Happy Steps travel blog

Bacolod-Cebu and Cebu-Bacolod Ceres Bus rates and schedule as of April 2009

Thanks to Myles for being helpful enough to provide the bus schedule update!

Please note that due to weather and other travel conditions, the bus schedule and rates posted here are subject to change anytime by the Ceres Liner management. The best way is to confirm the schedule ahead at the Ceres bus terminal. Bacolod and Cebu contact numbers are posted below.

For more details on the routes (destination ports and municipalities passed by) with corresponding maps, you may want to check out my previous post on Bacolod-Cebu and Cebu-Bacolod Ceres Liner bus routes.
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Buying airline travel ticket from Cebu Pacific website failed transaction a phishing trick?

I certainly hope not! That’s what I told techie bro when he raised the possibility of a phishing trick after I unsuccessfully tried many many times to purchase online for Mom’s Bacolod-Manila round trip ticket via Cebu Pacific Air’s online ticketing system last week. I already used two Visa Electron cards and one MasterCard but to no avail, I got declined status, i.e. failed transaction, for them. Thankfully, our Prague Connection did the ticket purchase the next day using his Mastercard account and the transaction was accepted.

The last week of April was quite busy for the airline site as they were having an ongoing seat sale (from April 25-30 for domestic and international flights), applicable for travel period from June 1 to August 31 from all hubs – Manila, Cebu, Clark and Davao. The ticket prices were incredibly low. Imagine getting a roundtrip Bacolod-Manila ticket for only Php1375! That’s even less than the regular one-way ticket.
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Bacolod-Cebu and Cebu-Bacolod Ceres Liner bus routes

Ceres bus trips from Bacolod in Negros Occidental to Cebu City in Cebu Province and vice versa pass through different routes among many cities and municipalities so they could pick up passengers along the way.

On peak travel season, passengers from other municipalities station themselves at least an hour earlier before departure time at the Ceres Liner Terminal at the Shopping District in Bacolod and at the South Bus Terminal in Cebu so they can get the best seats.
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First plane ride experience: boring, exciting or scary?

Hello all, this blog has been silent for a week (sorry for that) since we were in Cebu for my nephew’s graduation. Thankfully we live just few minutes from the airport, and the flight from Bacolod to Cebu is just 40 minutes. We arrived just in time for dinner at my big bro’s house in Opon.

Short distance flights are usually uneventful and boring for me. There’s really nothing much to do and there wasn’t even an in-flight magazine to while away the time. What made our recent flight to Cebu a different experience was this cute little girl:

My cousin Bea

It was Bea’s first time to ride on a plane and since I was her seatmate, I tried to make it a fun travel experience for her. I let her sit beside the window. As we were comfortably seated before takeoff, with our seatbelts fastened, she was smiling but told me she was a bit afraid especially as she saw the plane’s spinning propellers outside. So I told her that we pray first for safety and protection. After that I told her that later we will be seeing beautiful miniature views of the city and the mountains below; and we will be flying through the clouds as well.

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Bacolod (Silay) Airport new terminal fees (international and domestic flights) as of February 4, 2009

I’m back! In case you’re wondering where my happy steps took me and why there were no posts in this travel blog for more than a week, well I was in Cebu since February 4. What a hectic week it had been, meeting friends and
going out to the malls. We also stayed in three different accommodations in uptown Cebu. I’ll be posting photos and some information about them on my next post.

Meanwhile here is an important announcement from the New Bacolod (Silay) Airport regarding passenger terminal fees:

Notice To The Public

Effective February 4, 2009, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, New Bacolod (Silay) Airport will be implementing New Airport Rates (CAAP Circular No. 001-2008) pursuant to the provisions
of Paragraph (k), Section 24, Chapter V of R.A. 9497 otherwise known as the Civil Aviation Authority Act, and as approved in CAAP Board Resolution No. 0158-08…. Amending for the purpose Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Department Order No. 98-1178 Dated 03 September 1998 (Revised Schedule of Fees and Charges for Alternate International Airports and National Airports) CAAP Circular No. 001-2008…

Section 10. Passenger Service Charge.

