Shopping in Dumaguete

Siquijor-Dumaguete:
Montenegro Lines, 7:30 am, 10:00 am, 2:00 pm, 4:30 pm, P234/pax
Montenegro Fast Craft, 9:00 am, 1:00 pm, 5:00 pm, P455/pax
Aleson Lines, 6:00 am daily, 1:30 pm M-Sat, 6:00 pm daily, P200/pax
Ocean Jet, 6:00 am, 6:00 pm, daily, P350/pax

Dumaguete-Siquijor:
Montenegro Lines, 7:00 am, 10:00 am, 2:00 pm, 6:00 pm, P234/pax
Montenegro Fast Craft, ???????, P455/pax
Aleson Lines, 8:00 am daily, 10:00 am M-Sat, 6:00 pm daily, P200/pax
Ocean Jet, 7:20 am, 7:10 pm, daily, P350/pax

Hostel: Antwep Hostel, P350/night, bunk bed, dorm room
Location : Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines

Restless in Siquijor
I needed to do some errands in Dumaguete and I needed a break from Siquijor - I was increasingly getting restless every day. Despite the continuous rain, I braved the land/sea voyage with my folding bike. It was a choice to bring my bike or motorcycle to Dumaguete. But Dumaguete is small enough for just a bicycle.

on board the public jeep with my folding bike

Siquijor Port
The Siquijor Port ticketing office was more orderly and organized. There was even a covered waiting area for passengers. Schedule for the day was posted. They didn't give me a hard time with my folding bike - I got it free (as long as it was folded, otherwise it could be another P160 for the bike).

inside the terminal awaiting boarding

Montenegro / Aleeson Shipping
Both shipping lines had ships departing for Dumaguete at 10am - same fare. But people were crowding and forming a line at Montenegro while Aleeson was already open with no line! Of course, I took the Aleeson. Upon boarding, it felt eerie that there were only a few passengers while Montenegro was packed. We left the port promptly at 10 while Montenegro was still on the dock. But close to Dumaguete, the Montenegro ship passed us and arrived Dumaguete first. With the Aleeson ship, it took 90 minutes from boarding to disembarking. It was a pleasant trip with Aleeson. I still wonder why people were insistent on Montenegro. Although raining, the sea was calm.

the Montenegro ship, a roro that can accommodate cars and bicycles

Tanjay
Upon docking at Dumaguete, I locked my bike along the street and boarded the Ceres Bus to Tanjay, 4 towns away North. I wanted to verify if my healer, Virgie was indeed dead. She was well-known in the area. I asked around, and everyone said she died a few years ago from a heart attack. I was saddened by that. Virgie made me well many years ago when I got sick in Valencia.

Budbod Tanjay
Since I was already in Tanjay, I stopped by the market for their renowned Budbod Tanjay. It's steamed rice cooked with coconut milk and swirled with the local cacao. At P180/12 pairs, the price has gone up, but still worth the treat.

Budbud Tanjay is a sweet chocolate swirled rice dish usually paired with sikwate, a local hot chocolate drink

Mr. DIY
I passed by Mr. DIY, a popular gadget chain across Southeast Asia. I just wanted to buy lithium batteries for my bike light, but I ended up with so many peripheral gadgets I needed/wanted that could not be found in Siquijor - blue tooth ear buds, xxxxxxxxxxxx. It felt really good having all those things. Now I understand why so many people are addicted to shopping.

AntWet Hostel
Being the cheapest in Dumaguete at P350/night, I defaulted to Antwet Hostel for 2 nights on a bunk bed in a dorm room. I would have stayed 4 nights but they refused the discount I asked for. I checked in here during my last visit and it's good value for the money. They have a bar on the roof deck where guests gather and interact.

meeting Agatha and Jet from Bacolod, on the hostel roof deck

Neva's Pizza
Neva's Pizza is iconic in Dumaguete. It's also my benchmark for value-priced pizza. With its wood-burning oven, wide pizza selection on the menu, and hands-on management of the owners, a visit to Dumaguete isn't complete without a whole pizza for me.

I also relished seeing the owners who are also my friends. We talked about pizza franchising, branching out, human resources challenges and more food.

with friends and owners of Neva's Pizza

Movie: Oppenheimer
I would have preferred the latest Tom Cruise's Mission Impossible, but it wasn't showing anymore. Luckily, Oppenheimer was being shown. At P300/pop, it was pricey compared to P100 from the days I lived in Dumaguete. I didn't realize that Oppenheimer was star-studded and directed by Christopher Nolan. Starring was Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., Emily Blunt and Kenneth Branagh. It was initially confusing with 3 time frames all juxtapositioned with each other. It took a while to realize the formatting. The treatment of the whole movie was introspective, sensitive and borderline surreal. A must-see!

Being Senior
For the longest time, I was in denial about my age - rightly so, since as a yogi, I never felt my real age. I was forever fixed at 35. However, given the generous 20% discount I could get as a senior from transport, food and movies, I finally wavered and buckled down. The 20% adds up. Seriously!

Shopping Around
I went all over Dumaguete's department stores even in the rain, in search of all the things I wanted to get - Mr. DIY, Unitop, Lees, Home Hardware, Robinson's, etc.

Ending Thoughts
Turns out I needed to buy more than I planned. It was Christmas in July for me as I returned to Siquijor with a Coleman camping chair, camping tin cup, fresh batteries, bungee cords, etc. Things I wanted to buy but didn't are army jacket for motorcycle spills, easy hammock (my jungle hammock is not for leisurely chilling) and maybe decent shoes. That will be for next time. It was fun. Last time in indulged in shopping like this was many years back, I can't even remember when.

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

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More on Dumaguete:

Dumaguete Map

Dumaguete, Philippines

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

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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. 7 hours, PHP xxx.

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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:

1. 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.
2. 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
3. Sibulan
   Go to Balinsasayao Twin Lakes - two lakes almost 1000 meters above sea level
4. Siquijor
   Take the ferry to Siquijor - stay in Siquijor overnight
5. Zamboanguita
   Visit Malatapay Market on a Wednesday and try their lechon, tuba, and grilled fish
6. Bais
   Go dolphin watching and swim on the sandbar
7. Mabinay
   Rappel down Mabinay Caves
8. Siaton
   Experience Lake Balanan

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