I’ve been meaning to post these photos from Iloilo and Guimaras since last year but it has been crazy busy at work that I only got to sort these photos out today. Thank you Chinese friends for this non-working holiday. Happy New Year.

Anyway, we had a 3D2N trip to Iloilo and Guimaras last November for our 45th month (yes, we celebrate monthsaries hihi). I got the air tickets from Cebu Pacific last May and bought it for only Php 1,800.00 for two persons. Base Fare was only 4 pesos plus plus plus Cebu Pacific’s other excuses to get money from us (eg. web admin fee, aviation security fee, etc.) Lol just kidding.

On our Day 1, we toured the cities of Molo, Villa and downtown Iloilo. Getting around Iloilo gives you more of the cultural and gastronomical experience than the usual beach fun. There are lots of food to try and churches to visit (we’re not that interested on the latter, though). First on our list was Tatoy’s Manokan along Villa Beach. Based on what I’ve read, when you’re in Villa, you should definitely try Tatoy’s Manokan or Breakthrough. I especially loved Tatoy’s Baked Talaba - Php 100 only for 10 huge cheesy baked talaba. Heaven.

Here’s one of the gothic churches in Molo where we bumbed into our college friend and now a radio jock, Acenabero. Mga pangga! Lols. The place is also near the famous Panederia de Molo and Biscocho Haus. Iloilo’s original biscocho is an all-time favorite pasalubong because it’s so yummy. White sugar on top is a piece of heaven on earth.

We started our tour of downtown Iloilo late in the afternoon. The sun was already out so it was perfect for a quick walking tour. There are lots of places to see in the city proper like the Arroyo Foundation, Calle Real, Fort San Pedro blah blah blah but we were so exhausted we only visited Museo Iloilo. And surprise, it’s already closed. Hah! Anyway, the walking tour was already enough to spot the historic places, food stops and shopping centers in Iloilo.

We capped the night by having a sumptuous dinner at Breakthrough and secretly bringing bottles of beer in our hotel room. Heh.

Day 2 started quite early. Being the beach persons that we are, we hurriedly headed to Ortiz wharf to ride a boat bound for Jordan. From Jordan wharf, we then took a multicab jeepeney plus a short motorcycle ride until we reached Kenyama Beach Resort in Guimaras. A side trip to Guimaras is a must if you’re going to Iloilo.

Kenyama Beach Resort is quite new so there was some construction going on when we were there. Nevertheless, the resort has a good location as it faces the perfect view of white sand, rock formations and emerald green sea. Sunset view was spectacular from our room. Plus free wifi. I could not ask for more.

One of the famous spots in Guimaras is the 18the century lighthouse which is about 10 minutes from our resort. The ancient lighthouse and ruins of a settlement during the Spanish era make a good backdrop for some couple photos. Hah! We climbed up the old lighthouse and a magnificent view of Guimaras beach surprised us. It was scary at the top though. Some serious photo spam follows:

More photos of lighthouse, ruins, beach view and err, our faces.

Aaaaand more photos of the beach, us swiimming and sunset.

Electricity went our for a few minutes while the boyfriend and I were drinking. But it was still a wonderful night. Beach, bottles of beer and a hotel room with free wifi and cable TV. This is the life I would want for the rest of my life.

Our flight back to Manila was scheduled at 8pm so we still had one day to tour the city proper of Guimaras. The receptionist in Kenyama Beach Resort was kind enough to look for a multicab jeepney for the tour. Jeepney rental cost Php 800 which included hotel pick-up, tour of Guimaras and drop-off to Jordan wharf. Fair enough.

It was just a quck tour of Guimaras. We dropped by the Trappist Monastery, Guimaras market, mango plantation and city museum.

When we reached Iloilo city, we headed to Mohon Terminal in Villa and took a jeepney bound for San Joaquin. The southern part of Iloilo offers heritage churches, however, due to lack of time (and interest heh), we only visited Miag-ao Church - a UNESCO World Heritage site in San Joaquin. It was huge and beautiful! The trip to Miag-ao was about three hours and it was worth it.

Getting around Iloilo and Guimaras is an awesome package. Food and beach, need I say more? Visit Iloilo and make sure to do a sidetrip in Guimaras. Perfect getaway.

More photos here.