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Cebu: First-time & Second-time’s Epiphanies

October 29, 2013 | violetxplorer

“Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.”

Cebu. January 7-9, 2012. It was my very first time to fly (in reference to my memory). The first visit was fast but memorable: we did sleep on the floors of the airport and wait for sunrise; scared by beggars roaming the entire city; girls waving at every corner and looking for their guy customers; and most especially trying out the famous Sky Extreme Adventure (just awesome). It was not bad as it sounds yet it made me swear never to see Cebu ever again.

However, on August 18, 2013 I was back. Everybody deserves a second chance and it even includes places like Cebu. Now that I am aware that it do have beaches, whale shark encounter, beautiful falls and etc. I am giving it another shot. Regain your glory, Cebu (in my view)! LOL! Anyways if it wasn’t for Cebu, I would have never had my debut as a traveler or a so-called-blogger.

So, this nostalgic blog is written to describe the very first-time (not-so-bad) and the epiphanies on my second trip here in Cebu.

CEBU IN THE EYES OF A FIRST-TIMER

It all started with a Cebu Pacific seat sale, purchasing seats online and finding friends who are willing to join is a swift. Lein and Avi agreed to visit Cebu and we just surprised our friend Daisy with her own ticket (she knew nothing about it and has no choice but to join). LOL!

Arriving Almost Midnight: This gallery is a remembrance of our sleeping adventure in Mactan Domestic Airport.

Traveling to Cebu Pier: That scary fast-craft-ride-that-made-us-call-every-saint-and-our-mommas and leaving for Bohol.

Sleeping in Sogo Hotel: It wasn’t that bad. It’s clean. 🙂

Sky Extreme Adventure: It was absolutely fantastic and fabulous. Fantabulous!

EPIPHANIES OF CEBU ADVENTURE 2013

For the second visit which happened last August 18-21, 2013, I had 4 companions: Daisy (again), JC (cousin), Cora (JC’s mom/my aunt) and Emy (my mom).Unlike the first visit, we did try to explore the City, reach the islands of Camotes and understand Cebu better.

Here is my 4D3N CEBU 2013 ITINERARY & EXPENSES

DAY 1: CEBU CITY

SOGO II: The plan was to check-in at Sugbutel but the dormitel seems a bad idea if staying with more than 50 people in a room. Another is that the receptionist is not functional (she doesn’t want to be disturbed with whatever she is doing) and it’s a bit far from the places which we wanted to visit and so it was decided… SOGO again. It also offers 10% discount given the copy airline ticket.

Basilica de Sto. Nino Church, Magellan’s Cross and City Hall: Went for a walk, had something to eat and checked out the city. It was crowded just like I remember yet it felt better to finally roam it.

Lechon Galore: We wanted to find out if Cebu’s lechon is the best and we had our chance to taste CnT’s lechon. Here’s what I thought.

DAY 2: DANAO CITY & CAMOTES ISLAND

Danao Port: From Cebu City, we went to SM City Cebu to ride a bus going to Danao Port. The 2hrs bus ride is not boring since the bbus is so fast andd the view of each places are entertaining.I even saw Astroboy. 🙂

Sto. Thomas de Villanueva: While waiting for the Port to open, we went to see an old church just in front of the port. It was a pretty church and I like the feel of its interiors and exteriors. We did lit some candles for prayers.

Consuelo Port: The 2-hour boat ride is boring and with my mom complaining is not so entertaining. As soon as the barge docks, we headed down quickly. Homies are waiting for their family members (looking for someone who is actually waving but didn’t saw one) and plenty of habalhabal drivers and services are waiting for tourists. We went to the first catchy-vehicle in the area and I saw a woman barker, I didn’t hesitate to ride, finding it has plenty of rooms for us and our bags. Then, she also offered us affordable tour rates for us and lots of freebies included. Who is that woman barker and know her story?

Santiago Beach Bay Resort: A 15-20 minutes ride of coconut view before we reached our home in Camotes Island. You should stay here because of their good food and beautiful (but cheap) room rates and facilities. A Quick Tour here.

Mangodlong Rock & Beach Resort: OMG! A beautiful beach and its free for anyone who stays at Santiago Beach Bay Resort (approx. 10 minutes travel time). I personally love the scenery, landscape and its white sands. It sadden me not to swim into the waters (because typhoon in Luzon making the beach a bit dirty) and we are just there to check out the place very quick.

Lake Danao (approx. 20-30 minustes travel time): Love! Love! Love! The wooden boat docking area is love! We did enjoyed picture taking with the mini islet at the background and I didn’t miss my opportunity with it. While the rest of my companions enjoyed taking photos at the small crocodile-like boat. Aside from the lake and boat-riding, it also has pool are and a mini bar. As much as we wanted to stay and try other activities yet to due time constrain, we headed to the next destination.

