This post is about our 3-day journey around Mount Canlaon on 2 wheels. It might not be for everyone but it is very doable our current circumstance.
1st day - Toledo (Cebu) to Bacolod
Most of us lived in Mandaue City and one rider from Naga City. We made our rendezvous point at Toledo Port early in morning around 6:00 AM. A reasonable time and get our tickets and board our motorcycles on time. At the time of this posting I paid around 700 pesos for 1 motorcycle. Price might change over time. I recommend to check current pricing in Toledo port (San Carlos - Toledo route).
Getting our tickets on the port. Without advanced booking, it is recommended to go there very early because the capacity of the ship is very limited.
At the port. Ready to board the ship.
Preparing to load all the vehicles inside the ship.
Random photos inside the ship.
I don't have proper photos at the arrival on San Carlos City. We Immediately travelled to Bitsenya Farm in Calatrava. Google Map Route.
If we see something nice, we need to take some photos of the environment.
Following are random photos on the same area.
Photos around Bitsenya Farm in Calatrava
After a quick stop over at the Bitsenya Farm: We headed for Pinewood Forest in Don Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental. We arrived to this location around 12:00 noon time. Google Map Route
We're definitely beyond our lunch time schedule, we headed to the nearest food establishment named Cafe La Guada. Google Map Route
Bacolod City
From La Guada to Bacolod City, the duration of the travel is around 1 hour. We arrived at our hotel to have a quick rest but we still have plenty of time to roam around in the afternoon.
Then we decided to visit The Ruins.
We didn't have proper photos at that time. I only took quick snapshots of the food and the restaurant. We met a friend that is currently living in Bacolod. Having good conversations about some destinations around Canlaon. Getting some ideas about travel time and some options along the way. It's nice to have a local friend and get some ideas.
2nd day - "Around" Mount Canlaon adventure
The highlight of our adventure is the travel around the perimeter of Mount Canlaon. We setup our gear on endurance mode. Fortunately the weather is in our favor and we encountered no problem so far.
Surreal Experiences driving towards Mount Canlaon
Unexpected happened that we never experienced before. This road from Maao Public Market to Barangay Mailum
Google Street LINK.
Unknowingly we didn't expect witnessing Mount Canlaon be so very majestic and in a perfect clear blue sky. No matter how much we pump the throttles rushing towards the mountain, we can't wrap our minds that Mount Canlaon is not "moving" from our perspective. It is so big that it tells that how insignificant we are in the terms of scale or size. A lingering feeling of dystopia of contrasting cone shaped giant slicing through the horizon. A bizarre experience driving on two wheels that I will never forget.
Pinewood Forest in Bago City
Our attempt to visit the Pinewood forest was kinda bit a negative one. All we see are trees has been turned into lumber on the road side. Probably caused by the aftermath of Odette; a recent typhoon occurred in the Philippines.
Same area, we happen to pass through this open field and of course we need to take some photos and appreciate the horizon!
Rafael M. Salas Park
The time we reached this park, it was closed. We didn't have chance to take some photos on the area. The roads around this area are very steep. Please do drive with caution specially for inexperienced drivers.
Guintubdan Mountain Resort
Again, no photos. We only passing through this section of this mountain. Exploring the roads for few minutes hoping to see some interesting places we can find. We just roaming around until we decided to head down the mountain to La Granja road.
La Granja
Panoramic shot of the area
Mandayao Panorama Park, Negros Occidental
We had our lunch here at Atong's La Familia restaurant. A restaurant at the conventient location at the roadside. A strategic location with Panoramic view of at this part of the land.
Entrance to the Mandayao Park and the Restaurant
Having our lunch here at the restaurant with this nice view.
This is the sight going up the park or hill.
At the top
Facing towards the horizon
Mount Canlaon
We resumed our travel after a quick rest. At that time we had little bit of trouble getting photos of Mount Canlaon because of random clouds blocking the view. Fortunately we had the chance to take some photos again. A window where clouds were not in the way!
Century Tree Dalakit
Is the only most challenging route of the entire trip. The path to Century Tree from the main road is an offroad path.
Panoramic view around the Century Tree
This is the road for the Century Tree Dalakit
Stonepeak Cafe
After traversing from Canlaon City, we headed back again to Don Salvador Benedicto (DSB). We took a quick break at Stonepeak cafe before we go back to Bacolod return to our accommodation.
In Bacolod again
Ofcourse we treat ourselves with food at dinner time with Cansi and some chillax time after the day's adventure. Time to cool down after endurance of the day.
3rd day - Going back to Cebu
We suppose to have trip to Hot Spring but we cancelled that plan. We realized we don't enough time to achieve it. We mainly focused on preparing to travel back to Cebu in the afternoon.
We had our lunch break at La Vista Highlands Mountain Resort Paradise. Of course we ordered KBL meaning (Kadyos, baboy, langka)
KBL
Chicken and crackers
San Carlos City to Escalante City
Our plan was to have our boat trip from San Carlos to Toledo (Cebu). Unfortunately the trip is already fully booked and we can't departure from San Carlos port.
Our last choice is to travel from Escalante to Tabuelen port (Cebu).
We made a quick decision and drive again for another 1 hour to Escalante City and get our boat trip from there.
Boat ride from Escalante to Tabuelan is a very slow one. We arrived at Tabuelan at 11PM. Our unplanned detour on the north was an unexpected trip. We are glad that we arrived safely without any further delays. Driving back from North to Mandaue City is kinda bit dark but tolerable and it's not a problem for us.
It's been an epic 3 day journey. It's an experience we never forget.
Thanks for reading!
