Bacolod is prominent for its famous Masskara Festival held
during the 3rd week of October and known-to-many as the “City of Smiles” for being a
relatively friendly city. But there’s more you don’t know about Bacolod, there’s a lot of
beautiful and amazing local destinations that you must see and lots of lip
smacking food including its Inasal and sweet dessert treats.
Its just a ferry boat trip across the sea from Iloilo to Bacolod
City that will take only
45 minutes. Since we’re in Iloilo we pursued to
go in Bacolod
for our side trip. We bought tickets at Iloilo
port, unluckily the Oceanjet ticket was sold out so we don’t have any choice
but to grab the Supercat ticket (now 2Go) for Php410.00 round trip fare. We
left Iloilo port at 9:10am and reach Bacolod at past 10:00am.
Upon arrival at Bacolod pier,
we looked for affordable mode of transportation going to our destination. We
rode a tricycle going to the main road for Php20.00 each, then transferred to a
jeepney going to Bata area drop at the corner street to Goldcrest and Octagon
Village which will lead you all the way to the Ruins just follow the signs to
not get lost.
Entrance fee around Php50.00 are collected at
the gates, they also give discounts for students and Senior Citizens. Very incredible
that owner preserved the beauty of a wreck mansion. I was amazed by the mansion
architectural design. It was truly remarkable Taj Mahal of Negros.
The Ruins showcases what
was left of the Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson ancestral house in Talisay City,
Negros Occidental. In my researched,
during 1900s the mansion was the largest residential structure ever built and
to ensure that the finest materials of concrete and its pouring mixture are
strictly followed, one of Don Mariano’s sons supervised the construction.
Way through The
Ruins was very rough, but the bumpy and uncomfortable travel to the place was
all worth it once you see part of the Ruins gradually coming to view. We
couldn’t wait to explore the place. We arrived there at quarter to 11:00 am,
and at that time were already famished and worn-out from the long and
nauseating travel in the ferry. They have a mini Café that serves appetizing
food; we ordered first before we decided to look around and took pictures for remembrance.
I chose Chicken Arroz Caldo, a popular Filipino Congee features chicken wings
and rice in a chicken broth seasoned with ginger, onion and garlic. Sarap! Truly!
Bacolod was the
heritage of delicious food. After then, we proceed in taking photos around the
area.
I was enchanted with
the main attraction, the spectacular two-story skeletal structure of the
mansion. You can see inside a
mini-museum where some of history about the place was illustrated; framed
magazine were The Ruins are featured, known people who visited, memorabilia and
replica of a bedroom was there for tourist to see, and an old "calesa" that
completing the novelty.
They also have souvenir
shop where you can buy pasalubongs and collectible items from key chain,
tshirt, figurine, and lot more.
 |
| The Ruins Restaurant |
The Ruins restaurant is located
beside the souvenir shop, where you can dine and experience the savory carte du
jour of Negros.
This was the
best place if you want to unwind; the pleasant surroundings, fresh air and green
environment were very relaxing. And because of the inimitable beauty of the
ruins no wonder why it was the favorite venue for weddings and pre-nuptial.
This place was so perfect for
photography, that’s why we took the chances of posing in every corner of the Ruins.
Imported lilies filled the garden and around the fountain, some beautiful
landscaped areas and a huge chess board that guest can amuse.
But there was something fascinating about this place in the
dwindling sunlight, and as I was leaving the place I said to myself that when I come
back in Bacolod
I will visit it at dusk.
No comments:
Post a Comment