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This week bas been 8 yrs since my stroke. Sadly, a friend here, Mo Liddy, passed away from a stroke a couple days ago, so I am blessed, in spite of my disabilities, to enjoy an 11 yr old marriage to my wife and best friend and a son who turns ten Tuesday.
And a big shout out to brother-in-law who has been my helper, driver, and friend all 8 years.
So once again, I offer experienced advice to get physical check ups, take your meds, avoid stress, and exercise. Stay safe.

 

Wandered into a coffee shop yesterday in Dumaguete for a coffee and bite. Upon entering was immediately impressed, nice colours, no screaming music and nice clear black board menu.

Ordered a latte and asked if the chicken sandwich was available, yes sir of course, was also given wi fi password. Coffee arrived with in a few minutes, tasted like fresh arabica beans, very nice. While waiting on sandwich was requesting help from the waitress to make a call. The owner manager appeared, introduced herself and offered to help me. Next she pulled out her cell made a call to Cebu, immediately through to manager and problem sorted....Wonderful.

Gets better guys, this was maybe the best chicken sandwich I have ever eaten. Wonderful large super fresh bun, thick tender chicken breast, touch pineapple lettuce and best of all just a light smither of mayonaise. Delicious and all in a lovely ambiance.Just what Dumaguete needs.
Price P165.

Name......QYOSKO

Where.....Opposite OK pension house.

 

Most of the OP comments I agree with, some don't represent my experience. How Dumaguete ever got to be ranked the #5 place in the world to retire is beyond me. If I was to make a list, it would not make my top 20. It definitely takes a certain kind of person to be able to be happy here. If you come here thinking it's a low-cost alternative to retiring in Hawaii, boy are you going to be disappointed. But, having said that, I've been here for a year and a half and I have found a way to be happy here. The comments about the people and service is not what I have experienced. I usually get water at restaurants, and if not, when I ask it comes quickly and with a smile. Prices do seem to be up, but still are very good compared to what I was used to living in the States so I wouldn't complain. I agree the driving is a serious issue. When you first start you don't realize that things you thought nobody would ever do, they are going to do all the time. I am always aware if there is a motor cycle on my right side because you never know when a Ceres bus going the other way is going to suddenly pull into your lane driving high speed straight at you blinking their lights expecting you to pull over to the edge to get out of their way; or when a tricycle going the other way will see someone walking on your side of the road and suddenly pull a U-turn right in front of you and put on their brakes to pick them up. So getting used to driving here is one of the biggest challenges. It's amazing how if you encounter these people in person they are gentle smiling friendly people, but put them in a vehicle and they drive like aggressive psychopaths. It is an interesting phenomenon.

 

Here is a few pics of that Kitchen now finished, the overall cost was P25K and that included the sink. I forgot to mention I am short of 3 of the ceramic handles, they will be fitted later

 

I think most agree it's an individual thing to choose where to live, country, city, countryside etc. No matter where I live in the world, I have a list of wishes, it's outside of a city in peaceful area, friendly people, near the sea, nice nature, then I make my research and see what's possible. Honestly, I feel happy here in Bacong south of Dumaguete where I live, I don't believe in utopia and don't close my eyes to the bad/negative sides of life. All of us can agree that traffic in Dumaguete is terrible, but it affects us to varying degrees. I choose the time on the day I go city, when I remember it, and take the bike, no big deal to me. There are no special bands that tie me to the Dumaguete area, I look around other places to see if there are a better place to live. Just came home from Cebu island today, look around the west coast of the island, special around Moalboal area. No way I will move, prefer Bacong many times over that area, the only thing is the white beaches they have in some areas, that's not enough to make a move. I think the way we live our lives and choose where to live is where we put our focus. I can get f*cking depressive if I look at politic and that's not only in the Philippines, so I know what's going on but focus on other things which give me more pleasure in life. Today when I was on the ferry Santander to Tampi, I saw I have a flat tire, ask a truck driver if he had some tools I could borrow, he change my tire. Many nice people around, I had a real problem because my tools were disappeared in one way or another, next time I see someone who needs help I remember, how a little help can make a big difference to someone. My conclusion or point is if we focus on the negative sides of Dumaguete sides of Dumaguete city then it's what you see and of course, if you focus on all the positive sides it's what you see. I move here from Panglao because I don't like to live in a tourist place, had 5 years in Bohol, great time but things change, more tourists, international airport, new hotel on the beach, 600 rooms, now what was public beach before belongs to the hotel, money, money makes the world goes around. Freedom is the most important in my life, I don't want to built or buy a house and be forced to live there when you rent easy to move. Back to Dumaguete, I see a lot of positive things, the mall is fine for my needs and Cebu is nearby, restaurants and food places is fine to my needs, after 3 years I know where to go if I need a dentist or new tires for my car, I need that lol. Best of all by living here is the surroundings so many places to go, I like to go on a bike trip, easy to go to other islands, ferry ticket is very cheap. I come from Denmark and live in Asia have always been my dream, I plan to go to Malaysia soon, very close when you live in the Philippines, many places like Bali, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Cambodia, Vietnam just outside the door, cheap ticket for flight compared with trip from Denmark and 30 hours plus in a plane, 4 hours fit me much better, again life depends where we put focus

