NEGROS Island has so much to offer if one can take time to travel and see the wonders of each town and city.
Experiencing Negros for the first time in just three days was so much fun and memorable, most especially when traveling with your loved ones.
It was on the third or fourth time when I finally agreed with my cousin to take a break and go with them on a short vacation from April 29 to May 1.
I was so excited that I was not able to sleep a day prior to our trip.
My sister, aunt, uncle, three cousins, and two other relatives, hit the road around 5 a.m. and passed by the cities of Talisay, Silay, Victorias, Cadiz, Sagay, San Carlos City, and municipalities of E.B. Magalona, and Manapla in the northern part of Negros Occidental.
While we're on the road, we were amazed by the beauty of the sunrise, making the skies orange – a sign that we will be traveling on a very hot day.
We haven't realized we're hungry until we saw a fast food chain in San Carlos City, where we pulled over to have the first meal of the day before proceeding with the long hours of travel to neighboring Negros Oriental.
After our breakfast, we continued our travel to the other side, where we passed the cities of Guihulngan and Bais, and municipalities of Ayungon, Bindoy, Jimalalud, La Libertad, Tayasan, and Manjuyod, while having a conversation on board a sports utility vehicle.
The exciting part was every time the vehicle stopped - it was a sign for us to have picture taking or sightseeing. It took us seven hours to reach Negros Oriental.
We had our first picture taken in Guihulngan City, overlooking the blue waters from the road, which was very pleasing to the eyes.
It made us want to dip into the waters under the scorching heat of the sun.
The second stop was in Bindoy town, where we took photos at their welcome mark, still by the sea.
Then we're down to Bais City for another short sightseeing and photo opportunity.
We proceeded with our travel until we reached Dumaguete City for an overnight stay.
After 11 hours of long drive, we took a rest in a hotel and went out for dinner and sightseeing along the boulevard, where restaurants and other food stalls are located.
We were also able to witness a fireworks display after an International Dance Festival was held there.
We were supposed to drop by a famous pastry shop but their famous delicacy was already sold out.
We decided to return to the hotel so we can rest for another long drive the next day.
The following day, we woke up at 6 a.m. for breakfast and left the hotel at 11 a.m. We then proceeded to Valencia town to visit Tierra Alta Residential Resort, where a lighthouse, wide garden and swimming pool are located on top of the mountains. The venue is also famous for a wedding, birthday receptions, as well as other occasions.
The view from the top was really fantastic. The heat of the sun was not able to stop us from taking photos outdoor.
After staying at Tierra Alta for 30 minutes, we went to Pulang Bato Falls, a famous attraction in the town, wherein its rocks were red due to sulfur.
We left Valencia town and had our lunch in a shopping mall in Dumaguete City and continued our travel back to Negros Occidental.
The drizzle started to pour while we passed by Tanjay City and Bayawan City, and municipalities of Amlan, Mabinay, Pamplona, San Jose, Sibulan, Bacong, Basay, Dauin, Sta. Catalina, Siaton, and Zamboangita.
We stopped at the boundary of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental and took more photos when we reached Hinoba-an town.
It was 6 p.m. when we reached Campochino Bay in Sipalay City for another overnight stay.
We ate our dinner at 8 p.m. at the boulevard and returned to the resort to sleep.
During our last day, we went island hopping at 6 a.m. and had our breakfast at a nearby resort.
Then we went swimming at the Maasin Cave in Campomanes Bay, and another cave.
Indeed, marine life in Sipalay City is abundant.
After the island hopping, we started to pack our things and left the resort to go home.
But before we arrived in Bacolod City, we dropped by in Ilog town to visit my uncle's farm.
We ate pineapples and sweet corn there before we headed back home.
Again, it was a long drive back to the City of Smiles but the experience was awesome.
If only we could spend so much of our time to visit the jewels of Negros Island.
I can't wait for another similar trip soon, another getaway on December in Panay island.
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Photos by Glazyl Masculino and Adesa Cahilig.