Chocolate Hills in..

..Negros Occidental! Yes, believe it or not, the Negrenses have chocolate hills (more like green hills, hehe) too! Though not as many as in Bohol, the hills still provide a pleasant diversion for those traveling by land towards Negros Oriental.Ü We left Bacolod earlier today (after having breakfast at Bacolod Golf and Country Club) to go to Dumaguete City, a four hour trip along the mountain ranges of Negros Occidental. The roads were winding and full of curves, the view magnificent, the climate cold. Yup, very much like the road up Baguio City :-) We're in San Carlos City right now, the half-way point, to have our lunch.Ü

Negros Museum Tour

Yesterday we had our tour in the Negros Museum, and boy, I learned a whole lot about Negros history vis a vis the Philippine history! Did you know that Negros was a republic for 1 year in 1898? And that the Negrenses were the first to stage a bloodless revolution? That Manila's prominent families are from Bacolod and the nearby provinces? Alunan, Lacson, Ledesma, Lopez, Magalona, Montinola, etc, etc. Even the family of Jose Mari Chan (the singer) and Susan Roces hailed from Bacolod!Ü Also in the museum were relics and machines from Sugarlandia's heyday, paintings, and working appliances (GE fan, phonograph) from early 1900s. My lolas (pictured above) enjoyed the tour and had lots of questions for the guide. It was truly a memorable experience for us all!Ü

Angry Christ Church

Another day in Negros Occidental and another day for sightseeing! :-) This time we went to the heart of Sugarlandia - Victorias Milling Company. Aside from acres and acres of cane, there are factories, circa 1900s staff houses, a clubhouse, and the Angry Christ Church. The altar of the said church is pictured above. Jesus doesn't look angry to me but my mom said her hair on the back of her neck stood up :-S What intrigued me, however, was the symbol of a triangle with an eye inside. It's not on the photo above but on the painting in the ceiling. I think it was the Illuminati symbol.. Very intriguing!Ü

FRUIT BATS!!

Or so I presume, hehe! See those stuff hanging from the tree branches? Those are the bats sleeping outside down! After our lunch, we proceeded to Mambukal Resort (still in Negros Occidental) where there are hot and cold springs, boating lagoon, butterfly garden, wall climbing facilities, slide for life, hanging bridge and waterfalls. Its a really cool place especially if you love water and nature :-) But what fascinated me were the big bats (3 ft wing span!) sleeping and flying on the treetops. I kinda expected guano to hit my face, but thankfully none came. Hehe! Check my YouTube for bat videos next week :-)