2013 Travel Outlook

Traveled.Traveling.Will Travel

Another year, another series of EPIC journeys will begin again. Well, what's in-store for my 2013 travel count? Here's a rundown of the places I will go to and wish to go to this year!

THAILAND

CAMBODIA

MALAYSIA

SINGAPORE

PANAGBENGA FESTIVAL, BAGUIO CITY

WATER RAFTING, CAGAYAN DE ORO

HOT AIR BALLOON, SUBIC

BORACAY ISLAND

Looking forward this prosperous travel year!

San Carlos City

TRAVEL DATE: Couple of times

San Carlos City comprises one of the thirteen (13) cities of the Province of Negros Occidental. It is located 137 Km. north of the province's capital, Bacolod City. It is also a 2-hour boat ride from Toledo Cebu.

I've visited the city twice so far and its serene and clean environment still remained in my memory. San Carlos City is the last city up north of Negros Occidental province and famous for its white sand beaches such as the Sipaway Island.

When visiting San Carlos City, be sure to visit their tourist park called the "People's Park". It is strategically located near the port going to Cebu City so that waiting passengers can visit the place when they are killing their time waiting for the boat to arrive.

What's nice was that they have an area designated for the miniature buildings of the city so that the public may know what are the places their city has to offer. Isn't it cool? :)

When I went again to Cebu City, I chose the Toledo-San Carlos boat route going home. Unfortunately, our trip was delayed and it left Toledo City at around 7PM already. The trip took 2 hours so we arrived San Carlos City at around 9PM already. And to our delight, the Ceres Bus trips there were only until around 8 - 9PM.

Toledo, Cebu port---from afar! 

At the end of the tiring day, we did not catch the last bus trip going to Bacolod City. And here we stayed at San Carlos City again.

TRAVEL TIP: In case you will not catch the last trip home, the bus terminal has a lot of small stores and local restaurants or "carinderia", that serve rice meals.

We do not have any choice but to stay at the terminal until the first bus trip which is 2 AM. Anyhow, for us to escape from boredom, we rented two trikes (locally known as "trisikad") from two trike drivers, for us to roam around the area. We only paid PHP 10 per person for around 15 minutes bike ride. Who said we're bored, eh'?

On the second level of the terminal, there were some videoke restaurants that served beers and finger foods or "pulutan". The videoke machines were on a pay-per-song basis. Drop your PHP 5 coin first, encode your song number, press enter, and then your song will play!

The most high-tech song-list!

Visiting San Carlos city is such a delight knowing that it's quite far from the island's capital city, Bacolod City. Yet, it has the capacity and stability to run the city progressively.

TRAVEL TIP: Their local festival here is called the Pintaflores Festival celebrated every first week of November. Here was their 2012 Program for your reference!

Oooopos! Before I forget, I would like to thank my friend Vic Amiel for all the pictures taken during this trip. All the credits go to you. *clap clap*

Campuestohan Highland Resort

TRAVEL DATE: January 2, 2013 
 
Campuestohan Highland Resort is located in between the mountain ranges of Bacolod City and Talisay City, Negros Occidental. It is a newly created highland resort to offer more sights and places for tourists visiting the province.

You can visit the place from either two routes, one from Brgy. Alangilan in Bacolod City, and the other one is through Concepcion, Talisay City. From Bacolod City, it is roughly an hour ride.

TRAVEL TIP: Better to bring your own car because there is no local transportation yet going to the resort and the roads are still not yet furnished. Bring some anti-dizziness medication if you have low tolerance on rough roads.

The place looks clean, fresh, and relaxing because of the mountains that surround the highland resort and the picturesque view of Bacolod City from afar. You will surely realize how rich and untouched the Philippines is.

On the eastern side of the resort, facing the mountains, they have the "Lord of the Rings / Hobbit-like houses" that served as their overnight cottages for tourists. It's like a piece of New Zealand to which the movie was taken and surely it was superb!

 

They also have life-size action figures featuring 2012's most famous superheroes, including The Avengers.

Together with the Avengers, they also have the most epic Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Michael Jordan, and Elvis Presley. They also mounted a "ruined-like scenery" that served as the background of the life-size figures.

Beside the "Hobbit-like" cabins you can find a dinosaur which will make you feel like going back to the "Land Before Time". Cool, huh?

On the western side of the resort, they have their 5ft. swimming pool, children's playground, and some cool life-size statues. Since it was the Holiday Season, they featured Santa Claus and some of his reindeers that served as the resort's center of attraction.

Oh, we also took the chance to drop by their colorful playground and have some pictures taken!

TRAVEL TIP: Cottages range from PHP 300 to PHP 5,000. You may check their resort details from here: https://www.facebook.com/campuestohan.highlands.  

Some jump shot moments to conclude our day!

TRAVEL TIP: The resort doesn't serve much food yet so better bring your own packed lunch or dinner and of course, don't forget to bring refreshments to hydrate yourself under the sun's heat.

An E-P-I-C adventure as always!!!