Revisiting Bacolod City


The first time I was in Bacolod I told myself that my mom would really love this city for the endless gastronomic adventures. For you to cover almost every restaurant you would probably need to stay there for two weeks or more. It's really a place for that kid appetite in you (bawal ang diet). 

So straight from our Guimaras trip, we went to the port where the Bacolod-bound ferries are located. We took a tricycle and paid 40 pesos for the short ride. Two years ago, I tried  Supercat ferry (2GO) to reach Bacolod. But this time, I intended for us to ride the earliest possible ferry that will be leaving when we get to the port. 

We were there at around 2:30 p.m. and we chose Weesam Express for it will be leaving at 2:50 p.m. The standard rate for the aircon area was 330 pesos. (240 for non-aircon and 425 for the first class cabin) all-in, no terminal fee or whatsoever added to that fee. They honored my Student I.D. just so you know. I slept all throughout the trip while my mom who was seating right next to the window enjoyed the whole time looking at the window.

I booked a Budget room at L'Fisher Chalet (check rates) along Lacson St. through e-mail a few months before the trip. They required me to pay the full amount of 1,450 pesos via selected banks listed on the confirmation voucher. We just presented the print-out and went straight to the room. That easy. My former stay at Saltimboca Tourist Inn was a pleasant one considering the very cheap rates they have. So I was expecting L'Fisher Chalet to deliver the same quality of service for they are one of the most popular hotels in Bacolod. 

We were ushered to our appointed room at the third floor of the hotel. The room had basic stuff such as bed, a T.V., dresser, mini fridge and ensuite toilet and bath. I felt sad after checking the room because the room was lacking windows. There was a faux one like an exhaust thing on top of the room but that's it. No view. No sunlight. No life. It felt dead. My mom didn't mind it but I did. And all the toiletries in the bathroom were for 1 person only. I called up the housekeeping and they brought another set. They even explained that the Budget room is supposed to be for 1 person only.

the Budget room - no windows
me and Agnes
Moving on, I went on the 4th level/rooftop of the hotel to check out the pool and other amenities. I was so amazed how vibrant that area was. It was a far cry from the lifeless room we have. There was a gym, a spa, a salon, the pool and a restaurant/bar. I didn't get to try any of those for my listless body wanted to go to bed and just chill. And so I did. By the way, the room came with a free breakfast which we availed the next day on the rooftop restaurant.

I dunno why but the whole vibe of the hotel was very dark for me. Lifeless. Just like a vampire movie. Maybe it's because of the dark room we had. Or maybe the snobbish staff. I can't help but compare it to Saltimbocca which was the opposite of everything I just said. 

ze pool
the view from the rooftop
breakfast plate 1
breakfast plate 2
Waking up from our quick nap, I hurriedly got ready for our Bacolod inasal treat at Manokan Country. We went out of the hotel and rode a jeepney going to SM. And just beside the parking lot of the mall is the cluster of restaurants that offers inasal. Nana's Beth Chicken Inasal was my first choice for I've tried it few years back but because it was a Sunday, the restaurant was jampacked so we moved to Aida's

We ordered 2 of each; pechopak (80 pesos), chorizo (20 pesos) and the reason I came back to Bacolod - the tina-e (isaw, 20 pesos). We also had some garlic rice and soda. I was too excited that waiting for a minute felt like an hour. We didn't care about it as long as they grill our food very well. 

And when the food came, we were dismayed. The chicken had some blood in it. We called the attention of an attendant she brought it back to the kitchen. After that, everything felt bad. The tina-e and chorizo weren't that fresh and I didn't get to finish my chicken. I was so disappointed that I kept on telling my mom the first inasal experience I had on the other restaurant. Guys please, go to Nana's Beth instead of Aida's. 


never ever will I go to Aida's
And right after dinner, we went back to Lacson st. to have a dessert fix. Calea it is! I can still remember how my first Calea experience was. I've been raving about it since then and I wanted my mom to try it too. Calea is conveniently located near L'Fisher Chalet and Saltimboca (ugh! still can't get enough of this tourist inn) so we just asked around on what jeepney to ride to go back to L'Fisher. Again, the coffee shop was packed with all sorts of people. 

What I like about this city is the wide array of restos and coffee shops around. It is definitely a foodie haven. We got some Imported Chocolate cake (85 pesos), Blueberry cheesecake (85 pesos) and Cafe Americano (60 pesos). The Chocolate cake was a hit on my first try so I got one again. The blueberry cheesecake was my mom's choice. And boy I had fun with what she got! What I loved about it was the crust. Instead of the usual graham crackers they used wheat and oatmeal stuff (eek, I am no food blogger) which perfectly complimented with the sweetness of the blueberries and the hint of saltiness of the cream cheese. To die for. And just because I can't get enough of it, I had a Fruity cheesecake (80 pesos) the next day and missed the heavenly crust of the Blueberry cheesecake. Disclaimer: I don't have a sweet tooth - partida.



