Summer Kick-off 2017: Negros Occidental

I somehow find it awesome to have friends from far places, like far provinces, because then I have a reason to visit them and have my less-gastos vacation. I have free accommodation, free meals most of the time, and then free tour guide. How convenient can it get? Plus, I got my plane ticket on sale so I didn't really spend much for this trip. I got to splurge on pasalubong for my family. Oh, and I was not even on leave during my vacation. It's really a win-win situation for me. I had my oh-so precious bessy laptop with me and I worked whenever I got the chance. I remember finishing transcripts while I was at the airport waiting for my flight. And it was my first time travelling on a plane alone! Imagine my excitement and nervousness that time. But surely it was an experience of a lifetime. It's like I tested the waters and now I know that I can travel alone by myself. And to further test my newly acquired courage to travel alone, I am so going back on May. Yes! Super yes! And we are going to Guimaras also. Tups, you've got to really work harder every day so you can travel more. :)      

But, of course, all this won't be possible if not for Ate Cha. Thank you for inviting me to your place. Negros is beyond beautiful. The picture of vast, seemingly endless plantation of sugarcane will forever be etched in my head. It's just so serene and calm to me eyes. The vibe is so country-ish. Haha.. Like I am not from the province myself. :P  

 First stop, of course, I have to pay Mayor a visit. Chos! The scorching noon heat that we endured just to take photos from their government center is unbelievable. It is said that this building is one of the most photographed buildings in Negros. Well, I can't blame them.

 Plus this man-made lagoon is in front of it that gave it all the drama and romance it needed. I don't know why but Forrest Gump came to my mind when I set my eyes on this lagoon. :)  

 I think every visit to Bacolod won't be complete without a taste of pastries and sweets from Calea. It's a well-known cake shop in the area and it did not disappoint. It's like cheesecake-landia. if there's such a thing. I ordered two slices for myself and Ate Cha got one. I had two because why not? They all looked so tempting and sumptuous. Thinking of it as I blog about it makes me want to go back to Bacolod at this instant. I hope Calea would branch out here in Manila or better yet in Batangas. haha    

 People, meet Ate Cha. She's my awesome host and tour guide. We're now both  enjoying the life being work-at-homers. We used to be officemates before, until fate granted the desire of our hearts to just go home to our provinces and still be able to work and earn. We're enjoying our lives to the fullest. Indeed there's a reason for everything. :))))

 Mango cheesecake, everyone. Let's all bow in silence and pay our respects. It's divine. 

 I think the highlight of this trip was when we went to Guintubdan Mountain Resort in La Carlota City. It was an hour or so from their place in Tabao Proper, Valladolid. I was at the passenger seat of that mini provincial/rugged bus and I had the perfect view for my eyes to feast on. It was so laidback. I felt like I was shooting a music video as the bus traveled between vast sugarcane plantations and with my hair flying on different directions. haha. I somewhat felt lost whenever people were talking in Ilonggo and then amazed at the same time. Now I know why they say Ilonggos are malambing. <3

We did a bit of a hike before we reached this waterfall, and yeah, the old adage aptly applies --  no pain, no gain. The water was the coldest of cold. It's like it just came out of the fridge. And man, we have the place only for ourselves! Yeah, private waterfalls, baby! With all the greens surrounding the chilly water coming down from the mountains, I couldn't think of any greater and more fabulous way to kick of summer.  

We went to an area where the water is a bit shallow and we got to experience the water current splashing our backs. And did I already say that the water's beyond cold? Haha. Everyone close to me probably know how I can't stand the cold weather, the cold wind, the cold anything. I easily chicken out when it's cold, I don't know. I cannot let this pass. I have to experience this - maybe for a minute or so only, but still I did. It was surreal. It's enchanting and magical and grandiose. I can add a couple more adjectives but still it won't give it justice.   

 The contrast of the watermelon to this green backdrop. Excuse my chubby hands, though. 😜

 Green state of mind.

 Apparently, the last trip of the jeepney from Guintubdan to La Carlota is at 3 pm. So we have to hurry to catch that last trip. We stopped by the visitor's center to wait for the jeepney. Because it's a mountain resort, I almost felt like I was in Baguio. The cold weather, the anthuriums, and the tall pine trees. Kulang na lang strawberry. 😋

 Turista. 😎

I suddenly miss my long, curly hair. 😔

 And for the finale, which is weird because this is actually the first thing we went to see on my first day there, this glammed-up carabao. I mean, isn't she so chic? She's like telling me, Girl, I'm ready for work. How 'bout yah? haha.. She's part of the Wow Carabao program of their municipality for their fiesta. Carabaos were dressed to impress that day. They were then set to do a race, I guess. Yeah, all for fun. :))

  Watch out, Negros, because I'm coming back for sure. I know you'll never run out of places to see, food to taste, and people to meet. See you in May! 😘😘😘

-tups