Sibulan: Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park

Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park is a natural park, surrounding Lake Balinsasayao and Lake Danao in the town of Sibulan in the province of Negros Oriental, 14.5 kilometres west of Dumaguete City.

Lake Balinsasayao is one of three crater lakes rising 1,000 feet (300 m) above sea level located within the Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park. Lake Balinsasayao, Lake Danao, and Lake Kabalin-an are part of Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park, a protected area totaling 8,016.05 hectare.

Sibulan is a neighboring town next to Dumaguete City, which is also one of the portal of Cebu guest if they are coming from Liloan Port. The town is facing Cebu Island like the neighboring town of San Jose, which is also one of portal to and from Cebu. If you know how to drive motorcycle, it’s a great option if you want to visit the also known Danao Twin Lake or Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park.

It’s not my first time to visit the place, the first time I visit the park is with my relatives from San Jose. We took boating to get to a falls in the other side of the Lake Balinsasayao. That time I seen an Eagle flying around the lake, and it was really amazing. The second time I visit the place happened this year, when I visit my grandma on her birthday. I take a solo adventure to the place, and I found it very exciting and different feeling like I felt some kind of scared on some areas of the park, I guess because of too much quietness and about 5 people only present at the lake and I felt something that’s really bother me while walking the path to the viewing deck.

Though there is some kind of scary feeling, I am really enjoying the beauty and the unique ambiance of the lake. I able to conquer the fear I felt instead when I already on the viewing deck. I met this German engineer, who also visit the place alone, and he loves travelling, and Dumaguete is the 2^nd of the last place he will be visiting in the country, before he will go to Indonesia, which is his next destination.

We shared few stories when we rested and chilling at the viewing deck. Exchange of few experiences and I share him few tourist destination that is not really that known to many, since his fan to newly discover or not so well-known destination or less tourists. Before I left the viewing deck, I go near the 2^nd lake, and took a few pictures, when I felt something unusual in the water, that actually make me run away from the place. I know it was so funny but I just can’t control the fear I felt that time, upon seeing that some kind of a creepy object near the water, that I can’t determine what was that, it suddenly jump in the water. The 2^nd lake that can only be viewed from the viewing deck was actually have this creepy aura, maybe because of the serenity of the place and very rare that visitors will gonna come closer to the lake.

I would love to recommend this place for those people who love to be with nature. From the first lake going to the viewing deck, it will take you about 1km walk along the man-made path beside the lake. The pathways is covered with the tall old trees that are growing on the cliff beside the first lake or the known Balinsasayao lake.

Canlaon City: Shy Canlaon Volcano

Every time I visit beaches at the west side of Cebu, I always notice the majestic view of Canlaon Volcano. I keep on thinking to how it will look like in closer view. Since I visit San Carlos City, I decided to visit the mountain city of Negros. It’s an hour away from San Carlos. I never expected the road to Calaon to be like an intestine, it has lots of turning while going up to the city.

When you reach at the top, you will be amazed the beauty of the fields and the amazing view of the nearby island of Cebu. It’s all worth the travel after all, it’s just an entrance to the view to the city and the view is really great. I am in awe while looking at the view of the island of Cebu while on the bus. Upon entering the City, you ca see a vast fields that I never thought exist at the top of the mountain, till we reach to the city proper. The city proper of Canlaon is not big as it’s nearby Cities, but it’s beautiful and unique in the sense that it’s on top of the mountain while on foot of the Canlaon volcano.

Walking around the city is like you’re in Baguio City cause of the cool breeze and the view of the green fields around. When I reach the market, I was in awe by the view; I can already see how big the Volcano at the back is, though not its totality since it was partly covered with clouds and the weather that time was not really fine because it keeps on drizzling.

Hired a motorcycle going to the known Balete tree of Canlaon the so-called “Wonder Tree” which is already 1329+ years old and it is really huge. I may say the biggest tree I ever seen. Surrounded with a great view of fields, the place is amazing indeed. You can’t see electric towers all over which makes it more serene and wonderful.

From the balete tree, you can actually see the great volcano but his really shy to show up that time, the locality whom also the tour guide, told me that most of the time, the volcano will bee seen early in the morning, cause most of the time he is shy specially if his not in the mood.

From wonder tree, a few meters away is the private park where you can find nice pond and garden. I’ve seen a big bird which they took care, which is the ostrich, they have one. After visiting the park, the tour guide told me to visit the spring, but due to limited time, I told him that I need to be back soon to San Carlos City. I was able to take the last trip bus to San Carlos which leaves the city of Canlaon at early 5:30pm that time since it was Saturday and there are only few passengers left. There are buses left but it’s on other designated route.

Literary: Inlove with a Friend

Many times in our lives that we may fall in love;
Many times that we will be having bad moods;
Though it will happen to us mostly, occasionally,
Or typically, it is just ordinary for us to feel that way.

