Hello again Oslob

At last we arrived in the town of Oslob, Cebu after driving about 2 hours .  Google map suggested that the drive is less than an hour but we practically moved like a snail so we can enjoy the view, but we ensured we get to Oslob before sunset.

This is the town famous for the whalesharks sightings in the Southern Cebu.  It made headlines a couple of years ago when this sleepy town were flocked with tourists to see the whalesharks in Barangay Tanawan, Oslob.

Oslob used to be a fishing village, the town is abundant of small sardine fishes during a particular season each year however, whale sharks would take a portion of it and leave the fishermen with less catch.  So the fishermen started to assign a couple of them to feed the whalesharks with krill while the rest would catch some sardines and they would divide their catch at the end of the day.  This tactic had been effective for them until one day a juvenile whale shark had followed one of the fisherman wooden boat to shore, probably thinking that the boat was the source of food.

The residents saw this gigantic fish on shallow water, it became a sensation, the media came and so as the tourist.  From then the locals in the town begun feeding the creatures with krill and the whale sharks have been in the area every morning to feast on the easy food. Sometimes as many as 20 can be seen in the area in a day and everyday there is always a sighting of this gigantic fish. 

Although it is against our principle to feed the whale sharks since we believe that they should be left on their own to hunt for their food in their natural habitat but it is always amazing to see these giants and even more amazing swimming with them. So even if we been here before, it never grows old. 

Overnight at Kawasan Waterfalls

We climb up to the waterfalls early morning.  From the resort where we stayed overnight, it was just around 15 minutes walk and we got to the first level of the waterfalls. The water was really cold it was almost impossible to swim when we got there, and there was hardly anyone around so we figured it was really early for us to be there.  The good thing was everything looked really fresh and indeed smelled fresh.  The walk wasn’t tiring at all it was refreshing.

First level waterfalls

There is a restaurant at the first level of the waterfalls, so we decided to have breakfast.  The menu was for lunch but then they can do whatever you request as long as the ingredients are available.  We are not picky eaters so fried rice, eggs, hotdogs and noodles were fine for us.  We enjoyed the early morning scenery at the falls, it was so peaceful, perhaps the most peaceful breakfast we’ve ever had in years.

We chatted with the owner of the place who invited us to stay overnight for a reasonable price, but we couldn’t decide at that time so we just told them we will let them know later in the day.  After breakfast we decided to climb up further, it was mostly climb, some were steep and some were just going up on a footpath.  We thought that if it rains it would be difficult to climb up coz it will be really steep. The second level waterfalls was shorter but it looked safer to swim, but the water is still very cold. Like the first level there are small shops and some cottages for rent at a minimal price and there are also rooms for rent overnight.  By the time we decided to go up to the third level waterfalls we were half way deciding to stay overnight. We were thinking mostly of an evening swim. Although the water was freezing cold but we are excited how it would be like at night.  It would definitely feed my adventurous side that I’d probably mellow for a couple of days. 

Second level waterfalls

The climb to the third level was even steeper than the second but when we got to the source it was amazing.  It was also noon time when we got there that the only thing you can think about was to plunge into the cold water. Although I must say that despite the hot weather, the water was still so very cold that we have to keep swimming so we don’t feel cold.  The third level didn’t have small shops or a place to stay overnight but there were wooden huts one can rent to sit or leave things while swimming. I would have loved to stay there overnight.

rooms we stayed overnight

We swam a bit and then we decided that we should stay overnight but first we have to go back to the resort before sunset so we could get some stuff and inform the hotel our plans. We climb back to the waterfalls and I had to say goodbye to my online activities for a day.  We got back to the second level waterfalls, there are rooms for rent overnight for just P3000 (66USD), so we took two rooms. The people are really nice and friendly, they cooked for our dinner, we had pancit (stir fried noodles) and fried chicken, the whole meal was cheap.

third level waterfalls

Around 8pm, we decided to have a quick swim at the waterfalls, the people that work at the house where we rented were so nice they were standing at the edge with a torch just to ensure we are safely swimming.  We had to get out of water quickly, we didn’t want them to stay there for long.  It was really very thoughtful of them.  We sat on one of the cottages drinking until very late, it was a bit chilly but very peaceful.  The sound of the water was therapeutic that we felt our stress went away.  The only thing was that there were a lot of mosquitos even if you already put on repellant.

I woke up so refreshed that I didn’t want to leave but we had to continue with our road trip, we really enjoyed staying at the waterfalls, I wish we had more days.

La Playa Resort, Badian Cebu

We drove another 15 to 20 minutes and we arrived in Matutinao, Badian.  Initially we planned to go to the waterfalls and stay there overnight but we realized we will not have a phone signal or internet if we stay there overnight.  Life nowadays - internet is very important so, it was no brainer we had to find a place to stay where we can have internet signal and near the matutinao church where the walk to the waterfalls starts.

