Siquijor The Island Of Fire

I sla del Fuego, or Island                                            of Fire, is one of the more     Aside from its dark, mystic side,  well-known islands in the       Siquijor is the ideal island for   Philippines. Locally known as         the tired and weary to rejuvenate  Siquijor, the Island of Fire got      themselves. It is also the         its name from the fireflies that      perfect place for adventurers,     give the place a wondrous glow at     thrill-seekers, and even           night.                                families. The island offers                                              numerous beach resorts along       Land of the Mangkukulams              miles of spectacular white sand                                          beaches. Most resorts offer very   Siquijor is popular for its local     affordable accommodations, with    mangkukulams. These mangkukulams      breathtaking views of the ocean    are either healers or sorcerers.      at sunrise or sunset. They also    For a fee, they can cast spells       offer guided day tours around the  against your enemies, get rid of      island, motorbike tours and        spells cast against you, or cure      rentals, and mountain bike         any sickness that you may have.       rentals. Some resorts boast of     They work with aromatic,              giving the best traditional        sometimes smelly potions of herbs     hilot, or a healing body massage,  and oils, when doing their            that leaves you feeling renewed    clients' bidding. They even sell      and re-energized. There are many   amulets, or anting-antings, to        restaurants in the island which    ward off evil curses and spirits.     offer gastronomical delights to    These mangkukulams can be found       the serious food buff. They serve  in Siquijor Town, which is the        international as well as local     capital of Siquijor, San Juan and     Philippine cuisine. There are      San Antonio.                          even some restaurants that cater                                         to vegetarians, which is rare in   Far From the Usual Vacation           the meat-loving Philippines.                                             the era when the Philippines was   Siquijor has many exceptional         colonized by Spain. The church     dive sites. Among them are:           has a tower which provides a       Paliton Beach, with its three         stunning view of the island. The   submarine caves; Salagdoong           Bandila-an Nature Centre, which    Beach, where the strange Mako         is located on top of Siquijor's    shark dwells; Sandugan and Tongo      highest peak, is another           Point, known for its vibrant          attraction that cannot be missed.  reefs; and the Larena Pier, which     It is the beginning of a trail of  happens to be Siquijor's main         natural springs, gorgeous          port, where the thirty-meter          butterflies, colorful birds, and   wreck of a Japanese hospital boat     a variety of flowering plants.     can be found.                         For those who want to explore                                            caves, there are guided tours to   Siquijor has a seventy-two            the Cang Anhao, Ambaka'g Baki,     kilometer coastal ring that goes      Dacanay and Cantabon Caves. These  around the entire island, with        tours usually provide visitors     impressive views of the beaches       with safety helmets and torches.   of the island. The road is easy       Expect to get wet and dirty        to travel by motorbike or even by     during these cave tours while      mountain bike for a more              going through narrow, vertical     leisurely pace. The sights along      climbs, and water that goes up to  the coastal ring are one of the       the waist level.                   major attractions of Siquijor.                                           Another popular attraction in         For a vacation that is far from    Siquijor is the coral-stone           the ordinary, try one that offers  church in Siquijor Town, which is     equal portions of amazing sights,  a short distance from Larena. The     mysticism, and adventure. Try      coral-stone church was built in       Siquijor Island.                   1783 and is a living reminder of       About the Author: James Brown writes about Liftopia.com discount codes, lonelyplanet.com on-line coupons and Rail Europe coupon Published At: www.Isnare.com