We visited the Cata-al World War II Museum, which is an interesting museum up in Valencia. Worth a visit?
The Cata-al World War II Museum, located in Valencia, Negros Oriental, Philippines, is a private collection housed in the home of Felix Cata-al, a passionate collector and WWII enthusiast. The museum boasts an impressive array of over 400 artifacts, including weapons, uniforms, medals, and personal belongings from both the Japanese and American sides of the war. Visitors can explore the museum's extensive collection, which offers a fascinating glimpse into the Philippines' role in World War II.
So was it worth a visit? If you have the slightest interests of WWII or militaria in general, then yes I can recommend a visit there!
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Go Hotels in Dumaguete, surprisingly good!
I spent one night at Go Hotels in Dumaguete and it was surprisingly good. I usually have other options in Dumaguete but they were fully booked. I kind of hesitated when I arrived there coz at this time they were renovating the place so I was worried it might be very noisy. The receptionist promised me that it wouldn't be any problem with noise and it turned that she was right.
Convenient location
Go Hotels is nothing for the one who is looking for a beach resort near the sea with amazing sunsets and a white sand beaches. Aside from that Go Hotels has a very convenient location. It's 2 minutes walking distance from Robinson mall with shopping and restaurants. It's 5 minutes walking distance from the Ceres bus terminal. It's 10-15 minutes walking distance from downtown and the famous Rizal Bouleward (Or just the Boulevard) where you have everything you can wish for.
The adjacent coffee shop
The room but no breakfast
The room came with a private shower and CR and it was nice and clean. The AC was quiet and easy adjustable. The TV was working with all the channels that you ever want. The bed was fresh and of good quality so I had a good night's sleep. I paid 1500 PHP for one night and the breakfast not included.
Breakfast in the coffee shop. Nothing out of the ordinary, a traditional beef tapas with coffee stick and creamer. The breakfast was not included in the room price.
Conclusion
If you are not looking for a beach resort or that cozy little family owned hotel with personal service and home cooked food... well then Go Hotels can be an alternative. Competitive price, good location, nice and clean room make Go Hotels to an excellent choice to stay for a couple of days.
Related posts to Negros >>>Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park
I had my two Swedish friends visiting me here in the Philippines, so I wanted to show them how beautiful the nature can be in Negros Oriental. I decided to take them to Balinsasayao Twin Lakes not far from Dumaguete. We had our own transportation so the ride from Dumaguete went smooth as silk. Every time when I drive up that mountain slope of Mt Talinis I get stunned how beautiful it is.
My two friends from Sweden were also impressed of the views on our way up the mountain
Before we arrived at Balinsasayao Twin Lakes we needed to register and pay at the visitors center. After registration we needed to drive for additional 5-10 minutes to reach the actual park.
Behind the visitors center...
Behind the visitors centers we took some stunning pictures. There is this lake which I don't know the name of which is really beautiful. The surface of the lake was like a mirror. After registration and paying the entrance fee we saddle up again and drove for another 10 minutes before we came to Lake Balinsasayao.
A small fishing boat
Walk or rent a boat
When we arrived at the Lake Balinsasayao I presented the two main options for my friends. Walk or rent a boat. We wanted to go to the watch tower between the two lakes so either we could walk the trail along the shore or rent a boat. But since we all needed a little bit exercise they decided that we would walk the trail. The trail itself is not long, only maybe around 600-700 m to the watch tower.
One of the twin lakes, the Lake Balinsasayao. Depth 90 m and around 850 m above the sea level. From here you can rent small boats for roaming around in the lake.
The watch tower
Our walk to the watch tower went well and took about 20-30 minutes. I was amazed by the fresh air and how quiet it was. We only met a few other visitors here. We stayed for a while and just enjoyed the scenery before we started going back. If you are the sporty type of person, I recommend the trail if not go for the boat.
They were also admiring the view over Lake Balinsasayao, but they came by boat
This little guy was very curious on me and likewise I was curious on him
When we came back after our walk we saw these two guys fishing... I didn't see them catching anything though.