We found a small resort called La Playa just a few meters away from the church, luckily it is a week day and the place is empty.  They have just around 10-12 rooms and we are lucky that most of it is available. So we took the option of having a bungalow with two floors, 2 bedrooms, bathroom and it is also air conditioned, plus it is a beach front and only for P4000(89 USD) per night.  Considering we are 5 people, this is very cheap and is just walking distance from the waterfalls, so we could just leave the car at the resort, while we are at the waterfalls.

They also have a small store that you can buy snacks or even order food from their simple menu and prices are cheap.  Or you can also opt to cook your own food, either you do it in their kitchen or they can lend you a grill so you can do it just on the beach outside your villa. But like most resort in the area this one is really simple, just rooms and the beach, but it is everything you need.

Check it out if you ever visit the kawasan waterfalls in badian.

Lambug Beach, Badian Cebu

The next on the list from the ‘trisikad drivers” recommendation was Lambug Beach.

image is mine

From Badian town market, we drove about 10 mins.  At first we missed out the turn so we had to go back and look for the turn, there was no indication on the road which way to go.  We were only told to take the turn towards the Golf Hotel.  So we had to drive slow to search for the sign of Golf Hotel. 

When we found the sign we were also confused as there were no arrows that indicates where to turn so we just had to cross our fingers and decide which way to take, same as when we reached a forked road, we just have to make a choice, unfortunately we took some wrong ones and we had to back track again.  I guess this is part of the adventure, its continuously discovering places as we go along, whether we are lost or on the right track.

After a few wrong choices we found Lambug Beach.  There were no hotels or accommodations on the beach area, just some wooden huts that can be rented for a day, more like a shed than a room.  There are also no shops to buy food or snacks or even drinks in the area, so this trip has to be planned ahead.

It looks like heaven – isolated white beach! Not a single person was on the beach apart from us. We thought it would be good to have a tent and sleep over night, but we were not equipped for such an adventure.  So, we just stayed there for an hour and left.

We thought we would come back here another time and just sleep under the stars.   

Searching for the Sunfish in Bali Indonesia

the photo is not very clear taken at 47 meters underwater

A very good friend of mine went in Bali, Indonesia and told me that they saw a sunfish.  That summer I was not able to go with them due to some work commitments but I told myself that I will go look for it myself.  So, when I was able to clear my schedules I convinced my travel partner, to go with me to Bali Indonesia to search for the sunfish.

He thought it was ridiculous but he gave in anyway.  We went to Nusa Lembongan it is an island about 30 minutes away from mainland Bali.  The timing was off season, the dive masters we talked to about it told us that it will be luck to see a sunfish in that time of year.  Normally they see it between August and October, but we went in November.  So, everyday for the last 3 days we been diving I kept asking the dive master where have the sunfish hide and they just tell me it’s in the camera. And we just laugh about it, but I was really hopeful.

After the 4^th day, there was no sunfish at all, we decided to make arrangements to leave and come back another time during season in the future, whenever that is.  So, we settled out bill with the resort but we couldn’t get a ticket for the speedboat to go back to the mainland since we decided a bit late.  We got stuck on the island so we decided to go diving for the last time.

Guess what? We saw a sunfish!!! I almost run out of air underwater coz I refused to surface. Hahaha, it isn't a joke and I don't encourage anyone do what I did.  It was very deep over 40 meters deep.  PADI (scuba association) allows recreational diving for advance divers at only 40 meters and I went down 47 meters (this is what’s registered in my dive computer).  So, I broke a rule just to take a better look at a sunfish.  I didn’t regret it, but the only problem I had was my underwater camera casing broke.  It was only good for 40 meters pressure underwater.  Anyway, it doesn’t matter since I got what I came there for.  Life is great! And I don’t like people telling me I can’t do things, if we don’t stretch ourselves we will never be able to know what we are capable of doing.

Ocean Safari Dive Center Moalboal Cebu

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A friend of mine who has been scuba diving in Moalboal recommended we pay a visit to this dive center if we are planning to dive in pescador island and around Moalboal, Cebu.  So on our first day at Moalboal, we actually went straight there.  Our timing was good since they have daily dive schedule and they were just preparing for a dive.  Most of the dive excursions in Moalboal are boat dives, this means that you will have to take a motorized wooden boat or a speed boat to the dive site and jump from the boat.  One of the famous dive site in Moalboal is pescador island.

Since we are not just dive enthusiasts, we are also very excited to visit pescador island, going to this dive center is a happy event. The dive center is easy to find, apparently it is owned by the Vice mayor of the town named Nelson so this dive center is also known as Nelsons Dive Center.  And not only that it is also the cheapest among the dive centers in the area.  If you dive without gear and you need to rent full equipment it will cost you P1200 (26USD) per dive per person.  If you have your own gear they only charge P900 (20 USD).  This is cheap considering that you get on a boat and you have a dive master or instructor with you.

Their staff is not just professional but also fun, they sing and laugh out loud, never boring, very helpful and accommodating.  We really had fun with them. I would recommend them to friends and other divers. They are located in Panagsama, Moalboal.