#everywherewithjoyce: Accommodation

Cebu2016: A quick visit at the Queen City of the South

Cebu City is becoming one of the fastest growing and developed cities in the Philippines it can be compared to Manila, but only in Visayas.

Last July I was able to have a quick stay but only visited the usual tourist spots in the downtown area. And being a budget traveler, I always prefer to commute whenever I travel but Cebu's an exception. Due to lack of research plus the city is very huge, I had to take a cab everytime I go somewhere, when I go to a restaurant to eat, when I went downtown to explore and going to the airport.

I was on standby in the airport for hours and was able to take the 6:00PM flight.

Mandatory aerial shot

Inflight treats ft the new PAL Mabuhay Magazine

When I arrived in Mactan-Cebu airport, I had no idea how to go to the city, so I was supposed to take a cab but the line's just too long. I passed by the My Bus booth and saw that the trip is going to SM Cebu. I still didn't know exactly where SM Cebu is but I just know its in the city. So I bought the ticket for PHP25.00 and just took a cab from SM to the hotel. Its cheaper I may say since travel time from the airport to SM is about 30 minutes or more without the traffic. My friend who took a cab from the airport to the hotel spent more than PHP300.00 and I just spent about PHP 125.00 so I was able to save around PHP200.00.

I stayed in Verbena Pension House, a budget hotel located in Don Gil Garcia St. Cebu City. A single room cost PHP850.00 and PHP1,000.00 for 2 guests.

The room is very small but is clean, has A/C, own bathroom, flatscreen TV and cabinet. Towel and toiletries are provided as well. The lobby is very clean as well, very homey, cozy and the scent of their air freshener is very relaxing. I would want to stay here if ever I could go back, but since Cebu is a very huge city, I would prefer to try and experience other hotels as well. But, I will recommend this hotel because its very cheap and clean and staffs are very accommodating.

For dinner, of course I would want to have it in a local restaurant.

We had dinner in a local coffee shop called Degree 9 Coffee. We had frappuccino, lasagna and cake.

City Tour

The tour I had is nothing special. I know most of you have been to Cebu and visited the more beautiful and unusual places but I'm still gonna share mine.

First stop is the Basilica Minore del Sto.Nino.

Just outside the church is already Cebu's famous landmark, Magellan's Cross.

After this, we just walked for about 10 minutes and reached Plaza Independencia and Fort San Pedro. Entrance fee at Fort San Pedro is PHP 30.00.

Afterwards, we looked for a good restaurant to have lunch. A taxi driver offered to take us to Busay, the highest place in Cebu overlooking the city (if I'm not mistaken) and to see other spots around the area for PHP1,500.00. We declined, its expensive for us two! We just took a cab going to I.T Park and there we found Hikay.

Last meal in Cebu

Aaaaand, meet my new found friend, Ann. She's from Pampanga, I'm from Makati and we first met in Cebu because of the same goal in life. But I'm not gonna tell you what we did there! :)

After lunch, we went back to the hotel and did a pasalubong shopping in the nearby store called Shamrock.

Afterwards, I prepared my things and took a cab going to the airport for my flight back to Manila. Flights are fully booked but they put me on premium class. #NonRev Wiiieee! Thanks guys!

Obviously, I haven't seen so much of Cebu and going back is for sure. In fact I already had plans of what to do for when I go back, and I'm putting them here just so I could track and not forget.

Crown Regency's edgecoaster and skywalk
Stay in Movenpick Hotel
Canyoneering
Oslob whale shark watching
Glamping at Bluewater Sumilon Island
Explore more of Cebu City (e.g Taoist Temple, Temple of Leah, Busay, Simala Church and a lot more)

I know what I saw is never enough so I hope I could go back the soonest. If you have suggestions on what to do that's not listed in my Cebu bucketlist, please leave a comment.

xx, Joyce

No (mga) puna

, by Joyce Decena

Accommodation

Cintai Coritos Garden,Lipa Batangas

When traveling, I always look for the cheapest accommodation to cut our expenses a little bit. But sometimes, when I prefer to just relax and not do anything but rest and eat, I'm also game to spend a little more for luxurious hotel/ resort room.

After my visit to Enchanted River in Surigao Del Sur and an amazing, beyond-blessed trip in Batanes last May, I had to make-up to the boyfie. To celebrate my birthday and our 4 years 8th monthsary, I decided to purchase a discounted voucher in Deal Grocer for Cintai Coritos Garden. A deluxe villa cost PHP6,000/night and a discounted rate in Deal Grocer cost PHP4,500/night with breakfast included.

Cintai Coritos Garden is a Balinese themed resort located in Sitio Pandayan, Malabanan Balete, Batangas. It has 18 spacious villas, a restaurant, bar, 2 pavilions for events, and 4 swimming pools of different sizes.

OUR VILLA

I super loved our villa. It is very spacious, with sliding glass doors, has two large beds, own bathroom, and super cold air conditioning. Everything is so modern with a touch of Balinese culture.

The bathroom is so nice, spacious too and still in character.

THE POOL

The resort has 4 swimming pools all around the garden. I think there were only two groups of guests including us during our stay, so, sometimes we had the pool all to ourselves.

Main swimming pool

ABADI RESTAURANT

The restaurant is surrounded with sliding doors should you wish your function to be closed. However, it can also be opened if you want to use the small area with a view of the swimming pool. The restaurant can house 80 pax if its a buffet set up and 100 pax if its a sit-down affair.

We had our breakfast outside just so we can breathe fresh air and have a look around the garden while eating.

The meal we had for dinner has huge serving, and very sulit. I'm even surprised with their soup. I have in mind that a soup is just plain sabaw without anything, but they served us beef nilaga. Both of us were full after the meal.

TOUR AROUND THE RESORT

One reason that I chose this resort is its Balinese concept. I haven't been to Bali nor had any idea of their culture, but I love the fact that I could experience something like it just within the Philippines. As of now, I still can't afford to go to there, so a stay in a Bali inspired resort would suffice. So here, take a look on how the resort owner is serious in bringing Bali here in the Philippines.

The place is really awesome in terms of details. Even the changing rooms, and rest rooms are Bali- inspired. Though there's not much to do in the resort, my main goal of ultimate relaxation and quality time with the boyfie was achieved!