[our first BALIK-BUKID experience]

Jill was 'recruited' by a classmate's sister to become part of the Balik-Bukid country fair staff.  I allowed her to join because she gets to earn a day's worth of work & the whole family spends time at the Sta. Elena Fun Farm. ;)

That day, we had an early start because Jill was required to be there before 6 am. 

We found ourselves on the road at the break of dawn.

At slightly past the main gate, these banners greeted us

as we drove down the road that led us to the venue

where the cloudy skies

seemed to meet the clusters of trees.

At the entrance gate, your inner wrist get stamped with a carabao logo, 

& welcomed by songs.

One can take home the Balik-Bukid experience through these items they sold. Kirsten bought one.

A quote to inspire you to "reach for your stars". 

You can find more of this installed inside the farm.

There were huts on stilts & picnic tables near the mini-zipline area.

Those huts look like elevated teepees.

A colorful vintage truck added some quirk.



Kirsten's OOTD shot.

This is the farm pavilion 

where we watched the Paquiao-Rios fight on pay-per-view. Of course, it was a freebie. ;)

Double selfies. :)



Nice paintings & wood carvings were on sale.



A vat of floating blooms were placed near the pavilion steps.



Lamps & fairy lights adorned a post.

Outside, there was a wash area. I love these metal tubs which they converted into sinks.

Way-finders abound to point to the boating

& fishing areas

where you see these ducks wading in the water

or just drying themselves off by the side.

Seen from afar, there were enclosed pens for the rabbits

or open ones where these wild boar & rooster were.

They also had an area where you feed

the rabbits

and the chickens.

A farm is, of course, never without horses kept in stables.

After seeing the animals, we went further down the bazaar area to see the shops selling mostly handcrafted products.

Right beside the shops was the dining area.

Diners were shielded from the heat & rain by a parachute canopy.

While waiting for the food stalls to open, Kirsten & I got our pictures taken by the official lensman there & took home this photo-booth shot.

We saw Jillian & her classmate, B, a fellow 'recruit', who were on lunch break. 

There were many yummy food & beverage offerings we got to explore.

From the many choices, we settled for the burgers.

There was all-day entertainment

from different bands who played mostly reggae music.

At the other end of the venue, there were areas for different activities like

horseback riding,



obstacle course,



& carabao-driven cart riding.

Since it was on a Sunday, the picnic area was converted into an outdoor chapel where we heard mass.

An hour later, dusk fell.

Our fun-filled country fair day ended as we headed for home just as the lanterns lit up the farm.

Until the next one, same time next year... ;)

***photo credits : KIRSTEN