It's been a long time since my last post. Been busy with work and other stuff. Will try to post regularly from now on....

Coming soon my Bohol escapades....

Garin Farm Iloilo City

One place worth visiting when you are in Iloilo is the Garin Farm in Guimbal. It is around 40 minutes from Iloilo City. Garin Farm is for the city people who want to have a taste of a farm life. It is also suitable for school outings.

Almost everything you can see in a farm can be seen at Garin Farm. They have all kinds of farm animals and crops. You can ride on their caromata, a sled-type ride pulled by cattles. While you're there, don't forget to have a taste of their ice cream made from buffalo milk. They also offer delicious fresh milk to take with you home.

Just be prepared for the not-so-pleasant smell when you are at Garin Farm :)

Paraw Regatta Iloilo City

I was lucky to witness the Paraw Regatta when I was living in Iloilo. This is an annual race of seafarers on colorful sailboats called Paraw. This event attracts tourists from all over the world because of the colorful paraws ranging from very simple designs to intricate ones.

Here are some photos I took of the Paraw Regatta festival. It was a gloomy day that day so the photos didn't come out clear.

  

  

 

 

  

  

  

  

Come to Iloilo and enjoy these colorful festival, that is the Paraw Regatta!

Mabukal Mountain Resort

The Mambukal mountain resort is a popular summer destination here in Bacolod City. It is located in Murcia, just 30 minutes away from our house. I've been there countless times but can't get enough of the place.

Mambukal has everything for everybody. It features lots of amenities that will surely make your visit an enjoyable one. I'll try to show you what to expect in Mambukal through my photos. I'm not a professional photographer, but doing my best to take nice photos :)

Mambukal has 7 falls. You need strong knees to climb the mountain and see these falls. Only a few manage to reach the 7th falls (yes, I've reached it after 3 visits). Pictured above is the 2nd falls. I think this is the nicest of the 7, but most try to go farther to 7th falls, just for the thrill of it. By the way, you can't go swimming in this falls because of falling rocks.

 

 This is the the 7th falls. Not really that nice compared to the 2nd falls, but the feeling of reaching it is so overwhelming. It's an achievement to be able to climb that far. As I've told you, you need very strong knees to get here because it's on top of the mountain. Good for hikers and adveturers.

 

Mambukal also has a hanging bridge. Nope, never tried it. Maybe on my next visit. You need to pay 50 pesos to use this bridge, and it's quite safe because you will be fastened with a harness.

 

This is one of the swimming pools. This is exclusive for those who stay overnight in Mambukal resort. They also have a public pool both for kids and adults.

  

Mambukal resort also offers boating. For 30 pesos, you can paddle around this lagoon for 30 minutes. Yes. you'll be the one to paddle the boat, don't worry it's very easy. 

Since Mambukal resort is at the foot of a volcano, you can see lots of boiling water everywhere, and the place smells of sulfur. This one is the hot spring. No swimming or touching here unless you want to be a dressed chicken :). Yup, the water here is very hot, boiling temp I think.

This is the dipping pool. They say it's a therapeutic pool, best for those who have arthritis and other illnesses. Majority of people you can see here are old ones :) The water here is hot, but tolerable, if you have thick skin. Entrance fee is 50 pesos.

There are still lots to see and do at Mambukal mountain resort. There's the bat watching, butterflly garden, zip line or slide for life (for those who love extreme sports) and wall climbing. Visit the place with your friends and enjoy all these!