DAYS 1and 2
This was one of our most anticipated trips as we've been counting the days since the month of May (when our hotel accommodation and plane fare's all set.) It was my sister and I's first (3d2n) trip too. this would be one of many firsts actually.
This was one of our most anticipated trips as we've been counting the days since the month of May (when our hotel accommodation and plane fare's all set.) It was my sister and I's first (3d2n) trip too. this would be one of many firsts actually.
There were so many places we would have wanted to go to but in actuality, in just three days it would have only been a dream. We made do with what's doable first, with consideration to: (1)the time of our flights, delayed flights notwithstanding, (2)traffic, it seemed like we never left Manila, (3)food trips we vowed not to miss, and (4)other little priorities.
3 days before our October 18 trip we web checked-in, we secured our seats (and learned that if you don't want to pay for your seat don't bother clicking that part anymore.) secured seats lets you choose where you want to be specifically seated but with a price, to give it a try, we chose the seats near the wings where we paid 124 pesos (plus tax). we next proceeded to the web check-in part and printed our boarding pass.
2:00 am, October 18 we were at NAIA Terminal 3. Since we already have our boarding pass with us, (and after weighing our bags if we complied to the maximum weight for carry-ons,) we were led straight to the last security check. we were to know our boarding gate once inside the airport, there were confusion at first (boarding gate was changed twice) as well as delays but we were onboard Cebu Pacific by 6 am.
7:58 am, we landed Mactan - Cebu International Airport we were only less than an hour late but it changed our entire 3-day itinerary. good thing was, ours was adjustable, we didn't require our hotel's free transpo from Cebu airport to our hotel so we were on our own.
first stop SIMALA SHRINE. from the airport we rode a jeepney going to Marina mall (7pesos) and we had our breakfast in Zubuchon/Zubudagat. after breakfast we took Uber to bring us to south bus terminal where there are buses plying to Sibonga but we were advised by mr. uber driver that south GT terminal was the better option as it's faster so we took heed. from south GT terminal we looked for the van with Sibonga or Simala signage (paid 100 pesos per head), after an hour and a half we were in Simala church or Monastery of the Holy Eucharist.
after the church visit, we got outside the shrine where there were tricycles to bring us back to the van terminal and then to the city, we were able to check in to our hotel at around 3:30 in the afternoon.
6:42 pm SM Seaside. we took a little rest and after a quick change up we decided we'd have dinnner in CNT lechon in SM Seaside.
October 19, 7:00 am. we woke up early and after breakfast we went to IT Park and hired habal-habal going to Temple of Leah. in 30 minutes we were up there in the temple taking lots of pictures. we also went to Mountain View Park. we were so tired to go further up the mountain so we instead just took in the green environment and clean air around us, took more pictures and admire the mountains and scenery.
12:35 pm Sunburst Fried Chicken, SM City Cebu. after Temple of Leah and after getting back to IT Park, we had lunch in another SM branch where Sunburst was located. we also went to a borloloyan place at the back of SM, facing parking area where souvenirs were way inexpensive.
Heritage Tour. since a trip to Cebu wouldn't be complete without touring some of the heritage sites, we alotted the rest of the afternoon to explore. we first headed to Fort San Pedro but when we thought we weren't sure what time Yap-San Diego ancestral house's closing time, we retraced our route and got to Yap-San Diego insteadafter less than an hour but not without getting lost first.
YAP-SAN DIEGO Ancestral House. we rode a jeep going to Colon where a few steps away would be the oldest house in Cebu. landmark would have to be Cebu Heritage Monument. but if like us you got confused just ask any locals where "heritage" is, you'd surely be directed to the right place. (there are some jeepney routes where they'd pass by the house so i think it'd be worth asking locals too). entrance fee to Yap-San Diego is 50 pesos. there would be an employee who'd tour you around and enlighten you more about it's rich history, and would even take a group picture for you. he was accomodating and thoughtful but I was afraid we offended him when it very obviously seemed we were in a total hurry. truth is, hubby and I would have probably listened to him all day long and would even engage in some q&a hadn't we been so pressed for time. we were in haste to tour all the sites nearby in one afternoon.
Sto Niño Church. after the ancestral house tour, we went next to Basilica del Sto. Nino de Cebu. we tried to just walk our way up the church as we knew we passed it a while ago when we first headed to Fort San Pedro. the church was lending long red checkered cloth for girls who wanted to pay respect or heard mass but were wearing inappropriate clothes like me who was wearing shorts that day so i borrowed one and went inside and said a little prayer.
Magellan's Cross and Fort San Pedro. near the church, a few steps away was the Magellan's Cross. Both the church and the cross I think were like the must-not-miss opportunity when in Cebu. but don't forget to light a candle first as you will pass by that area before you see the famous Cross. last stop was Fort San Pedro. again it was a few more steps away. it was like little Intramuros of Manila. we paid an entrance fee of 30 pesos per head and in just a few more minutes, we were seeing this military defense structure by the Spaniards under the dusk, drizzling sky.
Larsian. after Fort we flagged down a taxi to head for dinner to Larsian as the rains were starting to pour. despite the rains though the place still teemed with parokyanos and tourists. you just have to contend with sellers /stall owners bombarding you to choose their stalls (as you first need to,) before you go ahead and find a table. table and chairs are color coded to stall owners. once you choose a stall where you buy your barbecues, grilled fish or liempos or any seafood, that's when they tell you where their tables are situated. there's good food in here at an affordable price especially if you're in big groups. another favorite Cebu experience.
