We just had a whirlwind two-day trip to Dumaguete, and it was a unique experience from start to finish. Jessa had arranged for us to meet the Dudkowski family—a Polish-Filipino couple who are building a resort in the area. To be honest, I didn't know much about them before we left, other than that they have a massive following on social media. It’s always interesting to meet other creators who are navigating life and business here in the Philippines.
Our journey started with a bit of a "transportation gamble." We decided to leave the car behind and take the bus and ferry. It was a nice break from driving, and honestly, taking the boat as a foot passenger is so much faster and cheaper—no terminal fees or vehicle permits to worry about. We were a bit unlucky with the buses today; the first one was packed, and the second took forever, but we eventually made it to the port.
While waiting for the boat, I couldn't help but notice the state of some of the vessels. One sister boat, the "Legacy One," was a sight to behold—about 70% rust! It’s one of those "only in the Philippines" moments where you just have to trust that if it’s still floating, it’s probably fine. We also saw some local kids diving into the water right next to the moving boats. It looked incredibly dangerous, but they seemed like total pros.
Once we arrived in Dumaguete, there was a bit of a mix-up with our pickup. The Dudkowskis were actually waiting at the wrong port! It gave us about 30 minutes to just sit and soak in the atmosphere. While we waited, I checked my messages for my website and found a message from a follower who had named her son "Liam Aksel." That was a real "wow" moment for me—knowing that our family’s journey is touching people in that way.
When we finally met up with the Dudkowskis, it was a flurry of cameras and luggage. They travel "Filipino style," which means plenty of bags to be prepared for anything! We spent the first evening at the home of their contractor, a South African guy who builds houses for foreigners. We had some drinks, shared stories, and the girls and kids enjoyed the pool while the karaoke started up. It was a great way to build new friendships.
The next day was all about family fun at a local water park. Before the swimming even started, there was a bit of a "celebrity" moment. Between Jessa and her famous friends, we were stopped for photos every few feet. Once the cameras were put away, we just enjoyed the pool. Liam was in his element, becoming a "world champion slide runner." He’s definitely tougher than his Mama when it comes to the big slides—Jessa was practically running back down the stairs while Liam was flying down the water!
I also got a chance to see the Dudkowskis' construction project. They’re building a main house and six rental units, plus a massive 90-square-meter gym. It’s a serious project, and we talked a lot about the quality of materials and the costs of building here. It’s always good to swap notes with people who are going through the same challenges we are with our own land.
We ended the trip with some international food—I had a great Chicken Tikka Masala while the girls, of course, stuck to their Filipino favorites. I had to head home a day early to get back to my IT business and handle customer orders, but Jessa stayed behind for one more day of adventure. It was a fantastic couple of days, and I’m looking forward to seeing their resort when it’s finished! Thanks for following along with the Dahls.
