WATERFALLS

THE RIME OF THE ANCIENT MARINER

And now, all in my own country,




I stood on the firm land!




The Hermit stepped forth from the boat,




And scarcely he could stand.




O shrieve me, shrieve me, holy man!




The Hermit crossed his brow.





`Say quick,' quoth he `I bid thee say -




What manner of man art thou?'




Forthwith this frame of mine was wrenched





With a woeful agony,





Which forced me to begin my tale;





And then it left me free.






Since then, at an uncertain hour,





That agony returns;





And till my ghastly tale is told,





This heart within me burns.





I pass, like night, from land to land;






I have strange power of speech;





That moment that his face I see,






I know the man that must hear me:






To him my tale I teach.

The Rime of the Ancient Mariner was written by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. I dedicate this poem, to all the unknown followers of Confessions of a Farm Boy who have silently been following this blog and appreciating the beauty of Negros Island. Thank you.

HILLS

Legends say that once upon a time, giants ruled the Kingdom of Negros.

After a fierce battle, the giants led by Ikugan were banished to this realm by the volcano god, Laon.

All that remains of these once powerful giants are haycock hills spread across the fertile land.

No, this is not Bohol. These are the Hinakpan Hills of Barangay Hinakpan, Guihulngan, Negros Oriental.

Keeping a watchful eye from a distance, Kanlaon Volcano guards what remains of these once-mighty rulers...

No two hills are alike.

Each different from the other.

A land full of promise and discovery. This is what Negros is all about.

WATERSHED

Flying high above the southern mountain range of Negros, you will come upon two adjacent bodies of water.

Surrounded by lush forests and dense vegetation, these watersheds are home to many endemic species of plant and animal life in the region.

Every shade of green can be seen mirroring the remnants of an old volcanic crater.

And giant ferns bring back the days of an untouched Eden.

Welcome to the Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park.

Located in the town of Sibulan adjacent to Dumaguete City, the Twin Lakes never fail to cast a spell on visitors with its serene surroundings and cool climate.

Follow the trail that goes around the twin lakes,

Explore nature's gifts on boat,

or simply listen to the divine music of birds' love songs.

The rustic ambiance of the placid lakes will surely enchant you.

SANDBAR

Secrets abound in the island of Negros. Some of them are better kept as secrets, but others must be revealed to the world.





Manjuyod town in Negros Oriental is home to one joyful secret : a sandbar, in the middle of the sea, stretching as far as your eyes can see.

Low tide unveils the sugary white sandbar to the delight of sun worshippers... those who do not seek the protection of shade or shadow.

High tide magically transforms the place into one huge, crystal-clear swimming pool, stretching seven kilometers long.

Ahh, to frolic on the beach with friends...

Perfect for enjoying the view...

for running free, or chasing each other on the sand.

Quit wondering why, in its August 2007 issue, the widely circulated ISLANDS Magazine, a U.S. publication, has chosen Negros Oriental as one of the top 20 best places to live in the world.

BOULEVARD

Named after the national hero, the Rizal Boulevard of Dumaguete City is known for its beautiful promenade and dramatic views.





At night, the City converges at the baywalk, lured by the bright lights, the pulsating dance clubs, bars and specialty restaurants.





The baywalk's beautiful reflection illuminates the bay, a contrast to its backdrop, the serene silhouette of the Cuernos de Negros (Horns of Negros) mountains.




Artemis' moon has always kept a watchful eye on this place,

...where old Spanish houses and century-old acacia trees line its breakwaters,

...and where the Americans set up their first educational institution in Asia, the Silliman University.

Not to be outdone, the pioneering French Sisters of St. Paul de Chartres soon followed to shepherd the Catholic faithful.

Oh, yes, the fiesta beckons each year.

A time for the gentle and genteel families of Dumaguete together with their guests, to gather for the traditional feast of thanksgiving for the past year's blessings..

and the Haris to unite again.

To share memories and to paint the town red once more.