The video is a compilation of our walk back and forth the watch tower
Facts:
Description
Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park is a natural park surrounding Lake Balinsasayao and Lake Danao in the province of Negros Oriental, 14.5 km west of Dumaguete. Lakes Balinsasayao and Danao are two small crater lakes separated by a narrow mountain ridge. They are located on the eastern slope of the Talinis mountain range which are volcanic in origin. Lake Balinsasayao has maximum depth of around 90 metres (300 ft). The smaller Lake Danao, on the other hand, has a maximum depth of around 58 metres (190 ft). Entrance fee The entrance fee to the park is P100 for foreigners and P50 for Filipinos. A restaurant also At the Lake Balinsasayao there is a restaurant that offers variety of dishes at an acceptable rate. To get there:
Own transportation
The far most convenient way is to have your own transportation. Beware of that the road going up the mountain is very steep at some points, means slippery when it's raining. It's possible to drive your own car all the way up there but motorcycle is preferable. Public transportation With public transportation you can go by bus or jeepney to the Lalaan junction for Twin Lakes, 7.5 km from the Sibulan town or 13.5 km from Dumaguete. Around P10-15 per person. From the Lalaan junction take a habal habal up the mountain an additional 13 km until you reach the Twin Lakes. You find the drivers at the junction. Standard rate is P300 for a solo passenger and P400 for two back and forth. You will probably need to pay the entrance fee for the driver as well since after registration there is an additional distance to cover before reaching the lake. The driver will wait for you until you like to go back. Related links to Negros Oriental >>>
If you like to see other blogposts (including this one) related to Negros Oriental click the link above!
A day at the beach
Get the girls on the motor, don't forget the snorkel and the mask. Leave the bustling city and drive for 30 minutes. Once there, rent a table and buy some snacks and then enjoy the day.
Below the surface
The beach might look a little bit dull with its brownish sand. But wait until you plunge in the sea fully equipped with a mask and snorkel.
Facts:
Marine Sanctuary in Dauin, is about 15-30 minutes travel from Dumaguete City. For those taking the public transport, you can find jeepneys to Dauin at the bell tower in Dumaguete City or near the Robinson's Mall. Fare is PHP 13.00. Inform the driver you are getting off at the corner leading to the Marine Sanctuary. It’s a couple of blocks away or a good 4-5 minutes brisk walk. The entrance fee for the sanctuary is PHP 150 with a table included. Without table it will be less.
Related links:
Review of Allegre Bar and Restaurant Red Rock Hot Spring, Valencia Dumaguete Going to La Verna with the girls Happy birthday Jas Sexy mama The Japanese Shrine Shopping spree Apo island the pearl of the Visayas Outing with the girls Baslay Hot Spring in Dauin Road trip to Sipalay A day of exercise The fine art of eating an ice cream Review of GK Coffee shop in Dumaguete Review of The Tres Bistro in Dumaguete Review of Chapters Café in Dumaguete The Christmas House in Dumaguete Tarbush, a story of love The boulevard in Dumaguete Review of 2Story kitchen in Dumaguete, Negros Review of Gabby's Bistro (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines) Review of Fish 153 Korean Restaurant (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines) Review of Mooon Café Robinsons Place (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines) Review of Café Mafioso (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines) Review of Atong Kamalig Restaurant (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines) Review of San Rival Bistro (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines) Review of Sta Teresa Restaurant (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines) Tierra Alta Residential Resort, Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines Review of Allegre Bar and Restaurant
Allegre Bar and Restaurant is nicely located on Rizal Bouleward and comes with sea view. The competition is fierce in this end of the Bouleward, since Allegre is located just beside Honeycomb and Why Not and they all attract many customers specially in the evenings.
The menu was loaded with goodies to reasonably prices!
Fully recommended!
Aside from beer and drinks in the bar, Allegre serves tapas, steaks, pasta and pizza. We ordered chicken fried with onions and squid cooked in its own ink. The food was delicious and the staff was friendly and helpful. More good things, the prices were reasonably, they had WiFi and the comfort room was clean. So Allegre Bar and Restaurant is fully recommended!
