My 29th at the "Lost Horizon of the South"- Camotes Island

"Best 500PHP" spent ever. Thanks to Kuya Archie- driver, tour guide and new found friend. We saw the marvels of Camotes in one day!

Left around 4am arrived at Consuelo Port at 8am. Early check in at Santiago Bay Resort then off to wonder Camotes on a motorcyle :)
Mangodlong Rock Resort
Paraiso Cave
Lake Danao Natural Park
Holy Crystal Cave
Bakhaw Beach
Timubo Cave
Buho Rock Resort
Pito's Sutukil

Here's the scenic view of Santiago Bay Resort from their pool close to the reception area.

Now, this is the other pool close to our room.

Off we go to our Day tour! First stop is the Mangodlong Rock Resort- a sister resort of Santiago Bay Resort.

First thing you'll notice are these huts nestled on top of rocks.

and these big Jelly Fishes floating ashore!

Second stop is the Paraiso Cave Resort. Highlight is its crystal clear water found inside the cave. Entrance fee for an adult is PHP20.

Next stop is Lake Danao Natural Park. You'll get to see this scenic view for only PHP15 entrance fee.

What we thought as an ordinary cave turned out to be an exhilarating adventure, Holy Crystal Cave is really a must destination in Camotes. It's a close encounter of various stalactites and stalagmites that still glitters!

After conquering until stage 6 of the cave (we opted not to finish stages 7 and 8, I already started to catch my breath) we went to Bakhaw Beach- an unspoiled, undeveloped and serene beach in Esperanza. It was just a perfect site after our "spelunking adventure". Entrance fee is PHP5 and its all for ourselves,

 

Then off we go to Timubo Cave, this was the part of the trip where we just dipped for several minutes on the crystal cool and clear water inside the cave.

Now we're off to see Buho Rock, known for its cliff diving. 

Last stop was Camotes Baywalk, this time we just ate my fave "Isaw" then we went back to Santiago Bay Resort.

Here's our expenses in PHP excluding food.

		Amount for 2
Cebu City to Danao bus fare	80 (roundtrip	160
Danao to Consuelo Port ferry fare	400 (roundtrip)	800
Day tour on a Motorcycle	500
Gasoline and Tip/Snacks	400
Non aircon room at Santiago Bay Resort	1000
Entrance fees
Paraiso Cave	20	40
Holy Crystal Cave Tip	100
Timubo Cave	20	40
Danao Natural Park	15	30
Buho Rock Resort	25	50
Total		3,020

Lagaw Lagaw ta sa Bacolod 2013

Instead of  going straight to Siquijor, we had a quick detour to Bacolod and its neighboring cities namely, Silay, Talisay and Murcia, home of Mambukal Hot Spring Resort. Each city has its own charm to boast hence one reason why this entry is entitled "Lagaw Lagaw" which is an Ilonggo term for wander or stroll.

You definitely need at least 2 or 3 days to enjoy these places in Bacolod. I had an impression that I can cover my Bacolod itinerary for a day but I was wrong :(. Originally, we planned to tour Bacolod City after our visit at The Ruins but we ended really exhausted and headed to Manokan Country at 3pm. 

Ever famous Bacolod's Chicken Inasal

We even didn't have time to stroll in SM City Bacolod which is right beside the latter nor the attractions within Bacolod City because we need to catch up for our bus ride going to Mambukal Hot Spring Resort. The resort closes at 6pm and it will take at least an hour to reach it from Bacolod hence we only  have less than 3 hours to roam the resort. Unknowingly, Mambukal Hot Spring Resort covers large span of land. Best would be an overnight stay to enjoy all its facilities and spots.

Here's its website for further details: Mambukal Resort

Last trip to Bacolod is at 6pm. I didn't even have the chance to visit its Hot Spring or try out its boating lagoon :( Busses bound for Bacolod is just right outside the Resort.

It was a rainy night when we arrived in Bacolod City, perfect weather for a hot Merci piaya and yummy Calea cakes along Lacson Street :)

At the strike of midnight, September 29 which marks my 28th Birthday, I blew my custom-made Peppero White Cheesecake :) This wrapped up our day in Bacolod. 

Enjoying The Ruins: M and M

It was almost noontime when we reached Talisay City, Negros Occidental which is just a 10-minute ride from Silay City. From El Ideal you can walk straight to BDO where buses and vans bound for Bacolod City and Talisay City can be found. Funny thing was we tried to speak in Ilonggo since I knew some words anyway but to no avail. It was a challenge when its time for us to pay for our fare. I needed to come closer to the driver to tell him exactly where we're going and to ask for the fare. Good riddance, the van driver dropped us off right in front of Pepsi Bata where tricycles going to the Ruins were parked.

Tricycles were readily found below the bridge. I then negotiated for our roundtrip ride settled at PHP150. Worth the price because it was a long way ride and not that easy to find esp for first time visitors. As of September 2013, here's the entrance fees info.

Been goin' thru other blogs and they indeed gave justice to this place. Nestled amidst sugarcane plantation, this well maintained place has its charming appeal to a couple like us knowing that it was built by Don Mariano Lacson in memory of his first wife, Maria Braga, evident by their initials found on its walls. 

M and M

It looks like an E but its actually flipped letter M's which stands for Mariano and Maria. I got this info from Roger, the ever famous funny tour guide. Famous? well his youtube vid ranges from 545 to 237,244 views. Here's a link: ROGER the funny tour guide of THE RUINS Negros Occidental. He was actually one of our trip's highlight so I never missed the chance to have a picture with him and of course to give him a pat on the back for a job well done.

Now that's Roger at the middle

It was a treat when he took this picture, a famous spot of this mansion. Thank you Roger, 'twas a delight meeting you.

We enjoyed touring the entirety of the mansion, its interior, mini park, fountain and garden.

Interior

The rest of it

PS: This is part of my Bacolod and Siquijor Itinerary last September 2013