Foot and Fire

Charmed by nature and lulled by the cool wind of Damires Hills Tierra Verde in Janiuay, Iloilo last December, I returned there to celebrate my mother bear's birthday. There, we had a family room perched on top of a hill and we enjoyed double beds for each one of four of us. The veranda has a duyan and the cool breeze invited us to enjoy it. The occupant in the next hut painted the villa and my nephew enjoyed watching him doing it when he caught him at sunset and then saw him again the next day in the morning on our way to the canopy walk. ***     We did the mini forest hike after passing by the kahon of ricefields and we paused for photos at the start of the hanging bridge. I was the last one as I intend to take many selfies and I don't want movements from the bridge made by my naughty nephew. *** Here is a photo of me at the start of the walk through the bridge. *** Of course, night swimming is a must. The picturesque restaurant and the well-lit pool are q...

The beach front. Since it's already low tide, sightseeing is the only way to enjoy. However, we were so happy to find a spot for dipping and swimming. So we did while waiting for our lunch. We paid P300 for the entrance and set lunch.  There is no need to call ahead for this offer they have for the day trippers only. *** The entrance to the resort that whispers to us to come in! *** They have bicycles for rent. It is easy to get lost in the Island of Sipaway... The usual route to the resorts are paved, that is the good news. However, there are no road signs  and the paved road is escorted by coconut trees on both side.  Well, this is one fun activity to do, if you happen to book for an overnight stay in Sipaway. *** Giant Machete statue at the entrance of the pool. *** The pool is available for the overnight guests. But the ocean is open for the day trippers. *** They have a zoo which I did not explor...

Coolness. Mountain. Resort. Nature. Falls. These are only some of the one-word description I can give to Pata-an Mountain Resort located at Bago City, Negros Occidental. It is just a farther drive to PNOC and a little farther from Kipot Falls of Bago City. It features a free-falling falls with water-rushing sounds from the creek. A group of four can stay in overnight in a room for P800/night. For daytime trippers, a P500/day hut can be rented. The use of swimming pool has a P40/pax charge while bathing in the falls is free of charge. One can also use the dirty kitchen for cooking and grilling. And of course, the cold spring water from the falls is free flowing.  *** The green plains and mini-rice terraces along the way. *** A wonderful bloom. This is a kind of flower that abound most mountains of Negros Occidental. *** My parents behind the yellow blooms. *** My father and my nephew in front of big and tall bamboos. *** P...

This the most popular of all sculpture, the Sota sang Canlaon.  This is taken from a local folklore. *** Just something not local, cherubs... *** *** One set of sculptures that tell a story. *** More of the group! *** Closer look on the ladies. *** along the way, we passed by this. *** Our aeta brother must be. *** by the pool. *** *** *** This is not a sculpture, of course. LOL. The chair is has an epic paint! ***

Aside from waters (featured in previous post), Kaitulari offers nature trek. It is only a beginner's trek, so don't fret. After enjoying our packed lunch, taking photos, singing in the videoke machine, and enjoying the pool, we decided to do the trekking heading to the sculpture gardens featuring characters from the local folklores. We went up some steps and slopy cemented road then followed the trail under the shades of the lining mango trees. We stopped to catch our breaths along the way and took some memorable photos. When we arrived in the placid lake of Cita, our tiredness dissipated and joined with the air of serenity of the place.

I was able to celebrate my birthday in 2006 or 2007 at Kaitulari Resort. We stayed there overnight at the time so that we enjoyed a long afternoon of swimming in its irregularly shaped pool and an early morning hiking. Digital cameras were not yet around so I had film photos only at the time. At about six years after, I was able to retrace our trail, enjoyed videoke and the lush greeneries sans the pool this time. All with digital camera at hand.   Water is in the refreshing pool, in the placid Lake Cita, in the tiny fish spa, in the zen-inducing rushing waters of the creek. It is all over Kaitulari. The centerpiece of the resort! *** The decorative photobooth by the pool! *** Pool! *** Fish spa where fishes can feast on one's foot's dead skin *** The creek semi-circling the Kaitulari resort property. *** The rushing waters of the creek is passing by here *** and here. *** The placid Lake Cita. ...