A passenger service charge shall be paid by each departing passenger traveling in any air transport or carrier in accordance with the following rates except:

1. Children two (2) years old or below, but without any airline ticket
2. Overseas Contract Worker (10.1)
3. Transit Passenger
4. Passenger who was denied entry

Note: Passenger service charge of cancelled international flights is subject to refund within a period of twenty four (24) hours from date of issue.

Facility and Rate:

10.1 International Passenger Terminal - Php 550.00 / departing passenger
10.2 Domestic Passenger Terminal - Php 200.00 / departing passenger

Funny, how my SIL commented about the previous terminal fee at only Php 30.00 for domestic flights during their flight back to Cebu last December 2008. She was wondering how the airport can earn income with such low fee. Well, this announcement is the answer to her question.

Bacolod-Cebu and Cebu-Bacolod Ceres Bus rates and schedule

Updates on bus schedule and rates are posted on this tag: Ceres bus updates (http://www.happysteps.net/tag/ceres-bus-updates/)

Due to insistent public demand *wink*, here are the rates and schedule for Ceres buses from Bacolod to Cebu and Cebu to Bacolod as of January 17, 2009:

Bacolod to Cebu:

Route 1: Bacolod to Cebu (Toledo port) via Don Salvador Benedicto
Rate: Php350.00
Departure:
6:00 AM
7:00 AM

Route 2: Bacolod to Cebu (Tabuelan port) via Escalante
Rate: Php370.00
Departure:
8:00 AM
11:00 PM

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Airport transportation should be safe and reliable

Just this morning, big sis already arrived in Manila from Davao with her hubby and three kids. We were coordinating with them about access to techie bro’s condo unit in Paranaque which is just few minutes from the airport. Thankfully, they’re in the unit now and looking for a place to dine. Mom advised them to take the airport taxis (sedans with meter) which are safe and reliable airport transportation but are cheaper compared to another airport transport service (SUVs) which have fixed rates for various districts within Metro Manila.
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On moving and relocation

Moving and relocating to another state, province or country? Brace yourself for the challenge of organizing stuff… what’s inside your house that needed to be brought along with you, to give away, to throw away or to sell. This reminds me of my big sis’ move to Europe where she was busy with sorting out the things they accumulated in more than ten years of stay in Thailand. Months before their departure, she was occupied with the task of selling their appliances and other household items including their car.
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New place, new beginnings

Have you ever experienced moving to another province, state or country? For our family, it was when we finally left Cebu, where we lived in an apartment for many years, to go back to our hometown in Negros. Though we were looking forward to going home, we were so busy days before the actual moving date as we sorted out all our belongings and packed up those that we needed to bring. We also had to search for a reliable moving service that could carry all the stuff we have accumulated during our long stay in Cebu. It was a long and tiring trip for us especially the truck driver who hadn’t slept a wink as he drove us from midnight until almost noontime the next day.
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Traveling light

These days, airline passengers are encouraged to travel light and not just as an incentive to get lower fare but for environmental concerns as well. Less baggage weight means less fuel consumed which means lower carbon emissions that contribute to global warming. Traveling light is also one of the many ways to offset carbon emissions brought about by travel.

More airlines are now giving incentives for passengers traveling light. For instance, there’s Cebu Pacific’s Go Lite promo which offers Php200 less for passengers with no check-in baggage. According to Cebu Pacific, it’s their way of “…returning the favor. Travelling light burns less fuel and less fuel means more savings for the airline, which we pass on to you as a fare discount.”

Philippine Airlines (PAL) has also its EconoLight Class dubbed as their “No-Frills budget flight” where they offer lower airfare along with some travel conditions (no meals, no mileage accrual, limited seats, etc.) among them the limited free baggage allowance which is down to 15 kgs per passenger instead of the usual 20 kgs. PAL Mabuhay Miles Million Miler/Premier Elite/Elite and SportsPlus members who are on EconoLight Class will have no additional free baggage allowance.

Thus, we’ll be seeing the future of air travel with lightweight hand-carried items and fewer check-in baggages. Travelers will now be considering other ways and options to have lighter baggage such as bringing only essential items for the trip. Traveling light also means taking with you less clothing and prioritizing lighter items than the bulky and heavier ones. Buying gifts and pasalubongs can also be done at Duty Free shops upon arrival instead of including them in your baggage which considerably adds up to the total baggage weight.

