Adventure Accounting

Cows have four intestines, at least. All of that to convert the grass into milk.  A cow's digestive system You’ll envy a cow when you go to Bacolod. Our intestines are not enough to handle all the gastronomic options in Bacolod. Prepare to commit one of the seven deadly sins in Bacolod: Gluttony. Our lunch in El Ideal Bakery in Silay proves that good food does not need to be pretentious or expensive. Food here is simple, far from being “artisanal”, but the flock of customers in the shop is consistent.   I think the local longanisa meal is around Php 120. Then Sarah and I shared two slices of pie and fresh lumpia, one of their bestsellers too. I shelled out Php 176.00 for my lunch. Affordable and delicious food. I guess that’s the advantage of eating in the province; you’ll get really good food at reasonable prices. Unlike in Metro Manila, where you’ll have to pay moolah for a so-so food. I wouldn’t mind retiring in the province someday...

Saturday started off with a morning buffet breakfast at O Hotel. Good enough. It was too much to expect for bacon.  We confirmed our research with the receptionists before conquering the humid and gloomy weather.  We boarded a jeep bound for “Bata” and got off the Pepsi Plant – paid Php 7.50. The tourist price for the trike to The Ruins is Php 50.00. The real fee for locals is Php 20.00. If you have a local, swerte mo, or you can assert your right (it may or may not work). Ah well, what is new about this touristy places? It is kinda tiring to expect for a fair price all the time.    The ride is smooth, the bumpy ride is just a couple of meters. Fun to ride in a trike with all the sugar canes around you. The Ruins is located in Talisay. This is a good hour away from the city center. The Ruins is dubbed as the Taj Mahal of the Philippines, not because of its looks, but because of its history. The house was built by a sugar baron for his wife...

I am running out of places to travel here in the Philippines. I know we have 7,107 islands and 81 provinces. As beautiful as my country is, it is not my goal to set every foot in every province in this country. It would be nice to do so, but that’s just not my plan now. March 2014. The day after my return from my Batanes trip , I realized I had few planned trips in the Philippines this year. I already conquered my Batanes, my super target destination in the Philippines. I had a planned trip to Romblon but after that...no Philippine destination in sight. I checked PAL’s website and there was an ongoing seatsale.  I booked a trip to Bacolod.  I had no concrete plans what to do at that time. I know there’s great food in Bacolod, but I don’t travel to try out food. So maybe I’ll try something else.Or just experience something different, although it is not something else. My foodie Amiga Sarah is joining me this trip! Hoorah! See, I like eating. But I don’t...