The gecko alarms almost every 30 minutes... but what the hell?! I still did get a good night sleep despite the noisy generator and slowing wind of the electric fan.
At 4:30 AM, we started prepping our things for the trip back to Estancia. We still have cupcakes so we ate them for our breakfast. We decided that once we get to IloIlo city, we will get a decent meal, hahaha...
At 6AM, we meet with our might boatman. Good bye, Isla Gigantes... : ,(
We got a tricycle going to the Estancia Central Terminal, fare is P10.00 per head. Luckily, there is one van going to IloIlo city. After 3 hours of but burning journey, we arrived at Tagbak Terminal.
We had brunch at Ted's Old Timer. The
batchoy was good but I'm not a big fan.
 |
| Ted's Old Timer Batchoy |
We rode a jeepney going to Jaro and visited few of the sites mentioned by my sister's friend who was from Iloilo city.
 |
| Graciano Lopez Jaena monument at Jaro Plaza |
 |
| Jaro Cathedral |
 |
| the aisle |
 |
| where the bread named teren-teren is a must try... |
 |
too bad, no more teren-teren...
Nevertheless, we enjoyed their biscocho and doughnuts |
Due to the one-ways, navigating the streets of Jaro is a bit confusing. Not to mention that the signage of jeepney was written in the wind shield, you will not know where they are heading unless you asked the driver.
We got a cab going to the Iloilo city port, we decided to go to Jordan, Guimaras and check out the mangoes.
GUIMARAS
The main product of Guimaras is the export quality mangoes sent to other countries. Its also famous for white sand beaches and island hopping activities.
There are to trips to Guimaras via Iloilo city:
To get to Guimaras from Iloilo city, make your way to the Jordan
 |
| At Jordan port, new giant mango landmark |
For having only few hours to explore Guimaras, we head to the tourism counter located in the arrival area in the port as well. The tourism and transport office of Guimaras is pretty organized, I may say. Each tricycle drivers have their ID's. We asked the person in the counter on which tourist attractions were located near Jordan, Guimaras. As a suggestion, we visited the Trappist monastery and gift shop and the mango stalls in the road side.
Even if Guimaras is a small island however, the attractions are located in great distance.
The tourism officer also presented the pricing and the amount to be paid to the tricycle driver. We were given a small information sheet which includes the destination we are going, name of the driver, unit number of the tricycle, and the time that we arrived in the port.
Trappist Monastery
This very tranquil place is located near the highway. More like a retreat place, the compound is covered with pine trees.
The place was run by the monks of the Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance. The chapel they have in the compound had a different setup with that of a Catholic church. Few chairs lined up from all corners of the chapel.
After dropping by the gift shop, we head to the nearby mango stalls. I was in awe when I saw the mango chandelier!!!
I can say that Guimaras mangoes were lighter in color than with those from Zambales or primarily in Luzon. The rate per kilo is similar as well with Luzon mangoes. They have an array of products made from mango: dried mango, mango piaya, puree, jam,
empanada, and even mango ketchup. The vendor told us that, they do not manufacture banana ketchup as mango is cheaper than banana in Guimaras.
 |
| MANGO CHANDELIER |
After almost two hours, navigating the town of Jordan, we head back to IloIlo city to catch the second to the last Ocean fast ferry going to Bacolod city.
Bacolod Pension Plaza hotel
Upon arriving in Bacolod city, we rode a trike going to the nearest point to Bacolod Pension Plaza. The hotel has a good location; near the town plaza, church, and the public market. For a rate of P888.00 per night for two, this budget hotel is a good choice. Whose gonna need free breakfast when is Bacolod city?! Nahhh, good eats are just around the corner and at reasonable price too.
 |
| the lobby |
 |
| double bed |
 |
| t & b |
Just in time for dinner, we are gonna enjoy the infamous
Inasal na Manok in Manokan Country.
Manokan Country
With more than ten Inasal stalls, there is one rule on choosing where to dine. It's where most of the people lined up or if the place is packed with people dining.
Aida's Inasal is the one with the most people dining so there must be something special in their chicken, :).
 |
| Smiling masks used during the Maskara festival in Bacolod city serves as decor in Aida's |
 |
| appetizing oysters |
 |
| from L-R: chicken liver, hearts, pecho, and pa-a.... all Inasal |
Capping the night with a dessert... freshly cooked
piaya. Piaya is a
Muscovado (raw sugar) filled flat bread. Negros Occidental is known to produced sugar cane for their main crop. Muscovado is the first stage of making sugar, its considered to be a healthier option than white sugar.
 |
| selling for P3.00 per piece for the original flavor and P3.50 for the ube flavor |
Going back to the hotel, there was an unexpected visitor!!
 |
| the reptile is color coordinated with its owner :D |
It's been a long journey for Day 3 and yet we really have not explored Bacolod city that much. Tomorrow will be our day in Bacolod city, need to check out some sites. :)
Day 4 is coming soon...
Comments
Post a Comment