Bethel Guest House

Yes, it's an old inn but still remains one of the best in Dumaguete.

This lodge is just along the Rizal Boulevard and, because of the locals' familiarity with the place, it has also become a landmark.

Because of its squeaky clean image and its set-up, Bethel Guest House reminds me of a hospital.  Nonetheless, it is a comfortable place for sleeping and writing.

I like their cafeteria. It has a good selection of delectable dishes. They currently have this dinner buffet every Friday, Saturday and Sunday which I took advantage.

Hanging-out at their restaurant has been a pleasurable experience since this overlookI like their cafeteria. It has a good selection of delectable dishes. They currently have this dinner buffet every Friday, Saturday and Sunday which I took advantage.

For travelers interested in the staying at the Bethel Guest House, you can book a room through their website at: http://www.bethelguesthouse.com/   or you can call them at tel no. (035) 225-2000.  The studio room where I was in was worth Php 850 for one night.

Walking around Dumaguete

Why Dumaguete?  Why not?!  It's near Cebu and is not as overdone as Bohol with regards to tourism promotion. I'm assured that there won't be hordes of visitors when I arrive at the seaport.
 
I was not disappointed. Dumaguete's Rizal boulevard is a welcoming sight.  Its attractive promenade is immediately visible when the Cokaliong vessel which I rode arrived at the port.   From the white lamp posts lining up the stretch and trees swaying in the sea breeze, I was quickly taken in by this provincial charm.

I actually liked riding the tricycle down the boulevard towards Bethel Guest House where I was billeted at 3:50 in the morning. Despite being a medium-sized city, Dumaguete has none of the frenzy of Cebu or Iloilo. The city remains peaceful thoughout the day.

I especially liked taking my breakfast at the cafeteria overlooking the acacia trees and the sea. There is something consoling about watching early morning joggers while sipping cold tea and soya milk.  It feels like everything is right with the world.

Forest Camp Resort

I was in Valencia, Negros Oriental the other week and went straight to the Forest Camp Resort via tricycle.  I went there at the spur of the moment.

I originally went to Negros for Dumaguete. I wanted to experience its laid back charm and delicious cuisine. I needed a quick vacation and Dumaguete seems to fit the bill.  But when I dropped by the tourism office and read one of their brochures, I got curious about the camp which is in nearby Valencia.

I called the proprietor asking for directions and inquired about transportation.  And before 7:30 in the morning I checked out of Bethel Guest House and hopped on a tricycle outside the hotel to Forest Camp Resort. I paid Php 150 to the driver for the one way trip.

The camp is just around 2.5 hectares; smaller than Cebu's Kan-irag Nature Park. But this relaxing hideaway makes the most of small area's natural charm with its river fed pools, hanging bridge, brooks, farm animals (geese, birds etc), and quaint cottages for rent.

If you happen to be living or visiting oriental Negros, try dropping by the camp. I do encourage nature tripping for everyone. It is definitely better than malling.

Getting to Dumaguete is easy: You can either take the plane, fast craft or the slow boat. I prefer the slow boat which leaves at 7:00 in the evening and arrives early morning.   Not only is the slow boat cheap (I took the economy which costs Php 300.00), it also allows me to sleep throughout the trip.  Moreover, pier 1 docking area is just near my office.  So after office hours, I can immediately sail away.

Pier Cuatro Hotel

As the name says, it's near Cebu's pier cuatro. It has affordable rooms that range from Standard at Php 980 to Superior Room at Php 1,860 a night.

Their location is convenient for travelers who plan to proceed to other islands the next day via ship. This is also convenient for those participating in one of the trade fairs at SM City Mall in North Reclamation area.

They have a function room for meetings. However, in this period of frequent brownouts, their generator was not adequate to run the aircon and lights during our office conference / meeting.  Food served was generally OK but sometimes soup was too salty or the dessert bland.

