Our trip to Bacolod has long been planned when Jan and I were invited last February by our Tito Juju to his birthday climb at Kampo Hiyang-hiyang in Talisay, Negros Occidental. Prior to the trip, a Bacolodnon friend tipped us about the places to go and food to eat. He said that Bacolod's specialty are sweets because the people in Bacolod are naturally sweet. And true to his words, I can say everything in Bacolod is indeed sweet... especially the beer.

The beer brewed in Bacolod definitely tastes better than any beer brewed anywhere in the country. But I won't talk about beer here because Bacolod offers more than that.

DAY 1: CALEA PASTRIES AND CAKE, NENA'S ROSE CHICKEN INASAL

Even though I do not have a sweet tooth, I have to try Bacolod's Calea Pastries and Cake. Jan ordered Chocolate Square (upper right), while I ordered Raspberry Cream Cheese (lower right) and it did not disappoint dahil naubos ko! :)

One does not simply go to Bacolod without tasting their authentic chicken inasal. Nena's Rose is highly recommended! Photos by Ian B

DAY 2: KAMPO HIYANG-HIYANG, Tambara Trail
We trekked Tambara trail the following day after a sumptuous dinner treat at Nena's Rose chicken inasal. The trail was too easy. In fact, it was just a walk in the park with river crossings in between. It wasn't the kind of hardcore climb that I have always craved for. But what made the trek memorable is the people I have spent it with.

We were with a few friends who were with us during the Mount Pulag climb. And the best of all, we've made new friends with these cool people who flew all the way from Manila to share Tito Ju's birthday adventure with us.

Kampo Hiyang-hiyang

Marang overload!

The lush and unspoiled Tambara Trail

Bathing in the freezing cold river.

Tito Juju's (holding the cake, upper right) Birthday Celebration. Photos by Karla H. and Ian B.

DAY 3: CAMPUESTOHAN HIGHLAND RESORT
On our third day, we visited Campuestohan Highland Resort - which is just a walking distance from Kampo Hiyang-hiyang. We enjoyed walking around, fascinated and amused to each attraction we passed by as if we're little kids. Had it not rain, we would have strolled every part of the resort.

Anyway, despite the bad weather, we managed to snap some photos:

Campuestohan Highland Resort

Hall of Heroes

Indian Village

Clockwise: Kingkong, Hobitton, Sharkwave

With the gang

THE RUINS
I have always been fond of historical places. So when we visited The Ruins in Bacolod, I instantly fell in love with its beauty and its glorious history (the mansion was built by a man as a testament of his undying love for his wife, and was burned by guerillas in the eve of World War II).

Love it! :)

The Ruins view on the other side

The Ruins at sundown

The Ruins at night (and that mirror shot)

And to cap off the night, we made a sinful indulgence at Byron's Backribs - home of the most tender and most flavorful back ribs I ever had my entire life. As what a friend says, sa halagang 150, puputok ang batok mo.


This, I have to say, is one of the most memorable trips I've ever taken. I definitely had a blast. And this is the reason why I am not cut to travel alone. I can do it but I just don't want to. I love company. I love not just meeting new people but being friends with them. And during those long trips, I need someone to talk to. Lalagnatin ako kapag wala akong kausap.