 

yes i agree... make lemonade out of lemons... this is what my wife and i do each time there is a scheduled brownout... this time we went up into the mountains near pamplona where we hiked and swam in a mountain stream and had a picnic... so scheduled 12 hour brownouts for us have become an opportunity for us to plan a road trip into the mountains where it is cool and to remind ourselves just how very blessed we are to live on this beautiful island... rather than to view it as an opportunity to drag down others (and ourselves at the same time) by complaining about it.

 

UPDATE!!! By the way! The hours are 9am to 9pm. Dining area is clean with open seating and a hostess greeting you at the door. Orders are placed easily and COLD service water is provided without request. There is a bar and alcoholic beverages are offered as well as shakes. The host and hostess crew is very courteous and prompt. An expansive menu; there are traditional Mexican dishes, Philippino cuisine, and American; with promises of adding more as the restaurant grows. With all of the choices it is easy to eat here more than once a week! The tortillas are hand made from mesa, the wrap is whole wheat, the salsa is fresh with real cilantro! The guacamole is simply amazing, chilled with a creamy blend of tomatoes and a hint of cilantro! This folks is authentic cooking with love! The balance of fresh flavors with talented cooking. Well done Juan and crew - I am thankful for the good food and warm welcome! I wish you many more good days in the future.

 

I use the day resorts with pools around Dumaguete quite often. I usually have a date with me, so my preference in swimming facilities is to be as first class as possible, with a heavy theme type environment, and private away from the crowds. I do not look for exercise pools. Most of the facilities I like are very competitively priced, but none are free. I do not favor using the facilities on the weekend, as there are too many visitors then. The entrance fee seem to be flexible based on time of year and upgrades to the facilitates, and though I have listed some fees, I would not guarantee any prices down to the peso. Other than the lap pool category most are recreational pools, not exercise type pools. I have listed the different swimming area in my order of my experience preference not economics. None are outrageously priced in my humble opinion and I am sure I have missed more than a few place. Many are family owned which shows in the care of the facilities and level of service. Most day resorts had to start charging day fees, because there were just too many free loaders, so good luck finding a free facility. If you look up the facilities on the internet be sure look for cabana fees, as often time those really alter the overall cost of you visit. Remember we are entering summer, school is out, so the demographics for the day use facilities maybe a little different now than from my recent experiences.

COMMERCIAL RESORT POOL FACILITIES:

Bambulo Resort (Bacong- family owned) is actually the most economical for the price but it is not free. It is my first choice for a swimming facility. It is 80 P to be in the pool area, but you get to use the pool, a gazebo/cabana (often an extra charge at other facilities) miniature golf and it is a first class day resort. The food and drink is available. The best part is that during the week, the facilities my be almost empty ( your experience may vary). Friday they have have a "Japanese all your can eat Buffet (including ice tea) for about 300 P, but do not quote me. That is a good way to round out the day, particularly if you have a date. Many times I go Friday afternoon and stay for the Buffet. Surprisingly is is not too busy with 20-30 people (half full). Reservations are good to have to insure they have enough food for all the "all you can eat-ers." The host, Addy is very freindly and helpful. Like Mike's beach resort, Huiz Swimming Pool, Red Rock hot springs this is a family run business with family on the premises most of the time. Bambulo is closed on Monday and Tuesday. Pool is clean and chlorinated daily. Atmosphere is natural Filipino done to what I would say is international standards. Welcome to Bambulo | BAMBULO

Mike's Beach Resort (Duain - family owned. ) is a dive resort and caterers to divers. However it a wonder boutique type resort for the day user, when the divers out exploring Apo island. The food is great. The fee were 100 P for use of pool. Mike is a great host, most of the time, but his business in diving.. so day users are not his priority. Pool is clean and chlorinated daily So do not hesitate to visit it if you get a chance. www.dumagueteinfo.com/dumaguete-city/sightseeing-dumaguete-suburbs/forest-camp-valencia-dumaguete/

