Semester Break Escapade Part 3: Mambukal Resort

Another hour of road trip, this time to Murcia, Negros Occidental for our overnight stay at Mambukal Resort. We had to pay a 50 pesos entrance for each person before entering the resort.

Mambukal Entrance Sign

Our accommodation is a villa with 4 beds, a bathroom, and a CR. Shortly after arriving, we unpacked and had our dinner. The food was so good and cheap, and the service instantaneous. Starving as I was before the meal, I was so full afterwards that sleep is a good option.

Sulfur Hot Spring

But before we hit the sack, we decided to take a dip on the Hot Spring first. Good thing its’ already late, there are a few persons around and we have the pool almost to ourselves. On the sides, they provide some cold water spouts if you want to relieve yourself from the warmth of the pool. There is also a mini fountain where the hot water flows into the pool. The water is also hotter there. The hot spring boasts of a 38 to 45 degrees Celsius temperature and delivers.

At 10:00 PM, the pool closes. We showered and dressed, played some cards and drink some tequila before turning in for the night.


Early on the next day, at 7:30 AM after a breakfast of sandwiches, we trekked on to the 7^th falls advertised as one of the to-do things when in Mambukal. Before the climb, we passed by the area where the bats roost at the day, and some are really large. This is also one of the activities offered by the resort: Bat Watching.

Lone Bat at Dawn

It was a very steep climb with rocks and trees, the only things surrounding you for hours. Oh, and the occasional bats, when they were disturbed by other trekkers. But the breathtaking falls on every stop make it worth the climb.

trek to the 7th falls

2nd Falls

Rest stop on the 5th and 6th falls

7th Falls Swim

At the 7^th, we rested for a while and had a falls massage. This is my 2^nd time on Mambukal but the falls is really preserved and protected. The water very clear and cool. We also refilled our water containers for the climb down. On the way down, we use a different route which was not as steep as the way of the falls. The trek was only for 2 ½ hours and we paid the guide 500 pesos.

Upon arriving at the resort, we directly took a dip at the hot spring again. This, by the way, comes free with the accommodation we have. The hot spring or the swimming pool are the choices.

After 30 minutes or so on the pool, we decided to shower and change and also check out of the villa. We had our lunch at the restaurant and it was a banquet. Well, with all those things we ordered, it certainly looked and felt like one. We had pork, scallops, pancit guisado, fish and a lot of rice plus drinks. And there were only 11 of us eating and we consumed everything in sight. After the meal, we did a little sightseeing like buying flowers and plants.

Boating Pond

Mambukal also offers boating, slide for life and wall climbing. We were not able to do this things, but we just visited the butterfly garden for the souvenirs and other stuffs.

Then we have the ride back to Bacolod City. We passed by a Tanduay Distillery, San Miguel Brewery and the Coca-Cola Plant which we did not see on the way to.

At Bacolod City, we stopped by Merci to buy some pasalubong. Then off to Bacolod Port for the journey home on the 5:15 PM trip on the Ocean Jet Ferry again. At 7:00 PM we are back on Iloilo City with a welcome of a pouring rain.

That’s end of the journey for my Semester Break escapade. Now off to write about our previous trips.

Part 1
Part 2

Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!

Semester Break Escapade Part 1: The Ruins

Ruins - Front View

On October 25, 2014, after months of planning to get away from the city of Iloilo, we finally did it. We scheduled a 2-day trip to the neighboring province Negros Occidental. A trip on some of its famous landmarks. We have The Ruins, Campuestohan Highland Resort and Mambukal Resort on our list.

I had broken this trip into a 3-part series.

First, let’s discuss our reservations. Our sleeping place will be at the Mambukal Resort, we had a room reserved for we thought a month. It turned out, we had been had and no reservations was reserved because the guy we first talk to did not forward our request to the reservations office. Fortunately, the girls at the Office of the Governor pulled through. So, to avoid disasters in your future trips, please call +63 (34) 433-8516. This is the official number for reservations. In the end, instead of paying 3000 pesos for 2 rooms, we paid 4800 pesos for 2 rooms with 200 pesos additional for each person extra. We deposited 3000 pesos in advance for the accommodation to the Negros Occidental provincial account.

Second is our means of transportation. Some of the places we are eyeing to go to are far from the Bacolod City and transportation means may not be easily attained. Good for us, an officemate recommended a shuttle van service. We paid 6000 pesos for the whole trip. If you want his number for your future trips, please email us.

Now that 2 major problems are taken care of, what is left to do is get there.

Port of Iloilo

So early in the morning, 5:00 AM, we ride on a taxi to get to the new Iloilo Port at La Puz, Iloilo City.

There are also jeepneys who pass through the new port. Just ask the driver if he will pass on the new port. The fare will be 7.50 pesos. We rode on the 6:15 AM Ocean Jet ferry bound for Bacolod City. The ferry costs 245 pesos for one person.

While on the ferry, I texted Mr. Raymond, that’s the name of our driver for the trip, that we were on our way. 

Bob’s Cafe, 21st Lacson St. Iloilo City

At 7:45 AM, we arrive at the Port of Bacolod. We met up with Mr. Raymond and proceed with first agenda of the day: BREAKFAST. 

After driving around, we had our breakfast at Café Bobs at 21^st St., Bacolod City. It was an enjoyable meal, the place is cozy and the food is good.

After the meal, we traveled for 30 minutes or so to Talisay City and arrive at The Ruins. It’s actually easy to locate now because every sign post leading to it has sign that reads: This way to The Ruins.

Old Mill Tree

The first indication of the place was a tall ancient tower that looks like a lighthouse beckoning us to come nearer. And at that place, directly in front of it is the gates to The Ruins. It had an entrance fee of 100 pesos per person and a 40 pesos fee for students.

Maria Braga – top right

The Ruins is a mansion built in honor of love for a lovely lady named Maria Braga, much like Taj Mahal in India. Who needs to go to Agra to see a famous dedication for love to a woman when we have one sitting just round the sugar canes.
 
After a fire that destroyed the mansion during World War 2, what remained is a beautiful structure that will stir your heart in its beauty and you can envision how it must have looked like in its heyday. Most people say, that The Ruins is doubly beautiful at night. But during the day, one can still see that it’s a great piece of architecture.



The inside of The Ruins looks sturdy and some of the parts have been repaired or reconstructed to their look during the old days.

Arcs

Walls

Stairs to second floor

Around the ruins now, a fountain has been built and the garden has been landscaped. Some architectural tributes were also constructed.

Architects of the Philippines

Fountain

Fountain with Ruins Side

In front of the mansion, a restaurant is also added where you can eat and cool down. Though we did not stay to eat, so I could not really comment on the food.

And if you go there at around noon, don’t forget to bring an umbrella. 

Ruins – Side View

Now on to the next post.


Daghang salamat sa pagbasa!!!