2D1N - The Ruins (Bacolod)

DUMANGAS - THE RUINS (BACOLOD CITY)

Travelling to Dumangas Port

We were taken by our "sundo" (a tricycle) from Damires Hills to a jeepney terminal in Janiuay where we were told by the driver to take a jeepney bound for the next town Mina and on Mina take a jeepney en route to Iloilo City's Tagbak Terminal via Zarraga. We plan to drop off on Zarraga because this is where Dumangas jeepneys pass. But I think this was quite a hassle so I modified the course.

Modifications made by yours truly:
JANIUAY (take a jeepney to Mina and there take a jeepney that's bound for Tagbak too or take one thats routed to Tagbak directly then drop off at Zarraga) - ZARRAGA (at the opposite side of the Church there's a sign where a tricycle directly brings you to the PORT for Php 60).

This tricycle trip was not on my list of travelling courses on how to arrive to Dumangas Port. I just saw it on the signboard while taking a snack at a Frank's Burger Stand in front of the Church. I asked the driver if they deliver passengers to the Port itself and they said yes. The only disadvantage in using this type of course is that I don't know if this is more costly that the regular way (Dumangas jeepney dropping you at Brgy with 20-min tricycle travel to port) and has a long waiting time (the driver fills the tricycle before leaving) but I think this is way more faster because this tricycle doesn't take the Coastal road. It takes a shortcut.

Yes, a shortcut. A shortcut into rural areas where fishponds are numerous but very few inhabitants along the way so I do not recommend this for past sunset travels it might be dangerous. It passes vegetations and there aren't even proper streetlights. Then this tricycle drops you at a certain gate near the coastal road where another tricycle driver brings you to the Port and note that you don't have to pay to this driver because it is included in the Php 60 fare you paid to the first one. They bring you inside the port and unloads your things so I think that's quite a plus.

Inside the port, go the the Ticketing Office. As you get inside the door, there are already shipping representatives who line up and take your payments so as you trudge on the line they also guide you on what to do. Kinda ant-like line with payments on each side. We where told to board the RoRo (Roll On, Roll Off) and don't forget to get your tickets after the guard rips off his part (we almost forgot ours *face palm*). We arrived at the Port almost 10 or past 10 AM and we were told that we will arrive at BREDCO Port by quarter to 12 NN.

The travel was good, do excuse the crews who sleep on the passenger seats, they're friendly though. I was asleep during the ship travel so I haven't taken any photos but I will if I do again. This was my first time riding it though.

At BREDCO Port

At BREDCO Port, we were told to board off as soon as the ship docked. Then using GRABaTaxi we took a taxi to The Ruins. Normally, the price would have been around 150 from the port to The Ruins. Quite cheaper than renting a taxi without Grab where the drivers could increase the price and rip you off with more money. We negotiated with the driver to wait for us.

We passed by numerous sugarcane plantations, well, thats what Bacolod is known for. They have agri-industrial type of living but they are rich. I can say this plantations are owned by rich families by the looks of it. So we arrived at The Ruins after a winding ride that I think would last less than 30 minutes. And we started our pictorial/photoshoot/Instagram/whatever-she-calls-it-pictorial.

At The Ruins

By the way, prepare Php100 for adults and contact the management if you plan to have "real pictorials or photoshoots".

Rolling mini-hills perfect for events and occasions

Greenhouse-topped like pathway

These are the views you directly get from the right side after entering. Bacolod really gives a different vibe. Feels like a farm home.

The Front View

Another Front View

A perfect side view

And.. whoopsie, I kinda love this view. <3

The old mansion is obviously undergoing renovations with the framing steels bulging out of the 2nd floor of the mansion. The place is beautiful but you've got nothing much to do here than the picture taking stuff. Well, aside from giving the "haciendero" feeling as you stroll on the garden and sit on the grass. I think this place oughta do something to liven up, I hope visiting here again if the reconstructions are complete. This place can be of many things if handled correctly.

