A Bacolod City Trip With Friends

What better way to reunite with my best group of friends than to celebrate it with a great getaway. #travel #philippines

Funny how, after months of being unable to see each other because of our busy schedules, we found ourselves together for a trip to Bacolod City. In three days, my friends and I were able to go on local food trips, stay for a night at an island resort, visit a famous architectural heritage site, and shop for local products which we brought back home with us as pasalubong.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

What to do in the island resort:

1. Swim in the afternoon.

2. Visit the sandbar in the morning.

3. Take photos of the beach scenery, on the sea swing; and on the long wooden bridge.

4. Get a Swedish massage in the evening.

Insights:

• Lakawon Island is cashless. Upon checking in, you'll be given a cash card which is reloadable to any amount, refundable upon checking out, and consumable throughout your stay.

• There's a boat transfer going to the island which takes about 15 to 20 minutes. A schedule for boat trips to and from the island is followed and should be noted.

• Two days is enough for you to enjoy the beach.

What to see and do:

1. Document the interiors, façade, building architecture, fountain garden, wishing well, and ancient bell garden.

2. Read about and know The Ruins' history.

3. Buy souvenirs.

Insights:

• The Ruins is a great spot for conducting photoshoots and key events.

• An hour to two hours stay is enough to cover touring and taking photos of and in the whole vicinity.

• Should you get hungry, they have a café-restaurant inside which you can go to.

Where and What to eat:

1. Aboy's for fresh seafood.

We enjoyed eating the grilled tanigue, baked scallops, and fresh oysters we ordered. What's nice about Aboy's is that you can select your seafood and have it cooked the way you want it.

2. Aida's for a classic Chicken Inasal with chicken oil.

You can also try the chicken thigh which my friends liked because of its tastiness. They said its the part that's flavorful (hahaha).

Also, good news! Aida's has a branch somewhere in Makati. You don't have to go all the way to Bacolod just to try their Chicken Inasal.

3. Café Bob's for coffee and dessert.

If you're familiar with Cab Café in Kapitolyo, then the menu at Café Bob's might be familiar because they're owned by the same person. (haha)

Coffee and dessert's always a good idea whether you wanna have it after lunch or dinner. We actually went on both occasions.

4. Mushu for modern Filipino dishes.

WE LOVED the Crab sisig and pritchon (fried lechon in lumpia wrap ala pecking duck!).

It was something new to the palate. My friends and I also had a pitcher of their strawberry margarita right after dinner and it was surprisingly one of the best we've had---not too strong on the alcohol but a balance of both the frozen strawberries & mixed alcohol ,like juice with a kick ;-)

5. Chicken House for another version of Chicken Inasal paired with vinegar and soy sauce.