Dining in Dumaguete

My birthday destination this year was Dumaguete, touted as the City of Gentle People.

And yes, the people were gentle enough save for the tricycle drivers who kept on barking at us once we stepped outside the airport. But that's usually the case in all parts of the country so I guess that didn't count.

We went there with no sense of itinerary. I was planning to spend an overnight at Apo Island, but Spanky wanted something that wouldn't eat too much into our schedule. I asked about the Dolphin-Watching Tour in Bais, but since it was lean season, prices were exorbitant--as in a jaw-dropping P5,000 per person.

Then before the trip, we found out that we had work deadlines so we both brought our laptops--me for writing, him for editing.

On our first day, after catching some zzzzs at Harold's Mansion (P800/night--not bad for a decent room with aircon, cable tv and wifi, and drink-all-you-can coffee and tea), we had lunch and strolled into Silliman University. We saw the Bird Festival exhibit at the quad, and we craned our necks, hoping to catch a glimpse of our friend.

We tried exiting the university at the other side but it turned out to be the wrong way. When we retraced our steps, we found our friend. Hello, Robert!


Robert was the reason why we decided to go the Destiny Wellness Center in Valencia the following day. After riding an "easy-ride" jeepney for around 30 minutes, and another 15 minutes on a tricycle, which piteously sputtered on an uphill battle, we found the place.
Robert and I did the colonics thing, and though it didn't work for me, I still enjoyed the healthy lunch of ginataang veggies, grilled fish, kinilaw, and passion fruit juice.


That was the only "real activity" we did. Robert went home the following morning, and Spanky and I slept, ate, and worked the days away. Our fave food find: Date and Walnut Daquoise at Sansrival Cakes and Pastries. In our entire stay in Dumaguete, we ate 3 slices of this, and took home two whole cakes for our families.
Batchoy at Kamalig Restaurant Good eats at Hayahay: Dumaguete Express: seafood in coconut milk, topped with fried pork bits.
Nearly finished Seafood Bouillabaisse



We opted not to take the tricycle to get to the eateries so we could have a "walking tour" of the place. We walked the stretch of the boulevard, filled with age-old trees held up by the thickest trunks. It was nice to see such flourishing greens.



To typhoon-ravaged Manila, we returned, refreshed and-- understandably-- a few pounds heavier.

Southern Exposure

Last August, Spanky and I hopped on a plane bound for Cagayan de Oro for his Downhill Biking Competition. I've only been to CDO once, around 3 years ago, when my mom used it as a jumping point for Camiguin. So I never really got the chance to explore the place save for the Limketkai mall.

This time, we got around more, thanks to my good college friend Bleng who's now based there.

She took us along a food trip, spread out across 2 dinners and a lunch, plus a pastel (local delicacy of a soft bun filled with condensed milk) shopping spree at the Vjandep Store.


But the trip, too, was action packed, thanks to the downhill riders, who had their usual share of slips and tumbles. Before their second run in the afternoon, rain poured, making the tracks all the more treacherous. Even the best of the best slid their way towards the finish line. And I'm proud to say that Spanky finished both runs safely.
photo by Aprilphoto by Joey

A day after the race, the bikers and we, their better halves, tried white water rafting. It was exhilarating, to say the least. It felt like we were on a 3-hour rollercoaster ride. I fell off the raft thrice. At one point, our raft capsized, and while underwater, I found myself breathing air. I was puzzled. It turned out that when the raft turns over, a bubble of air is trapped between it and the water; that's why I was able to breathe.photo by Bugsay

All in all, CDO was a fun experience. And really liked where we stayed (Bleng's recommendation): Yumi Pension House along Tomas Saco Street--easily accessible and convenient. The rooms were fairly new with aircon, hot water, and cable TV for P950/night.