“I am just alone, but not a loner.” I always say this phrase, over and over whenever I’m meeting new people Who doesn’t want to have a companion on a trip?! I loved to but due to some reasons your travel buddies are not available. But It doesn’t bother me at all if I go for a trip solo or in a group, I KNOW HOW TO ENJOY.
Plan a head.
Yes, planning is a must for more convenience and for preparation for a trip or adventure. On this trip my original plan is to be with my mountaineering group (Isang Backpack Ka Lang) to up of the Grandest Mountain of Visayas Region the Mount Kanlaon; but due to some forces of nature (laziness strikes!), I am not going with them. Its already my 4th visit in the province of Negros Occidental, and I am looking for something new and exciting.
Negros Overload.
The third largest Island of the Philippines. Located in the Western Visayas and sugar is the industry in this Island. Bacolod City is the capital of the Negros Occidental and Dumaguete City is for the Negros Oriental bounded by mountain ranges together with Kanlaon; as one of the most active volcano in the Philippines. About a 1 hour by plane travel from Manila and can also be reached by sea for 20 hours. Definitely Negros is my favorite place to go, aside from Bacolod’s Masskara Festival (October) and their authentic chicken Inasal; this place also offers a great nature tripping.
Where to go now.
Three days before the flight I decided not to pursue the mountain climbing because I am not prepared for the climb and my plane schedule doesn’t match with their schedule. So I have to go somewhere which I haven’t been to. I just did my research to place where I might be going a day before my trip and then I saw this post of picture of Danjugan Island. I find it interesting cause they offer an overnight stay in the Island plus a activities like snorkeling, kayaking and marine preservation seminar. I called them to inquire about my interest but unfortunately the Island was not available for tour. Though its sad to know that I can’t see Danjugan Island, so I just browse again to see other tourist spot in Negros Island and finding blogs that the northern part of Negros is still under recovery from typhoon Yolanda. Last resort I will be in Southern Negros. A friend suggested that I must visit Sipalay for the fine beaches especially the brown sand Sugar Beach. Googled it and then boom! My eyes can get out of the screen when I found that Sipalay has too many place to visit and the view of islets stunned me. So after work, I packed my things and prepare for tomorrows big SOLO Backpacking in Sipalay City.
Detouring but which is which. How to get to Sipalay?
I took the earliest flight of TigerAirways at 5:55am EDT and touched down the new Silay-Bacolod International Airport. Almost one hour away travel time from Silay to Bacolod City’s downtown and a P150.00 per pax fare to a shuttle ride. From the airport you can be dropped off at the South terminal where you can ride a bus going Hinoba-an and get off at Sipalay City (in front of Chicken Ati-Atihan). But before I go to Sipalay. My trip is not complete if I will not have my favorite Inasal of Aida at Manokan. My seatmate in shuttle van asked me if I know some restaurant that is open at that morning (she is new to Bacolod and traveling with her Mom) and I suggest to have Manokan Country (which Aida’s Inasal is situated). But that time Aida’s was not yet open so I go for Bernadette. I still prefer Aida afterwards. After eating breakfast, I was asked by my friend to drop by at the Supercat Station, to send some sweets for his girlfriend and also have small talks with some of my friends there (I also met them during my first travel in Bacolod by my Instagram friend Louis). I also seek for the advice from them about Sipalay and how to get there. Bid a farewell, then go to the plaza, rode a jeep to LaSalle and drop off to South Terminal (P8.00), but it was challenging because its my first time to travel in a jeep all by myself so, I thought I’m lost so I keep on asking my seatmate if the station is just near or I just missed it. Panic mode. And finally I saw the bus station but I forgot that I’m in Bacolod so I said to the driver to pull over is “Manong para…”, but he doesn’t stop so I just bursted my trying hard Ilonggo “ay mali, Manong lugar lang…lugar lang…” Then people in the jeepney smiled on me and I feel the blushing of my face (I have to say that blushing because it doesn’t shows with my skin LOL).
It was few minutes before 10 am when I arrived at the Ceres Bus Station, and good thing I’m going to ride an Air Conditioned bus. Flashing led sign board of the bus, says “Binayawan via Hinoba-an” so I confirmed it with the dispatcher if it gonna pass the Sipalay City where my destination is. The fare for this 167km long trip is 234php. The bus depart and have some series of stop over around south Bacolod Highway to pick up some passengers, thou the bus was full. Hours passed and City by City stop overs and had a 15minutes break at the Kabankalan City’ Ceres Terminal (our lunch break).
