teejoe

Discovered this charming resort in Escalante City, Negros Occidental last weekend. Check out the pics here: http://photobucket.com/albums/g31/teejoe/Bonista/ Escalante City is roughly around 97 kms. north of Bacolod City, about an hour and 45 mins. drive. It serves as the most convenient RORO port connection to Cebu and accounts for close to 80% of the passenger and cargo load of the route according to its energetic Mayor Santiago "Maymay" Barcelona. Past the town proper on the way to San Carlos (domain of Jules Ledesma and Assunta de Rossi) you turn left and East on a dirt road. Bonista Resort is 20 mins from the junction. Bonista was built and is owned by Korean-American John Carol (looks more Korean than American), a retired U.S. Defense Department engineer, and his charming wife Judy who hails from Escalante City. John says that Bonista isnt a commercial resort per se, but rather his retirement home and he welcomes guests to spend time in there. It is beautifully landscaped and you can easily sense the American touch or Western sophistication in the way Bonista was made and is run. Room rates are unbelievably reasonable: P1200 for a twin sharing P1600 for 3-4 persons P200 additional person charge There's no entrance fee and offers full service breakfast, lunch and dinner. there's also a Karaoke bar. The resort has a stretch of white sand beach with clear azure waters (John says the water turns magnificently clear in July and August). It's right along the Tañon Strait facing east and the island of Cebu. Tañon Strait is a protected marine sanctuary that stretches south all the way down to Dumaguete City. This is home to whales and dolphins that have started to be sighted from the resort. He has started a project to build 2 boats, 1 for pleasure cruising and the other for water sports activities. Between Escalante City and Bonista Resort, the city government is planning to develop Mt. Solitaire (or Solitario) into an agro-forestry-ecotourism destination. The area has gushing mountain springs and caves to explore. On the other hand, the Danao River has rich potentials for sportfishing and kayaking. Best way to reach Bonista is from Bacolod City but you'll have to rent a vehicle or take an airconditioned Ceres Bus Liner to Escalante City. To contact Bonista, call: 0917-******* 0926-******* no posting of contact #s :mtc: