Bacolod Guimaras Iloilo Trip Day 3

At 5 am my alarm went off, since I slept with my swimsuit on, I was ready in a few minutes with hopes of catching the sunrise. Sad to say, it was raining and I ended up having 2 cups of coffee. Morning talks were good, Hilda and Gen were early birds too, it was a big plus because our background music were songs of “The Creed”. I still wished I was able to watch them live but that’s okay. We talked about certain things, from real life experiences up to some old boring stuff. While waiting for the others to wake up, we decided to tour the area and my oh my, we found this wonderful cave! Too bad I still don’t have the photos with me, still need to grab them.

Breakfast time!

Wet in the morning, yes, I swim first most of the time.

Who can resist right?

Guimaras mangoes, so yellow!

One last group photo, Andy left early. 😦

There’s always a first time, and this was one of hers.

Bridges over Villa Igang

Touring around the area again

Meet me at the end of world, the secret sanctuary. Make sure you find this heaven!

Anna on top of the world

Hilda injured 😦

Nipa huts and reflections

How I wish I own that house, beach front!

I know I gained weight… but who cares? The rocks didn’t say anything when I leaned to them, lol!

The yellow ladies!

One of the many advantages of being small, squeezing myself into tiny spaces. 🙂

Ehem, my signature beach pose!

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Flowers flowers flowers

Time to offer some prayer I caught him flying!

Never leave Guimaras without any mangoes!

Life is short, so buy many mangoes as long as you can, haha!

Afternoon, we went back to Iloilo and stayed at Ongbun again. Nothing beats the real La Paz Batchoy.

We looked like twins here!

Gen had been before which was a great advantage because we don’t need any tourist guide anymore. She knows where to bring us and what to show us. This was one of the highlight of the trip, visiting old churches.

Yes, the late Pope John Paul II visited the place, how I wish I was there.

I didn’t buy lots of food and sweets, promise! 🙂

Searching for souvenirs

My dinner plate at the famous “Breakthrough” Restaurant. I swear, seafood never tasted this great!

Hmmmm… who ate this? haha!

Back in our hotel room, my feet trembling due to excessive swimming and walking. I need to put my legs up. If I can only sleep this way, I could have done that.

Bacolod Guimaras Iloilo Trip Day 2

Goooooooood morning! High spirits! I know, my usually morning exercise is smiling. Time to stretch my facial muscles, plus do not forget the coffee.

The traveling fashionista’s Ampy and Kim.

Wearing the cutest flats on earth!

They are all so busy, and I am busy making fun of them too! Lol!

Morning view

Again, we decided to visit “The Ruins” though it rained. We just can’t get enough of this place. For the nth time, I was in awe with its beauty.

Be mine yellow flower, I was itching to place this behind my ears! 🙂

Yummy breakfast

And their mouth watering cake… heaven!

Souvenir shop

Maskara’s

And their smiling staff

Prenup, the rain and The Ruins

We only have an hour left to check out some old houses, we first visited Balay Negrese. It is a must that you visit these houses. The smell of old books, windows and hearing your foot steps always bring a different feeling.

Who wants to play “sungka”?

Oh! I love this!

Can’t imagine how one lives in a basement like this. I want to go inside but it’s kinda creepy.

The little museum inside Balay Negrese where you can find paintings, masks, art wires and souvenirs.

I met the man who made this… 🙂 He’s a kind man with artistic hands.

Next stop, Jalandoni Museum. Anyone who loves dresses will truly be inspired when they see this place. They were able to keep those special “Barong at Saya’s”. Finding one copy of the oldest Reader’s Digest was exciting!

Ceilings were imported from Germany.

I’d be happy to wear this!

And this too!

By lunchtime, we were at the port already. We need to ride one so we can go to our next stop, Guimaras Island! 🙂 Finally, swimming time!

Quick stop at the “Pitstop” for the famous Mango Pizza.

Not bad! I really can’t imagine how one can come up with this type of pizza, but it was one of the best I have ever tasted. Cheese and mango does not sound bad at all!

Make sure to take a bite!

Gen and Andy with my Clubhouse sandwich

While they were resting/sleeping… we were swimming and laughing our ass out! Thanks Gen for your effortless way of making us laugh.

“May problema ba tayo?”, “Wala, kasi walang namang tayo diba?”! OMG! It was crazy I swear!

I swam and swam and swam until I can no longer walk, haha!

Bacolod Guimaras Iloilo Trip Day 1

Mom used to say “Kaya ka pala gala kasi may nunal ka sa paa” / “The reason why you are always out is because of the mole on your foot.” That was like an old school saying, but I believed her. Since 2007, I have traveled to different places here in our country. Believe me, I still have a long list up to now. But as of the mean time, I plan not to travel too much for 2013. Usually I would be the first one to plan certain travels for different group of friends. Now, I am the one declining, haha! Only accepted two major out of towns because they are important, weddings of loved one always are! I guess, 5 years is enough for now and I would like to take things seriously.

So for now, let me share my last unforgettable travel experience for 2012. Our Bacolod, Guimaras, Iloilo Trip! This is a late post but I won’t forgive myself if I can’t blog this before the year ends. Just by looking at these photos, you can say, we really had a great time. And yes, you will notice I am always in or near the water bodies. 🙂

We left Manila around 4pm and landed Bacolod by 5pm. It was a quick trip, sad though because I was not able to get the seat near the window. My body feels tired since we came straight from night shift, but I CANNOT sleep, due to excessive excitement.

The travel team, left to right, front and back (Hilda, Kim, Gen, Anna, Ampy and Andy)

Of course, first stop would be the “The Ruins”. One word “Breathtaking”! I cannot stop admiring how lovely it look. The driver said, “Too bad you missed the sunset, where you can really see the true beauty of the ruins”. I have to agree but you know, seeing it at night will also be one of the best things in life.

The walls that I can’t stop touching, haha! I have this thing with old and vintage stuff. Walking here makes me feel so in touch with the past.
Art in the wall

I got a pretty model, meet Kim 🙂

I could not ask for more 🙂

After visiting “The Ruins” we went straight to Ong Bun which was located in the city. Of course, our hungry stomachs would not let us sleep the night away though all of us are sooooooo tired to the highest level.

While waiting for our food at Manukan, it’s a street of restaurant and believe me… the place smells so good!

A few chats here and there while waiting for our food.

Gen, the coke model 🙂

And the night ends with this! Weeeee! The best Chicken Inasal for only 116 each! *Burp*

Weekly Photo Challenge: Reflections

Today you can…

Reflect on your past

But do not make the same mistake on your present

 Just look forward to a brighter FUTURE

Weekly Photo Challenge: Green

When I learned about the Weekly Photo Challenge being GREEN, I knew that my Bacolod-Guimaras-Iloilo Trip last weekend would be perfect.

Green is the color of emeralds, jade, and growing grass. In the continuum of colors of visible light it is located between yellow and blue. Green is the color most commonly associated with nature and the environmental movement, Islam, spring, hope and envy. – Wikipedia

Green was everywhere, from the food that we ate, the beautiful surroundings that we saw, antique items and old houses that we have visited. Ending my year with a memorable trip with friends was a great idea. Promise to share a detailed post (and more photos) about our trip soon, for the mean time, enjoy this gallery!

~~~ Check out my other Weekly Photo Challenge ~~~

Weekly Photo Challenge: Renewal

Weekly Photo Challenge: Geometry

Weekly Photo Challenge: Foreign

Weekly Photo Challenge: Silhouette

Weekly Photo Challenge: Big

Weekly Photo Challenge: Happy