Dumaguete City Strolling

Dumaguete Church Plaza Garden

Dumaguete Church Plaza Garden

The coastal city of Dumaguete in Negros Oriental is also considered the land of the gentle people. At some sense I had to agree with that since I found Dumaguete upon first impression very peaceful. You don’t have that sense of danger or urgency. It’s almost like any rural city but this one dominated by the large Silliman University and a lot cleaner in my opinion. And it was a surprise to see a lot of foreign backpackers and nationals are here. Just says something about the place.

Our room at Hotel Palwa

Our room at Hotel Palwa

In Dumaguete, we stayed at Hotel Palwa after doing some rounds at some lodgings there. What attracted us with this place is the color, design, and those impressive details put on the place. Funny I always said that I have to take pictures of the hotel but failed to do so in our trip. But rest assured this is recommended in my list. Kind staff, reasonably priced rooms, wi-fi enabled, near a 24 hour convenience store and very nice facilities.

Gotta have those Budbod Kabog

Gotta have those Budbod Kabog

After visiting Casaroro Falls in Valencia, we went back to the city to freshen up and rest a little. Then we headed out to the market mainly to find the Budbod Kabog delicacy where we were told were served in the afternoon. It is similar to a suman but this one is made of millet bird seed. We got a 100pesos worth with a variety of the original and a choco flavored mixed. that’s about 10 pairs I think

Lighting candles by the Dumaguete Belfry

Lighting candles by the Dumaguete Belfry

Walking around to the Rizal Boulevard from the market, we passed by the popular Belfry which has become one of the city’s landmark. Built in 1760’s the belfry has also been used as a watchtower to warn people of incoming pirates. Across the Dumaguete Church is an interesting Plaza Garden. They have a waste water treatment area there and some plants benefiting from its natural fertilizer making them grow bigger than the usual. Something I would expect to be a brainchild from the folks there are Silliman University.

Check out my North Face Shirt!

Check out my North Face Shirt!

Not to ignore the local colors of the city, a lot of street photographers would be delighted with interesting characters scattered in the city. Like this child who caught my eye. A street child I guess but is not an intrusive as those in Manila who would persistently beg for money. He’s got this cool mask over his head, drinking a soda I think and that interesting North Face shirt worn inside out.

Twilight at the Boulevard

Twilight at the Boulevard

We reached the Rizal Boulevard by sundown. Unlike Baywalk, there are no sunsets here since it’s on the other side of the island. Still the view of the Tanon Strait is relaxing enough to let a number of promenader and joggers hangout the area. Again a number of foreigners who seem to have found this place as their home with their Filipino Counterparts and the obvious backpackers are here. We stayed around for a bit devouring our Budbod Kabog. The original Kabog is really delicious and more refined than the usual suman that it melts in your mouth. The Chocolate counterpart is more like the suman but with twirly stripes of choco along it.

Boulevard night lights

Boulevard night lights

It’s nice walking along the Boulevard at night. I think the place is really safe and one can wander around without any worries. Lot’s of families ad barkadas playing around the area as well as some snack stalls at the far end of the boulevard. To cap of the night, we had a dinner at Jo’s Chicken Inato just in front of Silliman University. It was a sumptuous dinner I think we had 2 servings of the Chicken Inato Meal along with a mushroom dish and a buko halo-halo dessert after. Great Food and Great Place.