Iloilo Date Night with my Ex - 1 Night Only

My Ex (now my hubby) and I would often go out on weekend dates leaving the kids with my parents.  And occasionally on out of town trips without tugging our kids along.

Our latest escapade was a 4D/3N Iloilo - Guimaras trip (2 nights in Guimaras and 1 night in Iloilo).   Iloilo is a charming bustling city, in contrast  to rustic and rural Guimaras.


Sharing here, how we spent our 1 day in Iloilo.



I. Heritage Tour 

• Breakthrough Restaurant - simply one of the best tasting seafood restaurants I have been too. We had crabmeat (super delicious and so cool, no need to get your hands all dirty), mixed vegetables and stuffed grilled squid.  Ex, is not yet done with his Guimaras-mango galore and ordered 3 glasses of mango shake (1 for me, and 2 for him). We paid about P500 for the entire meal.

Breakthrough is situated by the beachfront.  Location was obviously an A+. It was like dining in Boracay.

The stuffed squid is perfectly grilled ~ moist and tender. I also fell in love with the crabmeat, absolute must order! 

• Miag-ao Church - a lovely Baroque Church that is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Miag-ao Church is  also known as the Miag-ao Fortress Church since it also served as a defensive tower against Muslim raids. 

• Guimbal Church - one of the oldest churches in the country. The church is made of adobe stones ~ igang and coral stones quarried from Guimaras. 

 

• Camina nga Balay na Bato - is a tour of Iloilo's culture, heritage and excellent cuisine. 

Check here my separate review of this one of a kind attraction ~ CAMINA NGA BALAY NA BATO
II. Sweet Heart Tour ~ Our sweet heart tour started late in the afternoon.

• Plazuela - is a beautifully designed complex, that took inspiration from Italian and Spanish architecture. The complex houses a multitude of restaurants and specialty shops.

I know, it was a picture taking galore (pasensya na)!

• Ponsyon (by Breakthrough), Plazuela ~ is an upscale version of Breakthrough.  We obviously enjoyed our Breakthrough lunch earlier, that dinner at Ponsyon was almost a default decision.

We had baked oysters (one of the best I have had), clam soup, bangus sisig, plus yup the staple mango shake!  We paid about P700 (yes and that's upscale!) for our order.

• River Esplanade - Clean and safe and free!  The night was cold and skies clear, with just enough stars to add up to the romantic walk.  This for me was the best part of our date night ~ plus an effective way to shed of all the pounds I gained from my eating galore earlier.

Sorry for the poor lighting and bad photo, the place is so nicer up-close.

• Tea at Latte Coffee and Cakes, Riverside Boardwalk
  ~ such a perfect way to end the evening.

The cakes are just for show,  we only had tea and coffee :P

Camiña Balay nga Bato in Iloilo ~ A Travel Back in Time

 

Are you looking for an experience, that brings together culture, heritage and authentic Ilonggo cuisine?

 

Is YES, then do drop by Camiña Balay nga Bato.

 

A trip to Camiña is like a step back in time (Oh don't worry there is no "mumu").

 

 

We were amazed at the well preserved house, built more than 100 years ago .

 

The good condition of the house and all the antique furniture is wonderful ~ and hard not to admire.

 

 

 

 

 

Guided tours are offered at P150/pax inclusive of their special tsokolate (honestly one of the best I have had).   

 

 

Thick hot tsokolate batirol!

 

If you are travelling in a group of 5 or more, you may want to try the tour package with tsokolate and pancit molo or take a full lunch. Alas, we had to settle for just the "tsokolate" since it was just me and hubby.  But from the pictures I have seen on their website, food looks delicious. 

 

 

Taken from Camina Balay nga Bato FB page.

 

 

 

Camiña Balay nga Bato is located at 20 Osmeña Street and is open Mondays-Sunday 8am  to 6pm.

 

To go there you can take the jeepney going to Oton and alight near Plaza Arevalo.  For a more convenient transportation, I suggest taking a cab, this would cost you roughly P150 and will take you there faster. 

 

 

'

Taken from Camina Balay nga Bato FB page.