Pagod na po ang model ko XD

So after strolling on the green green grass of The Ruins.we decided to enter the mansion and look at some of the things inside.

Saw this at the hallway entrance

The Drag-Me-Inside-Pose

There's not much stuff inside the house but some old things are still on display for tourists. I guess they also wanted to let the people know of the history of this house and how it became of high regard to Bacolodnon's culture.

Available at the Souvenir Shop (inside the Mansion)

Dresses from the mansion's era

Photographs

We tried to get to the second floor but it was closed. So we apparently went outside to do some last minute strolling.

The Infamous Fountain

The Mansion, The Lady and The Fountain

As a fan of Enrique Gil, my partner had an amazing time in visiting the Ruins but as a romantic person I wished we had visited it at night because I heard it was more beautiful when the sun sets down and the lights turn up. They also have a cafe beside the mansion and you can find food stalls also as you enter the premises. They have corn dogs, ice creams and stuff, especially it was a sunny day.

After that we went to SM City Bacolod where we tried that famous Vikings Buffet Restaurant which is for another story and planning to eat those sweet cakes she kept talking about. By almost 4 PM we returned to BREDCO Port and this time boarded the 2GO Fastcraft which only took us 1 hour to arrive at the Port near La Puz, Iloilo City in contrast to taking the RoRo at Dumangas.

Well, it was a nice time writing this one though I am a newbie backpacker. Thank you for reading!

Your's truly, The Author

"Life isn't meant to be lived in a single place alone."

2D1N - The Mires Hills Tierra Verde (Janiuay)

DAMIRES HILLS TIERRA VERDE

This one impressed me, really. If you're looking for a classy place to stay within a simple, silent and refreshing vicinity away from the city, take on Damires Hills. Damires Hills (Tierra Verde) is a well-known hill resort located at Janiuay, Iloilo City.

If you plan to go there, book. There's no booking fee or whatsoever. Check the rates too for an overnight stay.

To get to Janiuay, take a jeepney en route to Ungka Terminal. This jeepney has this "Ungka Terminal Itgsi" something written on the side and this jeepney goes straight to Ungka just tell the driver you are planning to go to Janiuay. The driver will drop you off at Christ the King (if the Jeepney Terminal faces a cemetery [yes, Christ the King is a cemetery] then you are on the right way). Then look for a jeepney bound to Janiuay (a barker will actually ask you were you want to go so I suggest you tell him Janiuay and ask where it is, they're kinda friendly).

The trip to Janiuay is quite an hour or so and tell the conductor that you will stop at the plaza. At the plaza, you can take on any tricycle you want and tell the driver to drop you at Damires Hills. Janiuay is a rural area so expect farmlands and quite a number of trees. I heard it should be Php 10.00 normally but our driver asked for Php 15.00 for the two of us. When you arrive at Damires, don't forget to ask the driver if he is willing to pick you up tomorrow or any time you may plan to leave Damires. Note that the staff may ask you after signing out if you have a sundo or a transport to take you out of Damires and I haven't really asked about it so just get the driver's number in case it can be more costly than taking tricycle.

Arriving at Damires, the staff are very accomodating. If you have checked the rates earlier, you can expect the budget for the stay and their overnight stay is inclusive of the entrance fee and breakfast for 2. Aside from the overnight accomodation rate (I took a room thats good for 2 = 2,800 + 500 (this is for the key if you ever try to lose it but this will be returned after you sign out of Damires) = 3,300.
They will then lead you to your room after you fill up all the forms.

She wasn't ready I guess. Its the arch!!

Damires Hills (with my travel buddy)

We were brought to the right side of the area. We passed by cottages and function rooms, then the pools (yes, they have 3 pools), a bar (where they serve drinks and coffees) and finally to our room.
 Room Rosa.

