First Solo Travel: Short Church Hopping at Iloilo Part 3

Upon arriving back at Iloilo, I asked around how can I get to Miag-Ao church. I couldn't find straight answers, I guess they don't understand me at all haha. One local told me to take the Molo jeep, while the other one says I should take the jeepneys across the street and ask them to take to to take me to the church. I don't want to waste time asking for directions so I combined both instructions and headed for Molo anyway.

The ride from the port was just about 10 minutes only and I was quite surprised because what they said sounded sensible anyway; because I took off at the magnificent Molo Church, one of the oldest churches in Iloilo and just a few blocks from it is the bus terminal going to Miag-Ao. It wasn't so bad taking risks after all haha!

To continue my Iloilo tour, I explored the Molo Church grounds first and was impressed at how clean and spacious the adjacent park was. The town square has a small shrine at the center where one school kid told me, it's used for holding small programs and such. I cozied myself on the chair beside the huge bougainvillae tree and just stared at the beautiful facade of Molo Church.

This beautifully preserved church reminds me of the Notre Dame Cathedral. 

Okay. I watch Disney movies too much.

The town square across the church has a small bandstand with statues of the Greek Goddesses. It really is an all-women's church afterall!

The Parish of St. Anne in Molo was one of the oldest churches in Iloilo City and it's a feminist church because of the evident display of lady saints inside.

Exiting the church grounds to the right, I walked a few blocks to this small terminal for buses bound to Miag-Ao. The non-aircon buses gets filled in fast and but it was a long ride, roughly 30-45 minutes. A trip this long would make someone get so sleepy after a previous trip, but the afternoon sun was too hot so I just enjoyed the hangin probinsya and went sightseeing along the trip. I happen to see Guimbal Church, the Guimbal Steel Bridge and the long stretch of gray sand beaches of Oton, Guimbal and Tigbauan along the way.

 Guimbal Church is said to be one of the oldest churches in the Philippines. 

 I stuck my camera out of the bus window to take a shot of this steel bridge in Guimbal.

This seemed like an estuary.

I nearly missed my stop because I didn't recognize it due to all of the vendors and the crowd of students/bystanders along the side walk that's covering the gate. When I got to the church grounds, I marveled at how beautiful the church is and how proud I am for myself for seeing one of the country's heritage Site.

The beautiful Miag-Ao church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

From the intricate design of its facade and the richness of its olonial roots, no wonder tourists thrive on its beauty. That seemed like a banana tree on the center LOL.

I didn't travel for almost an hour to leave just because the church was closed, so I still stayed until sundown to admire its beauty. :) Too bad it was closed, I was unable to see the interior. Okay, maybe I'd say it's not advisable to go on a tour during weekends because most tourist spots are closed.

Damn overcast. I was picturing a sunset shot of this beautiful structure. But good thing it didn't rain.

I went home before it gets dark and just crossed the road to take the bus. They're usually on schedule, so you really have to wait. In case you don't want to, there's a jeepney as well but they'll drop you off to another place but still accessible to other jeepneys going around the city proper.

This caps off my solo travel to Iloilo. It has been a joy wandering alone without caring for anything. I amused myself with things I never knew I'd done. I conquered my fears of being alone outside of my comfort zone and amuse myself with things I never knew I'd done. If fear consumes you, you'll never get to where you want to go. It was the height of that earthquake scare in Bohol-Cebu, then just after a typhoon hit the city as well when I went there. Despite of everyone's warnings, I followed my gut feel and just flew away. Being afraid to go alone is just a small matter compared to the adventure that I will experience going there...and I'm happy I did. :)

ITINERARY (continuation from the previous post here)
2:30PM - Depart Guimaras
2:45 - Arrival at Ortiz Port, Iloilo
3PM - Molo Church
4PM - Take bus to Miag-Ao
4:45PM - Arrival at Miag-Ao Church
6PM - Depart for Miag-Ao
7PM - Dinner at Mang Inasal
7:30PM - Rest

BUDGET (in Pesos) - 540
14 - Ticket (Jordan to Ortiz Port)
8 - Jeep to Molo Church
44 - Bus to Miag-Ao
40  - Jeep back to Molo
99 - Chicken Inasal (dinner)
8 - Jeep to Ong Bun
330 - Ong Bun Room Rent

This caps off my solo travel to Iloilo. In conclusion, my total expenses for my 3 days, 2 nights solo adventure was just Php 2,011! (airfare not included). If you wish to save much but experience the thrill of exploring new places, I suggest you follow what I did. Channel your inner turista vibes on a budget with no fancy accommodation, no fancy foods or unnecessary spending. Just plain enjoyment and pure adventure! Did I went too easy and deprived myself of other things just because I'm too cautious about my budget? NO. It's all about the choices that I make.

Before this trip, I challenged myself that I'm going on an adventure without spending too much, after having getting used to a pampered vacay. It posed as a challenge for me actually, though I knew I have a specified budget, I still kept an emergency money hehee. ;)  It's not always that I'd get this chance of travelling solo, so I'd say I enjoyed it so much! It has been a joy wandering alone without caring for anything. I amused myself with things I never knew I'd done. I conquered my fears of being alone outside of my comfort zone and amuse myself with things I never knew I'd done. If fear consumes you, you'll never get to where you want to go. It was the height of that earthquake scare in Bohol-Cebu, then just after a typhoon hit the city as well when I went there. Despite of everyone's warnings, I followed my gut feel and just flew away.

Being afraid to go alone in a new place is just a small matter compared to the adventure that I will experience there...and I'm happy I did. :)