Negros Adventure: Part 2: Dumaguete (Day 5)

Day 5:

We took the 3 am Ceres Deluxe Bus to Dumaguete (PhP 285), where we slept for a while. (Just in case you're wondering, the time schedule of the bus changes a lot so you better call on the day you're leaving to ask for the final schedule.) Nope, I must say that I didn’t get a very good sleep. There were parts where the bus was so hot, then it would be so cool (because of the early morning wind coming in), then it would be bumpy… a lot. That apparently, I don’t care that much, but I hit Shee one time, so she forced my head to rest on her shoulder haha Leo was also holding the window across from Victor, so Victor can stop head banging and sleep too haha Eventually, we woke up around 7 am, a few towns away from Dumaguete, because it was so hot. There were traffic in some towns because of the Buglasan Festival and there were parades.

Inside the Ceres Deluxe Bus (the rows were divided into two and three-seaters) - Photo Credits: Victor

When we arrived in Dumaguete, we hired a tricycle to get us to Harold’s Inn (PhP 10/head), where we left our things while we go to Dauin for a swim. We had brunch in some Bicol carinderia near Harold’s Inn, but the seemingly-in charge person was very rude, so we didn’t came back after that one brunch. Then we hired a tricycle to get us to Ceres Bus Terminal (PhP 10/head), then board a bus going to Bayawan and dropped off at Dauin (PhP 20/head).

A tricycle here can fit 6 people (including our big packs)

Brunch in a nearby Carinderia from Harold's Inn

Unfortunately, Ceres dropped us in Dauin Public Market, so we hired another tricycle to get us to the Dauin Marine Sanctuary District 1 (PhP 10/head). Then we discovered that if only the bus dropped us later than sooner (after the public market), the sanctuary is already walking distance from that part.

Anyway, Dauin Marine Sanctuary charges PhP 10/head or if we’re going to rent a table, there would be no entrance fee. Since there were 6 of us, we need a place for our swim things so we rented a table near the shore for PhP 150. There were also life vests (PhP 50) and snorkeling gear (PhP 100) for rent if needed.  I asked, and actually, we could also do beach camping there. Dauin Municipality also charges a PhP 50 snorkling fee.

Rented a hut fronting the beach with a hammock on the side for only PhP 150 inclusive of our entrance fee

I slept for less than an hour in a hammock, while the rest swam and snorkel. (Grabe, tanghali iyon eh! I eventually swam around 3 pm, but I know that the sun is still high though not as much as before.) The corals were beautiful and there were many fish. Siyempre, photo-ops especially with my new Canon D20, which I really bought for this trip! Hehe

Photo-ops on the beach on a very hot sunny day with Apo Island on the scene

Sarap matulog!

Dami fish!

JM poses with the fish and corals

Fish Fish Fish!

We also found the rare mermaid in the world!

At around 4-5 pm, we fixed and tried to dry ourselves. We walked towards the highway to catch another Ceres Bus to Dumaguete (PhP 20), and hired another tricycle to Harold’s Inn (PhP 10). We rinsed ourselves in our suite (PhP 1350 good for 4 people, 2 double beds, with private hot and cold shower, balcony, TV, and ref), and head on out for dinner.

Actually, by this time, we were very hungry, but we weren’t sure what time the Haus of Sansrival will close, so we ended up eating dessert first. Oh my, I don’t know if we’re just hungry or the cake was good, but the cake was really good. Apparently, I am not the only dessert person in our group J We LOVED the lemon pie. We also tasted the sansrival and the sylvannas, which was deemed specialties, and the Sansrival Spaghetti. We also tasted the Date and Walnut, and well, we basically tasted a lot of desserts. (We actually tasted nearly all of them at the end of this trip.)

Then, we took a walk around the Boulevard. We tasted the Tempurahan there, which tasted like kikiam shaped like a tempura actually. We had dinner in some unknown place, then we went to Whatever for some KTV until 2 am. Whatever was really cheap and fun and new. It only costs PhP 99/hr with a very good sound system and some lights. They also served subzero beer for only PhP 45. Unfortunately, they close at 1 am. So sad!

Afterwards, we took a tricycle back to Harold’s where JM and Sharlene can get their things and take a bus bound back to Bacolod. (Yes, nag day trip lang sila in Dumaguete! Saya!)

