NEGROSANON, ATON TUKIBON!: BUSAY UBOS, BAGO CITY

                               

                 "Sometimes  the most beautiful things are just around us. Sometimes we appreciate things, limited only to our naked eyes. Most of the time, we focus on what is already there.  Only to discover that beautiful things do'nt happen by accidents or coincedences. They are adventures yet to happen." -author's note

             This insight was my my feeling and realization after my adventure and travel to Busay Ubos, Bago City. 


            Busay Ubos will mesmerize you and captivate you. When you feel like the buzz and load of traffic  in the city that gets under your skin and you need a place to chill out and a moment of peace with  nature, Busay Ubos is one of the affordable yet worthy to travel into. 

     
          The cool breeze and gushing of water will make you feel refreshed and relaxed too. `

 It's stunning and uncontained beauty will bring you a sense of peace and relaxation as it is being 
surrounded by green plants and red rocks. 












If you like trekking and just starting to hike or go into an adventure trek, this one is for you too. Since you need to hike 15-20 mins atleast, which includes crossing the red river bank.

                                                                  CROSSING THE RIVERBANK

The hike is not that difficult or unsafe. Just be careful since it is slippery. All the tiredness and cramps on your body will be gone when you arrive and see its amazing beauty.

 And if you are a person who likes to travel alone, with friends and loved one's Busay Ubos is one of a must that you should check out in going to Bago City. 

HOW TO GET THERE :

-From Bacolod City

*Take a bus (CERES in South Terminal or Roadstar in Libertad Market with a route going to Ma-ao). Make sure that the bus bear's a sign with Ma-ao in it.

*From Bacolod to Ma-ao it would be a  2 (two) hour ride.

*From Bago to Ma-ao it would be atleast 30- 45 mins to get in to Ma-ao proper.

*Upon arriving in Ma-ao you would need to ride in a tricyle in their public market to get to Brgy. Mailum. Tell the tricycle driver to drop you off at Tabidjao where the trek starts going to Busay Ubos.

*You can also ask the tricycle driver or the locals to get in there. You will know that you are in the right direction and reached Tabidjao if you can see the steel bridge, where your hike satrts.

*Please also bring your own food, water and travel stuff since after Ma-ao proper or its public market, there are no available amenities inside its vicinity.

-Travel expenses
*CERES - 30 pesos
*Roadstar from Bacolod- 30
Roadstar from Bago proper- 20 pesos
*Tricycle- 30 pesos

The Lost Horizon of the South: Camotes Island Philippines

CAMOTES ISLAND PHILIPPINES

Live life to the Fullest, My usual mantra  at its best!

              

            My recent travel last month brought me to the Southern part of Cebu. I have been able to travel all over Cebu in its city and I think even the less traveled portions, but always on its Northern side. 

Camotes Islands is a group of islands in the Camotes Sea, Philippines. Combined area is 236.36 kilometres. The island group is located east of Cebu Island, southwest of Leyte Island, and north of Bohol Island. 

          Camotes got its name when during the Spanish regime the locals were asked by the Spaniards as to what their place or the island  was called. But the locals did not understand what they are asking, they thought the question was, "What are you planting/harvesting", so the locals said Kamotes. 

        There are two ways that I know if your from Negros, in order to get to Camotes. If you opt for a fast travel by plane to Cebu City, it would be the most convenient mode of travelling to Camotes. In Mactan airport you have another one hour to ride on the ferry boat, which is headed to Poro port and a land travel of mostly 40 mins to Camotes. Second is By water. its either you take the port in Escalante (Tabuelan) or in Old Sagay. The trip would take up as much as 2 hours and 30 mins. You have to ride another ferry boat again in Danao port for atleast an hour in order to arrive in Brgy Camotes.

We stayed in Santiago Beach Resort for 3 consecutive days.  The people here and their staffs are very welcoming and accommodating. My tip also is that if you have a private car you should bring one, in order for you to travel the whole island. In that way you could save more, since renting a multicab for a day will cost you around 1,200-2,000 per day.

           Camotes Island is Called the Lost Horizon of the South for the locals say that the most beautiful sunset that could be seen in the naked eyes is here in the said Island.

        

        Of course, water activities is always one of the goals. In the lower right portion, is a map containing the diving site and spots allover Camotes. All in all, my brothers and I have been able to went in their diving spots and tourist attractions especially their Spelunking activities as  well.  

         On this portion , I would highlight the places where I find very attractive and at the same time will give you a peace of mind and a break from the busy real life scenario you could have. Especially that I belong in a Corporate world.

Bukilat cave, Tudela, Cebu

On our way to Lake Danao some children are selling  this dried camotes and this is their delicacy. But I forgot what its called. hahaa...Thats for you to find out.








DANAO LAKE

MANGODLONG ROCK


I dont get too much details on how to get here and there so that you can find your adventures as well.  A little lost on the lane and street would be fun right??. hahha. As they say it its when your lost, its the moment when your found. We have been able to scurry around since we brought our car with us. 

Paraiso Cave is a privately owned business. For most of the caves we have been into with range of entrance fees not more than 60 pesos this one is more costly. Its around 100-200 pesos. But not that bad until you jumped into the cool and deep blue water

Being loud and noisy is prohibited, since bats are around the area.

MALAPASCUA ISLAND
Known as the little Boracay of Camotes Island

Busay Falls

           So if you are looking for a place to relax, get cozy, spend time with your family and a much needed break from the busy life and place that you come from, I recommend Camotes Island for you to check out and travel.