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Read more about PAL EconoLight Class here.
Read more about Cebu Pacific’s Go Lite fares here.

Tips for choosing an airport shuttle

Whether you’re on a business trip with colleagues or on a family vacation, having an airport shuttle ready to service you as soon as you get out of the airport arrivals area, is a great way to start off your day. Isn’t it nice to be pampered with comfortable and reliable transportation to get you to your destination?

With the many airport shuttle services around, here are some of the basics needed before deciding on one:
1. 24/7 customer assistance
2. reasonably priced (based on your comparison list)
3. clean interiors, comfortable seats, reliable and on time
4. operates daily
5. added convenience such as separate luggage compartments
6. 24/7 online reservation service
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NYC tours

As a travel bug, I would often dream of travel to the other side of the world, across the Pacific Ocean, and you guess it – to the large American continent where I haven’t set foot yet.

One of my dream destinations is New York City, the most populous city in the US, and home of the United Nations headquarters. There are many NYC attractions for tourists such as the Statue of Liberty, the Rockefeller Center, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Times Square to mention some few places of interest.
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Environmental safety measures in the travel industry

Most of the airline companies are now catching up with global awareness and incorporating some environmental safety measures and practices in their systems. Some companies even encourage their clients to “go green” and provide educational articles to enlighten them including options for clients to purchase green products to offset their carbon emissions brought about by travel.
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Getting your vehicle ready for a road trip

I would say that one of our most priced blessings as a family is having the trusty van, for our own vehicle. It comes very handy when we go places, even just for leisure or traveling for some urgent need, or even just for shopping (we can dump a load with no worry as to space!). But wait, this has to be prepared especially when we go to a far-away place, like twice we already crossed two islands, Negros and Cebu, on a land-sea-land travel. The van was transported on a roll-on-roll-off (roro) barge from San Carlos City to Toledo City of Cebu.

Before departing on a long journey that involves rough roads and hilly terrains (or even on concrete-paved highways), it’s important to check your vehicle first to make sure it will survive the demands of the trip. This is what Dad (who’s a mechanical engineer and the one who drives us around) does when preparing our van for a long trip:

- check the levels of motor oil, water in the radiator tank, brake fluid
- check the condition of engine belts, brakes, lights, battery, wiper, tires
- check the vehicle’s engine by running and revving it up

The above list is just the basic vehicle check-up; Dad still recommends bringing it to a reliable auto shop for a thorough check-up by a competent mechanic. Sometimes it’s necessary to replace some parts, just like when we had to change the van’s worn out tires with brand new ones. For those who would like to hit the road in style with custom wheels and tires, there are some really good-looking packages which can browsed online at WheelFire.com where you can search by vehicle brand, tire brand, or tire size (width, profile and diameter). They have designed a fitting program that guarantees an accurate fit and clients are welcome to inquire 24/7 from their tech center. They also provide free shipping on wheel and tire packages.

Being prepared is the key to a safe and enjoyable journey, and Dad recommends bringing some road trip essentials such as flashlight, car tools, towing rope, early warning device and spare tire. When your vehicle is in good condition, you’re ready for a fun trip ahead.

Let’s go sailing!

The sea always beckons especially if you are a travel bug. There’s the yearning to experience, not only air travel which is the fastest or the leisure of land trip where views of mountains or coastal sights are common, but a sea ride, where you can enjoy the gentle feel of sea breeze and the serene sight of the vast view of water around. Though I have rode in motorboats going to nearby Negros islands such as Lakawon or Jomabo, I haven’t experienced yet a leisurely ride on a yacht or sailboat.

Owning a boat therefore is not far from the mind of an avid traveler. Some even have their own collection of sailboats in different sizes and features. There are many boats for sale at everyboat.com, an online portal for boat owners and buyers where they can buy or sell used boats or even do a trade in. There are so many choices from their varied categories, power boats, sailboats (cruiser, catamaran, racer, daysailer, etc.), non-powered boats, personal watercraft such as jet skis and even commercial boats such as ferries and trollers.