The funny thing was we were able to persuade Cesar to extend his stay (originally to go home tomorrow, but well, YOLO nga ang turo sa kanya ni AJ and ni Nino so nag extend? Hehe), and things just fell into place with him. He was able to rebook his flight for free to Monday morning after the Maskarra Festival.

Expenses: (I rounded them off… Especially for the food)

Ceres Deluxe Bus to Dumaguete – PhP 285

Tricycle to Harold’s Inn – PhP 10

Deposit for Harold’s Inn – PhP 1350/4 people

Carinderia Lunch – PhP 60

Tricycle to Ceres – PhP 10

Ceres Bus to Dauin – PhP 20

Tricycle to Dauin Marine Sanctuary – PhP 10

Dauin Marine Sanctuary – PhP 150/table/6 people

Life vest rental – PhP 50

Dauin Snorkling Fee – PhP 50

Ceres Bus to Dumaguete – PhP 20

Tricycle to Harold’s Inn – PhP 10

Tricycle to the Boulevard – PhP 10

Hous of Sansrival – PhP 100

Tempurahan – PhP 40 (PhP 4/tempura + sprite)

Dinner – PhP 60 (tapsilog hehe)

Whatever – birthday treat from JM

Tricycle back to Harold’s Inn – PhP 10

Negros Adventure: Part 1: Mt. Kanlaon Climb

Day 1: Preparation Day

Most of the Backpackers United (JM, Sha, Leo, Marlon, Victor, Nino, Ben, and me) had their flights from Tiger Airways, so we arrived in Bacolod and filled up a shuttle van to go to Lopue’s East mall for a fixed price of PhP 150. (It actually takes you up to Bacolod, still with a fixed price of PhP 150.)

L-R: Leo, Victor, Marlon, Sharlene, me, Ben, and Nino. (Photo credit to JM)

There, we met Deo, AJ, and Cesar. We did some last minute shopping and had dinner at Deo's aunt's house. Some were playing video games, some played basketball, while some like yours truly, slept. Most of us already know each other but we met our new climb mates from lloilo, Julius and Troy. After dinner, we met up with Nadz and Dwight, then proceeded to the Deo’s Uncle’s place to stay for the night. Trying to get some rest for the grueling hike ahead. An understatement. Really. I cannot sleep because of the possible insects regardless of the fact that I only had 2-4 hours of sleep for the past 3 days!

Day 2: Guintubdan Trail

The jeep was late in fetching us and we started our trek around 8, from the jump off point which was Guintubtan, about 800 meters above the city according to Julie's watch. We had breakfast of tuna pasta in the jump off point.

BU Challenges Mt. Kanlaon (L-R): Marlon, Sharlene, Cesar, me, Leo, Victor, Nino, AJ, Ben, Julius, Dwight, Troy, Nadz, Deo (Photo Credits to JM)

After an hour or so into the trail, we passed by the Ranchos Dos Waterfalls. Originally, we wanted to do a Wasay-Guintubdan Trail, but due to our numbers (according to Deo), we did the reverse. This was supposed to be where we're going to wash almost at the end of our trek. Since we were all pretty clean at this time, we just took photo ops.

We had lunch in a campsite where other campers were already settled. But there was no one about because they were assaulting at the time. We cook and ate lunch. It started the rain and drizzle, and people started water proofing themselves (aka putting on their rain coats, while I forgot to bring my own and instead put on a garbage bag under my dry fit shirt).

Stretching Time (okay, yeah, we stopped for stretching but it doesn't show on the pic) - Photo Credits: JM

Rocks aplenty. Rock climbing should be part of the training. - Photo Credits: JM

Ranchos Dos Waterfalls

Hurdling ourselves near the cooking area for some heat and shelter against the rain

What can I say about this trail? About today's trek? It was hard. A lot of fallen logs. A lot of logs to go under. Over. Trees to cross with cliffs on both side. The steepness of several slopes. Plus the rain. And the cold there after. Especially for me who failed to bring a raincoat. Haha But learning from Tapulao climb, I waterproof myself by the garbage bag method. Helpful against the cold. We had lunch of menudo in a campsite somewhere.