Room Rosa and I was like.. O_O

The room has an outside veranda where they put the food you ordered later. I find this romantic, really. Hahahaha.. Unfortunately, the time we went to Damires was quite a bit rainy so we werent able to do much of activity except hanging out and watching tv. Later on, we went outside to grab some drinks and stroll a bit.

The mini fishpond outside our room. It has fishes, really. XD

YEY! DAMIRES!!

One of the cottages, pahiram po! XD

 We returned to the arch near the reception. We went to the restaurant, this is where you also sign in for activities because the staff keeps tab of it. It is open from 8AM to 7PM. Need not to worry for orders because the waiter goes to your room and gives you the menu.

NORMA'S COFFEE Shop: 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM

It was rainy so we weren't allowed to take the Canopy Walk and my girl was too afraid to try the Zip Line and ATV in a rainy and muddy scenario so we opt for a walk instead.

After the sun has began to set, we returned to our room and watched TV. Minutes later, somebody knocked and handed us a menu list saying they will return in an hour and take our order. We ordered burger, fries, pizza and some rice meal (she was craving for a tocilog amidst all the food we ordered but she doesn't get fat, thats what I call pure genetic advantage). And she's lucky, I love making her eat and just to prove she can get fat. Hahahah ...

The waiter returned afterwards and told us it will be served to our room. We waited but not that long enough, they are really very good in accomodating guests.

I just wanted to alot this space to say that the FOOD WAS FRIGGIN' DELICIOUS! Would want to eat it again, swear. Aside from her, this made the backpacking trip amazing.

DELICIOUS FOOD, AMAZING VIEW AND STUFF TO DO, GOOD ACCOMODATION = PERFECT (For ME at least)

She scolded me for taking pics instead of eating. Girls, really.

The view during our dinner.

After that, we went to continue watching TV. Then we decided to borrow some board games (costs Php 50.00). We enjoyed it here, really. We slept early because we were set to travel to Bacolod the next day to see The Ruins and we have already arranged to sign out at 7AM. The driver also arrived at 7 AM.

The Ruins! Here we come!

We found ourselves travelling to Zarraga for our next trip, THE RUINS, BACOLOD!!

Sulu Garden at Iloilo's Miag-ao

Sulu Garden, Miag-ao

Sulu Garden Minature Chinese Village

Miag-ao is a simple town in the province of Iloilo City that is well-known for its very old Church. The Miag-ao Church also goes by the name of Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Paris Church. Miag-ao is more than an hours ride from Super Terminal where the Miag-ao jeepneys are situated. 

From Super Jeepney Terminal (I suggest you take a ride of any jeepneys that pass through Robinsons Mall Main and not the new one in Jaro). They jeepney directly travels to Miag-ao where it stops on the Plaza. As local tourists, we don't know much of the jeepney travel routes in Miag-ao so we took on a tricycle and told the driver to drop us off in Sulu Garden near UPV (University of Philippines-Visayas). 

Sulu Garden is just on the left side of the road beside the riverbridge before arriving at the gates of UPV. Being beside the bridge enables the Sulu Garden to have that romantic ambiance. When we arrived, there were foreigners who were drinking and another couple were having a date beside the river.

After we arrived, a man gave us a menu. I should warn you right here that the menu doesn't really consist of foods at most but of drinks and is not that cheap (and not that too costly though). We ordered some shakes and others ordered lemonades etc. In the counter, many drinks (both alcoholic and not) can be viewed on the shelves. From my friends, I heard that this place is quite suited for pictorials and other photoshoots for modelling. 

Sulu Garden has a function room inside if you plan to gather in big groups. I guess they can also take reservations. Here are some of the cute miniature things they have.

Wanna feel like a giant?

Mini Mary Statue

Little Vintas  by the footpath

The Wooden Path with dramatic Vines for effect

All in all, the Sulu Garden wasn't that disappointing or truly amazing but I can say that it was something. Perfect for a date, perfect for bonding with friends, perfect for a getaway from the stressful city life. 

Cheers to SULU!