Patag: Nature at its best

Another hidden paradise that Negros Occidental can proud of would be Brgy. Patag. It is unique from the other mountain resorts. Why? Because you only need to walk or trek 15 minutes then you'll find yourself in the heart of a virgin forest.

Boracay: World's Best Beach Destination

When you hear the word Boracay, what is the first thing the comes into your mind? Sun, white sand, waves, bikinis and parties are some of the words to describe this paradise island.

I have been to Boracay several times and not to mention I used to work on one of the resorts there for over a year. This year I had a chance of coming back together with my two brothers, Ruel and Mhirosa.

Getting There.

It was a long trip from Bacolod City to Boracay island. First, you take a fast craft to Iloilo City  for about 60 minutes. Then, frm Iloilo port proceed directly to Tagbac terminal where can choose either you take a bus or van for hire going to Caticlan.Travel time is about 5 and a half to 6 hours depending on how frequent they picked up passengers along the way. The bus or van will drop you off in front of  Jetty Port  in Caticlan where motorized boats awaits to take visitors and locals across the island. Last stop will be Cagban Port. You can hire tricycles (motorcycles with side car) for P100 to bring you to your resort.

First time in Boracay, excited to explore the island

cont... A Weekend Vacation Worth to Remember

   On our third and last day. We were planning to go to Laguna for an Enchanted Kingdom 'gala', but unfortunately Nanay had an attacked of her abdominal pains. We were about to cancel it but Nanay insisted on going and not to spoil our short vacation. So we ended up somewhere near and that was Star City so that they could also come along.

A Weekend Vacation Worth to Remember

My brother and his girlfriend had a weekend blast last August 14-16, 2010 in Manila so I asked them to share their wonderful experience.

    Dy and I went to Manila for a short vacation. It was Dy's first time to fly with an airplane (as what he told me). We were both excited.

     As we arrived in Manila, we went straight to Delpan, Tondo where my nanay (mom) stays.

     For our first night, Tatay (dad) and Dy had a bonding-drinking session together. Well, the beautiful me was with Nanay taking care of her because 'fyi', she just came out of the hospital on that same day. =(

Malatan-og Falls: A Hideout in Don Salvador Benedicto

     While on our way home from San Carlos City, our driver gave us a chance to have a stop over in Malatan-og Falls view deck in Brgy. Kumaliskis, Don Salvador Benedicto. I've been passing this road before but hadn't got to linger cause of  little time.
     It's summertime but the temperature is cooler because the place is already high up in the mountain. The falls is about 100 meters high and you can trek all the way down to the falls in 30 to 45 minutes but the water is so inviting that surely repays the tiresome trek.. 
     I will surely come back here and will certainly try trekking all the way to the falls and dip on its refreshing water.

Malatan-og Falls in the middle of summer

Taking a closer look of the falls using a binocular.

The View Deck

Sipaway Island: Escape to San Carlos

      When I was still with my previous company, we always planned to go to Sipaway but never had the chance cause of the changing schedule of our work. So when my colleagues decided to have our team building there, everyone agreed.
     Sipaway is a small island on the east of San Carlos City. If your coming from Bacolod, it is an hour and a half drive via Don Salvador and 15 minutes ride on a motorize boat. The island is roughly seven (7) kilometers long and 3.5 kilometers wide.
     We stayed in La Basilia Resort which is a few meters away from the port we docked.The resort have several rooms for overnight stay and can accommodate up to 10 persons. Electricity on the island is available from 5-11:00 pm only so be sure to bring emergency lights with you.
     The water is clear crystal blue and clean teaming with different kinds of marine life like starfish, sea grass, and colorful fishes to name some.Not only that, the resort has white sandy beach and plenty of green vegetations around the resort.
  

                                     San Carlos City taken from Sipaway Island

With my team mates, having fun under the super hot sun 

Posing for more pictures =)

     We had a great time during our one night stay on the island. We hadn't the chance to go around the island but the bonding moments and the memories we had is enough to savor the totality of the place.

     Best place to getaway from the hurly-burly city life.

Lakawon Island: Cadiz Pride

If you're looking for a white sandy beach not too far away from Bacolod city, then this sand bar is the answer. Located off the coast of Cadiz Viejo, this thirteen (13) hectare island is popularly called Lakawon Island.


Getting There.
From Bacolod City,you can get there by taking a bus on Ceres north terminal in Shopping. Going to Kaduhaan would take you approximately 1 hour then you get down on crossing Martisan. Take a tricycle to Cadiz Viejo port where a motor boat owned by the resort awaits to take you to the island.


The Island.
This is my first time to set foot on the island that rises a few meters above sea level.. Pretty much excited cause the say it can be compared to Boracay.
The sand is white. Only that it is made of coarse corals unlike the sands of Boracay which is powdery white. The resort is roughly three (3) hectares in area, with plenty of coconut, talisay trees and some trees that grows on the sea shore. 
It was October when we went there so I'm not expecting a lot of visitors on the island. We're the only guest on the resort (hahaha). Not much of recreational activities as well so we spent the whole day sleeping under the shade of the trees, picture taking, and swimming. The marine life found around the island makes it perfect for snorkeling.
They have their own restaurant as well. Prices of the food on the menu is quite high if you're on a tight budget cause fresh ingredients came from the mainland but the taste of the food is still homey.
A generator provided the electricity on the resort and starts from 5:00 to 9:30 pm. The resort has no bar so don't expect any nightlife because the owner decided to keep it that way to preserve the island. If you're looking for a peaceful, quiet, perfect relaxation and a romantic getaway then come to Lakawon island.


Budget:

• Bus fare (Bacolod to Cadiz Viejo)      around P60
• tricycle fare to the boat port               P100
• Boat fare (provided by the resort)       round trip  P600
• Aircon rooms ( 2-8 pax)                    ranges from P1,800 - P2,500
• Non aircon rooms                             from P700 - P1,400

    

Lakawon Island from afar

   

   

   

Panay island on the other side of the island

Lakawon Island Beach Resort
Location: Cadiz Viejo, Cadiz City, Negros Occidental
Contact Nos. Tel: (034) 433-0808 / 434-7737