My officemates said that the rooms were OK but could be hot during a brownout since the generator cannot carry much of the power requirements in teh hotel.  They feel insecure outside the hotel at night considering that the pier area is known for hold-ups, especially in dark corners.

The Gustavian, a local favorite

There’s a blog that says one would know a city has achieved global hub status when even the most uncommon of international cuisines is adopted wholeheartedly by both natives and expats alike... that explains the success of The Gustavian in Cebu.

An upscale restaurant and delicatessen that specializes in Baltic, Scandinavian food and French style cooking, The Gustavian is the inspiration of Chef Robert Lilja a renowned master Chef and Saucier who was previously named as the No. 1 in customer satisfaction for the Marriott Hotel chain and was one of their star chefs. Chef Robert has risen through the ranks at some of the finest restaurants in Europe.

Lhuillier owned, you may be unaware that The Gustavian now isn’t as expensive as it used to be, food prices now appeal to ordinary mall goers in Ayala, Marina and Paseo Saturnino in Cebu. 

For more adventurous palates, the restaurant has this eat-all you-can lunch and dinner buffets at only Php 490 – 500 which are at par with those offered by hotels.

The Gustavian bakes its own bread. You can also find jams and chocolates from Switzerland and Belgium. For balikbayans who hate lugging all the pasalubong, maybe they could purchase some items here.
 
Now with its own farm, this Euro restaurant caters to expats, tourists who are homesick and locals. 

The Gustavian recently opened branches in Metro Manila.

A pension house downtown

I hadn't thought of checking-in at a pension house downtown.  The grime alone in that part of the city turns me off.

But its seems Pacific Tourist Inn has its own attractions. First of all, the aircon rooms are cheap (it probably are the cheapest in Cebu). More on the plus side, you only pay for what you need.

The inn is just a few steps away from restaurants and is within the shopping district.  It is near Metro Gaisano, Colonnade, and Unitop  (Ayala and SM is just a jeepney ride away).

I ate breakfast at the Manila Foodshoppe / restaurant which is a stone's throw away.  I had early dinner at the La Fortuna bakery and restaurant which is across the street.

It may be look a bit scruffy outside, but the Pacific Tourist Inn is relatively clean.  Moreover the area is not dangerous, there are always working class people outside the inn.  Its location is ideal for those who have been going overtime at the office and find it inconvenient to go home or for those locked out of their house.

The cheapest rooms at the inn have no windows and no television.

Pacific Tourist Inn also has a wifi facility and a cafeteria called East Cafe.

For reservations, Pacific Tourist Inn contact numbers are: 256-2796 or 253-2151 to 57

International Food Galore

If someone asks me about my favorite foods, I'd say anything edible and interesting to my taste buds.  I get bored easily so the more variety and creativity goes into the cooking the better. Of course, good, rich flavor should also be a major part.

Filipino food will always be close to my heart, but I'd rather go for an international menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  My relatives actually think that maybe I live to eat but what the heck. I love eating.

So whenever I go to some place new, I check-out their delicacies and specialties.  It's part of cultural learning. I also look at their buildings' architecture and infrastructure, but food is always number one for me.  

I can't understand tourists who go to a foreign place and expect to have their own comfort food which usually includes hamburger, french fries and fried chicken, not that I have anything against these edibles. But, c'mon, there's a big world out there and a humongous variety of eatables.  Why settle for the usual. 

Still, most tourists spend several dollars to go outside of their country yet expect foreigners to cook food the way they do back in their own country ?!!  Preposterously insane. 

There is wisdom in getting out of your comfort zones once in a while.  It will not kill you unless the food has Salmonela. Remember that tourist who refused to eat native food? Well, he got food poisoning from, of all things, lettuce.  So, eat native but insist on recently cooked food to be on the safe side.

When I was in Bangkok, I had Phad Thai, Tum Yum soup and melon-mango shake.  Here in Cebu, I visit restaurants that serve international food such as The Gustavian, Persian Palate, Krua Thai, Nonki, etc.