Miyerkules, Marso 23, 2011

Exploring Guimaras Island

After our first day of suroy suroy in Bacolod, our hosts suggested to go to Guimaras, so off we go... We packed our things, and went to the pier early so as to get to the earliest boats goin to the island.


I only knew Guimaras as the place where the sweetest mango came from.. Plus the news of the oil spill in that area.. So I was clueless about the place..


                                            tricycle puntang pier...


                                          waiting for the next boat that will bring us to the island



 you cant get in the boat without wearing life jacket..

 but once in the boat, they usually take off their life jackets..
wala na namang coastguards to check on those.. 
at isa pa mainit eh... so nakigaya kami.. hehe









                                        after over an hour sa boat, nakarating din kami..

BRB--


roadtrip to negros provinces - day 2

Our lamyerda the previous day was so wonderful but tiring... Anyway, in the name of excitement and fun, walang pagod pagod.. hehe..Actually this would be our 3rd day in Negros (we had a sidetrip in Guimaras Island yesterday, I will be writing a separate post about  that trip).. 

After our exploring Guimaras, we went back to our friends relatives where we left the car the previous night.. Then off we hit the road again with our kawawang driver na walang kapalit sa pag drive.. Our next destination?.. Dumaguete!..

Roadtripping from Bacolod to Dumaguete...

There are lots of towns that we passed by but in between towns,, sugarcane plantations, mountains and bodies of water are the scenery that behold our eyes... :-))

Bacolod City, Talisay, Pulupandan, Binalbagan, Kabankalan, Guimaras, Tanjay, Bais, Dumaguete

                                          eating pakwan along the road...

                                          Bells at one of the church we stopped over...












Central Azucarera de Bais - The first sugar mill in the Philippines of the Tabacalera, established in 1918 and manufacturer of paper from sugarcane begasse, hub of Bais City and the Province's economic life.

 

 

Twin Lakes of Balinsasayao

Sibulan, Negros Oriental

Tucked away in the remote hills of Sibulan are the Twin Lakes of Negros namely Lake Balinsasayao and Lake Danao. A good 45-minute drive on a winding road will lead you up to the extensive rainforest ecosystem that surrounds the lakes.
This portion of Sibulan is said to be the home of a remarkable number of 180 species of trees, 113 of birds, 27 mammals and 49 reptiles and amphibians, making it deserving to be dubbed a Natural Park.
Activities like kayaking, horseback riding, and trekking can be done. They have picnic cottages, restrooms, snack shop, camping grounds, and a souvenir shop.
The serene, placid waters of the Twin Lakes make you gaze at it in awe. It emits an aura of being in a lost civilization – what with the sound of crickets and frogs that punctuate your every sentence. http://www.dumagueteinfo.com/negros-oriental-sightseeing.php



                                          road goin to the lake





                                          Fire tree along the way




                                 Cafeteria overlooking the lake.  They serve lunch and snacks..














                                          cottages beside the cafeteria

                                          Sarap magkape..
                











LAKE AREA







cottages beside the lake  where groups can picnic.. :-))



                                          tilapia from the lake...


We werent able to get to its twin lake.. Mejo madami daw kasi lalakarin pa.. parang sa kabilang bundok pa yun.. Anyway super nag enjoy na naman kami sa Lake Balinsasayao..

roadtrip to negros provinces - day 1

My friend Maiden will be going home for a vacation.. Her best friend in NZ who already went home to the Philippines invited her to visit Bacolod and then have our roadtrip up to Dumaguete.  The roadtrip was part of the road test for their new car!

                                                   My travel buddies at Bacolod airport!

                                     Ang aming sundo and hosts with another balikbayan Earl..


Ipinaubaya na namin ang aming itinerary  sa aming host since sila naman ang mas nakakaalam sa Bacolod.. hehe.. So bahala na..

Our first stop?... Lunch at their beautiful home plus videoke bonding!

                 A taste of bulalo kansi.. yum yum... inihaw na bangus at tilapia.. plus lots of fruits!

                                                                videoke and FB time

                                                               freshly picked aratiles

Kristen and Erwin - our very hospitable hosts!
                                                                         off the road!






Bacolod City Hall
 




THE RUINS....


















Next stop... Capitol Lagoon Park

                                                           "I wonder what's in there!"



Then Night Swimming at...



** Thanks to Maiden, Earl, and Ten for d pix..