Related links:
Review of Allegre Bar and Restaurant Red Rock Hot Spring, Valencia Dumaguete Going to La Verna with the girls Happy birthday Jas Sexy mama The Japanese Shrine Shopping spree Apo island the pearl of the Visayas Outing with the girls Baslay Hot Spring in Dauin Road trip to Sipalay A day of exercise The fine art of eating an ice cream Review of GK Coffee shop in Dumaguete Review of The Tres Bistro in Dumaguete Review of Chapters Café in Dumaguete The Christmas House in Dumaguete Tarbush, a story of love The boulevard in Dumaguete Review of 2Story kitchen in Dumaguete, Negros Review of Gabby's Bistro (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines) Review of Fish 153 Korean Restaurant (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines) Review of Mooon Café Robinsons Place (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines) Review of Café Mafioso (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines) Review of Atong Kamalig Restaurant (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines) Review of San Rival Bistro (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines) Review of Sta Teresa Restaurant (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines) Tierra Alta Residential Resort, Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines 
A review of Bo's Coffee in Dumaguete
When I came to Dumaguete for the first time it was Bo's Coffee shop which greeted me when I left the pier. Bo's Coffee has a very good location just outside the port on Rizal Boulevard. Under my stay in Dumaguete it almost became my second living room. Good coffee together with something chewable and a reasonable good WiFi, what else can you ask for?
Bo's Coffee in Dumaguete
The coffee made me smile
I wrote in my previous post, the review of UCC Vienna Coffee Shop in Manila, that good coffee makes me smile. It really did specially here at Bo's Coffee! It must have been some artistic soul with the urge to express her (or his) creativity when doing my Lattes. Who wouldn't be smiling when a little bear peers at you from the coffee cup? I appreciated their efforts a lot.
The WiFi could have been better
The staff was always friendly and helpful. The WiFi was reasonable good, but it could have been much better. You couldn't really rely on it. If I had important work to be done I usually went somewhere else where I could be more sure that the WiFi really would work.
Bo's Big Breakfast Club Plate for the hungry ones
All in with the Bo's Big Breakfast Club Plate
Bo's Coffee shop offered breakfasts, pastas, sandwiches, omelettes, and a variety of sweet pastries. Sometimes when I was really hungry and I knew I wasn't going to eat for a while I took the Bo's Big Breakfast Club Plate. Nothing for the one who is on diet and thinking about the cholesterol. Sausages, crispy bacon, home made corned beef, scrambled egg and toast. Everything with a perfect taste. After the Big Breakfast Club I stayed more than full the whole day!
Caffee Latte and an Oatmeal and Raisin Cookie
Less hungry
If I was less hungry I went for the Bacon Lettuce and Tomato Sandwich as breakfast. It always came with crispy bacon and French toast, which is more tasty than the regular toast. They also had vegetarian alternatives like for example the Three Cheese Omelette or the Grilled Italian Veggie Sandwich. When it came to the sugar doping, one of my favorites was the Oatmeal and Raisin Cookie or some of the delicious cheesecakes they had, for example the Blue Berry Cheesecake.
A new competitor the next door
I really like Bo's. They make one of the best Cafe Latte in Dumaguete and have many delicious options to eat. I felt at home there, almost like my second living room. But now there is a new coffee shop actually next door to Bo's. Tom N Toms coffee shop is already open. Unfortunately it was still under construction when I was there but next time I come to Dumaguete I am excited to try Tom N Toms for the first time. I guess the competition will be fierce since they are located door to door to each others.
Related links:
Red Rock Hot Spring, Valencia Dumaguete Going to La Verna with the girls Happy birthday Jas Sexy mama The Japanese Shrine Shopping spree Apo island the pearl of the Visayas Outing with the girls Baslay Hot Spring in Dauin Road trip to Sipalay A day of exercise The fine art of eating an ice cream Review of GK Coffee shop in Dumaguete Review of The Tres Bistro in Dumaguete Review of Chapters Café in Dumaguete The Christmas House in Dumaguete Tarbush, a story of love The boulevard in Dumaguete Review of 2Story kitchen in Dumaguete, Negros Review of Gabby's Bistro (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines) Review of Fish 153 Korean Restaurant (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines) Review of Mooon Café Robinsons Place (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines) Review of Café Mafioso (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines) Review of Atong Kamalig Restaurant (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines) Review of San Rival Bistro (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines) Review of Sta Teresa Restaurant (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines) Tierra Alta Residential Resort, Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines Bringing the girls to Red Rock Hot Spring
Going to Red Rock Hot Spring is a perfect getaway for a day, specially if it's cold weather since the water in the pools are nice and warm. The water is volcanic and comes naturally from the mountain. There are now two pools, they added a kids pool since last year. Well I know everything is relative, but some days can actually be colder than others even in the Philippines and then it's really cozy to slide down in the warm water.
