Lykwatsera Travel Stories

Apo Island is a volcanic island on the coast of Southern Negros and a preserved marine sanctuary founded by the people living in the island with the help of a professor from Silliman University, a private research university in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental. A successful marine community based sanctuary and famous for its numerous sea turtles and rich underwater life. For those who want to go this turtle island, continue reading my blog post. Whether you're a diver or a snorkeler, here are some underwater adventure facts. (c) Keila Verano Apo island is not a nesting ground but a feeding ground for female turtles.  You can distinguish a male turtle from a female turtle by its tails. Male turtles have long tails like a wizard while female turtles have very small tails. A home to over 650 documented fish species and estimated to have over 400 species of corals. From Dumaguete City, we took an easy ride going to Bayawan and drop at Malatapay market in Zam...

New Government Center An elementary buddy invited me to join her in Bacolod last year. We met on a Friday evening in McDonalds Colon and took our dinner before we went to Cebu North Bus Terminal . RORO buses going to Bacolod City can be found in both Cebu South and North bus terminals but trips are more frequent in the latter. The bus departed at 2 AM and arrived in Toledo City at 4 AM.  We boarded in our decks for the boat trip going to San Carlos City. We arrived in San Carlos at 6 AM and rode the bus again going to Bacolod via El Salvador. We arrived in Bacolod City past 9 AM already and checked in at East Square Inn . We booked through booking.com because the booking website does not require a credit card for us to reserve. The hotel has good reviews too. We had a good stay except for the TV that was not functioning. The inn is walking distance to the city's entertainment and restaurant hubs.  We arrived in Bacolod City late so we were not able to go and se...

One summer in 2016, we were blessed to explore and experience two of the most visited island destinations in Western Visayas; Boracay Island and Isla de Gigantes . Let me share with you how we did it and here is our 4D3N itinerary. We first flew from Mactan Cebu International Airport to Kalibo , the gateway to Boracay. We then rode a van to Caticlan Jetty Port and ride the boat going to the island. There is a direct flight from Cebu to Caticlan but is more expensive. Day 1 - Experience Boracay Boracay, once dubbed as the most beautiful island in the world is not just for the rich but for budget travelers too. I get excited when I hear the word Boracay because it's where you can find all the fun activities on the beach. If I was given more time and more money I would definitely go back to Boracay and try all the activities there. Nevertheless, I've listed all the fun things that we did for one day and one night in Bora.  Helmet Diving . A guided underwater trek ...

One of Philippine's most popular structures and probably the most visited tourist destination when you are in Bacolod , The City of Smiles is The Ruins . Dubbed as the Taj Mahal of Negros , this Italian inspired architecture is truly a beautiful living legacy of love. This beautiful remnant was once a mansion built by Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson in memory of his wife and the apple of his eye Maria Baga . Historians say that it was a love at first sight when Lacson set his eyes on Maria in Macau that he immediately asked permission from the Portuguese lady's parents for marriage. According to locals, the Lacson was a wealthy clan in Talisay City because they own hectares of land and an ancestral house where the couple used to live with their ten offsprings. Tragedy came when Maria met an accident carrying their 11th child and died before the physician came due to miscarriage. To move on from his loss, Mariano decided to build a mansion to remind him of his wife Maria in ...

Looking for a place to treat your family or a place to simply stir the child in you? I know a perfect place in the city of smiles and I am talking about Campuestohan . Raphaella Mill This resort in between Talisay City and Bacolod City in the sugarcane province of Negros Occidental is the product of Mr. Ricardo “Cano” Tan and his wife, Nita Tan’s creative minds. The couple who only planned to build their retirement house has transformed their 5-hectare property into one of the most famous tourist destinations in the island of Negros. If you are traveling in the city of smiles, don’t miss to include having a day trip to this overlooking mountain resort. There are some things in life that cannot be bought and these are the things that I've seen in Campuestohan. Going on an adventure is always fun. Helen Keller also once said, "Life is a daring adventure or nothing at all." Kung Fu Panda If you are coming from Bacolod or Talisay, the resort is a 35-40 minutes ri...

Have you heard of Lakawon? This banana-shaped island on the seas of Western Visayas has been developed to become the small Ibiza of the Philippines.  The resort claims to have the biggest  Tawhaii floating bar in Asia. Your next vacation spot could be right on this quickly becoming resort destination in the province of Negros Occidental. Tawhai Floating Bar (c)lakawon.com.ph Where is Lakawon Island The 15-hectare island can be found approximately 3kms off the coast of  Cadiz City . The island got its name because during low tide you can just walk from the port to the island. To walk in the local language is  lakaw,  hence the name of the island Lakawon .   If you are coming from Bacolod , ride a van or bus bound for Cadiz City at the Ceres Bus Terminal of Bacolod. Upon arriving at Cadiz, hire a tricycle that will take you to Cadiz Viejo where the port to Lakawon Island is located. Lakawon Island Resorts and Spa  We spent a d...

Do you want to go beach bumming on beautiful white sand beaches, enjoy nature and know more about our country's culture and history? Read on because you will find them all in the mystic island of Siquijor. This small island located in the Central Visayas region is also called the Island of Fire. It is a one-hour vessel ride from the port of Dumaguete . Siquijor is composed of these equally charming municipalities: the capital of the province Siquijor, Larena, Enrique Villanueva, Maria, Lazi and San Juan. Upon arriving at the island, you will be greeted by the Siquijor sign. Tricycle drivers will offer you their land tour rates that cost around Php1000 that can be divided up to four people. You can also choose to rent a motorbike to personally tour the island. Siquijor Island Destinations Guiwanon Spring Park The driver first took us to this spring park that serves as a  sanctuary for various marine species. It only costs Php10 to explore this marine reserve. La...

Since we were not able to check in for our flight to Coron, lover and I decided to go to a paradise that's waiting up north of Cebu, Bantayan Island . Bantayan island is composed of these three municipalities: Madridejos, Bantayan and Sta.Fe. The municipality of Sta.Fe boasts a shoreline of pure white sand, beautiful island destinations and one unique island experience. From Mactan Cebu International Airport , we headed to Cebu North Bus Terminal where we can find the buses and vans that will take us to Hagnaya. From Hagnaya Port, we rode on the RORO vessel for Sta. Fe .  Upon arriving at Sta.Fe, environmental fees are collected. There are a lot of accomodations and beach resorts in the island. If you're a backpacker, you can choose to stay at 5Pearls . You can contact the lodge at 09495694082. Things to do in Bantayan Island Island Hopping to Virgin Island Entrance fee: Php 300 Take the Land Tour to ff. destinations: Oboob Mangrove Ga...

A year ago, I was privileged to join a team building getaway to Camotes Islands with my colleagues. That was my first wanderlust adventure then. That was the time that I realized that I have a passion for travel, my desire to discover places I've never been, explore what a place has to offer and experience new things that I've never done before. Camotes is composed of the islands located in the Camotes sea. The island group is located east of Cebu island, southwest of Leyte island and north of Bohol island. It is 34 nautical miles from Cebu City and is part of Cebu. Camotes maybe is a small island but for adventure and nature lovers, I guess they have found their place. My journey to Camotes goes like this. First, we met at SM City Cebu to catch a jeepney bound to Danao City. Fare for the jeepney ride is around Php 35.00. Another option is to ride a bus going to North of Cebu and drop by Danao City. Buses going to north of Cebu island is located at Cebu North Bus Termi...