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First time I visited Grumpy's today - tried yesterday but it was closed. Note that the details in the Showcase section are wrong the place is NOT open on Mondays.

We were greeted by a young waitress who took our drink orders and then from whom I later learned was the "owner", Ralf - who was not grumpy at all but very friendly. He explained that the food will take some time as everything is prepared from scratch - even the potatoes cut after we make the order for french fries. He gave me a tour of the place including the kitchen which was absolutely spotless. I ordered the schnitzel my partner the beef curry. The schnitzel (& fries) was huge and the curry was a big size. Both of us found the food excellent. Both the waitress and Ralf checked if we were happy and did we need anything more . At the end when the bill arrived it was on par with what I pay in and around Dumaguete but the food was of a quality that I will certainly return and probably make it a regular.

I spoke to Ralf about his future plans and it sounds exciting - so certainly I will be keeping an eye out for those changes. He is awaiting his business permit at the moment and will seek to make the changes after he gets the permit and one of those changes will address the complaint above about noise - which really didn't worry us at lunch today. Music is also on the horizon and that is something I certainly will be looking forward to.

Ok, to find it coming from Dumaguete, it's after Gie-Gies Bar then just after Petron and exactly opposite the Nissan Dealership on the South Road. Coming from Bacong start looking to your left after going past Thunder Road - again exactly opposite the Nissan Dealership on the right.

 

You're wrong about it. It is very fast for it's weight. I had it up to 80 kph. And it has a reverse gear. Very handy to go anywhere you desire. Although not as fast as a motorbike it will get you there quick enough and out of the sun and rain.

 

Speaking from experience, my husband and I came to the Philippines in 2009 (he was originally from Dumaguete, anyway, but became a US citizen in his early 30's), when his health had deteriorated and needed my care 24 hours a day. We could much more afford for me to quit work and live in the Philippines than in the US. The medical care he received in the Philippines was, for the most part, okay. Of course, it was not up to par to what he could get in the US, but we knew that before we moved. He dropped his Medicare since he could not travel to the US for care; Dumaguete was his "final destination" and it is exactly where he wanted to be laid to rest. We had PhilHealth, which is very affordable, and is pretty good for helping out for hospitalizations, you just have to be sure to read the fine print or you could get screwed, (I did on his 2 week ICU stay while he was on life support, I ended up having to pay 100% of the bill because of a policy they have of not paying twice within a 30 day period for hospitalization for the same diagnosis). Doctor visits, medical tests, and medications, for the most part, are much more affordable and we never felt the need for any further health insurance to cover these items. So, to answer the original question: Financially, it is cheaper for most medical care in the Philippines. If it is top-notch, state of the art medical care you desire or require, then you best head home, although there are some good facilities in Manila and Cebu, but you won't find that kind of medical care available in the smaller provincial islands. We could never travel outside of Dumaguete for his care, so I cannot give specifics.

 

My experience, beware of Sub standard materials.......Filipino will save on almost anything.....Termites do exist and eat wood, so minimise wood! Hollow blocks usually made of dust, drop one on your foot at home and you'll be in hospital, not so in Philippines, your foot will be unscathed! Filipino like putting electricals under the concrete.....impossible to fix if problem. Water pipes use green welded plastic never blue PVC. Have all electrical points with earth........Most water fittings in Philippines made from monkey metal, look good but last about 2 years. Have definite HOLD points on all major steps......foundations etc etc............Good Luck, you will need it!

 

What he has done, is driven it underground. Many known drug suppliers were openly talked about in the past. It was easy to ask around and find out who was supplying what. Since Duterte, the people who were 'rumored' to be suppliers are still getting richer but they say: "Oh no, we gave up all that drug stuff and we have nothing to do with it any more". Plus, before Duterte people were quite willing to 'advertise' where you could go get some drugs but since that time people are scared to death (with good reason) to point out who is dealing the drugs. So when you see people getting killed, you have to ask yourself if its the dealers or the squealers getting shot and are they getting shot by Duterte's mob or the dealer's mob?

