Country > Philippines > Negros Oriental > Dumaguete
Date > 2012 > September
Activity > Traveling

Sep 6-13, 2012

Fun Time in Dumaguete at Harolds Mansion

Location : Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines

Site Update Training Seminar
After 2 luxurious days at Eden Resort, it was time to cross the Tañon Strait to Dumaguete for work and fun. I was to conduct a training seminar on website updates - this way, an organization can update their website without having to hire a web designer - pretty empowering, actually. I wasn't sure what to expect this time as I had too much on my mind - lots of kinks to iron out.

Harolds Mansion
I defaulted to the backpacker party place - Harolds Mansion. I stayed here for 3 weeks a little over a year ago - it was the best 3 weeks of my Dumaguete life. This time, there are commuter bikes for free use and the once bare roofdeck is now covered with lounge facilities and a billiard table - cool! Internet connection is much improved. They probably have the fastest internet connection of any hotel I'd been to - great move Harold (yes, there really is a Harold at Harolds Mansion)!

Harolds Mansion now has a billiard table on the roofdeck

Valencia
I couldn't visit Dumaguete without stopping by my old residence - Valencia. This municipality is just 16 minutes by jeep from Dumaguete going towards Mt. Talinis. It has a lot of charm - laid back, very fertile land, abundant with fruits and vegetables, cool climate given its elevation, and friendly people. I have many Manangs to see and say Hi to. I used to have my meals in their carinderia, have coffee and tablea at their nooks. I actually feel a greater sense of belonging from them than from the place itself.

Dauin Poblacion District 1 Marine Reserve
Despite damage to the corals brought on by the typhoon, this coral reef is still one of the best - and one of my staples. It was fab to see Mr. Grouper (a 10kg Lapu-Lapu)again. I'm glad the oversized Titan Triggerfish were not spawning. They were huge and scattered all over the reef. Still, I kept my distance. I just noticed, just 5 meters from the shore where the water is about 5 feet, a group of colorful fishes would approach you and if you don't do anything to startle them, they'll come to your hands and nibble on your fingers. I guess tourists are feeding them so they all think you have something for them. It was fun (even though I don't subscribe to feeding animals in the wild).

Mainit Marine Reserve
Because of its thermal underwater vent, visibility in this area is always poor. But that doesn't stop me. First, it has one of the best reefs system, second, the hot vents are just perfect to warm you up after a chilling snorkelling. Third, on a nearby house, there is a well with hot spring water to rinse on. That's a total package for me. Additionally, the Liquid Dumaguete dive and beach resort is just there where I can chill for a coldie on their 2nd floor cabana overlooking the pool, cottages and the beach. I know the owners - cool couple, Zoe and Tim!

Ending Thoughts
I didn't get to see most of my friends. I didn't even get to party much at Harolds - blasphemy! But I got to do all the things I set out to do in Dumaguete - pretty productive actually. I got restless. It was time for me to move on again. Next destination? Moalboal!

--- Gigit (TheLoneRider)
YOGA by Gigit | Learn English | Travel like a Nomad | Donation Bank

disclosure - Harolds Mansion and Liquid Dumaguete are clients, but this blog is not to pay lip-service - I never do that.

Harolds Mansion Backpacker Hotel Dumaguete

Liquid Dimaguete Dive Shop and Beach Resort

with Manang Pina at her Painitan stall in Dumaguete Market. She makes the best Budbud Kabog!

at the renovated roofdeck of Harolds Mansion - chill zone, billiards, hammocks, bbq

at Valencia's Sunday Market. Durian sells for P80/kilo

I miss my Manangs from the Valencia Public Market. I get full glass of tablea drink for P5 and another glass of native brewed coffee P5 - I combine the 2. For P10, I get 2 glasses of mocha coffee...whoa!

on the beach at the Mainit Marine Reserve

snorkelling at the Mainit Marine Reserve

the best thing at the Mainit Marine Reserve is getting hot spring water to rinse (from a well in a nearby house)

at Liquid Dive Dumaguete - at the lodge overlooking the cottages and the pool...awesome!

helping myself to breakfast on the roofdeck of Harolds Mansion - with open air and lounge facilities, Harolds really gets it!

snorkelling at Dauin's Poblacion 1 Marine Sanctuary

with Manong Bantay Dagat of the marine reserve

my total pack (my entire home for that matter) is 31kg - which includes my dive gear among other indispensables

road sign for Dauin's Poblacion District 1 Marine Reserve

full body massage after the dive...it starts with foot cleaning...nice!

at the newly opened Sans Rival Bistro...new on the menu is Chocolate Silvana. Together with the traditional Butter Silvana, it's a sinful merienda combo!

at the Dumaguete Public Market helping myself to a coconut - juice and coco meat...nature's goodness at P15!

