Blogs from Negros, Philippines, Asia

Following on from MoalBoal our next scheduled destination was a few days away for Xmas. To fill in the time I planned a side trip down to an island called Siquijor. I had read that it had some of the best snorkelling around the area. To get there was a bit of a mission. Step 1. Take a tricycle to the main road. These tricycles are a smallish bike, our first one was a Honda 125, with a side car which could squeeze 4 people in so just enough room for Shelley and I. Step 2. Catch a bus to a bus station close to the port at the south of the island. Our first bus journey the previous day was a disaster. We had chosen seats at the front which I physically couldn’t fit in ... read more

Words are not enough to describe my beautiful experience in this town of long stretch beach that is divided by streams and its rock formation like a floating green cap on the waters. I often describe Sipalay City's natural existence as a combination of Boracay Island even though the sand isn't that refine and Palawan because of multiple rock formation or islets that are perfect for picture taking and fun hopping. Been to Sipalay three times and good memories always take me back. It's 200 km south of Dumaguete City, 4-hr bus travel. I usually drive my motorcycle to this town and enjoy wonderful stopovers for local experience and selfies. It takes 5-6 hours with my driving adventure. 1. Boulevard or The Long Beach. It's open to the public. Sand is pure white when it's heated. ... read more

Wir wünschen euch ganz schöne, relaxde, feuchtfröhliche, lustige, besinnliche, mückenfreie Weihnachten. Dass der Hahn um halb 3 Uhr nachts noch schläft, die Hunde ebenfalls und die Sonne für euch lacht. Lasst es euch gut gehen....! We wensen jullie mooie, relaxede, vrolijke, grappige en een muggenvrije kerst. Dat de kemphanen om half 3 des nachts nog slapen mogen, zo ook de honden en dat de zon naar jullie lacht. Fijne feestdagen... read more

After just two quick nights, it was time to bid farewell to wonderful Sugar Beach, and head back up northwards along the western coast of Negros Occidental. And it was another standing-room only jam-packed bus ride from Montilla to the provincial capital of Bacolod, which would also be my last new stop here in the Visayas. A medium-sized city that is a somewhat smaller version of Cebu, Bacolod doesn't offer many tourist attractions per se. But it is steeped in history, and it's difficult to understand the Visayas and the Negros island in particular without having a sense of the importance this coastal port city played during the island's sugar-producing hey-days. So I decided to pay a visit to tie up my entire journey here in Central Philippines. I spent just another quick two nights in ... read more

MassKara Festival 2013 Held every 3rd week of October, Bacolod City stands true to its slogan "City of Smiles". As many schools and barangays (local political units) within the city dance and sway to the beat with streetdancers wearing smiling masks and make an already festive occasion more carnival-ish. I brought my family here on this October weekend, with hopes that adult and teen tastes will converge in celebrating this most-awaited festival. A Mardi Gras of sorts, Philippine version. Resiliency characterizes the Filipino spirit and this character manifests itself in full splendor here. After all, Masskara was conceived at a time when Bacolodnons, or Bacoleños, or Bacolodians -- whatever and however the residents are called -- were struggling with near despair over the decline in world sugar prices, aggravated by the sinking of MV Don Juan ... read more