Water Source Aplenty
(Thus, you only need about 1 liter for hiking because you can continously refill it.)
Photo Credits to Nadz

And on the hike goes, more wind, rain, logs and mud. There was a point where I just want to stay for a while and sleep on the trail. But my climb-mates at the time were Cesar and Nino. I feel guilty for slowing us down and just offered to let them continue without me, while I sleep while waiting for the sweeper team. Nino continued on, but Cesar stayed with me. We talked and bonded for about 30 minutes, eating my trail food, eventually reaching sunset and the dark. It was also getting really cold, so I suggested we go ahead just to get warmed up. But when we shouted, apparently the sweeper team was already near, so we waited for them.

When you see this boundary, have hope. You only have less than an hour to the camp site.

Eventually, we reached our campsite after 30 min to 1 hr of night trekking. I was really cold at this time, I was so glad for some clean warm clothes. We had dinner of tinola, very appropriate for the very cold weather. We also had 2 to 3 rounds of alcohol for socials then slept... I slept very well, thank you very much! I should have savored that night of rest.

I was able to test the water proof socks and they work very well indeed :-) I was happy jumping on mud because I know that it won't seep through my feet hehe Though I may feel the cold and the squishy feeling when stepping on the mud, when I removed them at the end of the day, my feet were cool but dry! Cool!

Victor testing the water proof socks. It can hold water! (Taken in Casaroro Falls, Valencia, Dumaguete)

Day 3: The Assault, Crater, and the start of the Wasay Trail

We woke up around 5 to 6am, and we were hesitant to assault the summit because we didn't think there would be a clearing. We were right hehe but since we were there, we still did the assault. We passed by the kissing rock, where we were to kiss this rock for luck. I was doubtful of such a thing but they said that they all kissed it, so I also did Haha Then we put some rocks up in a sort of stone sculpture (or pile of rocks) after making a wish. The bigger the rock, the more likely it will come true hehe Really?

The Kissing Rock - Photo Credits: Dwight

The bigger the rock, the bigger probability of your wish coming true.

Backpackers United Conquers the Kanlaon Summit - Photo Credits: Dwight

It was so cold up there, that the temperature reading reached 13.4°C if I remember correctly. While we were talking, mists of water would condense in our eyelashes, eyebrows, and hair. Afterwards, it’s like we took a bath, without really getting that wet.

After eating breakfast (luncheon meat), we fixed ourselves and head on out. It was a long day of trekking for us. 2 hours to get to the lunch stop near a lagoon, and another 6 hrs to the camp site via Wasay trail. We had pork adobo for lunch and sinigang na baboy for dinner.

Backpackers United at the Lagoon - Photo Credits: Dwight

If yesterday was hard, today's trek was hell! This is why this trail is also known as "Killing Me Softly". There were parts I couldn't lift my legs anymore. Or bend low enough for the fallen logs. Or slide beneath the logs. I cannot even bend my legs to sit while crawling down a steep slope. Instead of the usual downhill after the summit, there were several uphills then downhill, then uphill again. The sloping seems to reach 90 degrees! Sometimes, there were no trees to hold on to, or if there were trees, they were very bushy. When there was a “flat” land, there were many thorny bush and trees. It would have helped if our guide or porter had a bolo to cut these off.

Example of logs to go under while going down a cliff

Sloping uphills

And many sloping downhills

Hardly a trail can be seen - Photo Credits: Nadz

We had lunch near a clearing with a lagoon so we had some photo ops while waiting for the food to cook. Then 6 more hrs of trekking... It seems to be a blur hehe It became better once we reached the Avatar forest, where the trees were just… amazing. The tree formations and the moss covering them were cool. Seems to be like we’re really in the movie Avatar.

Some you have to really hold on to (aka the need for rock climbing practice)

Logs that you slide underneath (Photo from Nadz camera)

More branches to hold on to

Avatar Forest. Ganda ng weird tree formations - Photo Credits: Nadz' camera (pero sino ba ang kumuha?)

A glimpse of sunset. This is the best clearing that we could get because the mountain was really full of trees and shrubs.

Anyway, eventually after 1-2 hrs of night trekking with less rain today, we reached the camp site which was near a stream, I think. Then dinner. Then socials... Which was way fun-ner than yesterday. Maybe because we were more alive? Or had better sleep the night before? Anyway, we were more rowdy this time around. The girls’ tent was far, so we forced ourselves and all of us slept in one big tent. All 15 of us in 1 tent. Can be fun, but very crowdy. Hence… wasn't able to sleep much.