You may also want to check the rest of our adventure to beautiful Iloilo and captivating Guimaras:
Part I - GUIMARAS - ILOILO TRIP
Part II - GUIMARAS - ILOILO TRIP
 

INJAP Hotel, ILOILO

The Iloilo leg of our spur of the moment vacation is a stay at the Injap Tower Hotel ~  a modern boutique hotel, that carries all the basic amenities at affordable value.

The location is superb, it is located just across Iloilo's shoppers' paradise: the SM Iloilo and the Plazuela;  And a short jeepney ride away night-owls' hangout, SmallVille and Iloilo's newest park, the River Esplanade.

Our room is cozy with a window opening to SM Iloilo below.

• There is a mini kitchen with sink and an operational microwave oven. 
• There are 2 beds in the room (which is their standard set up) ~ a queen size and a single bed, both were very comfortable. 
• TV has cable with plenty of channels to choose from.

• Bathroom is clean and spotless, with very good water pressure and complete toiletries.

Injap has a pool, spa area and a gym (we were not able to visit the spa and gym since we were only there for 1 night)

Our room package came with free set breakfast at the Horizon Café, located at the 21st floor of Injap.  Food was so-so, but that was okay, since it is just free. The view from the Horizon Café, however, was splendid.

TIPS

1. Book Injap directly through their website,  I have checked the other websites and found Injap direct to be the most economical.  I am not sure, if I got our Injap accommodation on promo, but I only paid P1250 for 2 pax.
2. There is a Travellers Lounge at SM Iloilo, you can take a shuttle from there going to the airport and save about P400 bucks on taxi ride.

VERDICT:
Injap is a value for money hotel and is perfect for an overnight in Iloilo.   If you are heading to Iloilo or looking for a half-way house to Guimaras, Injap is highly recommended.


For additional inquiries, please check their website here: INJAP TOWER HOTEL



You may also want to check the rest of our adventure to beautiful Iloilo and captivating Guimaras:
Part I - GUIMARAS - ILOILO TRIP
Part II - GUIMARAS - ILOILO TRIP

NEPTUNE PITTMAN'S Garden Resort, Guimaras

Hidden is the town of Buenavista, Guimaras is Neptune Pittman's Garden haven.  Hubby and I were indeed delighted to see the resort's sprawling garden.

Each nook of the resort just screams "photo ops".

The resort's main attraction is it's botanical garden that showcases florae from around the globe.   True to Neptune Pittman's claim it is indeed a botanist paradise.


 

 

 

 

 

The resort has a restaurant bar, fish ponds, herbarium (homegrown herbs), basketball court, swimming pool and a massage/spa parlor (by appointment only).

 

 

They have air-conditioned rooms, that the care taker Kuya Wilfredo, graciously showed us. 

 

 

The Isabella Cottage (located about 500 meters away from the main house).

 

 

The Leo's Woodhauz, a wood house, located a top the Pittman's bar. Leo's Woodhauz is wonderful adorned with nicely crafted and detailed furniture pieces.

 

 

 

And Mag's Cottage, which is my favorite since it is closest to the resort's pool.

 

 

TIP:

The resort allows walk-in visitors' private tours to their garden.  If your are in Guimaras, planning a land tour, I suggest you include this beautiful garden resort into your itinerary.

 

 

For inquiries and room reservations, you may call:

 

Neptune Pittman's Garden Resort

Telephone Nos: 0916-2352791; 0926-7000986;

092-8390514; 0920-5739795

Email Address: neptunepittman@yahoo.com

 

 

You may also visit their facebook page here: 

NEPTUNE PITTMAN'S GARDEN RESORT

Warm Welcome to Jannah Glycel Beach Resorts

Jannah Glycel is more than just a beach house, it was our Guimaras' home for 3D/2N. 

Jannah Glycel Beach Resort is an affordable comfort in the heart of rustic Guimaras.  

• Rooms are adequate and clean.  Beds comfortable.  
  Air-conditioning was perfect.  

• Television signal good and channel options varied. 

• Staff were awesome. Anna especially tries hard to satisfy all our request.

• However, only towel (clean and soft though) and soap were offered. No shampoo, lotion, so don't forget to bring yours.

• There is also no refrigerator inside the room, but the resort has a water dispenser at the dining hall. 

• There are also slight problems with the water fixtures, poor water pressure through the sink faucet and toilet flush, hot and cold water was a bit difficult to mix.  

