Trip to RACSO's Woodland Inland Resort

June 7, 2009 by cadillakad

It's weekend once again. Do you already have plans where to treat yourself for a relaxing getaway this weekend? How about some out of town trips with your family? Any thoughts on taking your special someone to a tour?

Iloilo is a place with lots of places worthy of everybody's admiration. It will be very very ironic for someone to discuss things about HongKong, Paris, USA, or other places of the world and yet he hasn't gone to some beautiful places within his hometown. The truth is, if you are only appreciative enough of what Mother Nature has blessed your hometown, you wouldn't feel envious of those high-rising buildings, towers, architectures, and all.

Allow me to take you to a virtual tour to one beautiful resort in one of the towns in Iloilo - Guimbal. If you're travelling towards University of the Philippines in the Visayas - Miagao Campus or if you are bound to San Joaquin or if you are from Antique, you should have seen this to your left:

or this portion of the whole shining silver name to your right

Welcome to RACSO's Woodland Inland Resort!

At the entrance you will be asked to pay PhP50.00 per head nonconsumable entrance ticket. But look what lies ahead after that tall gate...An arch of yellow green to luscious green plants adorned with hanging flowers

Now this part is confusing which way will you go next? I chose to go right because I was greeted already greeted by this bird

and by these baby deers...

The photos above can be seen at the middle most portion occupying a great land area at the right portion of RACSO's. Surrounding the are places to eat for families who chose to bring their own food and have a good day lunch or picnic while watching the amazing day of the animals.

Going further, you will see more animals inside

For instance, this ostrich...

There's also this beautiful bird...I looooove its color but I love its crown more!

But wait until you see what's next...the ever-beautiful peacock!!! Too bad it was raining when I went to RACSO's...Its feathers didn't take time to spread so I can gleefully watch the wide array of colors.

Going further you will see more animals, like this family of dogs having a nap in a cold and rainy afternoon I envy them...I just remembered that I needed some sleep too.

You want more? Take a look that one below...I'm not sure though if it's a ram or a sheep...

If the sheep or the ram's area were clean and neat, take a look this wild pig...Haha!

There were lots of animals in the place. Different breeds of chickens and dogs. Cats are also present. But there's one common denominator among them - they just mind their own business and never did they even took a glance at the visitors. Hmp! I guess they're not in the mood

But there was one friendly pal whom I can never forget. I personally call him Friendship. You see, unlike the rest of the animals, when I took its picture it took some effort to strike a pose! Amazing!

Enough of the outdoor creatures. Let's hop to the next area and visit the sea-dwelling creatures. Come along and let's go to RACSO's Aquarium Building.

At the entrance, you will be greeted by a significant number of cute caddies.

Across the caddy cages are big aquariums. One of the aquariums, houses a soft turtle...From the name itself, you will indeed see a soft turtle that looks like its body has zero bones.

The neighboring fishes really look soooooooooooooo sweet...I bet they're trying to get every visitor's attention

I'm not sure if you have heard of a Red Paco fish. I personally am not the type of keeping aquariums at home though many people say that keeping one means good luck. Anyway, RACSO's also has a GIANT Red Paco!

The next scenes are stuff that I really hate...as in! Yep, you're right...Cages of snakes. Actually, RACSO's also has a couple of python cages just outside along with the other outdoor animals. But the ones below are really really hair-raising.

I hate looking at their popo...

I hate the way they change their skin...

I just hate snakes!

Don't get me wrong...It's nice that RACSO's have showcased various snakes. And they did it in such a way that you will really see what lies behind those soft-buddied creatures. Good thing I haven't seen them eating...Whew!

OK, enough of the animals for awhile. Let's relax and calm down for a minute as we enjoy the pool area in RACSO's. The photo below is a picture I took of the resort's olympic-size adult pool.

Beside it is a fun area for kids, families, or anybody who doesn't seem to feel the air of Olympics or the challenging-aura of the adult pool.

Is that a big rock or a dome? I'm not sure what it is really...But here's a closer look at it when it's overflowing with water through its sides

If you want to go inside, you can pass either through the right entrance through these stairs

or through the left stairs...

After passing through the stairs, you will reach a small opening going to the inside of the dome...

Inside the dome are ways going to the small openings overlooking the whole pool area. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get photos from the inside because I didn't bring extra clothes.

Also, you will notice that I'm barefooted in the photo. That's because shoes and slippers are both not allowed once you reach the green pavement surrounding the pool area.

Around the pool area are rooms for visitors who wish to stay overnight or for days in the resort.

In front of the pool area is RACSO's canteen.

This is where you can order RACSO's delicious menu such as grilled boneless bangus...

or their delicious mixed seafood...

Now let's go back to our friendly hosts - RACSO's pets (that's how I personally call the animals living in RACSO's resort). Our next destination is the

At the centermost area of this RACSO's Aviary and Cave Museum is a landscaped area full of green plants, cute flowers, outdoor wooden chairs, landscape ponds, etc.

Surrounding the whole are is a wide array of birds of different sizes and varying colors. Funny because each bird remind me some particular event in real life.

For instance, the bird below is my personal image definition of the a line in a locan song that goes something like: "...ibon man may layang lumipad...kulungin mo at umiiyak..." The song where such line was taken is usually depicted by a pigeon with a circular barb wire in its beak. In the photo, it is modified a little

Christmas are usually celebrated with decors showing Santa's deers or sheeps in the manger. But don't you think the bird in the photo below deserves some special Christmas spot too?

Ever heard of Kuya Kim? How about his show entitled MATANG LAWIN! have you ever heard of it? Going Bulilit kids used to spoof the same show. Now here's one funny photo of a hawk (lawin). Instead of Matang Lawin, I should say: BASANG LAWIN!!! Hahahahaha!

In contrast, here's a photo of the Philippine Eagle showing its mighty claws!

Let's soften a little and get mesmerized by the elegant movements of an Egret.

Then stop for a while to see the difference between our usual ducks compared to these wild ducks...

Then suddenly change the topic because we were met by some spooky bats!

Only to find out that were heading our way to the Animal Cave Museum.

...to see more bats...err...fruit bats I mean...

But don't you ever go near the cage of a bear cat...as in never!

I was actually looking for a bear not a bear cat...And I found one when I went further inside...

Yep, that's just a preserved bear. Don't you think it's better that way than when it's alive? The same goes for the Leopard...

Other than scary live animals and preserved animals, the cave museum also showcased two of RACSO's priced Art collection. One of them is an Art seen as a cave painting in Nigeria...

And another cave painting that dates 1000 years ago...

Going out of the cave museum is a small guarded area that embraces various plants that continues to live peacefully along with the beautiful butterflies and some pigeons as well as love birds.

Here are additional tips in going to RACSO's:
Fare from Guimbal Jeepney terminal in Iloilo City Supermarket: PhP35.00
Fare from RACSO's to Oton terminal: PhP25.00
To reserve a room in case you want to stay overnight, please call: +63-33-315-5345