Here’s a 4-day itinerary for an awesome visit to the City of Smiles!

Day 1: Bacolod City (of Smiles), Manokan Country, Baywalk, Pope John Paul II’s tower.

Day 2: Mambukal Resort, The Ruins, ChinaTown, Bacolod City Hall, Provincial City Hall, SM City Bacolod.

DAY 3: Alijis, Panaad Park and Stadium, Bong-Bong’s Pasalubong, Hinigaran.

DAY 4: Balay Negrense, El Ideal Bakery, New Silay.

This post will be about Mambukal Resort, the gateway to Mount Kanlaon. The resort is a popular nature spot in Murcia, Negros Occidental. We left early and commuted. “Jeepneys” in Bacolod City looked quite different from those in Manila. And I found it really nice that the city was free from heavy traffic jam during our visit. Another mode of transportation there was the pedicab. Luscious green fields welcomed us as we travel to the mountain resort.

Upon reaching the foot of the mountain, we had to transfer and take one of these colorful service vehicles.

“Mambukal Resort lies 1,200 feet above sea level and serves as a gateway to Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park. Originally developed by a Japanese architect named Kokichi Paul Ishiwata in 1927, the resort started as a bathhouse and picnic garden and has provided cool haven for Negrenses and their guests.” (vigattintourism.com)

This 23.6 hectare resort features hot sulfur springs, rock formations, seven waterfalls, forests and trees, and thousands of fruit bats. The most interesting experience for me was trekking way up the mountain to see the 7 waterfalls. There were cottages and huts, camp sites, dormitories, a canopy walk with hanging bridges, wall climbing and a slide. It felt like real immersion in nature.

Visitors who decide to do the trekking should remember to bring a bottle of water and lots and lots of energy, as it can be exhausting. One should also be careful as some of the paths can be steep and/or rocky. During our visit, we were lucky to have a sunny and dry weather.

As we got nearer one of the waterfalls, I was filled with excitement and a bit of a sense of accomplishment.

And here are the fantastic water falls!

Unfortunately, after the waterfalls in the photos shown above, we decided to stop because the pathway was getting steeper and more dangerous. Epic fail, I know. Otherwise, it was possible to hire backers or local guides to go hiking with you.

We also checked out the Butterfly Garden. The butterflies were sleeping though.

Not far from the bridge was a long line of cottages selling exotic plants and flowers.

Since Mambukal Mountain Resort is the gateway to Mount Kanlaon, the place contains a number of hot sulfur springs, some of which have medicinal waters. Mount Kanlaon is an active stratovolcano 2,465 meter in height. There are several legends surrounding the volcano. According to one, a noble man called Khan Laon lived on the island in ancient times. He killed the dragon in the mountain, saving a female virgin who was about to be sacrificed.

If visitors want to stay, camping is a good alternative to renting an entire house in the resort.

There are three species of bats dwelling in this place. After trekking, we just wanted to sit, relax, do some bat-watching. It was an amazing moment.

The bats were safe and did not attack. The worst thing they can do was probably to greet you with their smelly sh*t. After watching the bats for some time, we exited the place, had lunch in one of the carinderias outside the vicinity, and left towards our next stop: The Ruins. But that’s for another entry.

❤ 🙂 ALL PHOTOS AND VIDEOS ON THIS BLOG ARE MINE.  🙂 #spreadloveandpositivevibes