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.

Why do I feel like spring in Denmark lasted only for a week? It has been raining, and when it rains, gigantic snails abound. It’s also a good time to update this blog and write an entry. I am reminiscing the time my sister and I visited my Grandma/Lola in February 2013. She lives in a first class municipality in the province of Negros Occidental called Hinigaran.

(Update: My grandma, Evangeline, passed away a couple of years ago. Although I did not have many memories with her, she is deeply missed by my family.)

According to Wikipedia, Hinigaran was established in 1768, with the name originating from its original settlers during the Spanish era, the “Tagahigad’s”. The town is located about 52 kms south of Bacolod City and can be reached by bus. It has a population of 81, 925 in 2010.

The house where my father was raised has changed a lot from the last time we visited in 2003. But the nice thing is it changed for the better. The place was very rural and coconut trees were everywhere. My grandma was into gardening and her house was graced by beautiful orchids and other flowering plants.

In the morning, we had time to take a stroll outside with our cousin as our guide:

It’s a beautiful place! If only we could breathe all the fresh air there! The main roads were concrete and narrow, but there was no traffic jam. There’s also a little chapel nearby where people celebrate Holy Masses on Sundays.

It was a fantastic, although short, visit. Hinigaranons gave an impression of being happy no matter what, and keeping a sweet and calm attitude towards life and other people. I also adored their accent.

And oh, if you are into sea foods, you will find some of the most delicious dishes here. The locals earn a living thru agriculture and fishing, which one could consider a simple way of life.

My father grew up in this place, so it’s special. It felt like I had gotten a glimpse of his childhood. ❤ 🙂 ALL PHOTOS AND VIDEOS ON THIS BLOG ARE MINE.  🙂 #spreadloveandpositivevibes