Choose Your Own Negros Adventure
Negros Oriental is home to one of the best dive sites in the world, a 7-kilometer sandbar, a protected marine sanctuary where dolphins frolic, white sand beaches, several luxury resorts, historical landmarks, delectable food and charming people. What more do you need for an exciting escape? Choose your own adventure and get ready to embark on your great Negros expedition!
Diving and Other Water Activities
Negros Oriental is rich in marine life, making it a top destination for snorkeling and diving. Its beaches are also ideal for other water sports such as jet skiing, kayaking and hobie cat adventures.
The Bahura Resort and Spa is located in the town of Dauin. Bahura, the Spanish word for ‘reefs’, suitably describes the rich marine life around the resort. Guests have the option to dive into the house reef which is just a few steps away from the beach; at the world famous Apo Island which is located just 30 minutes away from the resort; at the Dauin Sanctuary which is located about 10 minutes away from Bahura; or at the Masaplod Sanctuary which is smaller than the other sanctuaries but has 50 percent more target food fish species than Apo Island or Dauin.
The Bahura Resort and Spa has its own PADI Dive Center with dive masters who can turn you into a certified diver in no time. Being the sister company of Scubaworld Inc., the largest provider of scuba equipment and services in the Philippines, Bahura Resort and Spa’s on-site dive center has the most extensive inventory of scuba equipment and accessories in Dumaguete.
After a day of diving and enjoying the other water activities that include kayaking, snorkeling, hobie cats, jet skiing and dolphin watching, guests may have themselves pampered from head to toe at the spa which is located in an isolated place by the beach.
The Bahura Resort and Spa offers some of the best meals in the whole of Negros Oriental. One must never fail to try the native chicken which is seasoned and cooked to perfection and their homemade tofu which is served with a delicious sauce.
Spread over a 5-hectare coconut plantation, the resort is an ideal location for tropical weddings. The coconut trees, the beautiful beach and the impressive pools serve as stunning backdrops to any special occasion celebrated within this island sanctuary. Bahura also has spacious Zen-inspired rooms that offer unmatched solitude and relaxation. There are also 8 private villas that provide astonishing ocean views and are equipped with a semi-kitchen, a full bar setup, TV/DVD players, dining area, living room, extra large bathroom with shower and whirlpool tub, a Japanese garden and a loft bedroom.
The Private Residence VIP Resort is another favorite diving resort in Negros. Located 15 kilometers from Dumaguete City, the capital of Negros Oriental, the Private Residence VIP Resort has truly had its share of VIPs who choose to relax in the resort’s cozy environment and luxurious rooms after their dive. The resort has spectacular ocean views and offers tours to Apo Island, Bais City for Dolphin Watching, the Mabinay Caves, and Lake Balinsasayao. They also have a spa for your pampering and wellness needs. Private Residence VIP has rooms with balconies and outdoor bathrooms.
Whale and Dolphin Watching
Bais City is one of the best places in the Philippines for whale and dolphin watching because of its proximity to the Tanon Strait. The Tanon Strait is a protected marine sanctuary which has a great concentration of dolphins and whales. At the Capinahan Wharf, one must load a boat which will take you through Bais Bay and into the Tanon Strait. Here, you will have to be alert and look quickly to where the spotter points his finger because at first, the dolphins just come and go. Sometimes, all you see is a small fin jutting out of the water and it disappears even before you get a chance to lift your camera. One boatman told me that the dolphins are wary at first because they are not sure if those who are approaching are friends or foes. Years ago, dolphins in this area and in other parts of the Philippines were hunted for their meat. But due to its great potential in tourism and the government’s pursuit to protect our marine resources, the locals were given a chance to make a living by operating and assisting in the tours.
You will find out that it sometimes, it will take several attempts to get a close look at the dolphins or to get them to put on a show for you, but after patiently pursuing them, you will be surprised to suddenly see them swimming just below you. When they find that it is safe to go near you, they will come... and you will feel the rush of happiness, awe and excitement that they bring to all who come visit them in their natural habitat.
After a few hours of dolphin watching, the boat will bring you to the Manjuyod Sandbar where you will have your lunch. The Manjuyod Sandbar is one of the most visited places in the province of Negros Oriental. It is a 7-kilometer stretch of white sand that emerges during low tide near the site of the dolphin watching activities. Some have their picnics in the anchored boats and while some prefer to have the experience of eating their lunch in native wooden houses on stilts that can be rented. Our special lunch of seafood and grilled meat and was prepared by the La Planta Hotel. La Planta is a charming hotel that is a popular choice among tourists who go on the dolphin watching tours because of its proximity to the bay and because it provides the best accommodation and service in the Bais area.
Rough Terrains
In the town of Valencia, the most photographed waterfall in the entire Negros Province lies deep into the mountains. The Casaroro Falls is a narrow waterfall with a height of 100 feet. To reach it, one must follow a trail of dense tropical foliage and climb a 350-step concrete stair.