15 people inside one tent = crowdy + fun + body warmth - Photo Credits: Dwight

Day 4

Yey! Last day of our climb. That was the main thought in my mind!

Regardless, there were still several uphill and downhill as we cross different mountain (ranges) to reach Wasay. Though the second day was still the hardest. There were more downhill than uphill this time. Thank God for small miracles! Hehe There was also the problem of limatik sucking our blood especially during the first and last day of the climb (there were such miniscule problems on the second day because of the exercise we were having) but we weren’t that concerned because it doesn’t hurt really, just itch. And we have some salt to ward them off hehe

There was a part where we reached a stony road, apparently the road where PNOC trucks can enter. We thought it was the finish line, but false hopes! But we were so relieved for a moment, that we lay down on the dirty road for a while as in an accident happened and our bodies were thrown all over the road haha

After that rest stop, we once again went inside the forest and continued our downhill trek. Eventually, we reached a clearing with some cows and were told that there is only about 1-2 hours left! Whew! The trail was now an easy one, and we were able to trail run. The first half of group was already waiting for us for about an hour.

So eventually, we finished and reached the finish line. End of story hehe It seemed like a hazy dream... Or nightmare!  Though I'm so proud of myself for climbing Mt Kanlaon! Though we didn't see the crater, it was a really awesome climb with really good friends!

We once again went to Deo’s Uncle’s place where we washed up and fixed our things. Then we had dinner in Bacolod along Manukan Avenue in Nena Rosa, where Shee was already waiting for us. Then we had a taste of the Maskarra Festival where we went to the tourism office to ask for directions, tried some masks on, and took our picture.

Some of our climb-mates were leaving very early the next day, so we stayed in some street bar and had a few beer to celebrate a successful climb. (There were festivities because of the Maskarra Festival so it was still very loud.)

It was a really long night. After drinking until about 2 am, we split. Nino and Ben were going to walk around until 5:30 am where they would be picked up to go to the airport. Marlon, AJ, Dwight and Nadz also would go home tomorrow, but would sleep at Deo’s Uncle’s place for the remaining of the night. Deo stayed with them. And the rest? Extended Negros adventure including yours truly, Victor, Leo, JM, Sharlene, Cesar and Shee (who only arrived after the climb haha)

Mt. Kanlaon-Bacolod-Dumaguete-Siquijor Pre-Trip

I'm so excited!
We're going to climb Mt. Kanlaon next week from Oct 13 to 15, then will extend up to the Maskarra Festival up to Oct 22. And in between, we'll be touring Dumaguete and Siquijor.
I want to start packing for the Kanlaon trip actually, but I would think that I'm too excited haha
I've been reading up on Dumaguete, on Apo Island, and Siquijor. I'm not really sure we could do all we can because we would be tired from the Kanlaon trip... right? Realistically haha So I'm not counting on that much, but just in case we're up for it, at least I've read up on it hehe

And here's our proposed itinerary with estimated budget based on what I've read around. I've also included the people that would be traveling with us:

Oct 12 – Booking Reference: P1T58Y

1250	Check-in at the T4 Airport: Terminal Fee	PhP 200
1450	Depart MNL NAIA
1506	Arrival in Bacolod-Silay Int’l Airport: Shuttle bus	PhP 150-200

Oct 13 – 15 – Mt. Kanlaon Climb; Shee’s arrival from MNL

Oct 16 – Bacolod Sightseeing – Shee, Victor, Me, Sharmaine, JM

	Bacolod Sightsee
0000	Depart Bacolod for Dumaguete; sleep in the bus Ceres Bus Lines (433 4993)	PhP 264 à 300

Oct 17 – Dumaguete – Shee, Victor, Me

Plan A

0500	Arrival in Dumaguete
	Valencia Waterfalls and Twin Lakes
	Check-in at Harold’s Inn (?)	PhP 250/night
	Dumaguete City Tour

Plan B

0500	Arrival in Dumaguete
	Valencia Waterfalls and Twin Lakes
	Dumaguete City Tour
	Depart Dumaguete to Bayawan City; drop in Malatapay Market	PhP 20 – 51 (a/c)
	Zamboangita Wednesday Market
	Depart Zamboangita to go to Dauin	PhP 8
	Camp out in Dauin Marine Sanctuary (if applicable)

Oct 18 – Apo Island – Shee, Victor, Me, Deo; Mariel, Ray arrives in Bacolod to travel to Dumaguete