Then I noticed that more people are waiting for in the terminal, so I asked my local seatmate why does the bus was so crowded, and just answered me in tagalog that some of the bus are on hold because of the license issues. That was a very hot day, so thank God I’m on an air conditioned bus. The trip continued eventually. The people who are standing are started to subside and feel sleepy ( after 4hours). Passing the Cauayan district I now seeing the coastal and the green fields of Negros Occidental. I got the chance to see the Danjugan Island from afar. I’m starting again to capture the view from my windows. Everything on this bus ride is okay until an old woman puke on the bus. And the maasim (soury) smells around. So the conductor cleaned this mess. And few hours later my eye sparkle when I saw a road sign that I am nearing. And finally after 5 and a half hours I got landed at the Sipalay City. I just randomly dropped at plaza without knowing where is the right bus stop.
An then I met kuya dado, he was the one who will be me for the entire tour here in Sipalay. At first he offered me some resort and activity I must go. He knew that I am on a solo trip so he started to give me affordable offers, we transact and agreed some deals. It was past 4 when we left the plaza and drive uphill to Perth Paradise Resort (www.facebook.com/PerthParadiseResort). I have noticed that Sipalay tourism was not that crowded compared to the other provinces I had been. A smile from a receptionist is a plus. I am just a walkin visitor so, luckily there was available Cabanna that time (P1000.00/night good for 2pax, fan room). I roamed around and checked the room and then I saw a bamboo raft and asked right away if I can use it. And they allow me. But I have to check-in first. LOL. So I signed a waiver and read the house rules and pay for 1 night cause I’ll be transferring to other district as my original plan. I got the number of Kuya Dado for tomorrows activity, and left. So I started to ride the bamboo raft. I was alone doing the rafting, so I get easily tired and just go up to the pool area to see the sunset. It was awesome view of Islets. A dramatic sunset. Other visitors also watched the sunset and some were swimming at the pool. I was capturing pictures when a staff and the the owner of the resort approach me and have some talk. They offer me to see the White Beach at night and have a bottle of beer courtesy of KC (the owner). So some exchange of thoughts, ideas and experiences, together with his staff. I got to know some of them Mac (the Chef), Glen, and Jeff (I am not so sure of his name).
Back to the resort, ordered for dinner. Normally 160-180php per menu, and good for 2-3 persons, and it was freshly cooked and tasty. Must taste their Bakareta (beef, with saucy potato and carrots, bit spicy).
After the dinner, I swim to the pool, open till 10pm, with a bar aside the pool, lighting and life guard on duty. It was calm and relaxing moment. Swimming under the moon, surrounded by Islets. And I call it a night.
Day 2: Where will be my next stop.
It’s a very unusual to me to woke up in a very early morning, especially when I am just on a tour and no one will wake me up and alarm clocks doesn’t work (deaf with ringing alarms lol). But this day is different, I woke up before the sunrise and go to the highest place I can be (the rooftop). The rays of the sun light up the islands and unveiling once again the beauty of Sipalay. You can also hear the waves and tweeting making the whole place as Paradise. Freshly brewed coffee while viewing the islets was cool. If only I can stop the time.
After lunch, I called for the city tour of Kuya Dado, agreed deals and start the tour immediately. By the way I’m extending my accommodation in Perth Paradise Resort for another night instead of transferring to Sugar Beach. For the first stop is the White Beach, fine sand, blue water and only few people are seen in this area so its a very relaxing beach. Several private resorts around and also lots of the resort here offers a aquatic diving. I didn’t got the chance to dive. That was a hot beach walking with kuya Dado; who kept on sharing some infos regarding Sipalay. Then we went to Matlag Cave, a underground cave beside a road. Entrance to this cave is already called adventure. Like a manhole is repairing the leaked pipe of Maynilad. You need to prepare for a flash lights or headlamps and also a hardhat for protection of your head. You can have the hardhat from the store nearby which you can gave a donation. Nice stalagmite and stalactites inside this cave though you see some hand marks, so please do not touch with bare hands this stone formations, bring gloves so you could not infect the stones (I have left my gloves at the resort). The whole duration of this wet cave (a knee high water that time) takes only 15mins. Its a hard one cause you have to duckwalk and sometimes do the moves to be able to pass some chamber. After caving we went to Campomanes Resort which not originally on our deal. He bring me there because kuya Dado sense that I love adventures and of course climbing. So we went up to a cove point. Be careful with the