I was so excited when my husband booked my plane ticket going back to our hometown. It's a blessing in disguise that he went to Cape Town, South Africa for a business trip for two weeks. It gave me enough time to stay in Iloilo. Going back home to our place was nostalgic. Remembering all those happy and sad moments when we were there. The life we have now when compared to before, says it all. Anyway, I have 20 days to enjoy my hometown which means I need to maximize it and make sure that my itinerary should be followed so that I won't miss a thing.
I arrived in Iloilo at 7:00 PM with heavy rain welcoming me and my first dish was laswa (Mixed vegetable soup) and fish. It was so delicious and perfect for the cold night. On my first week, I decided to stay in the house and did some cleaning and fixing of our personal stuffs. I also went visiting families and eating foods where I missed the most. Seeing my family happy and okay was my goal.
I really missed the peaceful nights at our place, the simple lifestyle, the fresh air, the rice fields, chirping of the birds and the smell of the plants and trees during sunrise. For me, this is the life that I've missed and has always been missing when I'm in Manila. Again, I experienced eating without buying anything where I can just pick all the ingredients in our backyard. The taste of the food that my Nanay (Mother) cooked can't be compared to any restaurant I've visited. I have experienced again how to ride a Tricycle in the bumpy rocky road in our town. It was so funny remembering how I have been complaining all of those time when I was still living here. All those times I thought life was so hard but it all changed when I experienced living Manila. Experiencing traffic for hours, flood anywhere and expensive kind of living. I can now just simply say that life in the province is far more better and easy. Reminiscing the past made me laugh and teary-eyed. I am a different person now I can surely say. I have changed a lot. Changed to someone better, stronger, loving and more understanding kind of person. I praise God for that and to all of His promises to my life. Life taught me so much.
Iloilo City I must say, is a well developed city already. Living for 3 years in Manila caused me to miss a lot of things. More buildings were built, more restaurants and bars to hang-out, more amenities to enjoy and many investors coming in. I am so proud to what the City of Smiles has become.
Iloilo has so much to offer as well if going out of town is your trip. My brother was my tour guide during one of my trip outside the city. He let me experienced staying in a well-known resort of San Joaquin, Iloilo, The Assemblage Point Resort and Convention Hub. From Iloilo City proper, it will take you at least 2-3 hrs riding a Jeep. The place has an overlooking view of the sea and it was not crowded. The calmness of the sea gives another flavor of peaceful time during your stay there. This place is perfect if you are looking to relax and be far from the city noise. Booking our stay there comes with breakfast. The room was cozy and comfortable with nice interiors. Expect to have no signal on your mobile phones there and that the place does not offer free WiFi. The place though was a bit expensive for an overnight stay.
My Iloilo itinerary comes with meeting my close friends and trying some new places to hang out. I've been to different restos and coffee shops. My favorite from all of them was the
San Jose Café, located in Southpoint Annex. I like their smoothies and sandwiches. The place was cozy and they have excellent customer service. I also did running in a fully developed Esplanade which the City is so proud of. It is estimated to be around 3 kilometers from end to end. The view of the sunset is so dramatic and bizarre. Make sure to have this on your itinerary when going to Iloilo.
The simple life in my province recharged me and helped me to recover from all the stress I have experienced in Manila. All the gala and touring around makes me appreciate what we have. I know there are still a lot of things I might have missed during my 20 days stay in Iloilo but I will be back soon, ready to explore more and enjoy what the place can offer. I just want to thank God for the overflowing blessings we have received from Him and for the good health.
Till next time guys. God bless you all.
I was so excited when my husband booked my plane ticket going back to our hometown. It's a blessing in disguise that he went to Cape Town, South Africa for a business trip for two weeks. It gave me enough time to stay in Iloilo. Going back home to our place was nostalgic. Remembering all those happy and sad moments when we were there. The life we have now when compared to before, says it all. Anyway, I have 20 days to enjoy my hometown which means I need to maximize it and make sure that my itinerary should be followed so that I won't miss a thing.
