Negros Occidental's Bacolod City : More than Inasal

Is there anything we can do in Bacolod besides eat Inasal?

That's what we asked ourselves after being able to book a really cheap flight to the City of Smiles.  We just couldn't resist booking that Php200 all-in airfare. And although Bacolod seems like a world apart from the previous adventure-filled places that we've been to, we didn't let ourselves be discouraged.  I, for one, believe that each place has something to offer and some, just waiting to be discovered. 

So just imagine my delight when my sister gave me a flyer of Next Stop Negros  a tour company which aims to provide tourists a unique experience of Negros.  Their tours consisted of the following:

• Hacienda Lunch Tours
• Biking at the foot of Mt. Kanlaon
• Central Market Walking Tour
• Four Waterfalls Trek
• Danjugan Island
• Visita Iglesia

Now these activities doubled my excitement for our Bacolod trip!  Among the activities above, I couldn't wait for the bike ride along the sugar field.

But much to my dismay, after contacting Next Stop Tours for countless of times, I wasn't able to formally book a tour.  At first I was able to talk to the owner but after some follow-up email and calls, I wasn't able to get hold of them any longer. 

I wasn't to lose hope, though.  Up to the time we arrived in Bacolod, I was still trying to get in touch with them or visit their office.  However, after my nth call, I was informed that the company is no longer active and does not offer bike tours anymore.  Crap.  I would have appreciated a simple email/text days before the trip.  Or better yet, why not put a big banner on the site announcing such state?

So here goes our revised itinerary.. minus the waterfalls and biking tour that I so dreamt of:

Day 1

2: 00pm          ETD Manila

2: 45pm          ETA Silay Bacolod airport

3: 45pm          ETA Circle Inn (Bacolod City)

7: 30pm          Dinner at Mushu

Day 2

8: 30am          ETD Circle Inn

8: 45 - 9:30am Bus terminal
10: 45am        ETA Mambukal Falls

2:30pm           back to hotel
4:30pm           lunch/dinner
6:00pm           Robinsons

Day 3

8:30am           ETD Circle Inn

9:30am           ETA Silay City
                     * Bernandino - Jalandoni Museum
                     * San Diego Cathedral
                     * Balay Negrense Museum
                     * Old Houses around Silay

1:30pm          Lunch at Bacolod chickenhouse
3:00pm          Dessert at Calea (Robinsons)

4:15pm          The Ruins

6:00pm          Back to the hotel
7:30pm          Dinner at Bob's

9:00pm          Pendy's Pasalubong

Day 4

8:00am          Breakfast at Mcdo Capitol
8:45am          Photoshoot at Capitol

                    San Sebastian Cathedral

                    Virgie's Pasalubong

12:00pm        check out and lunch at Circle Inn

4:30pm          ETA Silay- Bacolod Airport

(delayed flight!! *$%@!#)

8:45pm          Left Bacolod

9:30pm          ETA Manila

Here's a sneak peek of the places that we got to see around Negros Occidental.  Each place will have a separate post:

the only pancit that I'm craving for

4th falls at Mambukal

Famous The Ruins

dinner at Bob's

Balay Negrense

heavenly Calea cake

Capitol Lagoon

One of the pools at Mambukal Resort

San Sebastian Cathedral

Exploring the Islands of Coron: Malcapuya and Banana Island

DAY 3: OCT. 4, 2009


After enjoying the picturesque lakes, playing with colorful fishes in great snorkeling spots and savoring the beauty of it's magnificent limestone cliffs and secluded beach coves; we were off to see two of Coron's white-sand beaches -  Malcapuya and Banana Island.


Since our first stop, Malcapuya, is an hour and a half away from the town, we had to start the tour early to avoid choppy waters.  Before riding the boat, we passed by the market which is situated beside the port, to purchase items for our lunch.  With the help of Ate Vangie, we haggled with the vendors and only spent Php400 for the following:  1/2 kg of liempo, 1 kg of bananas, 1 large fresh tuna, a pack of trusty Mama Sita Sauce for our inihaw na liempo, ice, 1.5 liters coke, charcoal and eating utensils.

back of the Malcapuya island

polvoron

We arrived at the island at around 930am and was pleasantly surprised to have the long stretch of white sand beach for ourselves.  Wasting no time to enjoy the place, we sunbathed, swam on it's clear blue waters, and took lots of photos to our heart's content. Sadly, however, the weather did not cooperate as it became gloomy and drizzled for a few hours.  We had to leave for Banana Island only after spending an hour on this beach. If I get to go back, I would definitely consider camping on this island with my friends.


If you want to see the top view of the island, just climb the viewing deck located on both sides of the island.  This can be a perfect spot for great photos. But when we were there, it was drizzling so we weren't able to get a good shot.


As we were already hungry and ready for lunch, we then went to Banana Island which is a few minutes away from Malcapuya.  The island is called as such since its shape is that of a banana.  Upon seeing the island from afar, we kept saying "wow ang ganda!".  Who wouldn't be charmed with the place with it's pristine white sand under a warm sunshine.

because i couldn't resist doing this silly pose

Kuya Allan preparing our lunch

All we did at this place was laze around on the hammock, played with the resident dogs and took photos while waiting for Kuya Allan to finish preparing our meal.  Our sumptuous lunch consisted of grilled liempo, tuna, itlog na maalat and tomatoes paired with ice cold Coke.  Relaxation at it's finest!

We capped off our 3rd day by having our dinner at Bistro Coron . I'm glad that we decided to splurge on good food for our last night and chose to dine at this place.   The owner of the bistro is French and the menu consists of pizza,  pasta, salad , steaks, seafood, etc.  The price is above average but the servings are good for 2-3 persons.  My mouth still waters just by thinking of the delicious food we ate.


For people who wants a peaceful time away from the hustle bustle of the city, the quiet town of Coron is definitely the place to visit.

Entrance Fee: Malcapuya - Php150

                      Banana Island - Php200
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Mrs. Violeta Gallego can be reached at

Tel #: 09214741602

Email: bananaislandcoron@gmail.com

Where is Coron located?

It is a small and quiet island in the Calamian Group of Islands in northern Palawan. This place is famous for its rich marine life, limestone cliffs and well preserved lakes and beaches.

How to Get there from Manila:

By air: The following airlines have flights to Coron: Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, South East Asian Airlines (seair), Zestair for approximately 45 minutes to an hour.

By Water: The following ferries travel to Coron: WG&A Super Ferry and Negros Navigation which takes about 12 hours.