Imported Chocolate cake - 85 pesos
Blueberry cheesecake - 85 pesos
yummy crust!
Fruity cheesecak - 80 pesos
We didn't have plans the next day so we stayed in bed up to lunch time. We then went to the Capitol Park and Lagoon for a good tambay. We had some lunch on Cafe Bob's and forgot to take some photos. Nothing was remarkable for me though. 

pasko na agad?

I haggled with a random cabbie for a ride at the airport (there are shuttle vans at SM mall that charge 100 pesos for a  one-way ride to the airport) for my mom hoarded loads of stuff from BongBong's and Iloilo's Biscocho Haus. I got the cab for 400 pesos with a sidetrip to The Ruins - quite a good deal. For Bacolod City cab services contact Kuya Demet - 0907.945.9777

We really wanted to catch the sunset at The Ruins so at around 4:30 p.m. we were on our way already. On my first visit to the most coveted ruins in the country, the sun didn't show up because it was cloudy and we were lucky that day to have a clear sky. 

I saw Roger easily for he was our guide before. I let my mom have a quick tour around with him and because it was a Monday, we had Roger for the whole duration of the tour. He served as our guide, storyteller and photographer. He told us some juicy stuff about the place, the family who owns it and the people he met. 

I can see the passion in his eyes. Lucky are those who get to do what they love. The Ruins was better this time. It really glows into a golden tone when the sun hits it. Amazing! My camera ran out of battery. Bleh. My bad. Good thing I had with me my underwater camera. And believe me, it delivered. 





thanks again roger!
no photoshop or whatever. just ask roger
We went home with high spirits, loads of pasalubong and treasured bonding moments with my mom. An amazing way to celebrate. Happy vente y nueve!

Check Bacolod City accommodations here

26 comments :

  1. I went there two years ago for the Masskara Festival. Overnight lng kami. Sa L'Fisher din kami nagstay pero hindi ko naexplore masyado yung hotel :| Masyado kasi nagbabad sa breakfast buffet lol

    Calea is heaven hehe. Sa Manokan Country lang kami nakatsibog ng maayos. Emo mode naman kami when we were at The Ruins kasi nagmamadali.. kailangan din imadali ang pageemote para ma-check in na baggage :))

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    1. i looove calea din mica! pero di ko alam if gusto ko na magkaroon sila ng branch dito sa manila. hehe. kami nga din eh. last stop ang ruins before airport :)

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  2. Hopefully ma-visit ko to this year, thanks for this! this post will help me a lot for my travel, thanks ulit Madam :)

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  3. Na-miss ko na din ang Bacolod. I love your pics sa The Ruins, amazing. :D

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  4. ok na yung P1,450, nagstay ako sa circle inn, I think P1,200 without breakfast and malayo siya sa kainan so di kami nakasave sa fare.

    dun sa last photo, nashock ako sa secret kung paano kunan yun. hehe!

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    1. nagulat din ako sa sikreto niyang photo na yan michi :)

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  5. Good Day Mam anong gamit mong DSLR at lens? TIA.

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    1. canon 550D and 17-70 mm. pero underwater camera lang gamit ko sa ibang photos dito :)

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    2. okay thank you, ang gaganda ng shot mo. specially the last photo. keep up the good work maam. ^_^

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  6. go manong unyol! ok lang. credited naman eh :)

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  7. Sobrang memorable din for me ang Bacolod kasi ito ang unang probinsya na narating ko sa Visayas. You should have eaten at Chicken Deli, their atay inasal was superb. Sarap lang magfood trip sa Bacolod. Haay... :-)

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    1. eto na naman. sayang. di na ko naka-explore masiyado bilang kasama ko nanay ko. hihi. next time ulit :)

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  8. Ang ganda talaga ng The Ruins! Landmark na talaga sya sa Bacolod. Sunset talaga ang perfect time to visit.

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    1. korek ian. sunset talaga ang perfect time :) at yung saktong papunta ka na ng airport para magpadaan nalang sa cabbie. hehe

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  9. ang dami na pala nagbago sa bacolod hahaha its been more than 5 years na akong ndi nakapunta ng bacolod lol pero in fairness ha mas lalong gumanda ang bacolod sa mga kuha mong pic hahaha nice shots sis!

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    1. thanks lalah! foodtrip ang bongga sa bacolod talaga :)

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  10. Oh, I'm sorry about your experience with Aida's... I had a good lunch there when I visited in June 2012.

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    1. i think it's because it's sunday when we were there. and also, i think that nana's beth is better :)

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  11. next time try niyo po ang siopao sa bob's big boy restaurant may kasamang ubod sa loob un....

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