Valencia, Negros Oriental’s Little Baguio

Every place has its own beauty, but I can say that Valencia is uniquely formed by nature. Situated 9 kilometers from Dumaguete City, the place is known as the province’s little Baguio.

Fun and adventure is what we expect each time we go out of town. Valencia won’t disappoint you since the town offers more than those two words. All gifts of nature are put together in the area: waterfalls, hot spring, tallest mountain, ravines, and thick forest that will bring you to another height  of thrill and excitement.

View of Cebu City island on top Mt. Talinis, Valencia.

Those who love trekking will have the pleasure of climbing Mt. Talinis, that is considered the tallest mountain of the whole Negros Island. Walking on foot will give you the breathtaking site of Dumaguete City, and the neighboring towns. You will also have the chance to view the body of water that connects the Negros Island and Cebu City. The water is so clear during the day that you will have the pleasure of viewing the floating vessels on the peaceful water.

Pulang Bato, Valencia, waterfalls.

The adventure won’t stop there. You can visit Pulang Bato hot spring that is located near Palimpinon, the main source of electricity in the whole island. You will be greeted with the beauty of smoking mountains and small waterfalls that give life to the plant-less cliffs and ravines, that are stripped off  its luscious green life due to the high sulfur content of the soil. You can also test your tolerance of height by zip-lining in Tierra Alta, Valencia.

Blooming flower farm in Valencia.

Ladies who hate to challenge their strength and stamina can forget about climbing and enjoy watching the blooming flower farms. Your eyes will be satisfied with the lively colors of the flowers, and each can be purchased without hurting your pocket.

If Baguio City is too far for you  visit Valencia. It’s cold, fresh, and green, the reason why it’s Negros Oriental’s little Baguio.

Apo Island, Merges Primitive and Modern Living

Life in Apo Island has its own pace. Though located near cities and modern towns, the island and its  people preferred to stay with its primitive way of living.

Your view while approaching Apo Island.

Apo Island is just 30-minute away from Zamboangita, a neighboring town. You will reach the area through a boat ride. Though the area is really small it’s worshiped for its vast resources and lovely sceneries. That won’t be questioned since this tiny piece of land is the number one diving destination in the region, and officially number 10 in the country and around the globe.

The refreshing green grass and the virgin forest that coats the land will welcome you as the boat approaches the shore. You will be amazed on how something so small can survive in the midst of  the vastness of the blue and unfathomable body of water. You will feel the thrill even before you soak your feet on the salty water that gives life to colorful coral reefs and hundreds or probably thousands of marine species under.

One of the spectacular scenes under Apo Island water.

Once you reach Apo Island it’s advised that you will take advantage every minute of your time. You can either take a dive and explore the colorful world that awaits you under, or take a tour around the island using a motorbike, that you can rent per hour at very friendly rates.

Apo Island dining experience.

Food addict? That won’t be a problem. Your appetite will be satisfied with fresh-cooked seafood like crabs, fish, squids, and shrimps.  You will have a royal life facing the blue ocean while munching on your favorite delicacies.

If you want to know how it feels like before electricity was discovered, you can stay overnight in the island.   Apo Island does not have an electricity, and everything will be powered off after 6:00 PM. You can either have a candle-lit dinner with your companions, or rely on the light of the moon while sipping  your favorite drink.

One of the rooms of Pura Vida resort in Dauin, Negros Oriental.

If you’re one of those who can’t leave the convenience of air conditioned-rooms and soft mattresses behind, you  can go back to Zamboangita and spend the night in one of the lodging houses that await and welcome tired adventurers, with their world-class service.

Dumaguete City, The Place Of Gentle People

The changes brought by drastic civilization also affected how humans treat each other. They tend to abandon their softer side and deal with what they call harsh circumstances. That’s not what you will experience in Dumaguete City. It’s still the place of gentle people.

Dumaguete City bay area.

Dumaguete will greet you with smiling, friendly, and caring people. You can knock on any house and ask for a glass of water or shelter if you need one. You will be welcomed with sincere hospitality without expecting for something in return. Asking for direction when  you’re a tourist will be easy. The person will even accompany you to where you want to go in case you will find it hard to do so.

Boulevard area at night.

Lying in the city are different hotels, food houses, and sceneries that you can’t fined elsewhere. The boulevard offers the best sunshine and entertainment. You can sit in the place and enjoy the view of the sea while taking a deep breath on the therapeutic salty breeze of the ocean. And the dining experience is  also one of the reasons why you will keep on coming back.

One of the great foods Dumaguete offers.

Dumaguete City is located at the heart of Negros Oriental so you can go island hopping with ease and comfort. You can also go shopping from different establishments like the famous Robinsons Mall that has everything you need for your stay.

Robinsons Mall Dumaguete.

Most important of all, you can stay in Dumaguete City without worrying about bad people and bad experiences. Everyone in the city are helpful and caring, you can get someone as fast as you need him.

Bais Sandbar, Unique and Mysterious

Sandbar should be pure and clean, and that  is what Bais sandbar will offer. Not only that; the place is famous for it’s unique and beautiful location.

Bais City sandbar during high tide.

Bais sandbar can be reached via ferry boats that are available through the Capiñahan Wharf , that is located in South Bais Bay, Bais City Negros Oriental, Philippines. It’s just a matter of 15-minute travel and you’ll be greeted by the white beauty of the place.

