It’s January 1st and it’s just fitting to write about my series of firsts in Bacolod. ☝ But first and foremost, HAPPY BIRTHDAY 🎂 to my partner-in-crime and travel photographer Sidney Perez with whom I share this journey INTO THE UNKNOWN! 🙌
Going to a place for the #firsttime is equally daring and exciting. When in Bacolod, I experienced getting lost in translation; 💭 but never lost in my adventures. 👌 Without specific order, here’s a list of my top 5 ✋ #firsttime awesome and notorious explorations in the land of the Negrenses.
1. While trekking to Dumalabdab Falls, two blood leeches tried to suck my (precious but fake German) blood. 😂 Lapitin pala ako ng limatik. Ehehe! Tbh, I find it amusing how they got into my skin without me getting hurt. 😱 Sidney had her share after the trek and she realized it when we were already inside the van. 😛 Though it caused us panic and paranoia, I guess blood leeches complete the experience! 💯
2. Waking up significantly early to catch the sunrise 🌄 isn’t foreign to us, but finding our way up a small hill in La Castellana – without a guide – is an achievement! 💪 As expert buzzer beaters, we made it to the conference center in the nick of time. 🚨
3. With a strong bias towards our choice of coffee, we went to Duyan Café in Silay for the view and not for a drink. 😝 Also located in Silay is Negros Natural Park. 🌿 Ironically, it’s a protected area yet we legitimately trespassed because not even a single soul’s guarding the place. Oops, sorry not sorry! 😜
4. Western Visayas provinces are geographically close to one another; so from Bacolod we crossed Iloilo via ferry. 🚢 From the port, we went straight to Miag-ao with 3 jeepney rides. Yup, that’s the straightest route I’ve ever known! 😳 But the adventure of our random crossover exceeded our expectations: we didn’t catch the ferry going back Bacolod. 😅 That unprepared overnight is absolutely unforgettable and we’ll always be indebted to the hospitality of Amparet Ledesma and Baking Pison. Salamat gid! ❤
5. Where to next: Guintubdan, La Carlota. 📍 Back in Bacolod, we powered up with coffee for one last adventure. 🏃 To go up the “bukid” of Guintubdan, we rode a bus to La Carlota and transferred to a jeepney. While waiting for other passengers, we were told that’s the last jeepney ride to Guintubdan and there’s no return trip. 😢 Sounds like a repeat of our Iloilo escapade, but this time we can’t afford another random overnight. 😅
My Hiligaynon comprehension 💡 was challenged because I had to haggle with tricycle drivers to bring us to Guintubdan. Already resigned due to rejections left and right, I ate ice cream to cool my head. 🍦 When we reached the plaza, a certain “manong” recommended to us Ronald (Weasley), a teenage tricycle driver and a native of Guintubdan. YEAH, HEAVEN SENT! 😇
We arrived the “bukid” 4:30pm, trekked to Busay Abaga with our tour guide Manang Veronica, and made it back to the campsite minutes after sunset. 🌅 On our way home, we were rewarded with overripe guyabanos and a beautiful sight of the night sky. ✨
P.S. Not a fan of the limelight, I intentionally published the 2-in-1 post close to midnight. 🌝 Guess there’s no harm if my greeting’s a bit late because we’ll still enjoy FREE LATTE at a later time. Cheers! ☕
8/9 #top9towrapmy29th #bestof2019 #naturetrip #bacolod #philippines