A photo album that contains pictures in my Negros Occidental side trip has popped up in my Facebook memories (I finally had the courage to reactivate my FB. LOL). I then realized that it’s been 1 year since I had my side trip to Bacolod.
As I browsed that specific album, memories of that travel flashed back to my mind. That travel was one of the most unforgettable experiences that I have. If you’re wondering why, then go and read this blog.
As I reminisce those memories, let me share with you my travel experience not just on Bacolod but also to other parts of Negros Occidental that I had visited.
Since this side trip to Bacolod was not included in my initial plan, I haven’t saved more money for this trip. Therefore, I was trying to save as much as I can while traveling.
I chose to travel via land trip through a bus which takes 8 hours to reach Bacolod. Thanks to my Ilonggo workmate who gave me tips on how I can get to my side trip destination. There are also many bus routes, but I chose the route via Don Salvador as it is also the quickest one, yet gives an enjoyable ride because of the landscapes that it passes by.
I left our house around 10:00 PM and went to Cebu North Bus Terminal to ride a Ceres bus that is scheduled to depart at 11:00 PM and would reach Bacolod at 7:00 AM. As I’ve mentioned on my previous blog, this is my first solo travel (and last as of now).
I have enjoyed this solo travel thingy because I’ve got to trust myself more and still manage to be at peace even though I don’t know if I can get to my destination safely.
Since I was traveling during the middle of the night, I tried to get some sleep while sitting on my bus seat. Almost everyone was sleeping and enjoying the love song from the bus speaker. I’ve got some sleep and I woke up when it’s already dawn. I’ve peeked on the window beside me to see what’s outside. I’m also excited to see what my Ilonggo workmate told me. “You’ll be amazed if you’ll pass through Don Salvador Road. The view is breathtaking.” So, I really waited for the sun to rise while I keep on looking through the window.
The road was foggy and the sun has not yet risen. Even though I’ve enjoyed watching the foggy road, I can’t help but get worried at the same time because we’re on a cliff road. There’s so many what if’s in my mind, but later on, I chose to trust the driver and God.
The sun began to shine when we finally reached Don Salvador Benedicto road. Good timing indeed! While passing through the road, my eyes were satisfied with those mesmerizing landscapes under the cliff and a vista of mountains and farmlands. I felt like not wanting to end that road trip anymore. But of course, I must reach to my destination so I just took some photographs as a remembrance.
When we reached Bacolod South Bus Terminal, I rode a tricycle going to the hotel where my sister and his husband were staying. Since the tricycle driver just dropped me in the corner of the street, I sought help from Google Map so I was able to arrive at the hotel on time.
My sister has prepared our itinerary while she was waiting for me to get there. So, we immediately started roaming around the city when I arrived.
Before I visited Bacolod, I have already heard from a friend how nice this place is. I’ve also seen photos of this place on Facebook so I was excited to see it with myself. When we arrived at the resort, I have agreed that the place is awesome.
You’ll also become excited once you saw the fun activities that they offer such as ziplines, hanging bridge, sky bike, rope course, dino park, shoe house, and children’s playgrounds. They also have wide wave pools that are good for both kids and adults.
You will surely not be bored with those fun activities and its theme-park environment while enjoying the scenic background of nature.
The place was crowded when we got there. It’s summer when we visited the place and it’s Sunday as well, what should I expect?
We’ve tried to roam around the resort and try to swim in the wave pool as well. But we’ve only spent a few hours in the resort because as much as I want to enjoy the place, I started to become uncomfortable when more people were coming in which made the place overcrowded. I guess I’ll just revisit the place during weekdays and probably not in the summer season so I’ll get a chance to enjoy the resort.
But overall, this place is still recommendable for tourists and locals. If you have kids, then I’m sure they’ll love Campuestohan Highland Resort.
After our Campuestohan tour, we decided to visit The Ruins as our second and last destination for Day 1 itinerary. The place was idyllic that’s why I loved our stay there.
Before we get inside The Ruins, we took some time sitting on the bench while enjoying the fresh air and beautiful view. We were sharing stories while watching the Koi swimming freely in the pond.
When we decided to get inside The Ruins, we saw that many tourists were also visiting the place. We’ve read some history regarding The Ruins on the articles framed on the wall. After some picture taking, we went to the garden where you can see The Ruins from the outside.
I’ve enjoyed our trip to this place because it is so peaceful and I love the ambiance.
This is my favorite part of the trip. I do love nature tripping as I feel rejuvenated by connecting to nature. I also feel the need to reconnect to nature from time to time when I’m fed up with my job and other people that I’m dealing with. So, this place is just perfect for me.
When we arrived at Mambukal Resort, a refreshing ambiance welcomed us. The place was full of tranquility that made me feel delighted.
Aside from just simply wanting to reconnect with nature, Mabukal Resort also offers a variety of activities that involves nature. Below are the activities that you can enjoy in this resort:
If we only have ample time and money, we could have enjoyed all the activities in Mambukal Resort. One thing that I really wanted to try was the Waterfalls Trekking. I am a fan of waterfalls because trekking to its peak and splashing into its water gives me so much joy and excitement. But since we can’t do many activities, we only spent time walking around the resort. We also decided to try swimming in the pool and sulfur hot spring.
If I would choose between Cold and Hot Spring, I would choose the latter. I’m too sensitive to cold waters so I was happy that their spring is hot, or else, I would just refuse dipping into the water.
Soaking into the hot water has helped me relieve my stress and made me feel refreshed. Although I still wanted to soak for a few hours, I decided to get up when I could no longer tolerate the rising temperature of the spring.
Among the tourist spots that we have visited, Mambukal Resort got the highest rating for me.
On our last day of the tour, we roam around the streets of Bacolod City, its plaza, and church.
We also went to the famous BongBong’s and Merzci’s Pasalubong Shop because my sister and her husband will return to Cebu, and as a tradition, they will bring some pasalubong to our family.
As our tour came to an end, we parted our ways since they will return to Cebu and I went to my main destination which is Iloilo to attend to our professional convention.
This side trip to Negros Occidental is memorable to me. I wish I could go return in this place and I might add Negros Oriental on my next tour.
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