Photo above is a 2000 Doral 360SE - 36′ Boat
Photo credits: everyboat.com

Travel and the environment

Traveling is fun but unfortunately it also brings with it some disadvantages to the environment. Fuel consumption brought about by travel results to carbon emissions which consequently contribute to global warming. So what should travel bugs do? We love our Mother Nature, this is why we go on sightseeing tours to see its wonders around the globe, but we should also be responsible about how our travels impact the environment.

This is where the concept of carbon emission offset comes in; to do a positive environment-friendly activity to compensate for doing an activity that uses fuel consumption. There are companies and organizations where you can purchase carbon offset products. On a larger scale, it also helps to be involved in community projects for the environment and donating to environmental conservation causes.

Basic carbon offset activities at home are not really difficult and only needs a little change in our lifestyle, such as conserving electricity, recycling, waste reduction and management or buying eco-friendly products.

For industries, it is essential to have a waste audit implemented. Finding out which types of waste are produced, the amount of waste generated and many other factors. More information about recycling can be browsed over at the Veolia Environmental Services website, a company focused on recycling in Australia. Informative articles about recycling are being featured, such as how to implement a recycling system in your workplace which involves staff education. Other topics such as recycling tips, recycling for business, industry and home, and details about their resource recovery facilities can be browsed at this recycling Australia site.

Philippine Airlines or Cebu Pacific: Which is which?

I’d say it really depends. While Philippine Airlines (PAL) airfares usually cost more than Cebu Pacific (CEB), this is not always the case. One of my trips to Manila was via PAL’s special evening flight which was a good deal compared to Cebu Pacific’s daytime flights.

Regarding airport terminals, both airlines now compete with serving their clients better – PAL at the Centennial Terminal 2 and Cebu Pacific at the new NAIA Terminal 3.

With respect to allowable baggage, Cebu Pacific has now reduced it to 15 kg, while it’s still 20 kg limit for PAL. Thus, for passengers coming from international flights with other airlines and traveling via Cebu Pacific from Manila to other provinces, please be aware of their new reduced baggage limit. If you have 20 kg, you might as well consider flying with PAL or avail of Cebu Pacific’s prepaid excess baggage discount of 20% per 5kg additional weight. Note that excess baggage fee is Php100 per 1kg. The prepaid excess baggage discount can be availed when buying the ticket, not during check-in.

To get the most savings in purchasing your air tickets, do a comparison of the total cost of flight expenses (air fare plus excess baggage cost) for both airlines. For instance, if you have 20 kg baggage, you don’t need to pay for excess if you fly with PAL and you might get a discounted fare if you buy weeks ahead of your flight schedule. On the other hand, if you’re traveling light, Cebu Pacific could be your best option.

Here are some tips about purchasing air tickets:
1. Always plan your trip in advance.
2. Tickets bought online are cheaper than via travel agents or at the airline office (you also save on time and gas).
3. Buy your ticket at least a month in advance to get the cheapest price.

Here’s to more happy travels ahead!

Helicopter tours within New York Uptown

This is yet another tour I have to experience - being in a helicopter while enjoying the view below. How would you like to tour around the New York Uptown in style with a helicopter ride and fly past the city’s skyscrapers such as the Empire State and Chrysler Buildings and watch other scenic views from above such as the Hudson River?

Helicopter tours from Xperience Days are offered within the Metro Area - Atlanta, Boston, Cincinnati and more. For the NYC Helicopter Tour, the total experience time is about 45 minutes and is available daily. Guests are advised to dress comfortably and follow security requirements. Flights are subject to cancellation if the weather condition is not suitable. Helicopter tours offer a mode of sightseeing from a different viewpoint, many miles above the ground.

Photo credits: XperienceDays.com

Cebu Pacific new baggage allowance

Just a quick update…I’m back in the Philippines now. My apologies for not updating this blog lately. My Europe vacation is over but it seems like I’m still on holiday mode. *wink* Anyway, thank God for the safe trip home. I just watched two in-flight movies and spent most of my time sleeping during the long flight. I stayed few days in Manila to meet Mom and finalize some important documents. Going to Bacolod, we flew via Cebu Pacific which thankfully is now serving in a much better and spacious terminal, the NAIA Terminal 3. The downside was their new baggage allowance which caught us by surprise during check-in since we were not informed by the travel agent about it.

