Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ACCOMMODATION
Neither of the options below has canteens so come prepared with enough food to last your stay.
The Pavillion
Guintubdan
T
034 460 2582.
Clean and
simple accommodation (with col
d show
ers) in
an at
tractive
lodge nestled in the forest. Dorm
P100
, twin
P800
Rafael Salas Nature Camp
Guintubdan
T
034 461
0540.
Just up the road from
The Pavillion
, this nature
camp is the headquarters of the 300-hectare Rafael Salas
Nature Park, named after the late statesman who was a
native of Bago City. It's not quite as pretty as
The Pavillion
but still feels like th
e ulti
mate in
luxury
after a night on
the mountain. Dorm
P100
, double
P400
6
Sagay and around
SAGAY
is a hectic industrial and fishing city 15km east along the coast from the
sugar port of
Cadiz
, at the mouth of the Bulanon River. Head for the city plaza and
take a look at the
Legendary Siete
, or Train Number Seven, an “iron dinosaur” that
once hauled lumber for the Insular Lumber Company and now stands in the middle
of the plaza, restored and sparkling in all her 75-tonne liveried glory. Both Sagay
and Cadiz were hit by Typhoon Yolanda and remained largely without power at the
time of writing.
Sagay Marine Reserve
Free • Bangkas leave from Sagay wharf (30min; P70/person)
Sagay is the jumping-off point for one of the Philippines' least-visited natural wonders,
the beautiful
Sagay Marine Reserve
. The sanctuary boasts some marvellous beaches and
with its maximum of seventy visitors per day its reef remains a picture of health; with a
mask and snorkel you can see giant clams, puffer fish, immense brain corals and the
occasional inquisitive batfish.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
SAGAY AND AROUND
By bus
Regular buses from Bacolod stop in Cadiz (1hr 30min)
and Sagay (2hr) on their way along the coastal road.
By boat
There are three services each week from Cadiz
(usually early morning) for Bantayan Island (3-4hr).
Bais and around
The town of
BAIS
, about 40km to the north of Dumaguete, is a good place to see
dolphins and whales
in Bais Bay as they migrate through the Tanon Strait separating
Negros from Cebu. Tours run between March and October (see box below).
Twin Lakes
Daily 8am-5pm • Entry foreigners P100, Filipinos P10; kayak rental P100/hr • From Bais either take a jeepney to Amlan (P15) and then a
motorcycle up to the lakes (P300 round-trip) or hire a van from Bais or Dumaguete (around P2500) • Day-trips and hikes from Dumaguete
can be booked through Dumaguete Outdoors or
Harold's
(from P500/person including transport and lunch); see p.317
Nestled in a jungled crater 15km west from the main coastal road, the
Twin Lakes
of
Balinsasayao and Danao make for an excellent day out. Getting there is part of the
adventure and is best done by motorbike as the last part of the track is often
inaccessible to larger vehicles. Alternatively you can make the strenuous 15km
hike
in
WHALE
WATCHING AROUND BAIS
The city government operates the cruise vessels
Dolphin I & II
,
Vania I & II
and
Horizon
out to
view the
whales and dolphins
in Bais Bay, which each accommodate 15-20 people
(P3000-4000). Tours operate all the way through to October, and bookings are recommended
at least a month in advance, especially during the peak whale-watching season (March-Sept)
- call the tourist o
ce or
T
035 402 8174. It is also possible to just turn up at Bais pier and
negotiate with local boatmen, or more easily, to take a day-trip from Dumaguete.
