⌛ Our trip to Dumaguete

OK

So, we are both now back in Cebu after what was a wonderful trip to Dumaguete. We both really had a great time there and look forward to returning in the future.

Our trip started at 6am on a wet and rainy Saturday morning. I wanted to get to the resort around midday and thought that the earlier we leave the better. Unlike other places I have lived and worked, Transport here is extremely punctual and on time (Yes, I did say punctual and on time!!) The bus left promptly, arrived at Lilo-An port at 8.25, the boat was leaving at 8.30am, which it did on time and 30 mins later we were in Dumaguete. If you have a lot of heavy luggage it is hard work getting onto the boat but I managed it. At the port of Sibulan we were met by our resort driver who had us at the resort of El Dorado by 10am!!! A total travelling time of 4 hours.. The cost for the bus from Cebu was 215 pesos; the boat journey was 45 pesos. The boat leaves the port in Lilo-An every hour on the half hour, starting at 6am, .and then leaves Sibulan port on the hour every hour..

I had been worried about the weather and had even debated about leaving Cebu as the forecast had said heavy thunderstorms all week. Well, the Saturday it did rain heavily the whole way from Cebu. But, the weather for the whole week in Dumaguete was great, sunshine every day and a little rain at night.

The resort itself was very, very nice, right on the beach. Unfortunately it was their busiest week of the season with over 32 divers there and the instructors/guides were working flat out. Donesa, my girlfriend was enrolled in her open water dive course but they could not give her a schedule to complete it, we just had to wait until the day in question and they would tell her when she would have her next session. One of their instructors, Philippe did turn out to be a big help to her. She was very nervous at the start of the course but he was very helpful and patient and worked throughout his lunch hour to get her through the course. Donesa passed with flying colors, she only missed a couple of questions on the exam and her confidence grew daily and on the last couple of days we were able to dive together, both at the sanctuary on the beach and a wonderful day at Apo Island.

No one else from the resort seemed keen on going on a dolphin watching tour so it looked like we would have to miss out on that part of our trip, which was a little disappointing. However, we were blessed with a great view of a large school of dolphins on our way back from Apo Island. We were all just relaxing and sunbathing on the boat when someone spotted some dolphins in front of us. The boat driver did a neat job and followed them for about 15 minutes while about 20 to 25 of them swam around us. It was a great end to an awesome day.

We both had a really nice time at the resort. We did not get to see a lot of the surrounding area but what we did se we really liked. Dumaguete was clean compared to Cebu and reasonably pollution free which made riding the jeepney’s a lot more fun.

We met up with Rhoody and had a very nice meal at Mikes Adventure dive shop on the Boulevard in Dumaguete and we also had a pizza at Shakeys.

The only strange thing about the dive course that Donesa completed was the swimming part. We both knew that show was supposed to be able to swim 200 meters and tread water for 10 minutes in order to pass the course. Now, 6 weeks ago Donesa could barely swim 50 meters without stopping, but she worked really hard and swam 3 times a week at the local pool where she lives and by the time of her course she could easily manage the 200 meters. When she enquired from her instructor when she would have to do the swimming part of the exam he replied “You are here to dive not swim”!!! This surprised us a little bit. She defiantly felt a lot more comfortable doing the diving as a much stronger swimmer and felt this gave her a lot more confidence in the water!!

We will definitely return to Dumaguete, it’s a beautiful area and I am sure in years to come it will get a lot busier (unfortunately!!)

 

Seems like you had a great time here, just not long enough...
Hope Donessa enjoyed the diving. Leave her some peso, that she can come over once in a while to dive with us... hehe

cheers

Rhoody

 

Great that you take the time to write down this experience Tipmart.
Maybe it gives that little push to some of the forum members who love it as well to try once, but need a little help to overcome their fear.

 

Yes, my g/f was very nervous the first time she went diving and surfaced at least 3 or 4 times during her discovery dive. But once she became a stronger swimmer she had a lot more confidence

No chance, if I have to work, she has to study LOL We will be back, we had a great time there

Here are some photos of the trip



Handing some of the local kids candy from the States



Having a meat fondue on our last night



Walking the plank for the boat to apo Island



Approaching Apo Island



The T shirt sellers, one minute the beach is empty, then they attack. Some very, very nice clothes and very cheap!!!



Not too much now!!!



Beautiful waters of Apo island



It's a kids life here!!



So coooool



Congratulations, you passed, go and dive!!!!


This is the charity, "Mercy in Action" that we both help out in Cebu every time we visit, breaks your heart when you see the kids but they always have a smile for you

 

nice photos tipmart, you have a beautiful gf.it's nice to know that you have a heart for the needy kids.

Dive instructor look good, maybe I will also go for diving.(LOL)

 

There's only one hot dive instructor in Dumaguete (so the ladies tell me) and he's not in that photo. and we all know who that is, don't we!!

 

Don't give that German too much credit please. Soon he will believe he's REALLY the best one. (and what about me ?)
The one on the photo is a Swiss guy, I believe.
But HOT.... he surely is :D :D
I agree with Daffs, Tipmart. You have a gorgious GF.
Also compliments for her persistence !
BTW...I like the way you make your pics.
Did you ask all those kids permission to publish it here ? :D (joke)

 

hmmmm and I thought the reason why you work is that she can come over for some dives from time to time....

But Jelly is, right NEVER give your girlfriend into the hands of THAT german diving instructor...

Really great shots... I am glad for you guys that it finally worked out with the course. I just finished the OW course of another DI-member and his little mermaid today, another reason for a cold one tonight... hehe

Rhoody

 

Here is the proof that diving makes crazy... only one guy on that picture hasn't been in the water at that stage of his vacation...

... and the coverage of the hand-signal is just for PhilT, in the very likely event that the remote friend of the cousin of his his mother in law would accidentally go on that page, find the thread AND feels offended... hehe...

Rhoody

 

Thanx for the photo, i like divers, i like jokers, i like crazy people....but i think this 2 ........ just too crazy for me…. Now my friend Jelly…what you said ? he is a Swiss ? and what more you know???