Malaysia:Trully Asia (Jetsetter travels)

        “To live life to the fullest and to see the world in its  best”

                                                       -Jetsetter travel in Malysia

         

         This is always my mantra in life. Not just for travel or wherever I go to and do. Sometimes I just had that certain feeling, not to runaway with life, but to go away to the pile of routine the world has stucked up on you and throw at you. I always find travelling and contemplating as a means to refresh my soul. I always feel different whenever I came back and when you travel you are never the same again. It’s like you shed a thousand skin in every places you go.

          Anyways, Im here to share to you after 2 long years since I wrote back due to adulting stages and problems and depressions (hahahah) about my recent travel to Malaysia.

 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is a 4 hour flight from The Philippines. You may either ride on a plane via Iloilo, Cebu or Bacolod. I usually stayed at the city specifically in Selangor. My place which where I stayed is just in front of Citta Mall, where you can find different races of people as well as there food stalls and stuffs. 

The first famous spot that I went into Malaysia is the Petronas Twin Towers in Bandar. This is the second tallest twin tower that was left including one in New York. Inside also are different stalls for shopping spree and luxury. I went for a drink with my family at their 12th floor also known as The Canopy by Tiger Bay London Bar & Lounge, where you could see the Twin tower's view from afar.

The following day we went to Melaka, a province in Malaysia where you can take the bus or train and you could already go to Singapore or Thailand. 

Sungai, Melaka is one of my favorite places in Malaysia. I love how people preserve their heritage and culture. I also felt the tradition and their culture in their place and how they value them. Blending with the locals and the food is one of the highlights too :). Melaka is a small city with different tourist attractions where you can ride the boat and have a tour on their city. But, be careful there are some alligators on the water too :). You can also tour around Melaka by walking or biking. 




You can also find here the biggest christian church here in Malaysia eventhough majority of their people's origin are muslim's

We took the boat ride, where you can see old houses, already now surrounded by new and taller buildings as well.

 It was also mentioned during the tour, that there are houses called as "Houses with no names", by the phrase itself, people have no proper identity that are living in there. I cant imagine my life not being able to know who am I or where I'm from. Even sometimes you feel lost in life, yeah?. But there houses seem to look good and presentable. Alongside the offshore where bars and stalls also, for people who are walking around Melaka.

Jonker Street is also part of Melaka where you can find different food resto's, sidewalk vendors and affordable gift and souvenirs when you get home.  This is one of my fave part. Mangoes in Malaysia are absolutely mouthwatering!!.

They love spicy foods on everything they eat. Each part you walk in the morning gets crowded when it gets to evening , as lots and lots of people are selling their products at night.

People cant even walk on the streets anymore.  As you go along the streets you bump to different people with different places and its good to be sometimes transparent and bold knowing that your away from the poring eyes of other people. And that sometimes being alone with people you do'nt know makes you know more about yourself, help you to see life on a bigger scale rather than being judged.


And that sometimes the moment that your are lost is the moment where your found.

I thank God for the opportunity to widen my experiences and learnings in life always. So whenever you have the opportunity to always visit and explore, dont hesitate to travel the world and become so much more :) . 

Isla De Gigantes, Philippines: Would you believe Giants are Real?.

The Island of the Giants

 More commonly known as the Isla De Gigantes, which is located at the Northern part of Ilo-Ilo City specifically in Carles which is the last part of Northern Ilo-Ilo.

 From Bacolod City to Iloilo City,a ride on a Fast Craft(Ferryboat) would be around 45-60 mins., before you arrive in Iloilo's port.  After a few buzz on the boat travel a land trip of about 4 hours would follow going to Estancia port for another boat ride which was about 3 hours on crossing the Island of Carles, where Isla De Gigantes would be found.

I remember being on a Restaurant in Bacolod where I feel really poor everytime i wanted to eat scallop shells cause its expensive, but then you discovered that here in Carles its just the same as buying a fishball. You can buy them for one peso. And hey! its everywhere...As in everywhere.

This coffin  discovered on a cave was believed to be of a human being  7 inches to 8 inches tall, being buried in it.  And that's where its name came from: The Island of the Giant's (Isla De Gigantes).

The remains of this coffin could now be found in the local inn where we stayed and booked for the rest of the week.

 

After an overnight rest, of course surely the next day is yet to uphold. This are the activities they provided while we were in their. 

 This is The Sand Bar

                                                                              Antonia Beach

This is part of the Island Hopping activity which offers snorkling.

Nomadic Traveling : Why Sulfur River is Worth the Climb

THE SULFUR RIVER

Atop is the video of a 1 km. hike/trek down the Sulfur River in Bago City, Philippines.

One way of clearing things up if something messes up your mind is to find peace and a place to relax.

They say that great things take time.

I really do believe in that, for this River I visited vouches for that.

From Bago City proper you can ride a bus around 15-20 mins. Then you have to ride on a Tricycle in getting inside the place since a private vehicle may be difficult to bring, since the road is under construction.

 This is somewhere along the way where the 1 km walk and trek starts. This is a view from atop the mountains of Lunao in Brgy. Mailum which gives you a chill and a cool breeze of fresh air.

The way uphill is no joke. Its very steep and when it rains it is very difficult to climb.

Its my first time to climb a mountain where I could feel the thrum of my heart deafening my ears.

the death defying experience adds up as well to the adrenaline. The feeling of excitement buries your worries and the feeling of exhaustion because you know at the end of a bigger sacrifice is something beautiful.

Though it is difficult and the road uphill is really challenging, once you hear the gush of the river thats when you know your near.

And we definetly made it :).  This is the tourguide helping me step the rocks in getting a full and clearer view of the river.

Well Great things takes time isnt it?. Who would have thought that something challenging and difficult could end up to something as beautiful as this. 

Every time I travel a different place, I also become a different person. It gives me time to contemplate things.

To see and appreciate things on a bigger scale and you will never ever be the same.

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