What to do in Negros? (Part2.1)
Tired of your usual coffee break? Why not save your 150 Php for an awesome nature encounter and unlimited coffee at Jomax Peak?
An hour drive from main city Bacolod, Jomax Peak, is a place that you should include in your to-go bucket list! Jomax Peak is a viewing deck resort that will make you marvel at the beauty of the northern mountains of Negros Occidental and the beauty of Malatan-og Waterfalls! It is found in the Little Baguio of Negros, Don Salvador Benedicto. The good thing about it? 0% hiking guaranteed! Hooray! ???? It is very accessible by car so don't worry lazybums, hope is still there. ????????This place is perfect for dating lovebirds, millenials looking for new places for Instagram, families who wants to relax, loners who wants to immerse themselves with nature or for your group's retreat! You may hit on this link for reservations, pricing and updates! http://www.jomaxpeak.
It was very sunny when we were in Bacolod so I was wondering if it is really cold up there. The road trip, which made me laugh, is definitely Baguio-like. ????It got all the zigzag plus the scary cliff on the side combo! Pine trees? Huge check! There is a whole area filled with pine trees! They were actually planted in a very organized line. So cool! Sea of Clouds? Yes! You can even swim through it! Amazing Don Salvador Benedicto! ????
Killer view
All I was able to say the whole time was one word.
Wow!
The view from Jomax Peak is definitely breath taking! Take your selfie and the sky and the mountains will be your backdrop! Nature's hue blends perfectly as you soak your eyes in the beautiful greens and blues! Effortless beauty! ????
There are little cottages for you to stay in aside from the pavilion. There is a hammock by the cliff that I really loved! Cooked food is allowed plus there is an area for grilling as well.
Unlimited coffee!
Best part? Unlimited coffee for free! Yaaaay! Who would say no to that? I think, my friends abused that one. Hahahaha There is a near coffee plantation so I think they will never run out of stock so no worries. ????
There is a pool as well which is great for kids. I wanted to swim at first but I changed my mind after going to the washroom. Water was freezing cold. hahahah Maybe next time.
We were actually waiting for the fog but what actually came was rain. LOL It was so cool to see 2 different weather conditions at the same time. We actually saw the rain coming towards us while it was still sunny on our side. Weather is quite unpredictable at that moment so we had to run to a shed for cover. Yes to adventure and surprises! ???? So when you go to Jomax Peak, prepare to get wet! Kidding. hahaha They are still working on how to adapt to the rainy weather since the cottages are very open. Let us wait for that then. ????
Don’t forget your selfie at the most corner part of the hanging deck! I was not brave enough to totally hang myself 2,495 feet above sea level and face the mountain view so I just did a safer one by sitting on the railing. (Okay, my Mamawut would think that is not safe either. I just sat there for a minute Mamawut, just in case you are reading this as of now. ????) I have Acrophobia which is the fear of height so I can't do much of the stunts. ???????? I am working on it though! ????????
One of my friends tried it though and he was shaking so badly while doing it. Hahahah ???????? So if you see someone trying to sit on the edge, don't worry, he is not suicidal, he is trying to do the "Buwis Buhay Selfie". Respect, guys. ???? How to do it? Here are the steps!
How to do the "Buwis Buhay Selfie"?
- Make sure you got insurance. Call your loved ones and tell them you love them. Kidding. ???? Prop yourself on the edge of the railing. Take deep breaths, it is windy so make sure to hold on tightly to the railing.
-
When you already feel like you are well-balanced, start praying. HAHAHAHA Ask a supportive friend to give you your selfie stick and camera. I did it in Asaph's case. He even used my phone. I was not ready to say goodbye to my phone yet so I made him promise that he has to replace it if it falls down the cliff. ????????????
4. End product? Bragging rights. ????????
There you go! You have done the "Buwis Buhay Selfie"! Gutsy enough to do it? Try it at Jomax Peak as soon as you can! ????
What else can you do at Jomax Peak?
They also offer therapeutic massage! One of the locals offered this service. My sister and I tried the back and full body massage. It was good and is very cheap! Silently sitting inside the tent is a sweet little girl named Angel, the therapist's daughter. She goes in here with her mom after school time. She was reading a book so I talked to her while I wait for my turn.
I talked to her in Tagalog but apparently she is well-versed in English and Hiligaynon.
Me: Hi, I'm Cring. What is your name?
She replied, "Angel".
She gave me a huge grin. I grinned back. Her eyes are clear, wide and full of wonder. I like how brown her iris are and her cute little smile showed dimples on the sides. I knew I will like her.
Meet Angel, the little girl with simple dreams!
Me: What are you reading?
Angel: A book from school.
Me: Do you need help with your assignment?
Angel: I finished them earlier. I am just waiting for Mama. (grin)
Me: Wow! You are so nice and smart! Do you want to play outside?
Angel: No, I will wait for Mama. (shy smile)
Me: I see. Such a nice kid, very good! Do you want to watch cartoons instead?
Angel: (grinning widely)
I let her watch videos on my phone.
After watching one of the videos...
