Hey Hivers!
Do you miss traveling as much as I do?
Well, I'm home with travel withdrawal symptoms, reminiscing on the lovely weekend I spent in Dumaguete last summer.
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Ferry Port in Dumaguete Centre
Windy Walk Along the Boulevard
Currently living in Moalboal, 85.4 KM south of Cebu City, every now and then my husband @scubahead and I would readily do a short trip over the neighbouring island of Negros and make our way to the city of Dumaguete. It's a picturesque 1.5 hour drive along the coast from Moalboal to Bato, and a 15 minutes ferry ride to Negros. The ferries are cheap and run at regular 30 mins intervals weather permitting. However, this trip in particular was out of the norm, because I was traveling solo and meeting up with my girlfriend Yum.
We are anticipating a fulfilled weekend of endless chatter, yoga, gym, touring,restaurant and cafe hopping.
The city of Dumaguete is smaller than Cebu City, so you can always expect less traffic congestion, a slower pace of living and Dumaguete is known as a city of gentle people.
Easy U-turn as no traffic
Heading to Valencia, a residential village on the outskirts of the city - 20 minutes away. It is noticeably cooler as we're on an elevation in the mountains and it's green and lush with fresh air. The clouds open up and there's a heavy downpour of rain.
As we drive along the main road, through the mountains, I'm bemused by the stifling smell of what I think is rotten eggs, before noticing steam or what looks like a "smoky mountain". I quickly learn that it's a natural geothermal sulfur vent
Valencia Sulfur Mountain River (Heat from the Earth)
Foul-smelling with breathtaking views, we stop off to explore. We cross the river on a narrow rope bamboo bridge to admire the huge river rocks and surrounding nature. The oozing steam from the rocks has the same comforting effect of tea on a cold winter night. Fascinated, we linger!
Heavy continuous rain forces us to cancel our plans for the nearby waterfalls, and instead we venture to one of our favourite souvenir shops called Subida, before stopping for for a quick meal at one of Valencia's many tea houses dotted across the village.
Free Bayong Bag (native bag traditionally used for carrying roosters)
Miniature craft tricycle, made by a man born with no hands.
My trip ending is near, but rain or shine I make it to "True Love Jamaican Restaurant" to hail up my Jamaican brethen Orville.
Thanks for your time. I feel better thinking about the freedom of movement and the lovely times I've had in Dumaguete - one of the first trips we'll make as soon as borders are open and free travel is permitted.