Dumaguete is small enough to be seen in its entirety by bicycle. At Harolds Mansion, it comes free - donations accepted and appreciated.

passengers wait at the Sibulan terminal for the Cebu ferry bound for Liloan, Santander.

bumping into a staff of Eden Beach Resort on the pumpboat to Cebu

tourist attractions

Filipino Japanese Amity Memorial Shrine - 2175 feet above sea level and perched on a hilltop overlooking the sea and the neighboring islands
Casaroro Falls - pencil-narrow waterfall dropping nearly 100 feet to a wide and deep lagoon
Balinsasayao Twin Lakes - twin crater lakes 894 meters above sea level
Dumaguete Boulevard - 1km long boardwalk along the main hub of Dumaguete

- hotel

Hotel Essencia - 9-storie hotel in the heart of Dumaguete
39 Real St., Corner San Juan St., Dumaguete City - 09°18'32.1"N 123°18'20.3"E

scuba diving

Mario Scuba Diving and Homestay - homestay in Apo Island, scuba diving, restaurant
Apo Island - 09°04'40.08"N 123°16'09.19"E
Dumaguete Divers - scuba diving in Apo Island, resto / cafe, accommodation
Dauin - 9°11'18.6"N 123°15'54.3"E

cafe

Arteasan Handcrafted Beverages - coffee, tea, milk tea, frappes, waffles, sandwiches
79 San Juan St., Dumaguete City - 9°18'33.0"N 123°18'21.0"E

Dumaguete >> Cebu City by bus/boat

Dumaguete to Cebu City route is done by bus and boat. Ceres bus leaves almost every hour from the Ceres Terminal bound for Cebu City. It goes to Tampi and boards a roro until it reaches Bato, Cebu. From there, it resumes its land travel until Cebu City. xxxx hours, PHP xxx.

Dumaguete >> Siquijor (Siquijor Proper & Larena Port) Boat Trips

(as of Jan 2023)

Montenegro Lines - at Dumaguete Port, P234.00/pax, P169/bicycle

Aleson Shipping - at Dumaguete Port, 8 am and 6 pm daily, 10 am M-Sat, Regular P200.00/pax, Aircon P250.00/pax

Ocean Jet - 40 mins, docks at Siquijor Port, 0919.066.5964, www.oceanjet.net, marketing@ocenajet.net

Please check first if Atlantis Yohan Express is back in operations

Atlantis Yohan Express - Siquijor Port or Larena Port?

Dumaguete >> Lazi, Siquijor by boat

Dumaguete to Lazi, Siquijor route by Kho Shipping was just opened up in early September 2023. Before, going to Lazi meant going to Siquijor Proper first, then catching the 2pm jeep to Lazi (last trip), adding 1 hour on the trip. Now, Siquijor Proper can be completely bypassed.

Dumaguete Port - take Kho Shipping to Lazi, Tu-F-Sun, 3 hours, Dumaguete departure 1 am, arrival in Lazi Port 4 am, economy P300, tourist P500.

Dumaguete Itinerary

Things to Eat in Dumaguete:

Eat at Neva's Pizza. They have a wood-burning stove and make the best pizza in Dumaguete
Eat the local version of Tempura, fish ball, balut at Tempurahan, an adhoc outdoor section by the City Port entrance.
Eat Paklay, a local delicacy made of pork inards. Popular in Dumaguete's roadside eating places
Try any of the lechon manok (chicken roasted on a spit) that's scattered all over the city
Try the torta bread (bread made with fermented coconut nectar) - you find that along the highway in Dauin...or the Dumaguete Public Market
Eat the breakfast combo - Budbud Cabog (Dumaguete's specialty suman) or puto + tsokolate (sticky rice wrapped in banana leaf + native chocolate drink)

Things to Do in Dumaguete:

Stroll along The Boulevard
Taka a tour of Silliman University

Sightseeing / Activities Near Dumaguete:

Valencia
1. Forest Camp in Valencia - a mountain resort fed by the Banica River. Great for getting wet and picnics (blog by Lakwatsero)
2. Go to the Japanese Shrine and Casaroro Falls - 100 meter falls and site of a fierce WWII battle between Japanese, Americans and Filipinos
3. Head out to Camp Lookout in Valencia for great views. Famous writers stay there for the Silliman University National Writers Workshop.
4. Stop by The World War II Museum in Valencia and talk to curator/owner/collector, Constantino "Tantin" Cata-al.
5. Splash on Pulangbato Falls and Hot Spring - via Palinpinon road towards PNOC. Great to dip-in after a day's hike or for hot lazy days
6. Climb Mt. Talinis. At 1864 meters, it lords over Negros Oriental, and home to endemic and rare species of flora and fauna.
Dauin
1. Dive on Apo Island - best for scuba and turtle watching
2. Dive on Dauin's District 1 Marine Reserve - best spot for snorkelling - 10K grouper, turtles, cuttlefish, Titan Triggerfish, etc. This is only one of many marine reserves dotting the Dauin coastline.
3. Soak in Baslay Hot Spring
Sibulan
Go to Balinsasayao Twin Lakes - two lakes almost 1000 meters above sea level
Siquijor
Take the ferry to Siquijor - stay in Siquijor overnight
Zamboanguita
Visit Malatapay Market on a Wednesday and try their lechon, tuba, and grilled fish
Bais
Go dolphin watching and swim on the sandbar
Mabinay
Rappel down Mabinay Caves
Siaton
Experience Lake Balanan

Onward Destinations After Dumaguete

These are the nearest popular destinations from Dumaguete by boat

Bohol - Bohol is an island northeast Dumaguete. Tourist attractions are Chocolate Hills, Tarsier Monkey, Loboc River Cruise, Beaches of Panglao, whale sharks (recent offering), freediving (recent offering)
Cebu - Cebu City is the usual gateway into the Visayas. But in Cebu Island itself, there are many offerings - Whale Sharks of Oslob, sardine run at Moalboal,Thresher Shark of Malapascua
Dapitan (Zamboanga del Norte) - I haven't been there but a lot of island ferries ply this port. There must be something here.
Plaridel (Misamis Occidental, Mindanao) - I haven't been there but a lot of island ferries ply this port. There must be something here.