Plan A - wait for Mariel and Ray to arrive in Dumaguete

	Rent a boat for Apo Island	PhP 1500/4 à 500
	Apo Island Snorkling: 100 entrance + 50 snorkling fee 100 rent snorkling gear; 100 life vest; 50/day camping	100 + 50
	Trek to the Lighthouse	Free I think
	Back to Dumaguete by jeep	PhP 20
	Check-in at Harold’s Inn	PhP 250/night

Plan B - wait for Mariel and Ray to arrive in Siquijor island

	Rent a boat for Apo Island
	Apo Island Snorkling: 100 entrance + 50 snorkling fee 100 rent snorkling gear; 100 life vest; 50/day camping	100 + 50
	Back to Dumaguete by jeep	PhP 20
1700 1940	Ferry to Larena via Weesam Express (1 hour) Ferry to Siquijor via Ocean Fast Ferries (45 min)	PhP 180 PhP 200
	Beach camping in Siquijor

Mariel, Ray – arrival in Bacolod; midnight bus to Dumaguete, then ferry to Siquijor

	Arrival in Bacolod; Bacolod sight-see?
0000	Depart Bacolod for Dumaguete
0500	Arrival in Dumaguete
0600 0700 1000 1115 0545	Ferry to Siquijor via Delta Fast Ferry (917.532.3588/400.6043) Ferry to Larena via Weesam Express (1 hr) Ferry to Siquijor via Delta Fast Ferry (420-0888) Ferry to Siquijor via Weesam Expres (30 min) Ferr to Siquijor via Jaylann (1-2 hrs) - 480.5534, +(63)915.891.1426	PhP 160 120

Oct 19 – Siquijor – Victor, Me, Mariel, Ray, Deo - Shee

	Siquijor tour
	Beach camping

Shee – leaves Siquijor by noon so she can catch her flight

1015 1215 1230 1500

Ferry from Siquijor via Delta Fast Ferry Ferry from Siquijor via Weesam Epress (30 min) Ferry from Siquijor via Delta Fast Ferry Ferry from Siquijor via Delta Fast Ferry

160 + 15

Oct 20 – Back to Maskarra Festival

0530 0555 0600 0600 0800	Ferry from Larena via Delta Fast Ferry (420-0888) Ferry from Siquijor via Delta Fast Ferry Ferry from Larena via Weesam Express (1 hr) Ferry from Siquijor via Ocean Fast Ferries (30 min) Ferry from Larena via Weesam Express (1 hr)	160 + 15
0700?	Depart from Dumaguete to Bacolod via Ceres	300
	Check-in at a Hotel c/o Victor	300-325/night
1500	Maskara Street dance – schools category @ Baclod Public Plaza
1600	MassKara Arena Competitions (Schools) @ Bacolod Public Plaza
1800	Electric MassKara Day 2: Lights Up, Music On @ Tourism Strip
2000	Electric MassKara Performing Float Competitions Kick off at SM Rizal
2100	Electric MassKara Floats converge @ Tourism Strip, Lacson Street
2230	Cosplay on the Glow: The ABS-CBN/ MOR 101.5 Electric Cosplay competition @ Tourism Strip, Lacson SMB Band @ Gonzaga Street

Oct 21 –Maskarra Festival

1500	Streetdance – Barangay Category from Libertad Araneta to Bacolod Public Plaza @ Bacolod Public Plaza
1600	MassKara Arena Competitions (Barangays) @ Bacolod Public Plaza
1800	Electric MassKara Day 3 @ Tourism Strip
1900	SMB Music Night (Disco) @ San Juan St. & Gatuslao St.
1900	Winners’ Showdown Electric MassKara float competition

Oct 22 – Back to Manila

2140	Depart BCL for Manila
2250	Arrival in Manila

So many possible variations especially once we're in Dumaguete... And I should also take into account the body pain that we will be experiencing after the climb hehe

Anyway, I'll blog about our trip in two weeks time hehe I hardly think I could live life's adventures when I'm blogging hehe

I'm so excited, I bought an underwater camera (after 2 years of thinking about it! I was supposed to get one after passing the board exams hehe). My dad bought me some trekking poles that I have yet to try out. Darn, I want to start packing haha I'm going to buy later some waterproof bags and maybe an extra battery for my new camera hehe