Bacolod Empacho

It was 6am on February 4 and we were waiting to board Zestair for our trip to Bellarocca when Cebu Pacific announced their Piso Fare. Hurray! And as impulsive as I am, I NEED to book a flight to anywhere. And since Aldrin is doing his Starbucks Project, we decided to go to Bacolod. But of course, we are limited to our "piso fare", we got our round trip tickets for only Php360 but for an overnight trip only. Not bad for a challenge though.

Before I start my adventure, I'd like to make a special shoutout to sis aMz of GT for being our virtual guide during our stay in Bacolod. She even gave me inputs even before our trip to keep me more excited! Thank you, sis aMz, for everything! You were such a great help. And we still keep in touch even after our trip. I truly appreciate it. Mwah!

July 19

Our flight is supposedly at 2:45pm but as usual, it was delayed. We took off at 3:20pm. We arrived in Bacolod at about 4:20pm. We went outside and was surprised their airport was neat and not too crowded. You can even see the vans going to Bacolod just right in front of the Arrival gate! We asked around for other ways to reach Bacolod. There's a van service that would cost each person Php120 and there's one for Php100 pesos. But there's the cheapest way, the Nyala Tours. For only Php35, you'd be in Bacolod! Downside though, it's not a Hi-Ace van. It's an L300 sorta van. But no need to worry; If you're a light packer, the trip is comfortable.

We asked the driver to drop us off at Pepsi to have our trip to The Ruins. The trip took us 30 mins. Once in Pepsi, we hailed a tricycle. The driver quoted us Php100 for a round trip plus the wait. I haggled to Php80. Deal Sealed!

Nyala tours - Php35 fare going to Robinsons

The Ruins

After manong driver dropped us off from our Ruins trip, we rode the Bata-Libertad jeepney. The jeepney goes straight to Lacson St. We just asked the driver to drop us off at L' Fisher. We actually stayed in Saltimboca which is just near L'Fisher. Saltimboca is just beside the new Calea which is just right across L'Fisher.

Calea at night

Calea's signature door

Saltimboca was ok. If you're on a budget trip like us, this would be a perfect accomodation. Location-wise, this one's perfect! we paid Php900 for an overnight stay in an airconditioned room with ensuite bathroom and with matrimonial bed. Too bad, our camera was on lowbatt when we arrived at Saltimboca so we got no pictures.

Dinner was at the Manukan. Sis aMz suggested that we eat in Aida's. We ordered pecho, paa, baticolon, isol and oysters. Uhm, the oyster is at Php40 only per plate. So I had two. Aldrin just had one.

Inasal and others

 

talaba at Php40/plate

We capped the night off at Calea. Yeah, the one beside Saltimboca. Calea was HEAVEN! I could just stare at the cakes for hours. We ordered varities of cheesecakes. Aldrin had brewed coffee too!

A good friend of mine, way back in grade school dropped by. Errol a.k.a Love Radio Bacolod's Diego Lo dropped by before heading to his work. So happy to see him after 13  years!!!!

my long time friend, Errol aka Diego Lo of Love Radio

Aldrin was too tired to even have a bottle of beer at Pepe's so we decided to sleep the night away. At 11pm, we are both asleep.

July 20

We woke up and took a shower then went to Saltimboca's restaurant to have our complimentary breakfast. Aldrin and I just had toasted bread and sausage. Too light from our usual breakfast but we were preparing for a loaded day ahead of us. After breakfast, we took a rest for a while. I actually fell asleep while Aldrin was doing a bit of work on his laptop. Then off we go to Aldrin's project. Starbucks pictorial time!

picture taken almost exactly the same as from the planner

My friend Errol invited us to drop by his station as he was on air until 1pm. We went to Love Radio's station at 12nn. We took off past 1pm and we went to Connie's Cansihan. The lunch was SUPERB!!!! Cansi is like a bulalo with a twist. It's a sour but not too much like sinigang. I since I love sabaw, this one's a winner.

Love Radio's booth

Cansi

Of course, time was precious. Our flight is at 6:55pm and we haven't been to some of the places in our list so off we go for an Amazing Race. After our lunch at Connie's, we had our dessert at Bascon.

After Bascon, we went to Pendy's for pasalubongs!

outside Pendy's before crossing to Cafe Bob's

After Pendy's we chilled at Cafe Bob's. And that's where Errol left us so he could still sleep for his work that night. Aldrin and I relaxed at Cafe Bob's and I was amazed with their paintings for sale and they all come cheap! I wish I had extra money.

creampuff and flavored soda

By 4:30pm, we rode a jeep to Robinson's and beside KFC is the terminal for Nyala Tours. And yes, we reached airport after 30minutes with Php70 fare.

So why the Title? Yes, I had EMPACHO (I think) after this trip. My next stop-over was at Medical City. But of course, that's another story. I would still love to go back to Bacolod... for another food trip.