Me: What do you want to be when you grow up?
Angel stared at her Mama and looked back at me.
Angel: Hhhhmmmm, I will just sweep the garden when I grow up so I can stay with Mama while she works here.
Me: Wow, so sweet! Would you like to become a teacher, doctor or a singer perhaps? You liked the music videos that you just watched, didn't you?
Angel: Maybe? But I just want to stay here with my Mama.
Me: Okay. I like it here too! You have the mountains and the clouds as your playground. Do you want to go to the city with me though?
Angel looked at her Mama and shrieked.
Angel: Mama! Ate said we can go to the city with her!
I laughed loudly. She is such a sweet little girl who listens very well to her Mama and would like to take care and be with her forever. It was my turn next so I had to leave her with Ate.
After the therapeutic massage, we gave few extra bills to Angel's mom so she can have snacks later on. Apparently, Ate likes Angel as well. Her Mama gave her 10 Php and warned her not to get sweets saying that it is bad for her teeth. We left afterwards.
I never knew that the ointment used for massage got a bit of mint so I was chilly and shaking a little whenever the cool breeze came. lol While I sat down, Angel came running towards me.
Angel: Do you want to play with me?
I was cold and shaking (my bad, I wore shorts and a cotton shirt. lol I underestimated Little Baguio. ????) but I agreed.
Me: Sure! Where are we going to play?
Angel: Here! But can you go with me at the store? I have 10Php so I can get sweets!
Me: Okay, but your Mama said that you should not get candies.
Angel gave me puppy eyes.
Me: Hhhhmm, maybe just brush your teeth afterwards?
Angel: Right!
She held my hand and we went down the stairs to a hidden store at the side of the cliff. I was holding her hand tighly because it was a bit slippery. Angel happily bought 5 mango jellyace and 5 Chooey Choco. I looked at her jogging pants.
Me: Do you have pockets?
Angel: I will just hold on to them.
I made a basket-like hollow on her shirt and made her place all of the candies in there. She was happily grinning as we walk up again and ran into the hammock.
Angel: Let us play here! Can you please push the swing for me?
She happily placed all of her candies on the swing and sat in the middle.
Me: Sure! Do you want to go higher?
Angel: Yes please!
Me: Okay, but you might fall so please hold on.
Angel: I am a big monkey, I won't fall down this swing. (grinning widely)
I snorted loudly with what she said and missed my baby sister who was left at home. I pushed her higher but I did not let go of the rope because the cliff is right on the other side of the swing.
Angel: Can you please open this for me?
She gave me the mango jellyace, one by one. I opened them for her. I like it that she was very polite and remembered to use her "please and thank you". "Lihog" is the Hiligaynon term for "Please".
Angel: Would you like some?
I looked at her smiley eyes and her cheeks which is about to burst with mango jellyace. She likes them.
Me: No, thanks Angel! Are those your favorite candy?
Angel: Yes! This is made of mangoes, sugar, "betsin" (MSG) and Magic Sarap! They are so yummy!
I laughed loudly again. Angel is so cute, funny and witty. Her life was so simple, worry-free, and so I missed being a kid while I looked and listened to her. She was staring innocently at me while I laughed so hard. She might have wondered on what made me laugh but she giggled with me in the end. I explained on what mango jellyace is made of afterwards. I sat next to her and we were just hanging out there, enjoying the breeze, looking at the mountains, sky and at each other.
"I am going to miss this view and Angel", I thought.
Ate was signaling for me to come over because we have to leave soon. I looked at Angel.
Me: Maybe, we need to go back now because your Mama might be looking for you.
Angel: Noooooo, we can just come back later.
Me: I might need to leave soon.
Angel stared at me. I held her hand as we went down from the swing. Her Mama came to pick her up as well.
Me: Goodbye Angel! Don't forget to brush your teeth after you finished all of the candies, okay?
Angel's eyes were brimming with tears. My heart broke a little when I looked at her.
Angel: Please don't leave.
She was hugging both of my legs so I can't actually walk. I picked her up and hugged her tightly.
Me: I will have to go quickly but I am sure, we will see each other again, somehow, somewhere. We will!
We squeezed each other. I will have to go back there. I was silent on the way back to Bacolod that afternoon.
Maybe my friends noticed that I was a bit down.
Asaph: Where do you want to go next guys?
Me: Maybe we can have snacks? Somewhere interesting?
Asaph: Hhhhhhmmm, sure! What would you like to eat? Pizza? Burger? Pasta? Ice cream? Coffee?
Me: PIZZA
Asaph: Okay, there is a create-your-own pizza parlor along Lacson Street. I think you will like it there.
Me: Let's gooooo! ????????
Just like that, pizza party was set! ???????????? #pizzaislife
Jomax Peak was very lovely and an awesome place that can actually make you love nature. It was a perfect place to unplug your self from technology since right in front of you is a beauty that is hard to miss! Visit is as soon as you can! If you do, please hug Angel for me! I hope you see her and I'm pretty sure, you will like her too! ????????
Meanwhile, Pizza Republic blog, coming right up!