It has always been my dream to travel but my wallet says otherwise.

I live in a country with endless beach shorelines, waterfalls, trekking sites and amazing nightlife but I have a lot more things to spend my money with. In short, I am stuck in just earning to pay bills and get by. Adulting feels great at first, but it struck me - I'm not gonna be feeling this way forever because sooner or later I am going to be an adult. Maybe I'll start having kids and the dream that I had always have will never ever be realized.

It is one thing to have friends, but it is another to have ones who are impulsive as mine. Last December, when my barkadas (a Filipino word for gang) and I went home for the holidays, we talked about going abroad just to take selfies of world-famous tourist spots. We talked and planned and planned, but never did we think about having a tour of our own country until one of us shared her experience in Siquijor Island. We got so into it that we then shifted into planning a tour on the island. We started discussing about the budget, schedules and transportation. We even talked about the food we wanted to find there. I thought for a while how this was just another dream that was only to be dreamt of. Another plan waiting to be busted overtime.

Lo and behold, we actually went to Siquijor! AND IT WAS THE BEST IMPULSIVE DECISION WE EVER MADE!

Yes I have seen a lot of barkada trips around the country. They even uploaded the most awesome pictures ever. But those are ones only cool and rich people do.

THANK GOD FOR SIQUIJOR!

A Perfect tropical island to be disconnected from the world spending days with no sense of time. The Resorts are secluded. The beach has no crowd. It is clean and quiet. The waters are clear. And the people in Siquijor are the friendliest.

Upon arrival at the Siquijor port are white sand beaches and clear waters.

Transfer arrangement with your selected resort from the port to the resort is recommended.

But for the adventurous backpacker, there are multicabs and motorcycles which you can take to the resort of your choice. You won't spend more than US$1 for public transpo from pier to San Juan Beach - where most of the resorts are.

There are no taxis in Siquijor. Nor are there car rentals. An island tour is possible by arranging transportation with the resort you are staying. Or simply negotiate a rate with a local multicab driver. You get to see century old churches, local towns and beaches. Or you can do caving and hiking. Cambugahay Falls is a top destination for island tours.

There's really not much to do in Siquijor. Its an island designed to be really away from your life's routine and enjoy life by the beach - and without the crowd.

Upon arrival in Dumaguete

This is the boulevard of Dumaguete where the port is just on the other end. We arrived there early in the morning so we went for a short stroll first while waiting for our boat to the Island of Siquijor.

Dumaguete is a city on the mainland Negros. Riding a ferry from there to the island is the most efficient way to be there. There are a lot of ferries waiting in the port to transport tourist to the island. There was also an airport but we didn't take that option because we were going budget friendly.

A very beautiful site that greeted us early in the morning. We just passed by there so I really didn't know what it was. But I think that's a hotel.

A short stop in the Dumaguete Sign. ALmost every city and famous sites in the Philippines have these. :) I guess Philippines really is a social media country since we use these signs for selfies and groufies.

Another Beautiful site in the city. Im not sure whether this is their City Hall or it is the famous, Siliman University. I was really groggy that time from all the traveling and the early activities so I really didn't pay attention.

Nevertheless, this was still a sight to behold and it was really beautiful.

TO SIQUIJOR ISLAND WE GO!

So after a while in Dumaguete, we ate breakfast and toured near the port. We also waited inside the waiting area for a short while. At 7AM in the morning, we boarded the ferry to the island. We were so excited.

#selfie before the boat ride! click click click!

After docking, the first welcome post we saw was this. It was simple but it really felt great! WE'RE HEEERE!

#selfie after the boat ride. You can already see the white sand beaches behind that!

Now this is the proper greeting sign that officially welcomes us to the beautiful island of Siquijor! This is the welcoming sign that is located in front of the church

We were greeted by the church of St. Francis of Assisi upon arrival. Located at the capital town of Siquijor, it is one of the most visited century-old churches that can be found around the whole island.

The inside of the church is amazing. the architecture really reflects the Spanish influence that was left in the Island for over a century.

200-year old Balete tree

Supposedly enchanted old tree covered in hundreds of roots and vines. Under the tree is a natural free fish spa, which is probably more entertaining/interesting than the tree itself! There is now an old man there who collects P5 from each visitor.

Souvenirs!!!

Siquijor is famous for their love potions and superstitions. So vendors thought it wise to actually make a profit based on the rumors surrounding the island :) Wise!

AMAZING VIEW. these skies can never be seen in the city.

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This is the San Isidro Labrador Parish Church, commonly known as Lazi Church, is a Roman Catholic church in the municipality of Lazi, Siquijor, Philippines within the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Dumaguete. It became an independent parish in 1857 under the advocacy of Saint Isidore the Laborer

San Isidro Labrador Convent
Reputed to be the biggest and one of the oldest convents in the Philippines, the Spaniards started construction in 1887 and was completed in 1894. Declared as a historical landmark by the Philippine Historical Commission.

Cambugahay Falls (featuring the foreigner that jumped) is an impressive 3 tiered waterfalls just outside Lazi. Great for swimming & you can jump from one tier of the waterfall. There is also a rope swing.

GROUFIE!!!!

Salagdoong Beach

THIS IS THE HIGHLIGHT OF MY SIQUIJOR TRIP! the beach was really amazing and we had a chance to jump of a cliff which was my first! 6 kms northeast of Maria, this is one of the favourite spots of the locals and great for swimming. There are also water slides (closed as of February 2014) and places to dive into the sea (still open, a 7m & 10m jump).