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."