Lounging on hammocks strung on coconut trees at Coco Grove resort, the afternoon sun suddenly threw out god rays all over the western sky. We scrambled from our relaxed position, gathered our camera bags and followed the glorious rays.
Where the fine sand ends, stone beds and green algae begins. The ebbing tide provided a dramatic landscape that creates natural pools surrounded by dark rocks and green lichen-like plants.

The western portion of Coco Grove’s kilometer-long shoreline is littered with coral stone formations that rise up to more than a man’s height. Its undersides are carved from eons of waves slamming along its base making an almost cave-like natural stone cantilever of the formations.

The rocks can be scaled and not a few visitors and locals spend the afternoon at its shelf, watching the sun retire or like the kids we saw, singing to their heart’s delight; seemingly giving odes to the beauty of the landscape.

The god rays, too far for my lens were gone by the time we got into position. The landscapes of San Juan nevertheless were still too beautiful to pass up on. The sky was already calling on twilight as we packed up and headed back to the comfort of Coco Grove.

The next morning called early and found me on the opposite end of the beach.

Passing the end of Coco Grove’s length and walking until another rock shelf blocked further exploration; I set my tripod and wiped the fog off my lens.
It seemed everyone’s still dreaming in slumberland except a few fisherfolks already out on the water and some dogs yawning along the beach.

The beach transformed from fine sand to rough pebbles; the water shallow, filled with plant life and creatures that looks like a cross between starfishes and a mini octopuses.
On the sea’s glassy surface, the sky reflected its indecision; torn between delivering rain and sunshine it throws a few drizzly feelers every now and then. At last it made up its mind and broke off the clouds which the sun dutifully lit with its warm morning rays.

I was ruminating on the past days we were in Siquijor as I made my way back. It was our last day of stay and the past three days had been a complete surprise. I wasn’t expecting to find this mysterious island, so engulfed in rumors of sorcery and witchcraft to be so beautiful. Its old world architecture, natural pools, waterfalls and culture makes it worth risking the dire warnings from home.

I’m really not a believer of magic and sorcery but I know that this much is true; Siquijor did put quite a charm on me.

Tubod Beach, Siquijor Island
Brgy. Tubod, San Juan, Siquijor, Central Visayas
GPS Coordinates: 9.142435,123.510897
Click to view location on Google Maps

Recommended Siquijor Island Tour Guide
Kuya Joam: 0927-6932095
Fee: Php1,000.00 inclusive transportation, port
pick-up, lodging transfer and lots of stories :)

        SIQUIJOR THREE-DAY SERIES
        TRIP ITINERARY | MANILA - DUMAGUETE CITY - SIQUIJOR | ST. FRANCIS DE ASSISI CHURCH | CAPILAY’S SPRING PARK AT SAN JUAN
        OVER AND BELOW LAZI’S CENTURY-OLD BALETE TREE | LAZI CHURCH - SAN ISIDRO LABRADOR PARISH | LAZI CONVENT
        THE CAMBUGAHAY FALLS AT LAZI | SANTA MARIA CHURCH & ITS BLACK MARIA | SUNSET ON THE ROAD
        SAN JUAN’S COCO GROVE RESORT | COCO GROVE ACCOMMODATIONS AT SAN JUAN | COCO GROVE’S SUNSET RESTAURANT
        SUNSET AND SUNRISE AT SAN JUAN’S TUBOD BEACH