Best Posts in Forum: Dumaguete City

I made my first order with Alibaba in August. Sadly, I did not see the "Alibaba scam" website in time. (https://andrewminalto.com/alibaba-s...e8b76c0058e7784fc72be6580fedf3#comment-483822) I ordered an item (Sine Wave Inverster with UP and Charger) from a vendor, Guangzhou City PooJin Electronic Technology Co., Ltd., and they were a few days late in sending it. This vendor is an Alibaba “Trade Assurance” and “Gold Supplier.” (Supposedly, trustworthy to have Alibaba back them up.) They sent a tracking number that the shipper never showed even existed. Meantime, I am screaming via email to the vendor’s rep. He assured me it was on the way. It arrived two weeks after it was due and it was the wrong item. The vendor sent an inverster without the internal UPS and charger. I went back and forth for weeks with Alibaba submitting evidence, pictures, etc. Once they offered a US$80 credit and keep the item. But it is not something I need or want. I offered further evidence, and they came back and offered $100. It’s still a rip off since the vendor is probably still making a profit from sending an inferior product, so I refused the settlement. Then, a week later Alibaba said they were awaiting evidence from the vendor. Today, Alibab says the vendor presented evidence that what I was presenting pictures of was not an item from them. Case closed! They provided no evidence to me of what the vendor said or showed to them. They just sided with their vendor. Yikes! This is how Alibaba “Trade Assurance” and “Gold Supplier” status protects you, i.e. not at all!

WATCH OUT!

 

On two occasions in the last week I have witnessed an expat being disrespectful, rude and aggressive towards the local staff in a supermarket. For very minor reasons (I won't go into the details as it's not really relevant) the two men started finger pointing, raising their voices, and hurling insults towards the staff such as "you have no brain!", "you're an idiot" and "why are all Filipinos so stupid?"

One shop assistant was actually in tears, the other close to tears. On both occasions I felt it necessary to apologize on behalf of their behaviour and explain they were being unreasonable and not to worry about it or take it personally.

Please please can we all try and be patient and more understanding. Have you no appreciation of the "saving face" culture here? The staff are just acting under instructions and doing their best.

I was, quite frankly, both embarrassed and disgusted by what I saw. I condone violence but must confess I felt an overwhelming desire to punch them!

I truly hope not many locals think this is how foreigners behave here. Remember we are guests in their country and the people here are generally extremely welcoming, friendly and hospitable. I hope this doesn't change because of idiots like these........

 

Last week I stopped along National Hwy to pick up my wife from a store. I pulled over on the side, she saw me and started walking out to come to the car. There was a traffic enforcement officer standing nearby and he stepped in front of my car and took a picture, then came to my window and asked for my license just as my wife was getting into the car. I said, I will give you my license but you can not write me a ticket because I am not "parked", I am just temporarily stopped for the purpose of picking up a passenger which I am allowed to do. He said, "yes sir, I understand" and walked over to a little table on the sidewalk and filled out a ticket for Illegal Parking which he then came back and handed to me.

Here is the actual section of R.A.4136:
(l) "Parking or parked", for the purposes of this Act, shall mean that a motor vehicle is "parked" or "parking" if it has been brought to a stop on the shoulder or proper edge of a highway, and remains inactive in that place or close thereto for an appreciable period of time. A motor vehicle which properly stops merely to discharge a passenger or to take in a waiting passenger, or to load or unload a small quantity of freight with reasonable dispatch shall not be considered as "parked", if the motor vehicle again moves away without delay.

Today I went to the LTO office (not the office where you go to pay the ticket) and went in to speak to the manager who has a small office in the back. I walked in and he asked what can I do for you? I showed him the ticket, he said this is not where you pay, I said I do not want to pay I want to explain that this ticket was not legally issued. He asked what do you mean? I explained that I had just stopped to pick up my wife and within a few seconds the enforcement officer came and gave me the ticket and that does not count as "illegal parking" and the ticket was not justified. He laughed and took the ticket from my hand and said "no problem sir, I will have this voided for you".

It is only a 200php fine, and my wife said just pay it don't argue about it. I said no, it's not the amount, it's the principle, plus I don't want this on my record. It turned out to be very easy to have the ticket voided. I'm sharing this in case a similar thing happens you should know what the law is, and that getting a ticket dismissed if you did not deserve it is not difficult to do.

 

I was shopping in Robinsons for mens clothing and need to try on some shorts. I took several shorts along with some shirts to the dressing area. I had just recently received a very expensive pair of sunglasses and took them off in the dressing area and put them out of the way so they would not be damaged......I also forgot to get them when I left.

About 15 minutes after we had left the store I noticed I no longer had my glasses. Went back to Robinsons and one of the young men fetched the glasses for me which had been found by someone there. Thank you to Robinsons and also the young man that retrieved the glasses.

 

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

 

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.