The Manila Times

An adrenaline-high weekend in Southern Cebu

BY CHRISTINA ALPAD

WITH life settling back to its fast prepandemic pace, more people are craving for leisure getaways to reset. But as many are also required to report physically to work most days in a week (if not, daily), last-minute trips or spontaneous overseas vacations are out of the question.

Good thing, Philippine provinces and cities are accessible for weekend vacationers, with some of them offering aplenty of adventures in one trip.

Take the Southern part of Cebu for example, particularly Oslob. Famously known for its whale-shark watching activity, Oslob has more to offer to weekend vacationers.

The Manila Times, together with other publications from Metro Manila, recently visited Oslob for an adventure-filled weekend.

The group’s first stop after whale shark watching was the nearby Tumalog Falls, which is a short 10-minute drive from the famous Oslob attraction.

The 100-meter high falls gained popularity due to its beauty surrounded by thick greenery. Riding a habal-habal (motorcycle) from the highway where four-wheels would dropoff tourists (the short but steep road going to the foot of the falls is not ideal for most vehicles), is an adventure in itself.

But once at the foot of the falls, guests are transported to a “magical” place — tucked behind thick foliage is a towering body of water and on its foot, two pale blue-colored pools that catch the waterfalls. The water is icy cold, which is perfect for those visiting during summer time.

Oslob offers many quaint accommodations for local and international tourists alike but those who want to relax and have their own adventure may want to check out the famous Bluewater Sumilon Island Resort.

Situated on the 24-hectare Sumilon Island, the resort is accessible via 10-minute boat ride from Oslob.

As the resort’s management would often say, staying at Sumilon is truly like having an adventure island all to yourself.

First, the island has the Marine Wildlife Sanctuary, home to assorted tropical fish and colorful corals. Snorkeling activity is a daily option to visitors.

Near the sanctuary is a famous Sumilon spot — the shifting island bar. It’s famous for changing shapes as well as shifting locations.

Inside the resort, there’s also a lagoon where visitors can use a kayak to explore.

For those who want to stay dry but still be adventurous, the island has hiking trails with varying levels of difficulty.

And for the remaining set who’d rather relax after their adventure in Oslob’s mainland, Bluewater Sumilon can offer just that — dinner by the ocean, spa services and comfortable and well-appointed accommodations, among others.

Surely, a weekend filled with both high-octane adventures and more laid-back activities, without long travel time in between attractions, is just enough to press reset.

For inquiries and reservations to Bluewater Sumilon Island Resort, call +6328175751 or visit www.bluewater.com.ph

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Oslob is best accessed via Dumaguete–Sibulan Airport. From there, it will only take a 10-minute drive to Sibulant port, where an hourly, 15-minute ferry ride to Liloan Port in Cebu is available.

Cebu Pacific flies four times daily from Dumaguete to Manila and vice versa.

Entertainment & Lifestyle

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2022-10-07T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-10-07T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://digitaledition.manilatimes.net/article/282230899584930

The Manila Times