Peace and Quiet at the Eco Lodge

Posted on March 23, 2012 by Harold

Just half an hour and 300 meters outside Dumaguete is the little town of Valencia and Harolds Eco Lodge. Surrounded by deep green vegetation are the 4 wooden huts that make up the Eco Lodge. There is one double room, one twin room and two 4 bed dorms. The rooms are spacious, filled with natural light and well ventilated for those warm evenings.

Welcome to the Eco Lodge

The communal area is equipped with a small kitchen area, perfect for trying your hand at cooking some Filipino food with vegetables grown around the gardens of the Lodge. There is also a pool table, lots of cushions for lounging around on and if you want some traditional Filipino entertainment there is a basketball court and Videoke a couple of meters away.

Cooking up a storm

The Lodge is a short walk away from the Casaroro Falls, where the cool mountain water is enticing on a hot day. After the Earthquake in December the walkway to the waterfall was damaged which has made the walk a bit harder but climbing over the rocks and wading in the river on the walk makes the journey a bit more rewarding. The Twin Lakes, the largest lakes on the Island of Negros, can be reached from the Lodge and a guide can be organised to help you along the way and explain about the surrounding area. The waters of the Twin Lakes are worth going for a dip in so don’t forget to take your swimming costume.

Also near to the Eco Lodge is a Japanese Shrine which makes for a beautiful early morning walk to watch the sun rise over the hills. Some of the staff from the Eco Lodge make this walk every morning and encourage visitors to join them. The beautiful scenery and the cool morning air in the mountains make this a great way to start the day.

After a day of trekking the Eco Lodge is a great place to relax with the sounds of nature, rather than making the journey back to Dumaguete. Cook some tasty food, relax on the decking and enjoy the fresh mountain air. There is the option for a herbal sauna and a massage if you need some extra relaxation.

Relaxing in the evenings

So grab a few friends and head up to Harolds Eco Lodge – you wont regret it.

The 4 huts allow for a maximum capacity of 12 people

The spacious dorm room

The huts are sourounded by organic produce available for cooking

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Mr. Green

Posted on March 2, 2012 by Sunnyview

Harold’s Mansion does its part to help protect the environment and to reduce its carbon footprint. One of the cool things that it does is to provide bicycles for guests to use to get around the city. Biking is a fun way to see the sites and a green alternative from renting a motorcycle. They recycle all glass, plastic, paper and aluminum and use compact florescent light bulbs at the hostel.  They also have those special key things that are needed to turn power on in a room.  It may seem annoying but how many times have you run out the door and forgotten to turn off the lights or aircon?  Doing so waste so much energy! On the roof deck there are solar water heaters and water free urinals that conserve tremendous amounts of freshwater and create more hygienic, odor-free restrooms.  Then there is the Eco Lodge where they are composting waste and using the fertilizer in the organic vegetable garden.  And let’s not forget about the boat with solar panels that power the lights.  Kudos to Harold’s Mansion for doing its part to help in the fight against climate change!

 

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Dauin

Posted on February 27, 2012 by Sunnyview

One of the things that is so great about Dumaguete is the number of great places nearby.  Dauin is one of those places.  Blessed with beautiful beaches and near shore coral it’s a divers’ paradise.  Harold has taken guest there for years and now has a slice of paradise he can call his own. To celebrate he had a bbq and exploratory dive at the new site.  I do love a Filipino BBQ.  The marinated and grilled pork chops made by Harold’s friend Ching, who is an amazing cook, were delicious.  It’s such a nice place to spend the day. Palm trees, which offer plenty of shade, cover the beach and the water is full of turtles and fish for entertainment. It’s hard to decide what to do, rest on the beach and enjoy the view of Apo Island, or explore beneath the sea. The great thing is, you don’t have to decide since both are easy to do.

 

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Sumilon Delights

Posted on February 27, 2012 by Harold

Sumilon Island is beautiful. Lush green trees covering the island, white sand being lapped by the waves and crystal clear water, Island paradise.

The sand bar where the boat moors during the surface interval.

The boat trip takes about an hour from Dumaguete and the first dive we do is a drift dive. The boat drops us in and we descend to about 22m. The current leads us past large patches of coral surrounded by colourful reef fish swimming against the water. There are bright anemone fish defending their territory, juvenile Speckled-fin Grouper’s and some big Ribbon Sweetlips sheltering under big coral bommies. The current takes us around to the start of a small wall where there are some Black-tip reef sharks hiding but as they are a little skittish they soon dash away from their hiding place. Making our way across a sandy patch at around 18m we reach an area, sheltered from the current and alive with life. Well camouflaged Scorpion fish, vivid Nudibranches, maze marked Map Puffer fish and shy Black-Saddled Toby’s are spotted. We ascend shallower to complete our safety stop amongst the shallow reef where soft corals move gently with the water, bright feather stars spread themselves out to catch food and Purple Anthias catch your eye.

Our Dive Master points out a well hidden Scorpion fish

The well camouflaged Scopion fish.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lunching on some sponge - a Chromodoris magnifica nudibranch.