Huiz Swimming (Dumaguete -family owned) pool is the best alternative to Bambulo on Monday and Tuesday when Bambulo is closed. The entry fee is also 80 P, but the cabanas are extra. Most afternoons on Monday and Tuesday, I am the only one there, or there will one other party of people there. I like that private feature Pool is clean chlorinated daily. the facilities are very nice. They do not have food service other than snacks www.facebook.com › Places › Dumaguete City › Public Swimming Pool

Forest Camp (Valencia) is very nice beautiful natural setting of multiply pools, rock climbing wall and zip line. It is a beautiful place and again best on the weekdays. I have never found it to be empty, but usually not crowded during the week. Entrance fee is about 80 p per person. They also have skateboard facilities. I do not remember the present entry fees, but they are inline with the other alternatives, but they do have some free cabanas as well as fee cabanas... first come first pick. They seem to allow food to be brought in, but also have food service. The biggest negative is the water is COLD...like Red Rock Waterfall, and Tejero. . www.dumagueteinfo.com/dumaguete-city/sightseeing-dumaguete-suburbs/forest-camp-valencia-dumaguete/

Red Rock Waterfalls (Valencia) is a very natural place. The water is cold pools are natural and smaller than the other places. The fees are about 25 P per person, but the cabanas are extra. . The recent rains modified some of the pools but they were busy removing rocks. It is a great place to visit at least once for the scenery. It is smallest, but again going at the right time makes all the differences. The trip/ride to the waterfall is very very picturesque, including going by the steam vents of Valencia; traveling-up.com/red-rock-waterfalls-near-dumaguete-city/

Red Rock Hot Springs (Valencia) is very nice hot spa. It does not really accommodate swimming but the pools are nice, and the people are visiting are always congenial for conversation. The visitor are from all parts of the world. Snack are available. Entry is about 40 P each, but the cabanas are extra. The trip/ride to the waterfall is very very picturesque, (same as road to RedTock Waterfalls) including going by the steam vents of Valencia; traveling-up.com/red-rock-waterfalls-near-dumaguete-city/

Tejero Highland Resort and Adventure Park (Valencia) is just short ways down the road from Forest Camp It is a favorite spot of the young teenage crowd. If you like to be surrounded by young people in a noisey environment this is the place for you. This is a nicefacility if you're with a group. You can bring your own picnic and have fun in the pool. The brave can go for a zip line adventure The entrance fee (but the cabanas are extra,) and food is very reasonable, a little cheaper than the other places as their target guest is a Filipino. The pools are huge, designed for the masses you will incurred when visiting there. There are cabanas for rent. It is more a Filipino focused facilities, meaning do not expect the cabana you rented will not be occupied by another group of Filipinos if they can sneak on your table. Tajeros is definitely as place for the masses.

Tierra Alta Residential Resort, Valencia, Negros Oriental. ... swimming pool with an astounding panoramic view of Dumaguete City and the Neighboring islands. Although this is a dramatic pool facilities that will impress any Filipino, it seems to have no shade and would most likely be hard to sit in the Summer sun on the large pool decks. My during the week visits, I have never seen anyone on the pool deck, but the view is great. It is probably a great place to take a Filipino date early in the relationship if you want to impress her. There is a nice restaurant, and a very impressive gate structure going up to the facilities. I am not sure of the pricing. I designed many pool facilites in the US, and although this site is impressive with it views, it lacks a lot of design intimacy and sophistication. The fact that you look over a fantastic panorama view of Dumaguete, only to have a set of power lines about 25 meters off the pool deck in the middle of the view, shows the amount of thinking that really went into the design. The utility consultant would have been fired from any design team I worked on for that blunder alone. This is a very impressive macho facility, including a bell tower you can walk to the top, but I am not sure how practical the facility would be for day use. I have never used the pool. tierraaltaresort.com/

Pigeon Resort (Dumaguete) is great place for large groups, but is not my cup of tea, as I like more intimate theme type Day resorts. It seems to have the potential for swimming laps. I have never acualually used the facilities : Pigeon Resort

LAP POOL FACILITIES:

There is a competitive lap type pool at the Provincial park area, located just behind Freedom Park, this swimming pool is not only huge, but at only 45 cents entry it's a great pool for exercise. I have never been there so I know little about it other than is cheap and is good for exercise type swimming. Other posters may have more information.

Check the internet for more information and current day use fees to find the best choice for you. These facilities all seem to be in a constant flex regarding hours, fees and open days.