• Poor cellphone signal (We have Sun, Smart and Globe, Globe was the only one working), but this was expected as we are in the middle of an island.  

  

• Food does not come with our room package.  Average meal price is at P150, with the Chef's Recommendation at P250 (The Chef's Recommendation comes with soup, softdrinks and dessert). 
  
  

These were, however,  no big deal for us and we still managed to enjoy our stay.

View of the beach!

Jannah Glycel's beautiful garden!

VERDICT: We had a lovely stay at Jannah Glycel.  The sound of the waves is truly relaxing.  It was quite a distance away (about 33km) from Jordan Wharf. But the view makes up of the long travel. 

The resort is serene and peaceful, with a breath taking beach as our backdrop and the sound of the waves as our background music~ breath taking.

For inquiries and reservations, please visit their website:

JANNAH GLYCEL BEACH RESORT

Talisay Nueva Valencia Guimaras

Telephone Number: +63 (033) 582-1003 / 09292816498

Guimaras and Iloilo ~ Our 4D/3N Sweet Adventure - PART II

PART II - ILOILO

Day 3 ~ Iloilo

• 9:30am - Left Jannah Glycel the same way we got in (via tricycle to Jordan Wharf, ferry to Ortiz Wharf, then by taxi to our Iloilo hotel).

We arranged with our Ortiz Wharf taxi for half day tour of Iloilo. It was a bit expensive than taking the jeepney, but definitely more convenient and time efficient. 

Kuya John (Cellphone # 0929-2286722/ 0926-9196319)  our taxi driver, cum tour guide is very versed on the tourist areas in Iloilo.  Again like Sauro, he was very helpful in making the most out of our vacation.  In case you need assistance transfers in Iloilo, you can give him a call anytime.

• 11am - Arrived at Injap Hotel.  Injap is located in front of SM Iloilo.  Kuya John waited for us, as we checked-in our baggage.
  
• Lunch at Breakthrough. Perfectly located by the beach. Breakthrough serves delicious and affordable Ilongo dishes ~ house specialties are seafood of course.
  

 

Top: Miag-ao Church;

Bottom:Guimbal Church

• Miag-ao Church (UNESCO World Heritage Site, by far one of the most beautiful churches I have set foot on. Also known as the Miag-ao Fortress Church since it served as a defensive tower of the town against Muslim raids.
  
• Guimbal Church  -  400-year-old church made of yellow adobe and coral stones, one of the oldest in the country.
  
• Camina Balay nga Bato - a 2 storey heritage principalia house. A tour cost P150/pax inclusive of the most delicious hot chocolate, I have ever tasted.

• 4:30pm - Back at the hotel to freshen up.

• 5:30pm - Dinner at Ponsyon (also by Breakthrough) at Plazuela.  Plazuela is a small commercial center with lots of restaurants to choose from.

• 6:30pm - Evening stroll at Esplanade.  Cheezy!!!

• 9pm -  We ended the night with coffee and tea at Small Ville.

Day 4 ~ Departure from Iloilo.

(Flights were delayed as usual, although reason this time around is air traffic congestion in Manila). 

• 8am - Breakfast at Horizon Café (21st floor of Injap Hotel).  Breakfast is just so-so, but it was just okay as it came free with our hotel package.
• 9am - Mass at SM Iloilo
• 11am - Merienda at Ted's Old Timer La Paz Batchoy (I can't possibly let go of the chance to taste Iloilo's famous batchoy).
• 12nn - Back to hotel, check out and go to the airport.

What will I miss about Iloilo? 

1. The FOOD!  So love Ilongo food, I think I gained 2lbs in my 2 days stay in Iloilo.
2. The Esplanade concept, is great.  A safe, clean place to walk and jog and keep your tots busy.  
3. Easy commute ~ stress-free driving .  Would love to drive here.
4. Clean environment.  I do hope they can keep it as such.

 

YES, we will be back :)

 

 

 

Please check also Part I of our GUIMARAS-ILOILO trip.

Guimaras and Iloilo ~ Our 4D/3N Sweet Adventure - PART I

My husband has been complaining, how he never gets to fully relax whenever we travel with our kiddos around.  Our last Singapore-Malaysia trip was no exception, as it left us both exhausted than rested.   