This False Clown fish hides in the tentacles of its anemone home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We relax between dives enjoying our lunch, strolling on the sand bar and chatting before the boat moves to the second dive site. This is a sloping wall dive and we spend most of the time around 20m. Again there is high live coral coverage and as we make our way along the wall the Black soft coral creates overhanging bushes.

The large bushes of Black coral decorating the wall.

Purple Anthias and Golden Damsel fish dart between the Black coral and we see some large Giant Trevally cruising past. There are lots of indents in the wall where we see White-tip and Double-tooth Soldier fish hiding, Nudibranches and Flatworms travel slowly along the substrate and a Snowflake moray peeps out from its hole. A stunning juvenile Lion fish tries to blend in but our Dive Master spots its. We ascend to the flat reef section and make our way back to the boat passing Long Nose, Spot-Banded, Redfin, Eastern Triangle and Panda butterfly fish, Regal and Bicolour Angel fish and even glimpse a Blue-Girdled Angel fish before it hides away. During the safety stop we spot a Titan Trigger fish who looks to be guarding its nest so we move slowly away, just in case.

These gorgeous Ardeadoris egretta Nudibranches stood out even though they were trying to hide in a crack.

One of several Giant Trevally cruising past.

This Snowflake Moray peeps out to see me from the safety of its home.

This juvenile Lion fish is very small but is still easily spotted by our Dive Master

The bright colours and long face make this Long Nose butterfly fish easy to spot.

The snorkelers on the boat also had a great day as the reefs around Sumilon Island start very shallow giving non-divers a great view of the underwater world. And for those that are not sure if they will enjoy SCUBA diving but want to try Harold’s Dive Center can offer Discover SCUBA Diving for ages 10 years and above.  There was so much to see I could write about it all day and upload lots more photos to give you an idea but that’s all photos do, give you an idea – you really need to see it for yourself!

Posted in Fun and Adventure, Scuba Diving, Snorkeling | Leave a comment

Diving with Giants

Posted on February 26, 2012 by Harold

Encountering the largest fish in the sea is an awe-inspiring experience and to be able to do so on scuba makes the occasion. The village of Oslob, on the Island of Cebu, has been on the migration paths of the Whale shark for as long as the fishermen can recall. This small village is the only place that I know of in the Philippines that people are able to dive with the sharks, and this only began mid 2011. Knowing that the sharks feed close to the surface of the water, the fishermen found that the Whale sharks would follow the small fishing boats when their food source (krill) was fed to them. The krill is collected early in the morning (around 2am) daily, so it is always fresh. The search for the Whale sharks usually begins at around 5am and as the area is known feeding ground it is not too long before they appear. The season for Whale sharks in the Philippines is usually November – June, but it is believed that the smaller juveniles  remain in the area and surroundings for most of the year. At peak times (November – February) there have been up to 14 individuals in the area being fed by the fishermen, but it is more common to see between 2-5. Many of the sharks are still young and usually range from 3-6 meters, however the biggest sighted at Oslob was about 12m!

I was able to do this dive on the 25th February 2012 and we enjoyed the company of 3 Whale sharks ranging from 3-5 meters. It was quite an exhilarating feeling watching these large but graceful animals cruising around with the dappling sunlight filtering through and silhouetting them above you. It is an image that will not easily be forgotten.

I’m sure some of you are reading this and thinking – feeding Whale sharks? This is a controversial issue which can, and is, debated almost everyday. I will try not to discuss the ethics and long term effects of this practice in too much detail; but I will say, for me, feeding them is preferable to fishing them.

Cruising just under the surface of the water is the ideal location for gulping the krill.

Silhouetted - a unique view of the largest fish in the sea.

The distinctive spots shine as the Whale shark pops out to take a big gulp of krill.

The marking on the pectoral fin can be used to identify each individual shark, they are unique, similar to fingerprints.

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First Impressions

Posted on February 25, 2012 by Harold

Hi, I’m Lea and I’m going to tell you a bit about my first impressions of Harold’s Mansion Dive Center. A little history first. I met Harold 2 years ago while traveling around the Philippines and what should have been a 3 day stay turned into 2 weeks. The dive center was just starting and was proving to be very popular. Fast forward 2 years and I’m back to see how things have changed. And what a difference 2 years can make. One of the biggest additions is the custom dive boat, MBCA Rosefel. At almost 100 foot long , she provides ample space for divers and snorkelers to gear up, relax, sunbathe and socialize. Its not just the boat that makes the day trip great, the boat crew and the dive guides are fab. They are always nearby should you need a hand and even seem to provided assistance before you realize you need it! The locations chosen for diving are Apo Island and Sumilion Island both of which boast great healthy coral coverage, drift and reef dives, lots of fish big and small, and for the macro fans out there lots of Nudibranches, pipe fish, scorpion fish, morays and flatworms. You don’t have to worry about going hungry either there is fresh fruit, bread and jam and tea and coffee available all through the day and a baguette lunch provided. :) Super.

It’s not just the dive operation that has changed either. The ecolodges near Valencia have been finished. When I last saw them they were lumber ready to be put together, but now they form several lodges with a spacious communal dining and relaxing area. If trekking, relaxing with nature and getting away from the hustle and bustle of city life are your thing then a few days at the eco lodge could be just for you.

