I ❤️ Siquijor 2024 - Triad Cafe - Day 4 - 09/14/2024
Siquijor, you mischievous island, you! Day 4 started with a hefty dose of frustration. Our grand plan to conquer Dumaguete for two days went kaput thanks to cancelled ferry trips. The universe, it seemed, had other plans for us.
Back at the hotel, we wallowed in our collective disappointment for a while. But hey, we're the Sunshine Girls, and we don't let a little rain (or cancelled ferry) dampen our spirits. We needed a plan B, and fast.
Enter the magical realm of Social Media. One of our fellow Sunshine Girls had a friend visiting Siquijor, and they were chilling at this place called Triad Cafe in Larena. The pictures were drool-worthy, and we were instantly smitten.
Now, our wallets were starting to feel a little light, but we're not the type to let a little financial hiccup stop us. We debated between Triad Cafe and the San Juan tourist area, doing the whole "budget breakdown" thing. Turns out, the difference wasn't that significant.
So, off we went to Triad Cafe, armed with our dwindling funds and a healthy dose of optimism. The funny thing is, the heavy rain that had been plaguing us all morning had miraculously stopped just as we decided to go. It was like the typhoon itself had heard our cries for a good time and decided to give us a break.
But alas, our journey to Larena wasn't without its hiccups. We found ourselves at the mercy of the tricycle gods, and they were not in a giving mood. We waited for what felt like an eternity, watching tricycles whiz by, each one filled with passengers.
Finally, after a good 30 minutes of pacing and muttering under our breath, a ray of hope appeared. A tricycle driver, bless his soul, was heading to Larena anyway. He was kind enough to let us hop in for a mere 50 pesos each.
As we drove towards Larena, the worries and frustrations of the morning melted away like the rain. The excitement to get off the island and get to Triad Cafe was palpable. We were finally on our way, and the anticipation was building.
We were all set to arrive at Triad Cafe, a place that had been calling to us from the depths of our Instagram feed. But just as we reached the entry point, our tricycle decided to throw a tantrum. Seriously, Murphy's Law was on a roll today.
Now, I have to confess, our tour guide might have jinxed us a bit earlier. We asked him if we'd be able to get back to Dumaguete, and he gave us this "hmmm, maybe, maybe not" look. I'm starting to think it was either Siquijor magic or some kind of cosmic joke.
Luckily, our tricycle driver, despite his limited Tagalog skills, was a true hero. He managed to find a motorcycle to take us the rest of the way. Mind you, Triad Cafe is perched on top of a hill, almost a kilometer away from the entryway. Imagine a steep, winding road that makes you question your life choices. There was no turning back; we were committed.
So, we hopped onto the motorcycle, three of us crammed onto a two-seater. This was my first time riding pillion, and I wasn't worried about an accident, but I was a little concerned about the motorcycle's ability to handle our combined weight. But the driver insisted it was fine; he said it would save gas, time, and energy. And thankfully, we made it in one piece.
The motorcycle driver was a true gem; not only did he get us to the cafe, but he also promised to fetch us back to the main road at 5pm. And he didn't even ask for an advance payment.
As I walked up to the cafe, I was impressed by the view, but the place itself felt a little run down, probably from the typhoon. But the view from the top was breathtaking; it felt like I was in Tagaytay. We ordered coffee and cake, but honestly, it was nothing special. They could definitely upgrade their menu and the place itself. The view was the real draw.
We were snapping pictures and enjoying the scenery when the rain started pouring. It was so heavy that we started worrying about our motorcycle ride back. It was almost 5pm, and there was no sign of our driver. We decided that if he didn't show up by 5:30pm, we'd walk the kilometer back. It was almost dark, and there were no streetlights.
But alas, our driver arrived, along with another driver, and we were back on the main road. We were so relieved we didn't have to walk! We paid them 500 pesos as a thank you for their kindness and for braving the rainy road.
As we waited for a tricycle back to our hotel, we decided to order takeout dinner to eat in the hotel. A car service offered to take us back for 500 pesos, and since there were hardly any tricycles around, we decided to go for it. We made a quick stop at a grocery store to buy supplies and finally made it back to the hotel, just as the rain continued to pour.
So, our plan to save money had backfired spectacularly. We ended up spending more than we expected. But hey, at least we had a story to tell!
We may have stumbled upon this detour, but it was a detour we wouldn't trade for anything. Because sometimes, the best adventures are the ones you don't plan for. And sometimes, a little frustration is just what you need to appreciate the beauty of a rainbow, especially when it's followed by a dessert at a cafe with the most amazing view.
After eating our takeout dinner, I met up with a local friend for a catch-up session. By 9pm, I was back at the hotel, ready to freshen up and sleep. We were hoping to get back to Dumaguete tomorrow, with a renewed sense of optimism.
#SiquijorAdventures #MurphyLaw #TriadCafe #SunshineGirls
