Bacolod --- The City of Smile

Bacolod is known for its Masskara Festival and the ruins which is one of the most fascinating ruins in the world - the Taj Mahal of negros.

How to get there via toledo - San Carlos route
You can ride a v-hire from cebu city link terminal to toledo city port and the travel time is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.  Fare is 100 pesos only.

                                                                  Cebu City link terminal

Currently, there are at least two shipping companies operating in toledo port bound for San Carlos City of Negros Occidental; the lite ferries and Aznar fastcraft. Fare will vary depends on your preferred boat and accomodation. it ranges from P190 economy and P220 business class accommodation and estimated travel time is 2 hours.

                                                                   Toledo City port


@ San Carlos Negros Occidental
Local pedicab and tricycle are available at the gate of san carlos port. the minimum fare going to bus terminal is P10 pesos only. You may choose either a van (v-hire) or bus bound for bacolod. If v-hire via Don salvador highway, the current rate is P120 pesos per person and the travel time is approximately 2 hours but if you want to experience the seaside road of negros then you may take the regular bus and the travel time time is around 5 hours.

                                              Pedicab and a typical road of San carlos city

                                              Fresh fruits for sale near the terminal.

                Typical road from san carlos to bacolod. A truck hauling sugar cane from                                              the farm. Enjoy the scenery of the sugarcane capital of the philippines.

Bacolod: The Ruins, Capitol Park and Lagoon, New Government Center, Bacolod Cathedral 

I arrived in bacolod city via Don salvado at around 12 noon. I took up lunch in one of the local restaurant near bacolod plaza then proceed to my first place to visit which is the landmark of bacolod  - The Ruins!

                                                       Photo outside of the ruins

                                                          A fountain near the entrance gate

Guest registration

Ruins facade 

 
                                                    balcony facing the water fountain

The haciendero inspired garden located at the back of the ruins

I had a chance to pose with sir roger. he is one of the best tour guide and a very cheerful person. I learned a lot about the history of the place especially during the spanish-era.

The ruins entrance fee:
Adults                                       P80.00
Students and senior citizen       P40.00
children below 8 years old       P20.00

Free parking at the back of the building. 

 Negros occidental capitol park and lagoon

                                    This set-up seems like the white house of the U.S

Bacolod Cathedral

From the Script. Originally a church founded by Bishop Mariano Cuartero, D.P. Cornerstone laid. 27 April 1876. Inaugurated, 20 January 1882. Fray Mauricio Ferrero, first parish priest. Became a cathedral, 23 June 1933. Repaired and improved 1936 by Msgr. Casimiro M. Lladoc, D.D, first bishop in 1933-1951.

New Government Center

You can enter inside this building and at the facade there is a very nice chandelier hanging and maskara costume in designated location of the building. You can also read the political history of bacolod through posted picture frame at the ground floor.   

Note:
1. Dont miss the bacolod's luscious barbeque and piaya.
2. Minimum fare within the city is P8.00 pesos only.
3. You may take your dinner @ the baywalk just a walking distance from SM city bacolod

Read More

Camiguin Escpade

Camiguin is an island-province on the northern coast of Mindanao. It is the second smallest province of the country. Mambajao is the capital of the province. Camiguin has 7 volcanoes, stunning waterfalls, and natural springs.

How  to get there

Every hour the roll on-roll off ferry (RORO) will travel from Balingoan port of Misamis oriental to Binoni wharf of mahinog in camiguin. The binoni wharf is 17 kilometers from the capital town of mambajao.

After few minutes from balingo-an port, you can see this wonderful view of camiguin island from the ferry. If you have the social skills, you can talk to the locals or foreign tourist while traveling. The locals will tell you of how camiguin got its name and the geographic information about the island.

Transportation

V-hire, jeepney, and tricycle are available to drive you around the island. Just negotiate the price.You may visit the tourism desk situated inside the passenger terminal of binoni wharf.

First stop

Katibawasan falls is just an hour travel from the port. The entrance fee is only P15.00. Tables, chairs, and life vest are available for rent @ very reasonable price

Pasalubong sa camiguin. Souvenir shirt price ranges from P100-250 pesos. Other souvenir items; bags, caps, key chain, and the like are also available. They will give you discount if you purchase 2 or 3 items.

Next stop?

Ardent hibok-hibok spring resort located in brgy. Tagdo, Mambajao, Camiguin. You may enjoy roaming inside the resort for P30.00 entrance fee. Cottages, rooms, and foods are also available inside. 

White Island

Welcome to the white island.  “The world known – Camiguin Sandbar”. Sounds exciting huh! 

Entrance fee is P20.00 and boat rent is P420.00 good for 6 persons (round trip). Make sure to wear life vest for safety purposes. Proper garbage disposal is strictly observed. Let’s help maintain the exquisiteness of the island.

                                            Be amazed with this splendid island.

                                               Astounding view of Mt. hibok-hibok.  

                                 
                                            Life guard on duty. so Nothing to worry, just enjoy!

Notes:

-          After swimming from White Island, you can take a shower at the mainland (brgy. Agoho) for P10.00 pesos per person. Souvenir items’ promoting the island is available for P20.00 only (wooden shark, fish, sea turtle, and key chain).

-          Final buys of local delicacies at binoni port.

   

Read More

KM 45 Resort Catmon, Cebu

Redefining sunday afternoon... @ Km 45 Catmon, Cebu.  

Have a trip, take a deep breath, and experience peaceful Sunday afternoon @ KM45 Resort in Catmon. It is located north of cebu and bounded on the north by the Municipality of Sogod and on the south by the Municipality of Carmen.

                                                                  Cebu North Road

You may pass by @ Metro Mall Carmen for final purchase of foods and refreshments. If you want to buy fresh sea foods and other local delicacies then the carmen public market is situated few meters away from the mall.


@ KM45 Resort...

The entrance fee is 20 pesos and you can have a cozy cottage ranges from 200-400 pesos only. You may take a bus from the north bus terminal and don’t forget to tell the driver that you will embark at KM45 resort in catmon. The resort has a spacious parking area so no worry if you bring your own car. You can do snorkeling, swimming, boating, fishing, cliff diving, and a scrumptious sugba-sugba of course.

Crystal clear water of KM45 

                                 You need to go up through this stairs to see the entire view of the resort 

A cool view of the resort 

                             LEFT SIDE VIEW                                                      RIGHT SIDE VIEW

If you like adventure, then you may try cliff diving but it is not advisable to do it during low tide because the sea floor of this area is gifted with colorful-coral formation. 

.

                                                       Wow! a yummy fresh sea foods. 

                                                 A relaxing sunday afternoon @ the resort

Come and discover the exquisiteness of the northern part of Cebu!

Read More