He joked that we should try something unexpected and different, where we can leave the busy metro (yup, electronics included) and just be spontaneous (without the kiddos)!

And so, after our Singapore-Malaysia trip, without much thought, I booked us a round trip ticket to Iloilo, the gateway to Guimaras.

I haven't been to either Iloilo and Guimaras and thought it would be nice to hit two destinations in one trip. 

Iloilo City is a thriving urban city, but still manages to maintain its rural charm.


Meanwhile 15 minute ferry ride away is rustic Guimaras,  an enticing island, with pristine glorious beaches (Oh and lots of mangoes ~ delicious-delicious mangoes).

However, spontaneous as I wanted to be, the Miss Planner in me, decided having a confirmed lodging, is still a must: that would mean a comfortable bed, well ventilated or air-conditioned room, and safe!



Sharing here our 4D/3N itinerary (will add links as I finish writing them):


PART I - GUIMARAS

Day 1 ~ Departure from Manila via Cebu Pacific

(It is a common story by now, our 9am flight via Cebu Pacific owned Tiger Air, was canceled. I received the CANCELATION notice about 5 minutes before check-in time.  We hurried to the check-in counter and demanded for the next available flight - and luckily got seats in the 1130am flight. Lucky us, since the family after us, got transferred to a much later 2pm flight.)

• 12:30pm - Arrived at Iloilo Airport (beautiful airport, clean and spacious).

From the airport, you can take the air-conditioned shuttle (at P50/pax) to SM Iloilo, then a cab (P100 approximately) to Ortiz Wharf or take a private van (P600) and head straight to the wharf.  The wharf is about 30-40 minutes away from the airport.

• 1:20pm - Take the ferry going to Jordan wharf Guimaras.  Cost is about P15/pax. 

If you travelling as a group, you may want to rent the entire ferry to yourselves for P500. Upon alighting the ferry at Jordan, head straight to the Tourism center and register. 

You may also inquire from the  tourism center suggestions on where to stay and confer your itinerary if you are not yet sure on what to do.  The tourism center, will register as well the name of your driver. 

From Jordan to Nueva Valencia,  where we  stayed mini van rate is P500 and tricycle rate is P250.

• 2:30pm - Arrived at Janna Glycel Beach Resort. Today's itinerary, relax, enjoy the beach, and relax some more!

Day 2 ~Land Tour (am) / Island Hopping (afternoon)

• Morning ~ Land Tour. We started at 7am and arrived at Pitstop at around 11am. The entire tour and back to Jannah took us a little over 5 hours.  A wholeday land tour costs P1200.

• Guisi Lighthouse*
• Mango farm
• Neptune Pittman Garden*
• Guimaras Adventure Park
• Guimaras Trade and Information Center
• Lunch at Pitstop Restaurant*
• Trappist Monastery*

• Afternoon Tour ~ Island Hopping  costs P500 for the first 3 hours, and additional P150 for the succeeding hours.
• SEAFDEC** - a marine animal research facility. Must-must visit!
• Ave Maria Islet
• Turtle Island

We were too tired, from our early morning land tour, we decided to pack-up early. Alas, we were not able to finish our island hopping itinerary.

We missed:

• Baras Cave / Baras Beach Resort
• Natago Island
• Isla Naburot

TIPS:

1. In Guimaras, you need not worry you are being over charged, since rates are regulated and may easily be checked via the tourism office. 
2. Places of interests, by land from Buenavista to Nueva Valencia is about 50km (or more), driving is hard labor and not easy, please be generous, additional tip is highly appreciated for these hardworking drivers.
3. Our driver's name is Sauro (Cellphone #0919-3257672) we also got him for our land tour of Guimaras.  He was very helpful, suggesting places to go to and was also our impromptu photographer. He also suggested we get mangoes before heading to Nueva Valencia (he even did the bargaining for us).  If you are looking for a dependable driver in Guimaras, I do recommend you get him.
4. Attractions in "*" are highly recommended. Note to self, do not try to cram your schedule with same day Island Hopping and Land Tour. 

GUIMARAS is a gem waiting to be discovered.  The island has so many untapped potential.  I love Guimaras now, a laid back beauty, but I would not be surprised to see tourist soon flocking on its doors.  

GOAL 1 - to relax: MET 101%

Please check also Part II of our GUIMARAS-ILOILO trip.