A school of friendly and cute dolphins.

Your adventure and great experience will start from the moment the engine of your boat starts. You will be accompanied by school of lovely dolphins that are already acquainted and close with humans. They are so friendly they will stay with you until your boat docks.

Once you arrive at the sandbar area, you can choose from lovely cottages that you can rent overnight at very affordable rates. It’s suggested that you spend the night with the place so you can witness its mystery when the water rises. Due to its small of area of only 7 kilometers, you will feel that the place is just floating on the vastness of the ocean.

Mouth-watering seafood in Bais.

The town is famous for its fresh seafood, and those will be cooked for you fresh from the sea. The delightful experience will be heightened with the breathtaking view of Bais City and the neighboring towns at the seashore.

Lalimar Beach Resort, A Hidden Paradise

Lalimar Beach Resort may not be familiar to a lot of people, but the place has a lot of unforgettable experience to offer.

Lalimar Beach Resort’s view in the morning.

The resort is located along the Tanon Strait where the fresh sunshine awaits you. The morning view is really awesome with the clear sky making the opposite island visible in the horizon.I can say that the area and the location is still a virgin since it’s far from the crowd and the noise of civilization. It’s the recommended place to go if you need time to relax and experience the touch of nature.

Cottages facing the infinity pool.

Lalimar Beach Resort is still new yet, it offers first class accommodation and services that you will wish you have every single day of your life. It’s located in the heart of La Libertad, Negros Oriental, Philippines. That is an estimated of 2-hour travel from Dumaguete City.

Native cottages for visitors.

If you’re tired of the noise and pollution of the city take a little time to travel and enjoy. Lalimar Beach Resort should be your first destination. You will be amazed with how the crew of the location will pamper you with love and care. Plus, you will have a lifetime experience of spending time inside the comfort of its native rooms and cottages.

Bohol, Perfect for Travel, Fun, and Adventure

People in the Philippines are really familiar with the name Bohol. It’s one of the towns located in Visayas,  Philippines. What makes the place famous is the well-known Chocolate Hills, and one of  the smallest primates in the world, the tarsier.

Panglao Bohol resort.

Bohol is one of the places I dreamed of visiting though I doubt if I will ever set my foot on its precious soil. That’s really sad, right? Anyways, let me just share with you beautiful facts that I read about this most-visited little island.

Bohol first rose into fame due to its unique and amazing mountain formation. It has small little hills that grow in different sizes in one place. The little hills look like they are intentionally placed in the area by a playing giant or something. What’s amazing is that each  will change its  into color brown during summer, the reason why the beauty is called chocolate hills.

Chocolate hills before they turn brown.

Bohol also brags of its beach resorts with great accomodation. You can bring your whole family and friends, and enjoy the very affordable rates of the location. Visiting the place don’t need a huge amount of money. What is needed is the high demand for adventure, love of nature, and the drive to explore new places.

If your planning to go out of town you should visit Bohol. If you’re not from the country and would like to explore new places, Bohol should be included in your list.

Dumaguete Springs Pool Washes Your Blues Away

Dumaguete Springs is one of the resorts I visited with my friends. As a call center representative my life is sorrounded with stress, fatigue, pressure, and lack of sleep. Visiting places like this makes me forget the cruel world of work that I am encountering every single day.

We look like toddlers here!

You maybe thinking why each of my article is featuring the same faces. I am sorry, but I prefer a small number when it comes to my friends. These are also people that are so easy to be with. We work in one roof so we know exactly how to comfort each other.

Every thanksgiving is a non-working day, so we make sure we go out together to savour the temporary freedom we get. One of the places we visited was Dumaguete Springs that I can say has the best pool. Though the area is not really that big, you will enjoy the privacy and the solemnity of being together with the group you love to be all the time.

The pool area is well-maintained that you can’t even see a single leaf floating on the water, until we came. Well, that’s another story. We had fun spending most of our five hours in the pool.

This is what I call beauty!

The food is not really that memorable so we bring our own. That’s common in the Philippines. People can bring their own food, and just pay for the place which is really cool.

Thanksgiving is still months away, but I can’t wait to have the same awesome experience every year. We will be visiting another resort, and of course you will know everything that will happen through my blog.

Enjoy With Friends at Dauin, Negros Oriental

Negros Oriental is famous for its untouched beauty when it comes to sceneries. This is one of the advantages you  get when the area is not that industrialized, and that is something that I trully love.

While others love the adrenaline rush of driving or jumping off a cliff, I am one of those who prefer the comfort and ease of sitting down. Of course I am very much aware on the benifits of sweating still, staring at the broad horizon of the blue ocean works best for me. These reasons explain why everything I write is about beaches.

One of the reasons I love and I can brag about my island is the clean air, clear sky, and the crystal clear water of the sea. The experience, the fun, and excitement it will bring is priceless.  You can hang out with your friends at the seashore, or take a splash at the cool and clean salty water of the ocean.

Being in the location will be much fun if you’re with your beloved friends. Above is the photo of me and my friends at Pura Vida beach resort, located in Dauin, Negros Oriental, Philippines. Aside from the delicious and affordable food in the resort, the memory of the place is something that will linger in your memory.

If  you’re one of those who prefer nature over industrialization, you should visit Negros Oriental. You will have all the fun you need. The transporation is so accessible you can go anywhere you want in minutes.