Here’s an important advisory for those who will be traveling via Cebu Pacific:
1. Free baggage allowance = 15 kg (instead of the previous 20 kg), for tickets bought starting September 2008.
2. Excess baggage will be charged at Php100/kg (previously at Php50/kg)

It’s always good to weigh your baggage before the trip so you won’t exceed the limit and be sure to carry extra cash with you.

Anyway, I will be posting more photos about my Europe vacation soon. Ciao!

Cruising by the Greek Islands

One of my dream destinations in southeastern Europe is Greece, a place which abounds in history and charm. How nice it would be to visit the Acropolis and climb until its summit where the ancient ruins of sacred buildings and especially the Parthenon is located. It would be such an experience to be walking over such historical site. The Greek Islands are interesting destinations as well. These top tourist destinations can be visited via Greek island cruises, where you get to be onboard a luxury vessel with all the amenities of a hotel while enjoying a nice view of the sea and islands from afar.

The Greek Islands are made up of over 6,000 islands and are grouped into the Saronic islands, the Northern Sporades, the Ionian islands, the Dodecanese islands, Aegean islands, the Cyclades, Crete and surrounding islands, Euboea and surrounding islands, and some islets near the mainland. For instance, Santorini which is part of the Cyclades group is famous for its beaches – the Perissa, Kamari black pebble beach, the white beach and red beach. This volcanic island boasts of natural and scenic beauty and has been the usual choice as TV and video location for Greek and Brazilian shows. Even some Hollywood movies such as Tomb Raider II were filmed in Santorini. Another island worth visiting is Crete, which is a unique mixture of modern and ancient buildings and architecture.

Going on a cruise is like staying on a floating resort. Cruise lovers can also check out other destinations (ports of call) such as the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Florida and more from Carnival Cruise Lines. Travel bugs who would like an Eastern Caribbean or South America cruise can have it via Celebrity Cruise Line which is a premium cruise line for couples, families and bigger groups.

Photo credits: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:192869736_c3090f211d_o-1-.jpg

Holiday car rentals

We’ve been thinking of touring Pori during weekends and even possibly going to Helsinki. Too bad my big sis got sick and I got the rashes. Another concern is going around the area with a bigger vehicle since all of us can’t fit in their car. Good thing my big sis’ flat is located in the city center and everything is just within walking distance – the shops, grocery stores, market square, schools and other tourist attractions, though the idea of car rental for weekend family holiday trips is also good.
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The Oasis of the Seas

I still dream to be on cruise, leisurely enjoying the serenity of the sea, feeling the gentle breeze any time you go out into the deck. Speaking of cruise vacations, I’ve browsed from the net that in the later part of 2009 there is to be launched the largest and most innovative cruise ship, the Oasis of the Seas. This huge vessel from the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line boasts to have a gross weight of 220,000 tons and can carry as much as 5,400 cruise passengers.
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Exotic vacation cruises

These days, the airplane is my usual mode of travel and though it brings me to my destination faster in just an hour, I miss having an overnight trip onboard a ship. Most travel bugs like me not only enjoy going on a walking tour and seeing breathtaking landscapes and views but are also enthralled with being at sea, onboard a boat or ship. Nothing beats the feeling of watching the waves down below with the wind on your face.

I remember waking up early at dawn and watching the sun rising from the ocean’s horizon and seeing birds stooping down the sea waters for a catch. Sigh… How nice it would be to go on one of those exotic Greek Island cruises, relaxing in a lounge chair out in the sundeck while sipping my favorite drink. Going on a cruise is a fun way of relieving stress, some therapists recognize the energy and healing radiated by the ocean.
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Tours for the movie buffs

Other than seeing breathtaking natural landscapes and going to beach resorts, there are other options for tourists to enjoy their trip. It really depends on one’s preferences and interests. For the sports lover, the beaches and mountains are great outdoor experiences. And what about the movie buffs? I bet they would enjoy touring around and visiting the sites where some popular movies were filmed. This is one of the New York City attractions that movie enthusiasts would definitely love to experience. They can ride onboard the CitySights double decker bus and visit the apartment used in Friends, the Cosby townhouse, the restaurant in the movie Spiderman, locations from The Interpreter, Rescue Me, The Apprentice and many more movies and shows.

