dumaguete – soloflightEd

Fun Dive at Apo Island in Negros Oriental

During a trip to Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, I brought Jana to Apo Island for a fun day at the beach and some snorkelling. However, when we arrived at the island, the marine sanctuary was closed due to earthquakes and typhoons that affected the area. They had to close it to let the coral reefs recover. … Read more

Six Consecutive Trips in Six Weekends

For a month and a half, I spent my weekends out of town on different travel adventures with various people. The surprising thing was that these weren’t really planned at all.

I thought all my travels for the year were over and I was going to stay put in order to finish writing articles and other freelance tasks. I had unexpected trips but had a great time in the process.

Weekend 1: Boljoon, Osmeña Peak, Kawasan Falls, Moalboal

November 12-13, 2011

Boljoon Church
Trek to Osmeña Peak
Swimming in Kawasan Falls
Chilling at Basdaku, Moalboal

Doi, Edwin and I went with travel blogger Dong Ho to Boljoon to visit the church and climbed Osmeña Peak, which is the highest peak in Cebu. Then we met up with another travel blogger, Jerome, in Kawasan Falls in Badian and chilled at Basdaku beach in Moalboal. We slept at a barangay hall, climbed down a mountain with hardly any light, took a dip in the waterfall, relaxed at a beach and visited our friends, George & Isa, at The Outpost.

Conquering South of Cebu

Weekend 2: Dumaguete, Siquijor

November 18-21, 2011

Motorcycling in Siquijor
Jumping in Cambugahay Falls and Salagdoong Beach
Visiting Lazi Church & Lugnason Falls
Food Trip in Dumaguete City

Headed to Siquijor with Ron & Monette, Chichi, and Doi and spent a couple of days on motorbikes while touring the island. We visited a couple of falls, jumped off a cliff, tried to swing like Tarzan (but failed), made crazy videos, and had a quick side trip to Dumaguete for food! We met up with travel bloggers, RV and Mervz, as well as chatted with a kind soul along the way.

Motorcycle diaries in Siquijor

UPDATE: The Tsokolat store sign might not be there, but you can still get these oatiekin bars. It’s not on display anymore but just ask the employee in the shop if you want some. For orders, contact Francine at 09178639443.

November of 2009, I spent a week in Dumaguete City in order to learn online jobs. It was a nice break since I never really had a long vacation from work. My leaves were usually spent as added days off from my normal rest days. While in the City of Gentle People, I was advised by a friend to check out oatiekin cookie bars from Tsoklat Bakeshop along Hibbard Avenue.

Tsokolat Bakeshop
Dumaguete City

Oatiekin Chocolate Fudgy Bars
photo credit: michellephilippines.blogspot.com

Oatiekin Chocolate Bars – fudgy chocolate cream bars wrapped between oatmeal blankets.

I couldn’t remember the actual note posted in a red cutout paper. But it sounded something like the description above. This was recommended to me on Facebook and a few people at the office requested me to buy these rich choco bars for them. Below is a conversation on my Facebook wall.

Great how technology works, no?

Prior to our online chat, I had to visit the place in order to see how their pastries tasted. The bakeshop wasn’t hard to find as it was located near a house where we lived when we were still staying in Dumaguete. Besides, the city is small so everything is easily accessible.

I arrived after lunch time and was welcomed with a quaint store between a water station and a laundry shop – really multifunctional. The bakeshop sold a number of desserts with peculiar names such as chizmosa, lanky chews, mango tango, kalamanji, hooters and so much . Pretty odd labels but still looked interesting.

Tsokolat Bakeshop Bread and Pastries
Where Sweet Dreams Come True

I have a friend who kept on going to Boracay as if it’s just a regular destination. She said that since I’m a travel blogger, I should feature Boracay in my blog one of these days. I said I would if I could. Boracay, as they always say, is the ultimate destination for adventure and … Read more

Reminiscing Casaroro Falls

Casaroro Falls in Dumaguete is one of the waterfalls in the Philippines that shut my mouth up. Not that I’ve been to a lot of falls already but there’s something mystic about the place. I guess it’s because it really takes a long hike to get to the body of water and when you finally reach the destination, you feel energized knowing that you have trekked a far distance.

In our case, we didn’t really hike from Dumaguete to Valencia; we took a shortcut and rode some motorcycles (habal-habal) due to time constraints. However, the stairs going down and up was enough to keep our legs sore for the next 2 days – You have to take 335 steps in order to get to the bottom and go up with the same number in order to get back to the starting point.

Casaroro Falls is actually located in Valencia in Negros Oriental and not in Dumaguete City’; which is a nearby town as well. I suggest that anyone who wants to stay in Dumaguete to drop by Casaroro and be amazed at this nature’s wonder.

Casaroro Falls in Dumaguete pictures

Casaroro Falls in Valencia

Cool green

I’m on leave and this is the first time that I’ll be able to spend the week-long vacation just lounging around here in Cebu. I won’t be going any place far or really plan an out-of-town trip because I don’t have the budget… Yes, you hear me right, I’m stuck in the Queen City of … Read more

from apo island to Cebu

Was checking my emails while on a Cokaliong boat back to Cebu from Dumaguete. Got tired because over the weekend, I went to Mantayupan Falls in Barili and headed straight to Dumaguete City and went to Apo Island. That's two days worth of traveling and going back to work for Monday. Now I'm all exhausted … Read more

passed by mantayupan falls, going to Apo Island

This is an unexpected weekend. The Hulagway Photography club of Convergys pushed through with Mantayupan falls, somewhere in Barili. I don’t know how we got there since I just slept on the ride because my eyes were already inactive. Carcar in Cebu and their famous lechon. Mantayupan Falls, Barili Cebu Right now, we’re on … Read more

How we got to Twin Lake in Dumaguete

Twin Lake or Lake Balinsasayao and Lake Danao Negros Oriental I never thought that Twin Lake or Lake Balinsasayao/Lake Danao in Dumaguete was actually near. I've lived in Dumaguete for 3 and a half years and spent the most part of my high school there. I studied in a Catholic school and there was a point where … Read more

random stuff

Just posting some random stuff. I would want to go back to Dumaguete just to avoid the traffic here in Cebu. I never really thought that ‘easy access’ can be so tempting. I can just drive a motor bike without a helmet in Dumaguete and you won’t get reprimanded. Still, I need to get … Read more

another busy entry

Yes it is indeed. I have so many things to do this week which makes me wonder what it would be like if I didn't commit to so many requirements. Even so, I need all the help that I can get which is why I am sacrificing my time in order to get something else. … Read more

tagay wherever

I was on my way back home to Cebu from Dumaguete via Santander. I rode a van at 150 pesos from Santander to Cebu and I stayed on the front seat cause I wanted to get some shut eye. Luckily, it's one of those experiences wherein you can't help but turn your head from side … Read more

dumaguete blues

I'm really lucky to experience a number of food trips here in Dumaguete City; most, if not all are free! There's a feeling of contentment and satisfaction that one can appreciate especially when somebody's paying for the meal. Heck, I don't feel guilty at all with all the hanging out. I will definitely create a … Read more

dumaguete: a walk in the park

I’ll be here in Dumaguete until Sunday. The place is just one small bubble for me, walking on a busy Wednesday full of people. I’ve been enjoying a number of things, well mostly food: Kamalig Restaurant, Boston Cafe, City Burger, Why Not, Paradiso, Harold’s, Hayahay. So many dishes, all are great; nothing beats free meals! … Read more