Finally the roof deck at the hostel is nearing completion. There are 6 rooms already in use, with communal bathrooms and great views. Evening BBQ’s are also organised and the roof provides a great space to meet and chat with fellow travelers.

So much has changed but one thing that has (thankfully) remained the same is that there is always a warm welcome and something going on at Harold’s.

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The Little Things On Harold’s Boat

Posted on February 2, 2012 by kaleakini

I finally got a chance to meet her: Harold’s sea muse, MBCA Rosefel named after his sister. It’s BIG – I’d guess about 40 or more feet long.

I don’t dive as much but due to the nature of my volunteer work with marine mammal surveys, I know a thing or two about boats. Here are some reasons (in no particular order) why I think this boat is one sweet ride:

1. It’s spacious. You can lounge in the cabin, up by the bow, under the canopy, or up on the view deck.

2. It can run on solar energy.

3. It has padded floors, even in the comfort room and on the ladder for snorkelers and divers. You don’t have to worry about splinters or the flakes of paint making you look like a spotted whale shark.

4. Creative storage for your gear. Most dive boats I’ve seen only incorporate holding areas for tanks while other gears are kept in bulky crates that take up a lot of space. I thought this rack for fins (below) was a nifty idea because it clears the floor of the post-snorkel/dive clutter and it leaves your gear visible. No more digging about crates to look for your gear if you fancy a quick dip in the water.

5. Designated areas for smoking and garbage disposal. Most garbage bins on dive boats are located in one corner of the boat and sometimes, smoking tourists may not want to walk all the way there to throw away their cigarette butts and throw these overboard instead. What most people don’t know is that cigarette butts can take up to 5 years before they are completely degraded that’s why I absolutely love this idea of a separate waste depository for cigarette butts (below) at the back of Harold’s boat, where guests can smoke in peace without disrespecting the personal space of non-smoking tourists.

So next time you want to explore the sands and seas of Apo Island, Siquijor or southern Cebu, drop anchor with Harold and his crew aboard the MBCA Rosefel.

 

By the way, this is Jean from the previous post by the username Harold. Please bear with me as I try to figure out this blogging tool. In the meantime, enjoy browsing through the rest of this blogsite :)

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Unlike Any Other Hostel

Posted on February 2, 2012 by Harold

Hi! I’m Jean, a friend of Harold. I am a homegrown local of Dumaguete City and am currently a graduate student of marine biology. Harold’s asked me to help update his blog because he’s been busy since turning into a rockstar hostel manager (that’s how awesome he is!). Much of the stuff I post here will be eco-initiatives that Harold and I have/are/will be working on.

Harold’s turning out to be quite the greenie. Our first project together was painting the Harold’s Mansion blue wall back in 2010, when Filipino artist and environmentalist AG Sano was just starting his Dolphins Love Freedom campaign to raise awareness on the cruelty of hunting dolphins and whales for the meat and aquarium trades. This mural was among AG’s works published in a national art and design magazine. We had a lot of help painting it – even some of HM’s guests at the time.

Now the paint’s a bit faded and Harold’s proposed to have it retouched. That’s just one of a handful of activities in the works. More green stuff to look forward to :)

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City Burger

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Sunnyview

Filipinos love Chicken Inasal. Actually try to find me a meat eater who doesn’t love it.  I mean what’s not to love. Chicken Inasal is bbq at its best.   It is grilled chicken that has been marinated in a blend of spices and then grilled.  While cooking it is usually covered in a basting sauce. Everyone has a different blend for their marinate and basting sauce. So, what’s the best Chicken Inasal in the city?  I’d say City Burger.  The basting sauce is a delicious mix of salty, sweet and tangy.  I really can’t describe how good it is so you’re just going to have to go see for yourself.

 

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Whale Sharks!!!!!

Posted on January 19, 2012 by Sunnyview

It really is a magical experience to see the whale sharks in Cebu. Watching these creatures swim by you can’t help but be impressed by their magical nature and size.  The group in the area are juvenile sharks and this may be the reason why they are sticking around so long, and, well, because they are being fed by the local fisherman.

Whale sharks, the largest fish in the world, are a migratory species and for years divers and snorkelers have seen them in the waters by Cebu. Little research has been done on the species to know any thing for sure, but one-thing researchers do know is that, where the whale sharks go, and when, is based on the availability of food.  Also, they are likely to congregate in an area with a plankton bloom or spawning event.  That may be the reason the whale sharks came to Cebu but I think it’s safe to say that the daily feedings are why they are staying.

I’m happy to say the I’ve heard that the Local Government Unit of Oslob, with the help of the Governor of Cebu, have appointed a Technical Working Group to craft guidelines to protect these fish. I just hope the guidelines include an end to the feeding!  Some say that when the water temperature changes they will move on, food or no food. I guess only time will tell but would you rather be delighted by a natural occurrence of this giant fish swimming by or do you want to chase behind the fishing boat that is leading them around like a dog on a leash?

 

 

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