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Cruising to St. Petersburg

Going on a cruise and getting a breathtaking view of the ocean is one relaxing option for a vacation. Whether you go for a Caribbean or South Asian cruise, being at sea is a romantic venue for couples and a fun place to be for families and groups. When booking for a cruise, it’s good to take advantage of cruise specials to get the most out of your vacation budget and save some for your next dream destination.

I’ve been browsing over some luxury cruise packages at Cruise Locators. I like their Baltic Cruise package from Stockholm to Copenhagen which features the fascinating city of St. Petersburg where the Hermitage Museum is, one of the world’s largest museums. The cruise starts at Stockholm and includes Tallinn, Helsinki, Visby and finally disembarking at Copenhagen.

Photo credits for the St. Petersburg Cathedral: CruiseLocators.com

How does it feel to be thousands of miles above the ground?

“There are only two emotions in a plane: boredom and terror.” Orson Welles

To the frequent air traveler, riding an airplane can be thought of as just one of those trips that would take you to your destination the fastest way possible. One has to find ways to entertain oneself while onboard – watch in-flight movies, chat with a seatmate, get a nap, tinker with the laptop, listen to music, read, order more drinks… anything to while away the time. Sometimes the long distance flights can try your patience too, and you just wish you’ve already arrived.

The feeling of being ‘trapped’ miles above the ground could also make one imagine some morbid thoughts and others tend to worry a lot during the trip. Oh well, even the jetsetters would admit to being tense sometimes. Watching the safety demonstration by the crew brings one to the reality that anything can happen during the flight. Nothing beats the feeling of relief during touchdown though. Personally, it’s a sort of spiritual experience for me when inside the plane. It’s not only trusting the pilot, but praying for a safe trip.

Inter-island travel with the van

When it comes to going places, having your own vehicle can be a big convenience, and I mean not just within the city but for out-of-town trips as well and even for inter-island travels. Yup! We’ve traveled twice between the Negros and Cebu islands with our trusty van. This was made possible with inter-island vessels or barges which regularly travel between these two islands and could accommodate about 10 vehicles (not only cars but big trucks and container vans too).

If you have your own vehicle and need to use it in Cebu, then loading it on an inter-island vessel is the best option. It’s really convenient especially if you’re traveling in groups, or if you plan to transport some stuff or go on a shopping spree. Using a bigger vehicle such as a van is more practical too since you have additional space to accommodate the items you bought and there’s the added comfort of bringing more trip essentials like food, plates, glasses, and necessary utensils, pillows, and of course your loads of pasalubong.

Bacolod-Cebu trips via buses and barges

Being a native of Negros and having studied in Cebu with my siblings, we regularly traveled with Bacolod-Cebu buses via the San Carlos-Toledo route which goes like this:

1. Get onboard bus at the Ceres terminal in Bacolod (make sure it has the Bacolod-Cebu trip pasted on its front windows, LOL)

2. Bus departs as scheduled (passing through towns and cities such as Talisay, Silay, Victorias, etc.) until it arrives at the San Carlos port in the eastern part of the Negros Island facing Cebu. Estimated travel time: 3 hours

3. The bus is then loaded in an inter-island vessel or barge. Estimated travel time: 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours

4. Bus arrives at the Toledo port (in the western part of Cebu) and is unloaded from the barge and resumes its trip (passing by towns such as Naga, Minglanilla, Pardo, etc.). Estimated travel time: 1 hour

5. Bus arrives at the Cebu City south terminal.

Alternate routes for Bacolod-Cebu:

1. Via Escalante (Negros Occidental) to Tabuelan (northwestern part of Cebu)

2. Via Don Salvador Benedicto to San Carlos which is the fastest route since this is a cross-country trip from Bacolod to San Carlos passing through the mountains of Mt. Kanlandog. Estimated travel time from Bacolod to San Carlos: 1 hour