DUMAGUETE 2016

Dumaguete, Philippines

Dumaguete, officially City of Dumaguete and often referred to as Dumaguete City, is a component city in the Philippines. It is the capital of the province of Negros Oriental. Having a total of 131,377 inhabitants as of 2015 census, it is the most populous city in the province. The city is nicknamed The City of Gentle People.
Dumaguete attracts a considerable number of foreign tourists, particularly Europeans, because of easy access from Cebu City in Central Visayas, the availability of beach resorts and dive sites, the attraction of dolphin and whale watching in nearby Bais City. Dumaguete is listed 5th in Forbes Magazine's "7 Best Places to Retire Around the World".
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dumaguete

DAY 1

Where we stayed.

The common area

Dinner at Sans Rival Cakes and Pastries, San Jose Street, Dumaguete City

This restaurant is best known for their Silvanas, it's the best pasalubong option in Dumaguete.

DAY 2: Dolphin Watching, Mangrove Forest, Manjuyod Sandbar
Bais, Negros Oriental

Bukang liwayway sa Bais.

We rode a van from Dumaguete to Bais and the travel time was 50 minutes to one hour.

You can rent a boat at the port. Rates: Php3500 (good for 15 pax) / Php5000 (good for 16 pax)

The gang: Tito Larry, Tita Tess, Jan, Me, Tess and Mon

Manjuyod Sand Bar!

Those mountains you see up ahead is Cebu!

First Stop: DOLPHIN WATCHING

They were swimming so close to our boat!  Key to dolphin watching is to be there as early as you can!

Second Stop: Visit the MANGROVE FOREST

#couplegoals

Third Stop: MANJUYOD SAND BAR

Floating Oyster Store!

Waiting for low tide

The sand bar didn't show up that day but we're still all smiles!

 DAY 3: Swim with the Turtles
Apo Island

We rode a bus from Ceres Bus Terminal, Dumaguete City to Sitio Malatapay. It was a 30 minute ride and the bus fare was Php50.00 per head

The ferry station is a short walk (500 m) from the main road.

We booked a medium boat: Php2000.00

Our pumpboat to Apo Island!

It was a rough 30 minute ride but...the salty sea never bothered us anyway!

Turtles!

Hello Nemo!

With our tour guide, Kuya Bob! He's #72 if you want to book him.
He took our underwater shots and made sure we were safe and far away from the rocky shores.

Apo Island Fees:
Tour Guide: Php300.00
Table Rental: Php300.00
Lunch for 5 people: Php800.00
Snorkeling Gears for 4 people: Php800.00
Souvenir - Sarongs from island vendors: Php250.00 each

DAY 4: City Tour

First Stop: Brunch at TIERRA ALTA, Valencia

View from the lighthouse. There's a zipline, pool, venue for weddings/ events.

Second Stop: PULANGBATO FALLS.
Entrance fee is Php20.00 per person

Third Stop: HOT SPRINGS spewing sulfur fumes.

Fourth Stop: SILLIMAN UNIVERSITY.  Established in 1901 by the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions.  It is the first American university in the Philippines and the entire Asian Continent.

Fifth Stop: SAN JOSE STREET to take photo in front of this signage!
Thanks Doc Paulo for touring us around!