We may end up happy by falling in-love to the right individual,
Or end up brokenhearted still, we are the one making the decision.
Decision that despite of everything that may happen,
You will not regretting about…

In everyday living, trials may come and go, like the people we know.
They may seemed to last a long-time but not for a lifetime;
Though there were cases that the people we valued most,
Lived with us forevermore, till the end of time...

Many of the movies that had been showcased in our cinemas,
Has this kind of trends, that love always end up a happy moment;
But it is required to sacrifice something valuable to us,
Before we get what our hearts truly wanted to have.

In some cases, to make us happy even if not for ourselves;
We're willing to give our special someone to our dear friend,
Specially if we recognize the value of friendship preciously.
In the name of friendship, things may change and matter.
It may end up happily or tragically on both sides; friendship and love.

I know, this is not clearly explained; but for those who encountered,
Such experiences, they know what I'm talking about…

Not all will accept, because somehow it will end up sad.
There are things that we surrender makes everyone happy.
Even it will cause so much pain to our end.

Dauin: Apo Island

A separate island south of Negros Oriental that is part of the town of Dauin, a volcanic island covering about 12 hectares in land area and 7 kilometers off from it’s town Dauin. The island is 30 kilometers south from Dumaguete City, the capital of Negros Oriental. It is one of the famous diving sites of the country. Apo Island has one of the world's best known community-organized marine sanctuaries.

Apo island is home of the many sea turtles, that the community taking care and protect. From the seashore, you can actually sea big sea turtles floating near the shore. They feed on sea grass around the island and their sizes vary. You don’t have to swim to a deeper part of the shore, cause for just a few meters from the shore, you can already see sea turtles swimming and eating around. They swim independently, sometimes you can see a group of five, sometimes three of them, usually the big ones stay near the shore, they can easily be seen when you’re at the beach line.

When going to Apo Island, it is best to be there early in the morning, because the waves are not that big and strong. If you go swimming in the afternoon, you will not be enjoying snorkeling around cause by big waves and the turtles are already swimming on the deeper part. It is really advice to have a sports camera or action camera for you to able to capture the great encounter with different sizes of turtles, aside from sea turtles you can also see some colorful fishes and sea creatures around.

After swimming with the gentle and amazing sea turtles, you can sail around the island to see the beauty of it and if you’re not afraid, you can also take a free dive on some spots along while exploring around the beautiful island of Apo. And on of the tips, better go back to the mainland after lunch or before 3pm, so that you won’t able to experience big waves when coming back to the mainland Negros.

Many of the pump boats will not sail when it’s already 2:30 pm, it’s really advised to travel early going to the Apo Island. And if you’re in Apo Island, better travel after lunch back to the mainland. And if you’re having so much fun in the island, you can stay overnight, since there are few available lodging rooms and about the meals, you can ask some localities to cook for you. You can ask help from them about the available meal combo that they can offer.

I will surely be coming back to the island soon, because I was really fascinated with the gentle giant sea turtles that I encountered that I never thought still exist. You will surely love the gentle sea turtles and surely forgot the time how long you are swimming with them, since they will just continue eating even if you go very near to them. Just an advice, just don’t touch them, as what the guides have directed us. To enjoy swimming with them, prepare you snorkeling gadgets and if you don’t have any, don’t you worry, there are available snorkeling gadgets for rentals nearby.

Literary: Wandering...

Most of the days past, that I can't recalled what had I achieved.
Which events are concluded, what things I forgot to fulfill?
This just came out in my mind whenever I am alone and dumb sad.
I guess I been too busy and stressed with my life.
Though it's somehow boring most of the times when at home.

I like to count the possibilities that I may succeed on certain goals.
Yet I can't even remember some of it.
This maybe a bad thing to happen to anyone,
Preferably those who wants to point things what they've accomplished.

It's bothering me somehow, most specially when felling down.
I wanted to count and rate my living with the accomplishments I have done.
But it's quite difficult to point it out when you've done it selflessly.
Nothing's special when you've just have it to have it done.
Unlike accomplishing something without dragging yourself too much.

More oftentimes that I regret why I just let time past by so fast.
Asking myself why I didn't try to achieve something new.
Maybe it's just happen for a purpose yet, I can think for reasons.
That somehow I can achieved new things yet I'm afraid to try.

Bothering like this makes me sad and troubled many ways.
Life is what we make it as long as we've learned new things every day.
Even though this is how it must be, the problem is my personality.
Yet I gain more experiences and lessons in trying new things out.

In most cases, wondering from the past or wandering around is helpful.
It gives us reason to know ourselves and correct our mistakes we made.
Hope that with this article I shared to you, it will give something new.
Have a great day everyone.