Clean and well maintained
We paid 25 PHP per person to get in and 150 PHP for a table with chairs. They had a kiosk where they sold crisps, biscuits, soft drinks etc and they also had a menu with some simple dishes. We ordered Pancit Canton (noodles), and deep fried fish with fries. Everything was clean and well maintained.
A great time!
To bath and swim in the warm pool was really enjoyable specially for the little one, she had a great time. She behaved almost the whole time... so check the video!
For more info, visit their Facebook page:
Related links:
Going to La Verna with the girls Happy birthday Jas Apo island the pearl of the Visayas Outing with the girls Baslay Hot Spring in Dauin Road trip to Sipalay A day of exercise The fine art of eating an ice cream Review of GK Coffee shop in Dumaguete Review of The Tres Bistro in Dumaguete Review of Chapters Café in Dumaguete The Christmas House in Dumaguete Tarbush, a story of love The boulevard in Dumaguete Review of 2Story kitchen in Dumaguete, Negros Review of Gabby's Bistro (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines) Review of Fish 153 Korean Restaurant (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines) Review of Mooon Café Robinsons Place (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines) Review of Café Mafioso (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines) Review of Atong Kamalig Restaurant (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines) Review of San Rival Bistro (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines) Review of Sta Teresa Restaurant (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines) Tierra Alta Residential Resort, Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines Visiting La Verna Resort in Valencia (late post)
Many pools, some with fish!
La Verna Resort is located 20-30 min with tricycle from Dumaguete in Valencia. The resort had several pools in different sizes. The special thing here was that some pools were with fish, one with bigger fish where you were not allowed to swim and one with smaller fish where you could swim. The water in the pools with the fish looked a little bit dirty so we preferred without fish where the water was clean.
Hey, don't forget to watch the video at the end!
Kids friendly
La Verna Resort seemed to be well maintained and was kids friendly. There were a pool for everyone, young, old or adventurous if you like to swim with the fish. There was a little kiosk where they had basic stuff like coffee sticks, crisps and sodas. But if you like to eat real food then bring your own picnic.
Our visit concentrated as a 1 minute video clip
Related links:
Apo island the pearl of the Visayas Outing with the girls Baslay Hot Spring in Dauin Road trip to Sipalay A day of exercise The fine art of eating an ice cream Review of GK Coffee shop in Dumaguete Review of The Tres Bistro in Dumaguete Review of Chapters Café in Dumaguete The Christmas House in Dumaguete Tarbush, a story of love The boulevard in Dumaguete Review of 2Story kitchen in Dumaguete, Negros Review of Gabby's Bistro (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines) Review of Fish 153 Korean Restaurant (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines) Review of Mooon Café Robinsons Place (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines) Review of Café Mafioso (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines) Review of Atong Kamalig Restaurant (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines) Review of San Rival Bistro (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines) Review of Sta Teresa Restaurant (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines) Tierra Alta Residential Resort, Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines Good bye Dumaguete
Good bye Dumaguete for this time. But I will be back.
I will miss my girls
Flying Dumaguete-Manila
The flight from Dumaguete to Manila went smoothly. It departed ahead of time and consequently arrived ahead of time to Manila. The video shows start and landing and an awesome view over Dumaguete and the Sibulan airport.
Two years old
Yesterday we had a mini celebration for Jas, who already turned to two years old. Fries, cake and eat as much as you can... What else can you ask for when you just turned two?
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