TheLoneRider
a seeker in search of Easter Eggs

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

Traveling
Fun Time in Dumaguete at Harolds Mansion Sep 6-13, 2012

Fun Time in Dumaguete at Harolds Mansion

Location Google Map: 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)!

Fun Time in Dumaguete 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 Yoga by Gigit | Learn English Learn English | Travel like a Nomad Nomad Travel Buddy | Donation Bank Donation Bank for TheLoneRider

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



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Next Dumaguete story:

More on Dumaguete:

Dumaguete Map

Google Map Dumaguete, Philippines

tourist attractions in Dumaguete tourist attractions hotels in Dumaguete - hotel
  • 
Hotel Essencia 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 in Dumaguete scuba diving
  • Mario Scuba Diving and Homestay 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 Dumaguete Divers - scuba diving in Apo Island, resto / cafe, accommodation
    Dauin - 9°11'18.6"N 123°15'54.3"E
cafes in Dumaguete cafe


Dumaguete >> Siquijor (Siquijor Proper & Larena Port) Boat Trips (as of Jan 2023)
  1. Montenegro Lines - at Dumaguete Port, P234.00/pax, P169/bicycle

  2. Montenegro Lines, Dumaguete to Siquijor

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

  4. Aleson Shipping, Dumaguete to Siquijor

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

    Ocean Jet
  6. Please check first if Atlantis Yohan Express is back in operations

  7. Atlantis Yohan Express - Siquijor Port or Larena Port?

    Atlantis Yohan Express

    Atlantis Yohan Express
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.

  1. 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.

  2. Dumaguete to Lazi


Dumaguete Itinerary restaurants 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)
tours Things to Do in Dumaguete:
sightseeing 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


Onward Destinations After Dumaguete

These are the nearest popular destinations from Dumaguete by boat

  1. 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)
  2. 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
  3. Dapitan (Zamboanga del Norte) - I haven't been there but a lot of island ferries ply this port. There must be something here.
  4. Plaridel (Misamis Occidental, Mindanao) - I haven't been there but a lot of island ferries ply this port. There must be something here.

Blog

Dumaguete Dumaguete

2023

  • Shopping in Dumaguete July 21-23, 2023
  • Overnight in Dumaguete Feb 5-6, 2023
  • 2017

  • 11 Days in Dumaguete Apr 23-May 4, 2017
  • 2015

  • Revisiting Dumaguete with Tuyen June 5-9, 2015
  • 2012

  • Fun Time in Dumaguete at Harolds Mansion Sep 6-13, 2012
  • Dumaguete Deja Vu August 2-11, 2012
  • Dumaguete 'Must Experience' Article on SideTrip Magazine Jul 1, 2012
  • Goodbye Dumaguete April 25, 2012
  • Not Thinking Big Enough February 11, 2012
  • 2011

  • Radical Honesty November 25, 2011
  • A Quantum Conversation Nov 14, 2011
  • Dumaguete Travel Info, Map and Itinerary Oct 16, 2011
  • Fitting In Oct 9, 2011
  • Water Bucket Riddle Oct 8, 2011
  • Dr. Angel C. Alcala Sep 30, 2011
  • 7th Philippine Bird Festival Sep 23-24, 2011
  • Blood Pressure Guy Sep 5, 2011
  • Truth, Anyone? Sep 1, 2011
  • Painitan Breakfast Aug 6, 2011
  • The Harolds Mansion Experience Jul 31 - Aug 21, 2011
  • Of Motivation and Being Poor Jul 2, 2011
  • Rant About Blogging Jul 1, 2011
  • In Pursuit of a Hit-and-Run Driver Apr 25, 2011
  • Building Wealth from Within Apr 12, 2011
  • DACA Graduation and Casablanca Anniversary Party Apr 8, 2011
  • Silver Surfer Mar 14, 2011
  • In Search of the Weakest Linkk Mar 10, 2011
  • The Lamborghini Benchmark Mar 9, 2011
  • Stovetop Carrot Bread Mar 5, 2011
  • Big and Bold Feb 1, 2011
  • Grilled Pizza on the Weber Grill Jan 31, 2011
  • Kri - Resto Review Jan 28, 2011
  • Turning Point Jan 21, 2011
  • Creative Spark Jan 6, 2011
  • New Year Rain Ride Jan 1, 2011
  • 2010

  • 2010: A Year in Review Dec 31, 2010
  • Wealth Building with a Little Help from my Friends Nov 28, 2010
  • Riding with the Downhill Boyz Nov 23, 2010
  • 7 Months in Negros Oriental - The Aftermath Nov 17, 2010
  • 7 Months in Negros Oriental - Swallowing Hard Nov 14, 2010
  • No Fault Nov 10, 2010
  • The Silent Type Nov 9, 2010
  • Of Money and of Being Broke Nov 1, 2010
  • Aha! Moments Oct 24, 2010
  • You're Smart! Oct 7, 2010
  • Negros Oriental Real Estate Website Sep 28, 2010
  • Back to Yoga Sep 20, 2010
  • Nomadic Existence: A Return to the Default World Sep 19, 2010
  • The Return of the Silver Streak Sep 10, 2010
  • Nomadic Existence: A Rethinking Aug 8, 2010
  • Fun Ride with Rene's Silver Streak Bike Jul 15, 2010
  • At Random TV Interview with Aesha Villanueva Jul 6, 2010
  • Eco Adventure Race 2010, Dumaguete July 3, 2010
  • Night Ride with the ONEbikers Jul 2, 2010
  • Pintados - Body Paint Fashion Show Jun 20, 2010
  • Rene's Chicken Inasal with the QB Stove Jun 6, 2010
  • Life Altering Experiences Jun 1, 2010
  • The Puppy May 27, 2010
  • The Hare-Lipped Baby May 25, 2010
  • Neva's Pizza Apr 28, 2010
  • Dumaguete Apr 12, 2010

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