I first visited Cebu last July 2016 but was able to visit only the usual tourist spots in the city (Magellan's Cross, Sto. Niño Church and Fort San Pedro). That is why, I promised to myself that I'll go back to experience more of Cebu and even made a list of what I wanted to do when I go back. See HERE.

Plans were made as early as January when the boyfie's sister from overseas wanted to take her whole family for a vacation and was so kind to include me on their trip. Getting a package tour from an agency would be really convenient in terms of planning than DIY since we're a group of seven. However, I don't find it worth it especially if there are places we wanted to include and not include, hotel we wanted to stay and our time in a specific place would be limited since we have to consider other joiners on the tour. So, I insist to do all the planning, searching and reserving for this trip since that's what I enjoyed the most.

First, I searched for places we wanted to visit and made an itinerary. Next, I looked for the most affordable car rental and presented the itinerary I made so they could quote us a price based on the places we wanted to visit and the inclusions. And there, for 7 pax, we had our own van for our 3 days 2 nights tour in Cebu for PHP 12,000.00. That's about PHP 1,714 each for a 3-day tour which I find very affordable.

Here's our 3 days 2 nights itinerary:

DAY 1: Manila to Cebu flight

DAY 2: Oslob

• Hotel pick-up
• Simala Church
• Kawasan Falls
• Hotel drop-off

• Whaleshark watching in Tan-awan
• Transfer from Oslob to Airport

From the airport, our first stop is the Magellan Shrine and Lapu Lapu Shrine.

• Magellan Shrine

• Lapu Lapu Shrine

• Sirao Flower Garden

Then, we proceed to Sirao Flower Garden dubbed as "Little Amsterdam" which is about 2 hours from Magellan and Lapu Lapu Shrine. It is located on the higher part of Cebu that you can already see fog. It was raining when we get there but the place is beautiful that is why we still get in with the umbrellas available at the entrance. Entrance fee is 50.00 each. 

• Lantaw Native Restaurant in Busay

• Temple of Leah

• Taoist Temple

After Taoist Temple, it's time to go back to the city. 

• Magellan's Cross
  
  

After the tour, we went to the market to buy pasalubong (dried fish, dried mangoes, otap, etc.) then went straight to our hotel for the night.

We stayed in Hotel de Mercedes located at 7 Pelaez St. Cebu City. I had a hard time looking for an affordable hotel downtown that can accommodate 7 persons in 1 room. And then I found Hotel de Mercedes for PHP 2,500.00 only for 7 persons without breakfast. That's about 360.00 each per night.

The driver picked us from the Hotel at around 6:30 AM. We headed straight to Simala Church which is about 2 hours.

• Simala Church

• Kawasan Falls, Badian

• Seafari Resort

view just outside our room

Breakdown of Expenses:

• 3 days 2 nights tour (van rental) - 12,000
• Hotel de Mercedes (overnight) - 2,500
• Seafari Resort (overnight in Oslob) - 11,000
• Whaleshark encounter (7pax) - 3,500
• Sirao Flower Garden (entrance) - 350.00
• Kawasan Falls (Table Rental) - 300.00
• Kawasan Falls (Balsa) - 500.00 (estimate only)

This trip is really one for the books. Places and experiences I didn't know I would experience. I know they wouldn't read this but I would like to thank the boyfie's family for including me on this trip and making me feel a part of your beautiful family. We have experienced these things in Cebu, but there's a lot more to see. A LOT!! And I would love to go back.

CEBU2016: A QUICK VISIT AT THE QUEEN CITY OF THE SOUTH

xx, Joyce

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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