DUMAGUETE’S PORT AREA
Fresh from our Siquijor wanders,
Dumaguete as its entry point is my next and final destination before enplaning
back to Caramoan via Legazpi.
The seaport has a splendid view
from Rizal Boulevard where the big “I Love Dumaguete” which is illumined at night
is positioned. Cool to see and take pictures by day and nicer by night as its
bright colors exude the warmth of the place and the people busying around it.
SILLIMAN UNIVERSITY
The long wait was over when I
finally set foot on this prestigious university in the Visayas, owned by our
church, the United Church of Christ in the Philippines. I was awed by the
enormity of the campus and the building around. Entering the campus is like
arriving at a village with welcome sign. PUB’s ply along the university main
road, but I didn’t bother to complete a campus tour and just restricted myself
near the church, took some photos and proceeded to survey other interesting
buildings close by and ambled along the campus till we found the exit for I was
already starting to perspire.
THE CLUELESS AND UNTIMELY
VALENCIA TOUR
It was Jerel’s turn to take me
around Valencia, Negros Oriental, a mere 15-minutes motorbike ride from
Dumaguete City proper. From downtown and at 12:00 high noon, I was never told
that we were on our way to the places he mentioned. We left all essential
things at Gazebo Pension House and that means enduring the almost cauterizing
heat of the sun and risking sun-burnt skin.
GEOTHERMAL ACTIVITY: STEAM OF SULFUR
CLOUDS
An extra-ordinary sight was
closing in as we drew nearer to the steam of sulfuric clouds and came to a
sudden stop. I was ecstatic because I didn’t expect the spectacle before my
eyes. I remember him asking last night if I had seen an activity similar to
this. I responded, “Yes, in Tiwi, Albay, but it’s no longer in existence.”
RUSTY AND RUST-FREE FALLS OF
PULANG LUPA, VALENCIA
Our scooter snaked through the
unpaved road and the rusty shallow river leading us to the waterfalls. The
bigger and taller but rusty falls have a distinct charm, the rust of course, which
highlights the cascading water as it drops on its basin and makes it way out
through the stream down the river. A video documents the beauty of the Pulang
Lupa falls. I was told that at times the water could get warm. When I tried to
feel the water, it was not.
Few steps away higher are the
rust-free Malabo Falls. The basin of the falls, a non-extant pool ravaged by
Typhoon Yolanda, was covered by erosion and landslide. It is visited by habitués
and the spot has become a crowd drawer as it was being maintained by the
municipality. Now the swimming fun has been moved a few steps further and a new
pool is available for public usage.
RED ROCK HOT SPRING
Sans the things needed for the
Valencia spur-of-the-moment tour, I braved to take the hot spring swim
challenge sans undies. It was a matchless experience since I rarely get a
chance to plunge on a warm pool with health benefits. Its natural rust made the
base floor and stones plated with golden bronze in an amazing way. Two spouts
beautify the pool with warm water pouring into the pool. I lingered awhile almost
completing an hour or so before taking a quick bath. Relaxed somehow, we
prepared for our uphill climb to Tiera Alta Resort.
TIERRA ALTA RESORT
It was still sunny when we
hurtled to a five-star resort on an uphill property with high end amenities,
picturesque vista of Dumaguete, lush mountains and seas, a very high and long zip
line that made me flinch from doing the activity, are among the descriptions I have
for Tierra Alta.
The tantalizing and inviting
come-ons of the pools and the lawn covered by Bermuda grass with a huge white
marquee tent pitched on a featured area make the heavenly place just
awe-amazing! A minimal entrance fee is charged to access the property. It’s a
pity that I didn't make the zip line due to fear and I was the only interested
party that time
SANS RIVAL AND SILVANAS TASTE
This favorite cake and pastry shop
is arguably the most popular in Dumaguete. Their cakes and pastries have long
been ballyhooed in blogs by satisfied bloggers, and a must-try treat in this City
of genteel people.
Just before dark, all out of curiosity,
I ordered a slice of sans rival cake, 3 pieces of silvanas and a cup of café latte
for a late snack. These great tasting delights are the best pasalubong
idea.
ATONG KAMALIG
From Sans Rival to the dimly-lit Rizal
Boulevard and the already illumined Dumaguete signage is red-hot for tourists,
and I was one of those who queued up for a good shot, but my battery was about
to deplete.
I walked cautiously towards Atong
Kamalig though I was not hungry at all. As suggested, I had to order just to
fulfill my itinerary and it wasn't bad at all to have dined here on my last
night. They have a wide variety of grilled sea foods and other delicacies to
choose from. It is pricey here and eating solo robs you a little bit of the
food’s yumminess that is best shared by two or with a small group.
GOOD BYE DUMAGUETE
It was a very short visit and I'll be back for more activities sooner or later.
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