Amidala Cafe. after dinner to cap off this tiring but happy day, we proceeded to Amidala Cafe. we had drinks that are worth all the bilbil (love handles), extra pounds or an added inch to the waistline. it was kind of hard to locate if we didn't Uber but it was sure worth the trip.
3 days before our October 18 trip we web checked-in, we secured our seats (and learned that if you don't want to pay for your seat don't bother clicking that part anymore.) secured seats lets you choose where you want to be specifically seated but with a price, to give it a try, we chose the seats near the wings where we paid 124 pesos (plus tax). we next proceeded to the web check-in part and printed our boarding pass.
2:00 am, October 18 we were at NAIA Terminal 3. Since we already have our boarding pass with us, (and after weighing our bags if we complied to the maximum weight for carry-ons,) we were led straight to the last security check. we were to know our boarding gate once inside the airport, there were confusion at first (boarding gate was changed twice) as well as delays but we were onboard Cebu Pacific by 6 am.
Tip: at least 45 minutes before the scheduled time of departure:
present valid photo ID,
checked baggage.
clear final security and immigration.
be at the boarding gate not later than 30 minutes before the scheduled departure and
wait for your boarding announcement.
present boarding pass with valid photo ID upon boarding.
(CebuPac website)
7:58 am, we landed Mactan - Cebu International Airport we were only less than an hour late but it changed our entire 3-day itinerary. good thing was, ours was adjustable, we didn't require our hotel's free transpo from Cebu airport to our hotel so we were on our own.
first stop SIMALA SHRINE. from the airport we rode a jeepney going to Marina mall (7pesos) and we had our breakfast in Zubuchon/Zubudagat. after breakfast we took Uber to bring us to south bus terminal where there are buses plying to Sibonga but we were advised by mr. uber driver that south GT terminal was the better option as it's faster so we took heed. from south GT terminal we looked for the van with Sibonga or Simala signage (paid 100 pesos per head), after an hour and a half we were in Simala church or Monastery of the Holy Eucharist.
after the church visit, we got outside the shrine where there were tricycles to bring us back to the van terminal and then to the city, we were able to check in to our hotel at around 3:30 in the afternoon.
6:42 pm SM Seaside. we took a little rest and after a quick change up we decided we'd have dinnner in CNT lechon in SM Seaside.
October 19, 7:00 am. we woke up early and after breakfast we went to IT Park and hired habal-habal going to Temple of Leah. in 30 minutes we were up there in the temple taking lots of pictures. we also went to Mountain View Park. we were so tired to go further up the mountain so we instead just took in the green environment and clean air around us, took more pictures and admire the mountains and scenery.
12:35 pm Sunburst Fried Chicken, SM City Cebu. after Temple of Leah and after getting back to IT Park, we had lunch in another SM branch where Sunburst was located. we also went to a borloloyan place at the back of SM, facing parking area where souvenirs were way inexpensive.
Heritage Tour. since a trip to Cebu wouldn't be complete without touring some of the heritage sites, we alotted the rest of the afternoon to explore. we first headed to Fort San Pedro but when we thought we weren't sure what time Yap-San Diego ancestral house's closing time, we retraced our route and got to Yap-San Diego instead
YAP-SAN DIEGO Ancestral House. we rode a jeep going to Colon where a few steps away would be the oldest house in Cebu. landmark would have to be Cebu Heritage Monument. but if like us you got confused just ask any locals where "heritage" is, you'd surely be directed to the right place. (there are some jeepney routes where they'd pass by the house so i think it'd be worth asking locals too). entrance fee to Yap-San Diego is 50 pesos. there would be an employee who'd tour you around and enlighten you more about it's rich history, and would even take a group picture for you. he was accomodating and thoughtful but I was afraid we offended him when it very obviously seemed we were in a total hurry. truth is, hubby and I would have probably listened to him all day long and would even engage in some q&a hadn't we been so pressed for time. we were in haste to tour all the sites nearby in one afternoon.
Sto Niño Church. after the ancestral house tour, we went next to Basilica del Sto. Nino de Cebu. we tried to just walk our way up the church as we knew we passed it a while ago when we first headed to Fort San Pedro. the church was lending long red checkered cloth for girls who wanted to pay respect or heard mass but were wearing inappropriate clothes like me who was wearing shorts that day so i borrowed one and went inside and said a little prayer.
Magellan's Cross and Fort San Pedro. near the church, a few steps away was the Magellan's Cross. Both the church and the cross I think were like the must-not-miss opportunity when in Cebu. but don't forget to light a candle first as you will pass by that area before you see the famous Cross. last stop was Fort San Pedro. again it was a few more steps away. it was like little Intramuros of Manila. we paid an entrance fee of 30 pesos per head and in just a few more minutes, we were seeing this military defense structure by the Spaniards under the dusk, drizzling sky.
Larsian. after Fort we flagged down a taxi to head for dinner to Larsian as the rains were starting to pour. despite the rains though the place still teemed with parokyanos and tourists. you just have to contend with sellers /stall owners bombarding you to choose their stalls (as you first need to,) before you go ahead and find a table. table and chairs are color coded to stall owners. once you choose a stall where you buy your barbecues, grilled fish or liempos or any seafood, that's when they tell you where their tables are situated. there's good food in here at an affordable price especially if you're in big groups. another favorite Cebu experience.
Amidala Cafe. after dinner to cap off this tiring but happy day, we proceeded to Amidala Cafe. we had drinks that are worth all the bilbil (love handles), extra pounds or an added inch to the waistline. it was kind of hard to locate if we didn't Uber but it was sure worth the trip.
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