Plazuela de Ilo-Ilo

Right beside SM we saw this 2 storey building.  We were curious so we brought our newly relaxed feet there. The place is named Plazuela de Ilo-ilo.

The place  boasts  a fantastic line-up of restaurants, coffee shops, and cafes to suit everyone's delight. Think of Greenbelt in Makati, this place can be compared to it.

A fountain greeted us upon entering the commercial complex .

This staircase is simply lovely and the presence of Mother Mary's statue above made it even more a sight to behold.

The place features long  hallways and pedestrian promenades that will cater everyone's penchant for leisure and recreation.

At the back of the building is a wide plaza, a perfect place for leisurely  stroll.

Pet lovers also brought their cutest puppies there.

We stayed for a while sitting on the benches. With music playing in the background the place is just the right one for chill out. The place is clean, not a sore in the eye.

Will definitely go back to this place one day and visit their beaches too.

To get away from one's working environment is in a way to get away from your usual routine. This is often the chief advantage of travel and that's why I love doing this.

Madamo Gid na Salamat Guimaras

This day we left Guimaras to stay overnight in Ilo-ilo city before our flight back to CDO on the 19th.

Morning of  March 18, 2012 we woke up early and never wasted time to enjoy last minute swimming at the beach.

I'm lost of words looking at the view. Sunrise is about to shine plus  the cool breeze and the cold water...aaahhhh this is  infinitely  precious.

It took us several minutes to get used to the cold water.

Cam whoring is another way to enjoy the beach more. Thank you Sony for designing a waterproof cam and thanks to my dear friend Yay for getting one.

After early swimming and breakfast we packed our things to continue our land tour before heading back to Ilo-ilo City.

All set for another land tour.

Welcome to Valle Verde. This place is also covered with nature.

There are 311 steps  leading you down to their swimming pool.

On my way to their pool area.

That's their swimming pool.

At their reception area, there's a very nice view that took my breathe away.  An  untouched  forest that is truly admirable. It combines with the cool breeze and the sound of birds chirping. Oh boy, nothing can beat the beauty of nature.

After Villa Verde, we went straight to OLP Trappist Abbey.

It's a monastery with a unique chapel. We lit candles and prayed at their chapel.

This is the front view of the chapel

and this one is the view inside. It's a very spacious chapel perfect for praying and meditation.

Trappist has their own pasalubong center where you can buy  a mango flavored cookies, crackers, piyaya and jam among others.  You can buy religious items also that will be blessed by a priest after buying.

And it's time to go back to Ilo-ilo City.

Madamo gid na salamat for the Ilonggos means THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I took this picture while on the ferry boat going to Ilo-ilo City. My friend Yay asked the guy beside her what is that cross on top of the mountain. The guy said it's the end point of the procession during Good Friday. Guimaras people called it PAGTALTAL SA GUIMARAS.

Thank you very much Guimaras for our wonderful and memorable experience. Till we meet again.

After checked in at Ongbun Pension House, we rode a jeepney going to SM Ilo-ilo City.

Their street has a wide lane reminding me of passing along SLEX. I should say that this  city is one of the most progressive and cleanest cities I've ever been to.

More of our Ilo-ilo trip on my next post.

First time in Ilo-ilo City and Guimaras Island

Traveling brought me happiness. It will relieve me from any stress plus I''ll get to learn something new from the experience I've had in every place that I visited.

When one of my closest friends booked us a promo flight to Ilo-ilo City back in August 2011, excitement was my initial reaction. Who wouldn't? There are many reasons why I'm excited and I'll just say some of it; one, it's my first time to be in that place;  two, I don't know what to expect and what experience will I have; three, there's also that feeling of getting lost because all of us in the group are first timers in that place.

So now, travel with me by reading this blog post (and my next posts)  as I lead you to our adventure in Iloilo City and Guimaras Island last March 16-19, 2012.

At around 2:20 pm Mar 16, 2012 from Lumbia airport (CDO),  we boarded the Ilo-ilo City bound aircraft. (Thank you so much  Cebu Pacific Air for your promo flights, those travelers on a tight budget can afford to fly with you).

At Lumbia airport.

About to board the aircraft. Those smiles in our face were so priceless.

Cagayan de Oro is just 40 minutes away from Ilo-ilo city by plane. At around 3pm we landed Ilo-ilo airport.

Welcome to Ilo-ilo city. Their airport is  nice, it's like a mini NAIA 3.

For first time travelers in this place, set aside your worries of getting lost in the city. Their tourism personnel at the airport's arrival area is so friendly, giving you ideas and printed guides where to go, where to dine and what's the cheapest ride you can choose from the airport to your destination. In our case we rented a van to bring us to Ortiz wharf for P600.  From airport to Ortiz wharf is more or less a 40 minute ride.

Ortiz wharf is where to ride a small boat to get to Jordan wharf in Guimaras Island for P14 only. The island is just 20 minutes away from the wharf.

The boat was about to depart and we were just in time to catch it,   saving us from that long wait  for other passengers.

Upon arriving Jordan wharf, tourism personnel was there too to give you suggestions what type of vehicle to ride including the fare in  going to your destination. We opted for the multicab for P450 going to Raymen's beach Resort (going to the resort from Jordan wharf  took us 40 minutes).

I actually don't have any idea what places to visit in this Island. So I trusted the ever reliable GOOGLE to search for places  and resorts. We stayed at Raymen's beach resort,  for travelers with tight budget like us the resort is just the right choice.  It's a nice place and it's affordable. Room rates started from P700/night.

They have resto that serves typical Pinoy foods. It has  free wifi but will allow only one device per room to connect to their wifi. That's bad news right? We are 5 in the group with wifi ready devices,  all wanted to have web access. For us, that's not a problem coz we found a way to know their wireless password using a windows 7 laptop. Oh man,  how I love the perks of being a technical support representative. hehehe ssssshhhh

After dinner, we rest for a while and then we had our first dip at the beach.

After the air, water and land travel we've been through to get to this place, you would say it's a long and tiring day for us. But believe me, it's not. You just simply fell in love the moment you can see the beach.

Night swimming is always lovely.  This picture simply spells H A P P I N E S S.

Even with little  shade of light you could see how clear the water is.

More on this trip in my next blog. Can't wait to share our trip with you guys.