beach and the horizon. I love the varying colors of the water here.

                                    

 

LUNCH AT HARBOUR LIGHTS

MANGROVES

WELCOME TO SIQUIJOR SIGN (St. Francis of Assisi Church)

This spot right here is what you will see coming out of the port. We did not stop by when we arrived as it was scorching hot and we were too hungry to be in a mood for a picture.

SEASHELL MUSEUM

This is a personal collection only of the owner of this place. Shells collected all over the Philippines. They sell some merchandise too, purses from small clams, necklaces and other accessories. This is the most expensive entrance fee in all tourist spots. It's not for everyone's liking but we did enjoy looking at the colorful and interesting displays.

End of Tour, Back to Base...

Dinner at Baha Bar, San Juan

it's important to note that the Baha bar structure is inspired by Cang-Isok's house. Cang Isok's house is also a tourist spot, it's the oldest known surviving house in Siquijor. Our guide did not stop in Cang Isok's house,  though I did recognize it when we passed by.

What to note when dining at the 2nd floor, is you need to leave your footwear at the stairs. We ordered Pad thai, mango Margarita, Sisig, Siquijor Fried Rice, There's a live Band on Saturdays and Sundays. I was moved to tears when the reggae band played Mutya ka Baleleng, my father's favorite song.

Total Expenses in Pesos:

Trike Tour : 1500  + TIP

Balete : 80 (20 each)

Hapitanan : 80 (20 each)

Lazi Convent : 80 (20 each)

Salagdoong Beach : Donation

Lunch at Harbour Lights (1400)

Shell Museum : 400 (100 each)

Dinner : 2615