Negros: Your Weekend Getaway

          One afternoon I received a call from my mom’s best friend, she informed me of their arrival on the weekend and asked me to take them around. It is seldom when your tita’s come to visit you , and so I had to drop everything for dear family.   We met at the hotel when they arrived from Dumaguete, 

a group of visayans from Bohol, Dumaguete and Ormoc. Coming from a road trip we drove to Campuestohan Highland Resort after a sumptuous lunch at L’Sea Dimsum.  The resort  always has something new every time I visit with guests, there are more  sculptures of animals friendly to children and millennials. A colorful painted cow is by the mill, the famous brontosaurus welcomes you at the park, you can sit on a bench shaped like a crocodile, or touch  a t-rex, meet a spinosaurus or a snake where some make sounds which takes you back to Jurassic time.

          Campuestohan has more swimming pools, a foam area by the wave pool, KingKong is an attraction too with the kalesa and  elephants nearby. You need not go hungry because there are food stalls all over, air conditioned wigwam like bonita huts , teepees and log cabin rooms. This is indeed a good place for family and team building activities.

          Next stop was JKN farm at Concepcion, Talisay for an eat all you can rambutan and lanzones plus mangosteen , so sweet that we all enjoyed the visit, its never too late you can take time and  drop by for P150.00 per person its an eat all you can treat and buy for more to take home where canopies and tables are available for visitors. They asked me about the ‘Atis’ and we found one by the fruit stand beside El Ideal, indeed it is one fruits that is also from San Carlos City.

          A visitor should not miss the Ruins, it was dark yet the place is well lighted, Roger Lucero took time to share facts , figures and funny jokes to the tourists, and even  them with taking pictures.

          Dinner would be great at 18^th PalaPala with an array of seafood, or lunch in Silay would be more authentic at Sir and Maam with a variety of Filipino dishes to choose from. Coffee at Ann Co Cakes is a must visit too. Don’t miss the newly opened Tong Yang for grilled and shabu shabu soup at Ayala Mall, just be sure you go in with an empty stomach for you will surely go home with a full one.

          Balay Negrense is a must visit as well where they learned about our history, sugar tales and the people.

          Many have heard about Patag, from Silay City proper its about forty minutes drive to the mountain where you will notice the sprouting of coffee shops by the road and some with a great view of the city and nearby towns. There are many resorts in town and one place we visited is Ilaya Highland Resort,entrance fee is Php 200 per person with a welcome drink of native coffee or ice tea. The view is majestic, a place to commune with nature , they have Balinese inspired rooms with colorful doors, a camp site, restaurant and below is a glamping area plus a swimming pool and bar with benches and a tree by the pool providing  one shade and a picturesque sunset view  

          Going back to the city was a bit dark , it is best if your car is equipped with proper lights for safe driving and be careful as people up there are not used with so many vehicles sometimes making use of the road as basketball court, which makes traveling more fun.

 

          They stayed for two nights and three days, had fun, went home with goodies and contented with the fulfillment of gastronomic desires , our place is known for. They filled a  whole memory card, worthy of fun memories to keep. So next time you have visitors, grab a brochure at the nearby tourism office, take them around and make them experience the sweet surprises Negros Occidental can offer