Postcards from Dumaguete

Ballet at the Siliman University grounds

The last time I was in Dumaguete about three years ago, I stayed just long enough to go to Siquijor which is an hour away via fast ferry.  I was given the privilege to visit again this year with an assignment for a hotel.  It's really just two days of going around and shooting with little time for anything else, much less going around on my own and exploring.  Well, I got to do a sort of walking tour of Siliman University which I haven't done in my previous two visits.  The farthest we went to was up the hilly terrain of Valencia where the real estate development of Tierra Alta is located with a great view of the city as well as of Siquijor shimmering in the noon sun, beckoning in the distance.  Ahh, so near yet so far.

A lighthouse far inland at Tierra Alta

Nighttime tempurahan by the boulevard

There was a zipline facility at Tierra Alta that passes through a gorge widened by the deluge of water from recent storms (so I was told).  It would've been nice to momentarily ride the wind and forget all my cares weren't it for the need to go back to the city and prepare for a late afternoon return flight to Manila.  Maybe next time.

I also missed eating the city's specialty, budbod kabog (millet rice treat), that melt-in-your mouth suman from the palengke (local market) but eat the famous Sansrival of Silvanas we did as well as Jo's Inato (special barbecue chicken).   Our first and only night, we were able to see the sunset along Rizal Boulevard and sit down to servings of what the locals call tempura (deep-fried battered fish sticks) by the bay.   The tables, chairs and mobile cooking stands were very orderly and makes for an interesting hang-out come night-time.  Something to keep in mind when I visit again, hopefully soon.

 
Thanks to GoHotels, Dumaguete for the trip.  This clean, cool and comfortable value hotel is now open for reservations and walk-ins.  It's located about 10 minutes from the Sibulan airport and adjacent to the Robinsons Forum Mall so it's pretty hard to miss (Map here).  To book, visit www.gohotels.ph