Mambukal Resort, Murcia, Negros Occidental

Welcome to the forest spring Mambukal enchantment!

It was all gloomy and windy afternoon at around 4 pm when I set foot to the gate of Mambukal Resort. The trip was longer than the usual time, compared to the reviews I'd read on the internet. Before going there, I have done my assignment, reading articles and travel itineraries, one of those was written by Journeying James. Reviews were all lovely compliments and the yearnings of coming back to this place. At first, I tend to cancel this itinerary due to the added costs on my Bacolod budget trip. But then, as I've read about the seven falls in the place, my heart started to long of seeing a real falls. I think, I had not seen a waterfalls in my life yet, and to say seven in one place would be great! And so,that is the reason why I push through.

Mt. Timbac, Atok Benguet

Our 5 favorite memories in Mt. Timbac

This entry will start with a short story back from my childhood days:

Long ago as a little kid, I asked my father why the mountains are colored blue.

We live in a little hut in the middle of the rice field and when I was a little child, every time I help my father in planting the string beans/sit seeds, I can see vividly from the distance a blue cone, which really fascinates me. I blurted out the question.

Me: Papa, why are mountains blue?

Papa: Actually, they are not really blue. Mountains are full of green things growing in them, the huge trees, tall coconuts. A mountain is a home for people…like in the tribes… and animals like baboy-damo, birds, wild chickens, rabbits, deer and many more wild animals. But since it was too far away from us, it looks like blue.

Based from my father's bedtime stories, he lived in the forests as a wild boar hunter when he has not yet met my mother.

Me: Where is that blue cone? (me, pointing at the mountain)
Papa: It is in Baguio, that is a part of the Cordillera mountain ranges.

Me: Is it very far? as in verrry verrry far?

Papa: Yes, one needs to ride a bus to get there.

Me: I want to go to Baguio. It is where I was born. If I do not have money, can we just walk to Baguio?

Papa: (chuckles..) I am sure you will get there soon, when you are already a grown up.

Since then, when I looked outside our window, just after the guava branches I can see the blue mountain which Papa said is a mountain in Baguio, I dreamt of getting there...reaching its summit, looking down from there and search for our little house. I also heard it was very cold in Baguio too. And so, I promise myself that when I grow up, I will get there and bring my jacket. That was long 18 years ago. I was then 5 year-old little kid full of wonder and innocence.

Hurray! The day I was dreaming of became a reality. It was one of the most exciting days of my life, in one cold day of December. Our adventure will be climbing one of the mountain located in Atok, Benguet, a few hours town from Baguio City - the charming and very peaceful, Mt. Timbak. Okay, let’s do it together!

10 Random Things from the Unforgettable Walk in the "Paris of the Philippines"

"It would be nice to have hold his hand one afternoon while exploring Paris". I told myself.
The museum guide had asked earlier. "You alone?" Actually he is just stating the obvious. Hehehe :)

I promise to return in this beautiful place someday, with him :)

Silay City, a place nearby the City of Smiles (Bacolod) in Negros Occidental and was dubbed as the Paris of the Philippines showcasing many heritage houses and rich culture. Silay city tour, is a good side trip destination besides the Talisay Ruins, when seeing the Masskara Festival of Bacolod.

If you are a brave fellow solo traveler, well, it is then alright to roam around. But having someone beside you is another story that you'll surely enjoy walking with so much pleasure even under the heat of scorching sun. As I read somewhere:

One of the nicest feeling during travels is holding a camera in one hand and his/her hand in the other. 

Anyway, so much for these cheesiness :)

Let's see what's in store for this heritage walk tour in the so called "Paris of the Philippines"...
This collection does not contain all the must-see in Silay City, but for sure will give you a blast of overview.
So come on, let's do it!

1. Street Markers

Our tour will start here so watch out for this street markers. We can walk to Zulueta St. going straight to the most popular heritage houses.

 2. Balay Negrense

 3. Hofilena Mansion

I actually entered the ancestral house turned museum and I am in so much awe with the paintings, seeing the smallest doll and "stone" called "tactite"

4. Golez Mansion

5. The Pink House :)

Discover why it is called the pink house :)

6. The Shell (Sorry, forgot the name but it taste really good! People in Silay are very kind to offer me to taste it :)

Yummy! It is eaten raw. Just suck the shell meat from the inside using your lips! Good luck! :D

7. A mark of Revolution - a secret meeting place

8. Ledesma Mansion

Look closer :)

Lola doing some very serious business???! (LOL).. Sorry granny dear.. my silly camera's fault.

9. Locsin Mansion

10. Cafe 1925

The cafe seems to hold such history too. Perfect for afternoon date talking about what?
History!?.. hehe..serious?

A plus: An old but popular bakery,  the "El Ideal" is a perfect place for buying pasalubongs and also merienda for the tiring but very entertaining walk tour.

This is just one of the reason why visit Negros Occidental :) Have a great journey ahead! Let's do it!

Bato Spring Resort, San Pablo City Laguna

5 Reasons Why We Love Bato Springs

When we talk about hot springs, Los Banos comes to our minds first. 

But this time of summer, we crave for cool dips, a treat to where we can forget the heat brought by the day. 

Searching the net brought us to Bato Springs, a popular outing destination located at Balagtas Boulevard, San Pablo City, Laguna. Entry point will be in Brgy. Bulakin 1, Dolores Quezon.

Bato Spring is perfect for group/barkada outings and families who seek some nature tripping and adventure. It is better to have your own service provided that the place has a wide parking area. However, commuting is not really that hard as long as you have long patience.

Upon checking the place, we enumerated 5 Reasons why we love Bato Springs:

1. Cold water