Bottom line: The dealers are still there. The addicts are still there. The problems are still there. But its not talked about so w'ay problema.

 

Been there today with the family and we liked it.

The road is a bit narrow in parts but otherwise in a very good condition. Might be a different story after heavy rains though.

We chose to walk around the first lake to the second one (there's also boats that take you across). There's a nice view point on the ridge between the lakes with really stunning views. Not much to see or do at the shore of the smaller lake but it was nice and quiet there. Good place for a picnic. The path around the lake is rocky and requires careful stepping from time to time. But still doable with flip flops, even carrying a toddler and a backpack

According to my phone's gps we walked 3 km from the parking lot to the second lake and back. The sign says the way around the lake is 900m one way so that leaves about 600m for the distance from car to first lake where the boats leave. The lakes are 65m lower than the parking lot, so yes, it is steep.

Swimming in the lake was a bit disappointing - water completely green and much warmer than I'd have expected. Not very refreshing, might be better at another time of the year.

Besides the notorious cup noodles and 3-in-1 coffee they also have cold beer and some small 'real' dishes at the restaurant, it's not too bad.

All in all a nice trip, the very different vegetation (i.e. large tree ferns) and the clean and cool air make for a nice change after all the time at the sea level.

 

Very good analysis. This city has a very inefficient traffic flow pattern, with streets too narrow and minimal parking. It will only get worst as more cars are incorporated into the city. I have not driven a car in this city since I moved here over 4 years ago, and most likely may not in the future. You just can not move quickly through the city in a car most of the time. Motorcycles rule the road here, but not in a benevolent way. A period of time ago this city took a path toward encouraging calls center to locate here. It was an effective program, and brought call centers and gave the English speaking youth very good paying jobs. That brought in a lot of motorcycles with young owners who stayed here. Now Dumaguete is trying to become a tourist and retirement community also, however there is not much of a growth plan... just a lot of "fun" slogans, and denial of reality of the problems that do exist. It is not a bad city, but like most over sized cities it does have growth and particularly transportation problems. Some expats like the trikes and that eliminates a lot of problem for them. So you have choices, but be ready to determine your own destiny with the traffic here... the city does not seem to have the ability, or the power to implement a good traffic program... however they are grasping the concept there is a problem that needs to be fixed.

So why am I still here? Dumaguete really has everything I need, but most likely only one of them in the whole town. It is an adventure to find what you need, but fun as you meet many friendly people. If you see something you like... buy it because tomorrow it may be gone and will not be back in stock" until next month,.... MAYBE" . This is not a first world city or county and probably never will be, so you have to accept what it has. The good part it really has about everything... yes it can be dirty in the city with horrible motorcycle traffic, but it can also be green and calm by moving out of the city in the right direction for a short ride of 10 plus minutes... if you go east in the wrong direction toward Siqulor you will be all wet, as you are in the ocean. Go north, west or south, in that order. Look at Valencia or Bacong, as they are both out of the "urban" sprawl areas. They offer green, Valencia more than Bacong, and a safe area to live if you research out the neighborhood you plan to move into. I can not emphasis enough the need to research the area you chose to live, spending nights, and weekends... discovering where the resto-bars and Karoke bars spring up on the weekend. Locate the Rooster ranches, and try to deter what will influence you stay. Never rent an house or apartment with out spending a weekend night in the area of you intended rental.

I think Dumaguete still has some good years ahead, but not particularly in the City itself. However the close outskirts has a lot of good areas left. Remember most time you can be in the City for the nightlife, or the Boulevard in less than 15 minutes, while living in a green environment during the day. Everything has good points and bad, you just have to decide what issues ring you chimes favorable, and what issues just ring your bell.

 

I am sure Jack they are making money there based on how long they have been there. My point was it could be such a great place (a Dumaguete "must do") instead of a take it or leave it place. There are too few places to go at night here and have an enjoyable, safe environment. Three or four changes and it would be the star attraction at night on the blvd. JMHO