📸 — Siquijor Island & Apo Island, Philippines

We decided to take a break out from scuba diving for a few days and try a scooter trip around the island of Siquijor. The day was hot and muggy, so the wind blowing in your face was actually the best solution.

We chased some waterfalls, stopped by some local hot spots and ended up at their most famous beach for a swim.

The next day we booked a snorkel trip to Apo Island to see some turtles.. and they were GIANT. The size of a dining table. Initially, we didn’t think it was worth scuba diving… but after the day there it was clear that we were wrong. The water everywhere has been so clear, and filled with life — Apo was no exception and a bit more tucked away that some of the other islands. However, day-trippers are everywhere, and some of them show a clear lack of empathy for nature… we saw some people grab the turtles by their arms and legs, or stand on top of the most healthy looking coral and jump on it because the water was shallow enough… heartbreaking stuff… we went over and told the people to stop as well as the local guides did as well, but we feel bad for supporting an activity like that; a sanctuary is supposed to protect the animals, not turn them into a theme park.

Anyway — our last few days in Siquijor were a lot of fun. Our plan was to stay three days and we ended up extending it to ten!

Here are some of the things we’ve learned during our time here.

Ordering food takes time: At most restaurants, you sit down and try to make eye contact with the servers for a menu.. you may get it 30 mins later. You then play the same game when you are trying to order food.. this has been at most restaurants but of course, there is always exceptions.

90s music is life: We’re not sure if there is just a preference for older music, or if they don’t update their MP3s… but if you listen to 90s and 00s music, every day and every place has your jam. The most popular song that plays all the time everywhere is “Wonderful Tonight” by Eric Clapton. We have no idea why.

Karaoke in your free time: Every person seems to have a karaoke machine in their house… and they sing all the time here. Whenever there is music… multiple people around you will be singing.. whether it is good or bad. And of course, the volume is turned all the way up, to make sure the entire neighbourhood knows how well they sing.

Siquijor is has witch doctors: and they live up in the mountains. Most filipinos will never set foot on this island, afraid of what black magic might reside there.

Justin Trudeau is a big deal here: He came to the Philippines in his first year as prime minister and went Jolibee which is kind of like their local KFC.. and apparently, that’s how you win the Filipino’s hearts…

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Scooter Time!

Filling up at the local gas station. No smoking near all the homemade gasoline bottles!

We were trying to find a waterfall our host recommended we go check out… but had locals reaching out to us to stop and come to their local falls. So we got off our bike, paid the parking fee and the fee to go see the waterfall… we walked for about 10 mins to a tiny little river with a tiny little waterfall. :P It was funny, and the locals really wanted us to go swimming, but we had our plans on a beach so hung out and watched the local kids do tricks on the swing before hiking back to the bike.

The Sunset collection

This next section is our sunset collection. The most beautiful sunsets we’ve ever seen and we took pictures almost every night. Here is some of the beautiful colours we saw! Certified 100% organic pixels, no filters added.

The Roch Restaurant is a group of local women who cook food in a scooter parking lot and set up tables to watch the sun set. It is cheap, delicious and really does have the best view.

The Roch fills up — you have to get there when they open at 5:30pm becuase usually all the food is gone by 7pm!

Walking through fire.

We ended the night at Czar’s place… which is the place where the locals party every friday. A band followed by a DJ is schedule every week. We’re told it’s the same band, and the same DJ. So the songs are generally the same every week.

Apo Island day trip

There is only one company on the island of Siquijor that drives the hour out to Apo Island reserve. We decided to do the day trip to see what it was like — and saw some dolphins swimming along the way! Then spent the day with way too many people, enjoying the day on a very tight schedule.

Some local kids who’s parents are either snorkel guides or fisherman hang out to welcome all the guests.

Apo Island snorkel trip was chaotic and we regret a bit supporting it as tourists were terrible in the protected sanctuary.. but we saw the biggest turtles we’ve ever seen and that was pretty incredible!

The Turtle Collection

Maeghan really loves turtles, like she never gets sick or not-excited to see one. These turtles were about 3–4 feet tall, well fed and hanging out close to shore. Maeghan took too many pictures and felt they all needed to be shared here.

The fish kept swimming into his head and he didn’t like it at all :P

Always leave space for the turtle to swim.

Got back to Siquijor and did one more dive with our favorite friends at Mystic Diving :) Oli was even brave enough to get his night dive adventure certification!

Sardine school covered the water like snow flying crazily in the sky! oh and another turtle!

Puffer fish taking a break in some coral.

Trumpet fish, lion fish, saddle fish!

On the left is Oli’s skills at taking a picture of a pipe fish. Can’t see it? Check out Sara’s picture below.

Little shrimp friend coming out to say hi.

Nudibranch!

This nudibranch is called the Chromodoris Magnifica! What an epic name!

Some nemos, i mean clown fish hanging out in the cutest anemone.

As we looked up, two turtles were swimming in circles above — what a way to say goodbye!

Then Oli ventured on his night dive which he has done twice before.. but this time he took video and pictures…. it was terrifying. Think of a haunted house.. with things jumping out at you all the time… and all you have is a flashlight and a tank of air on your back…..

here are the few pictures Oli took on the GoPro before its battery died. Creepy? What do you think?

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When you dive with someone who is an awesome photographer & has a great camera, you are lucky to share cool pictures after of stuff you swam with! Here are some more pictures from Sara our dive guide at Mystic Divers ❤️

📸 — Siquijor Island & Apo Island, Philippines

See more on our website www.alittledetour.ca🌏✈️👫

We ended the night at Cezars place… which is the only place on the island that is a bar/open on Friday nights.

Apo Island snorkel trip was chaotic and we regret a bit supporting it as tourists were terrible in the protected sanctuary.. but we saw the biggest turtles we’ve ever seen and that was pretty incredible!

Turtle spam… so many turtles… 15 turtles all inches away from you!

We took a break at the tiniest cove with a hotel that only gets 4 hours of power a day. It doesn’t have any running water or access to food… everything comes from the main land. But the hardcores come here for a day or two to enjoy the island after all the day trippers have gone home to sleep.

Got back to Siquijor and did one more dive with our favorite friends at Mystic Diving :) Oli was even brave enough to get his night dive adventure certification!

Sardine school covered the water like snow flying crazily in the sky! oh and another turtle!

Puffer fish taking a break in some coral.

Trumpet fish, lion fish, saddle fish!

On the left is Oli’s skills at taking a picture of a pipe fish. Can’t see it? Check out Sara’s picture below.

Little shrimp friend coming out to say hi.

Nudibranch!

This nudibranch is called the Chromodoris Magnifica! What an epic name!

Some nemos, i mean clown fish hanging out in the cutest anemone.

As we looked up, two turtles were swimming in circles above — what a way to say goodbye!

Then Oli ventured on his night dive which he has done before.. but this time he took video and pictures…. it was terrifying. Think of a haunted house.. with things jumping out at you all the time… and all you have is a flashlight and a tank of air on your back….. Anyway, he had fun and now he has 2/5 adventure requirements for his next certification!

See more on our website www.alittledetour.ca🌏✈️👫