Just Another Backpacking Trip—Bound to Iloilo

This wouldn't be my first time to do this solo backpacking trip. The first time was when I went to Cebu last year (I wasn't blogging that time yet—sayang!). Now, I just realized that there are more benefits doing this alone though I know it might not be applied to all and I know that you might not agree. I am not encouraging you to do this but on my opinion, going out alone may open up some doors that two or more persons could not fit in—that you only can. I know! It may sound absurd if I say “I love to be alone” but honestly, I just want to do it my way.

For me, travelling solo is more of getting to know myself better. It’s about knowing my strength and weak points as I go along the way. It’s about realizing that I can go farther and that I can do it. It’s thinking beyond the positive side than on the negative. Though I am not turning down a travel buddy, but for me going solo is quite more challenging and gives me more time to explore, to walk farther, to bond longer with the locals and to experience more things.

So to continue this backpacking activity, I decided to navigate Visayas further.

Arriving in Iloilo

Iloilo from afar

At the Iloilo International Airport

It is windy and cold as I arrive here at the Iloilo International Airport at 6:45 AM today. I am a little hungry so I have to figure out the way to get into the city faster and of course, cheaper, so I can eat. I found out that there are some multicab (Visayas’ version of the jeepney, just a bit smaller than the usual) just beside the airport that can bring me to Sta. Barbara and from there, I can take another multicab to the city proper.

Utilizing mass transportation is my priority everytime I travel. By riding the multicab, I saved P16 against taking a shuttle van to SM Iloilo which costs P50.

And now, the dropping point is here at the Iloilo Central Market.

So what am I going to do next? I don’t really know.  I have read few blogs about what to do in this city but arriving here so early just got my thinking jumbled that I couldn't really decide.

I was like empty-headed as I walk along this lonely street alone at 7 in the morning. Stores are closed yet so I don’t know where should I eat. There are just few people here to ask for directions.

Until I encounter this stall selling bibingka and so I grab some. This bibingka tastes really good!!!

This is how it's being cooked

Since it’s not enough for breakfast, I have to look for more food. I headed down to the market and still hoping that there might be some food stores that are open now and can offer breakfast meals. And aha!! Finally I found one.

Here I got myself a hot sumptuous traditionally cooked arroz caldo (P59) and some butter scotch (P20) for desserts. I know that Iloilo is famous for their sweet chunky butter scotch so I really grabbed the chance to take a bite on one of these this morning.

It was eight hours that have passed that my stomach was never filled with food but just water alone. After eating, I was eased. Now going back to the question that I just left behind—where to go next?

I can remember one famous landmark here. I can still remember what I just read about Calle Real last night and I am pretty sure it’s just around the corner, maybe just few meters away from here I assume.

To make sure, I asked a pedicab driver and he gave me enough directions. With a smile on my face, I am now on my way there.


Click here now to Calle Real