WHEN IN BACOLOD CITY

I still remember the feeling when I stepped inside the airplane for the first time, it gives me the creeps, and felt excited at the same time. The in-flight calming aroma welcomed you when you are inside the cabin that literally relaxing. All the travelers would rather sit in a window or aisle seat unfortunately I’m in the middle seat, still, and all it’s comfortable. When the plane leaves the ground, I was mesmerized by the window view. All I did for an hour riding in an airplane was admiring the scenery of the landscape from the ground and the cotton-like clouds, it was a breathtaking experience for me. After almost an hour, I and my family arrived at our destination. As I stepped out of the airport carrying my heavy backpack while holding my sunglasses and phone in my hand, big billboards with welcoming messages for tourists and travelers immediately caught my attention. I couldn’t believe it! I was actually in the City of Smiles, Bacolod. My family and I made our way to look for my Lola living there and the one who has picked us up. As we started driving out of the airport and into my Lola’s house, I saw different townscapes compared to Cavite. Tall grasses, cold breeze, towering trees, dazzling sunset, and lots of domestic animals like cows, goats, dogs, and chickens. Bacolod City is really a blissful province. When we arrived at my Lola’s home, a bunch of foods such as grilled pork and fish soup is waiting for us. The meal was highly pleasing that you can literally know that it was freshly cooked.

We wake up early the next morning, I heard the rooster’s crowing, neighbors talking, dogs barking, and a whole lot more. It was honestly so nice to wake up and feel the early morning breeze. Lakawon Island Resort was our first stop; it took my breath away. The iconic bridge of the island was in fact Instagram-worthy. As I walked on the bridge, the crystal clear waters were sparkling like a diamond beneath the sunlight along with the gentle ocean waves, strands of hair crossed my face as the wind blows and as I breathed in the fresh air the smell of the salty sea gave me the feeling of serenity. When I paced in the pure white sand, the grains were so fine. As I sat in our nipa hut at the same time admiring the view I looked up into the sky, all I saw was a vivid blue color and fluffy clouds. Ocean waves were singing into my ears as if they were inviting me to swim and at that moment, I’ve decided to accept its invitation. I dunked my toe first into the water with that I took a deep breath and swam into the cool and refreshing water. As the water ran down to my face and over my lips, I could taste the strong saltiness of the water.

Our day in the resort was about to end, at the last moment, I looked back to see the island. It was totally a perfect paradise, a remote and beautiful destination. I will never forget the place as well as the experience I felt while visiting the island and the other tourist spots of Bacolod City that we included in our itinerary: The Campuestohan Highland Resort that has a lot of fun activities and was really a cold place, the Manokan Country who we were told that we can’t leave without trying their famous Bacolod’s chicken inasal and we’re glad we did not miss trying it, and The Ruins that known as the Taj Mahal of the Philippines a romantic place with a nice and interesting history of the past. I will definitely go back to Bacolod City and experience all of these things again.