pointed and loose rocks, a steep trail indeed. Up above this cove point you will see the almost 360 degrees of Sipalay City. The beaches, islets, the municipal hall and mining pit. Kuya Dado added that the mining stopped the operation long time ago because the community petition the mining company because of the pollution they get and started to plant trees to replenish the toxic that the mining tail. After a couple of minutes we descend and take some rest and proceed to the Tinagong Dagat Resort. Like a village with cottages from islets to another. Connected by the wood bridges and that time there is an ongoing construction so some spot are restricted. Almost afternoon, so we have to go to be in the next destination the Marra Cave, few kilometers away from Tinagong Dagat. We left the tricycle at the closest end of the pavement and start walking a 500 meter trail. The cave is so BIG. I haven’t seen that big facade of the cave. The high ceiling of this cave is extend up to few meters. Bats were present. And end point of this cave is a small pond. I did not risk to step on it, for not sure of what is underwater (snakes yikes!). The walks on this cave is smooth and smell of poops are all over. We only bring flash lights this time. I starting to be quiet that time because I felt so tired and dehydrated because of the cliff we climbed. So bring water for rehydration. Next stop is the Sugar Beach. From the main road we entered to a small public market of Sipalay and passing through a small community and mangroves around the place, ended in a beach but I have to ride for a paddle boat to cross the Sipalay River. 2-3 minutes to cross the river paying 5-10 pesos for the boatman (one way). A ride from the boat and just follow the walkways till you reach the Sugar Beach. Stray dog alert! Hahah. One of a kind beach sand. Powdery Brown Sand beach. When the waves splashes the sand it makes more stunning brown sugar. The whole beach is not crowded, foreigners are mostly sighted here. The sunset is magnificent and I love it just like Boracay. But I have to be back to our tricycle before the sunset, few more place I have to go. While on our way to Public Beach, my stomach cried for food. Haha. We were too busy to forgot the eat. On our way back to City proper Kuya Dado asked me a permission if we could let some people to come along the ride because they been there for a long time and I simply reply “Yes!”. Kuya Dado is a truly nice guy! Seeing the sunset around the green field of Sipalay, passing the New Municipal Hall with sunset behind is amazing, and finally we are in the city proper. Drop by the Chicken Ati-Atihan for advance order and then proceed to Public White Beach. That beach is so high quality of beach. The white powdery sand, the lovely sunset and people are freely moving around. Seeing also some people doing a skim boarding. I waited there till the sun bid her finale for the day. Back to Chicken Ati-atihan and we dine together. Kuya dado ask me before we went to the Pert Paradise Resort if I want to have a good time at the Public Beach because there were bar and bands around every night in preparation for the town fiesta, but I refused because I am so dead tired kid.
Around 7pm when I arrived at the resort. And take a relaxing night swimming with a bottle of beer under the moon and stars, with surrounded of islets. That was an awesome feeling to end the day.
Day 3: Sipalay till we meet again.
As early as 6am, I am prepared to check out because I have to travel back to Silay Airport for another 6 hours. And the aircon bus is estimated to pass the Bus stop of Sipalay between 6:30-7am. Exactly 6:30 the bus arrived. Till we meet again Kuya Dado. He actually send me a text message afterwards. That is why, I highly recommending you Kuya Dado for his very passionate acts.
Arrived in Bacolod at 11am. It was earlier as estimated. So I have to roam roam around Bacolod City, drop for a sunday mass at the parish near the plaza, take my lunch at Aida’s in Manokan Country and the SM City Bacolod’s travelers lounge to have some shower. And then wait for the team that went up the Mt. Kanlaon, take again a meal at Aida (favorite ko talaga yan!!!) then rented a taxi to Airport. And smooth fly by TigerAirways. Manila.
This detour/solo backpacking trip is one of a kind. I was suprised that I had this great time exploring the beauty of Sipalay. I will treasure this whole experience.
To make it short:
1000 depart from BCD (South Terminal via Ceres Bus, 234php airconditioned)
Stop over
Kabankalan City-Lunch
Arrival at Sipalay City terminal
Perth Paradise Resort
-Cabana Room (1000php)
-Good for 2pax
-Fan Room
Nightlife at White Beach
Dinner
Night Swimming
Day 2
Brunch
City tour
-white Beach
-matlag cave
-tinagong dagat
-campomanes
-marara cave
-sugar beach
-public white beach
Dinner at Chicken Ati-atihan
Perth Paradise Resort
Day 3
Sipalay
Bacolod City
-plaza
-church
-SM City Bacolod
-traveler lounge
-Aida’s Inasal
-Merci Pasalubong
Silay International Airport
Overall estimated SOLO expenses: 4kphp
Round trip ticket fare: 1.3kphp (promo price lol)
Contact Kuya Dado
0921-786-5615
Donde Si Jepepips (Where is Jepepips) 