Bucari Mountains, Leon - A Travel to the Top of Leon

EN ROUTE TO LEON

The town of Leon is accessed via jeepney. So after you land in the beautiful city of Iloilo, take a jeepney in route to the small Wet Market of Jaro. The Jaro Wet Market is at the back of the Cathedral and is accessible to several jeepneys like Jaro Liko, NFA (which turns nearest to the Market) and  SM City Leganes via Aquino Ave. (drops you off the side of the Wet Market). Arriving at the Jaro Wet Market, ask around or you can look for the jeepney with the label Leon at the side.

So travelling to Leon takes like an hour from the City of Iloilo, during the travel ask the 'konduktor' to drop you off at the town or to the area where you can catch a ride to Bucari. But beware, there is a feud between these people which brings me to the three options in travelling to Bucari.

So you may take:

A. VIA JEEPNEY - After being dropped at the town, another jeepney may take you to Bucari, Leon. But be warned that jeepneys MAY OR MAY NOT TRAVEL depending on the NUMBER of people planning to go to Bucari. This option may be CHEAPER but this requires vast amount of patience because you need to wait and a kilogram of Faith that a Jeepney will travel.

B. VIA TRICYCLE - They are in feud with the ones below. This is another option that you may take if you are travelling by group. A tricycle can take up to 5 or 6 person so it will take LESS TIME to fill up. Downside is, it WON'T BE REALLY DROPPING you at The Pine Forest Campsite but a Mini-Terminal near Bucari that will have motorcycle drivers that will bring you to the campsite itself. And lastly;

C. VIA MOTORCYCLE / SINGLE - They are in feud with the ones above. These motorcycle riders are the FASTEST but can a bit COSTLY than the two above. These people will bring you from the town to the Campsite itself for 150/person.

And we travelled by C. We were asked by a 'konduktor' if were planning to travel to Bucari and I answered Yes, so he asked if we already have a 'sundo' and we told him we were going there by ourselves so he told me that he knows someone who can take us there.

TO BUCARI

Technically, if you can't handle a motorcycle well, this isn't the road for you. The road was literally, Deathly. These roads were paved and cemented but it doesn't remove the fact that it was built along the mountainside, so basically you are travelling 'over mountains'. Snake-roads and quite very high then goes down, this road will definitely surpass your life's up's and down's. Manong was very skilled in handling the motorcycle and he really is a very good driver (using proper lights and horning in populated areas) he was able to reach Bucari in less than an hour with no hassle. He even brought us to areas that has a nice view while we were on the road.

Manong's motorcyle unit, taking you to places.

So first photo while on the road er cliff road, that's the edge with death below.

Before we went to the Bucari Campsite, Manong asked if we want to go to the Imoy Falls and we said yes so he took us there. The Imoy Falls is quite a distance from the Campsite but it was good (minus the under construction road) and a bit muddy.

The Road To Imoy

Take photos but appreciate Nature more.

 When we arrived at the area, there are several residents who are guarding the entrance. You are required to pay Php 20.00 for the maintenance and environmental fee because the residents are the one keeping the way clean and building new bridges or repairing old ones. They also sell organic honey, go try them. XD We had no tour guide so Manong was the one who 'tour guided' us.

Driver/Photographer/Tour Guide

The walk was not that long though.

Resident's children's play time

Okay. Passed by the first hanging bridge.

You can wade in this spot with life jacket if you want.

And finally we arrived.

The Imoy Falls

The falls didn't looked like what it seemed to be because Manong told us that the residents in here attach water hoses on top of the falls to gather water for their consumption. This decreased the flow of water and is causing the falls to be dried a bit.

With my back facing the falls, this is the view.

After having quite a photoshoot, we walked back to the area were we left the motorcycle to proceed to the Campsite proper.

The bridge, homebound.

Walking back home

Having a hard time here. XD

After travelling back to the Barangay Hall at Imoy, Manong took us to The Bucari Campsite where the real shit begins. As per arranged, Manong waited for us till we return but seeing that there are also many motorcycle drivers around, I guess I should have been fine if we let Manong leave.

The Bucari Campsite is available for accommodations but you can also trek the mountain without having to enter the campsite. Entering the campsite requires you to pay a fee (forgot but seems like Php20.00). 

We started to trek and I was amazed that this mountainside trek has a metal handrailing and stone stairs are currently being constructed.

Handrail for support and stepping stones currently being constructed. This is were your fees goes. Hahahahah.. kidding!

The trek was quite tiring and me, being unhealthy, made it quite harder. Stops were made but I didn't give up (insert "Keep Holding On" song). The good thing was the temperature was cold and good, the air was purely fresh (lighter than the usual air) and sweats feels like healthy ones (not sticky). It was like 30 minutes or so but to me it felt like forever.

Hooray! Thought it was the real summit, but nah. Still a long way up.

Good thing we arrived at the Summit Level 1 (I was fooled because there is another real summit and I invented this one). Beware that there are bees. 

The First Level. Nice view and I feel like going down already I thought it was over.

We saw people who still trudged to the right side, going to the another top. So tired as I was, I still went on. I am here now, why not finish it? So we reached the Second Level and this is where the famous instagrammable Fallen Tree is. 

Be brave enough to reach the edge. 

Looking down for real. This is where you land when you fall.

There are no guards here so if you fall, it will be kinda bone-breaking. The tree is also wet when it rains, the log kinda moves and is only supported with nailed branches. We continued trekking up and finally the reached the Last Level. 

I hope we're not lost.

I guess this is the Talon Peak. The highest peak of the range.

You climb on the flaglets base and reward yourself.

It is finished. YES!! I love how the clouds form horizontals.

We rested for a while and started to trek down after. We went inside the campsite and started to look for some cafeteria or food hall. The campsite has limited food services because being up in the mountain is no joke and the nearest town is sooo far away, so when going in groups it is much better to bring personal foods or order upon you arrive to avoid food conflict with other groups.

This is the first mountain I ever climbed and I am happy about it. You can enjoy it in a whole day, after that there is nothing much to do. Or you can return to town to enjoy their famous chicken delicacy. 

HAPPY ISKYERDA!

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!!