In the town of Siaton, a trip to the Balanan Lake will provide you with another adventure option. A boat ride will take you from the resort all the way across the lake to a place of huge acacia trees that dot the path leading to a trail to the Balanan Falls. The waterfall is located in the middle of a thick forest and it takes a 20 to 30-minute trek to get there, but when you finally reach the falls, you can reward yourself with a dip in its cool waters or lie in one of the huge boulders surrounding it and feel completely protected as nature takes you in its warm embrace.
If trekking to waterfalls is not your thing, then prepare to experience the most exciting way to explore the mountains of Negros – by conquering rugged terrains in an ATV. ATV Adventure Tours has experienced guides and numerous ATVs that can take you to some of the best places in Negros. Their base, located in the town of Valencia, is where you can take your ATV for a test ride before setting off for the adventure. First timers need not worry because the friendly guides will teach you all you need to know to get the ATV running and arrive at the destination safely. It’s quite scary at first, but driving is really simple and eventually, you will find yourself completely comfortable and relaxed. In fact, after a few minutes of riding, nothing else will matter. It will be just you, the ride and the adventure.
Be sure to apply sunblock on your skin before going on the tour. We took the two-hour package and we got back from the tour completely tanned, but totally thrilled by the whole experience. I was a beginner, but after two hours of dirt road driving, I felt like a pro. The tree-lined paths, the rocky roads, the water puddles and the rugged slopes all added great excitement to the whole adventure – and I was able to conquer them all! One of the highlights of the tour is a stop at a viewpoint where you can see the entire island of Siquijor and some parts of Cebu and Negros. It was a breathtaking site and for a few moments, I was on top of the world.
Forest Camp
Forest Camp is a refreshing property in the town of Valencia where families can camp out, Negros Oriental style. First opened to the public in 1990, Forest Camp provides a lot of activities to its visitors such as hiking, swimming in the freshwater pools, picnic, camping and guided treks to nearby tourist attractions such as the Casaroro Falls and Mount Talinis.
Guests will surely enjoy dining al fresco at the gardens, fishing at the pond, walking around the property, welcoming the fresh air breeze and crossing over from the picnic ground to the reception area through the hanging bridge which is located in the middle of the camp.
Forest Camp rents out four family cottages for those who want to spend the night or the whole weekend, five small picnic huts, one function hall, two natural pools with a cascading waterfall and a charming landscaped garden.
Sansrival
Now, the final and best adventure of all – a food trip to one of Negros Oriental’s most popular dining destinations.
Sans Rival, simply named after the house specialty, is a restaurant and café that invites every visitor that comes to Dumaguete to have a taste of their famous sansrival, silvanas and other specialty cakes that will definitely leave your senses craving for more.
Looking at the tempting fares on display may leave you undecided about which ones to try, but one thing is for sure… All of the things you will find inside Sans Rival are guaranteed to give you the kind of mouth-watering goodness that will make you come back to Dumaguete for more.
Sansrival, a chilled cake made from layers of sweet cashew wafers filled with creamy butter icing and nuts, may be brought home from Dumaguete. Just be sure to order your sansrival from the café a few days in advance so they can give you a frozen cake that will be able to last your flight back home. Family and friends will surely be surprised and delighted to receive this Dumaguete delicacy as a pasalubong.
TRAVEL NOTES:
How to Get There
Domestic carriers have flights from Manila to Dumaguete City, the capital of Negros Oriental. For bookings, you may call Philippine Airlines at (63 2) 855 8888 or Air Philippines at (63 2) 857 5258.
Take Home
The Negros Oriental Arts and Heritage (NOAH) is one of the pioneer stone craft factories in the Philippines. During the Marcos regime, gifts for Malacanang Palace guests and members of the diplomatic corps are ordered by then First Lady Imelda Marcos herself from NOAH. This is where one can find excellent handcrafted stoneware pieces that make for perfect souvenirs.
NOAH
1 Juan Luna St., South Poblacion,
Bacong, Negros Oriental
(63 35) 424 0005
www.noahphil.com
Bahura Resort and Spa
Km. 19/20 Maayong Tubig,
Dauin, Negros Oriental
(63 35) 425 2054
www.bahura.com
Private Residence VIP Resort
Lipayo, Dauin, Negros Oriental
(63 35) 425 2315
privateresidencevipresort.com
ATV Adventure Tours
(63 906) 554 2105, (63 917) 608 0558
Sansrival
3 San Jose St., Dumaguete City
(63 35) 225 4093
For other information on Negros Oriental, you may contact Maritoni Mascardo of the Provincial Tourism Office at (63 2) 225 1825 / 422 0675 or visit the Negros Oriental Tourism website at www.negor.gov.ph.
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