This year, we purposely went to Bacolod one day earlier than everyone else. We wanted to explore the city. Six years of going to the city and we knew there were treasures we have yet to discover. Here's one of them:

The Ruins, Talisay

Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson, a sugar baron, had this mansion built after his wife Maria Braga died while pregnant with their 11th child. 

The mansion was deliberately burned down by the Filipino guerrillas to prevent the Japanese army from making it into a fortress.

The best time for a visit should be towards late afternoon. Dusk paints an even more dramatic picture of the ruins...

Summer began as soon as the kids got off from school. It's that year once again, when we take a road trip to Bacolod. My has 2 years made a great difference! The trip actually became shorter as the roads had been fixed. Now 4 lanes instead of the old 2. The trees are in bloom too!!! Glorious glorious trees!!!

So what's the first stop when in Bacolod?

Calea, of course!!!

Next stop, The Negros Showroom. We get all our pasalubongs here. And some for our own household.

The visit wouldn't be complete if we don't get to eat at Bob's. Our all-time fave in the city...

At Virgie's...

See how majestic the trees are! No filter used!

All photos herein were taken by friend Anna, the doctor. 

Mayon Volcano. A big part of this trip. Good thing we started out early. The majestic volcano was in its glorious self...

(Please excuse my flip flops. My cheap but nicer looking sandals broke on the 1st day remember?)

A bittersweet trip for me. Did I tell you this was our first time travelling together? When Peachy mentioned Mayon Volcano, I just couldn't and didn't want to say no. I had to go back. Older and more mature. I only wished my father was still alive to hear my story. God bless his soul.

Last time I was in Legaspi City was in the 1970's with my parents. Great timing as the volcano erupted that very week. Specifically 2 days before we were to fly out of the city. It frightened me out of my wits. But the adults were excited to see the red glowing lava roll that her majesty Mayon volcano. I just wanted to go home. To make things more scary? The airport faces the volcano!!! It would be a 10-hour drive to Manila, in case, disaster strikes and we'd be forced to take to the road and I knew those high flying lava rocks will reach us!!! Ahihihihi... a little girl's imagination gone wild. Too much tv even at an early age.

But now, I'm back. Happy to remember my trip with my parents. It brought tears to my eyes. That's why I insisted I had my photo taken like so. That's exactly how I posed for my father's camera many many years ago.

Anna