Timubu Cave (approx. 15-25 minustes travel time): It was a small opening in the ground and down it are stairs leadding to darkness. It was not so appealing outside (with tarpaulin sign) but we did try to see it anyway. My mom and Aunt had some share of headbumps with the cave and they almost quitted (just 10 steps away from the opening of the cave). LOL! I am enjoying my lead to see the spring at the end of that cave, we did even crossed into a low waist-dip pool and I am enjoying my fair-view of the rock formations. Finally, we arrived at the deserted pool of spring. No guide? No people? No lifeguards? Not even lifevest? No one is there. We wanted to take a dip but Oh the old age make people KJ (My mom and aunt restrain us since we are all non-swimmers). Just a dip… just a dip… It almost send me into tears that I am that close and I can’t even try a quck dip. *tearjerky

San Francisco Baywalk: Just had a snapshot with the baywalk sign and look for some pasalubong but there are no interesting stuff sold. Julie’s bakeshop caught the attention of my cousin and bought some hot putok.

Buho Rock: Last stop, we had just crossed a short bridge not more than 10 meters and we are now in Poro or shall I say another island of Camotes. Our guide told us that the island is named after the camote crops, when the Spaniards arrived at the island and asked the folk people of the name of the island, people misunderstood the question and thought the foreigners were asking of what they are cooking. That’s quite a good story. Now going back to Buho Rock, it was an amazing landmark for its amazing rock formation. It was low tide but the waves looks scarier in that area. Our guide insisted that we could swim in that area but I have doubts that if we do, we could ever got out of it alive. LOL! By the way, the wi-fi in this are is GREAT! Been trying to rely on my 3G service but it was an epic failure for my Camotes trip.And we call it a day and time to wrapped up back to our home but we bought first BBQs at Baywalk for our dinner.

The tour sound lame but isn’t. I did enjoyed exploring Camotes Island, I just wished that the typhoon had not affected the beach, I really wanted to have beach-bum moments. As we arrived home, we changed our clothes and dine again at Santiago’s Restau and it was absolutely delightful meal. Since we can’t go down the beach, we just enjoyed the pool. And so after, dried and changed, and head to bed.:)

DAY 3: CEBU CITY

Mornings at the Beach: Low-tide beach. Dogs chasing and playing in the beach area. A bit dirty beach made it a no no for a quick beach dip. A breakfast though is a good idea. I picked out some shells and tried to collect plastic materials in the shore. The scenery is calming added the sweet blowing wind. Ah I love life! However, our stay in Camotes is almost over and need to prepare to headback to the city. We are fetched by Kuya Jun and Ate Marlyn from our tour (for free). We exchange goodbyes and numbers and promise to promote their humble island. Then off we go for 2 1/2 boat ride, my mom suffered from sea-sickness which made the long boat ride crazier.

SM City Cebu: At Danao Port, we took the jeep going to SM, so wrong choice! It was a slow-hot-and-jam-packed jeepney and it was annoying. I wished that we took the bus ride. As we arrived at Sm, the air-conditioning system seems to be down and which made me felt more annoyed, feel hotter and caused me headache. I am just so hungry and so we just dine at Goldilocks.

Tabu-an Dried Fish Market & Pasalubong Center: Spent a lot in pasalubong (not so backpacker) and this would definitely be hard to travel in MRT once back in Manila.

Tired as we are, I wish to see the temple but with no luck, they all wanted to rest. No! Not again, I guess a third time at Cebu will definitely happen soon. And here are the next thing I am highlighting and need to prioritize: Port San Pedro, Taoism temple, Cebu Heritage Monument, Lapu-Lapu Monument, Bantayan, Kawasan Falls, Oslob whale encounter.

See you again, Cebu! I am sorry to hate you on my first visit (I know it is harsh) but I promise to be back and explore you more.

DAVAO 2013 ITINERARY & EXPENSES

October 28, 2013 | violetxplorer

DAVAO ADVENTURE 2013
DAY 1: EDEN NATURE PARK TORIL-DIGOS CITY (Oct 10, 2013)
TIME	DETAILS	EXPENSES
5:00 AM-6:00 AM	Home to MRT	38.00
6:00 AM-6:30 AM	MRT-Edsa Taft	15.00
6:30 AM-7:00 AM	MRT-NAIA 2	100.00
8:10 AM-8:50 AM	Boarding Time NAIA Terminal 2 via PAL (RT tickets)	Php 2700.00
8:50 AM-11:00 AM	Departure
11:00 AM-11:20 PM	Arrival at Francisco Banghoy Int’l Airport
	Get map
11:20 PM-12:10 PM	Bought Congee (airport area) while waiting for Jheng	50.00
12:10 PM-12:40 PM	Arrival of Jheng
12:40 PM-1:30 PM	Taxi going to Toril (Php 300.00/2 persons)	150.00
1:30 PM-2:00 PM	Pedicab Toril to Eden Nature Park	100.00 + 20.00 tip
2:00 PM-3:50 PM	Checking out their café and playground	Free
	Shuttle tour + snacks Stops: Rainbow amphitheatre, tinubdan and Lola’s Garden	320.00
3:50 PM-4:10 PM	Skycycle Ride and obstacle track	200.00
4:10 PM-5:00 PM	Church and Fishing Village (stayed for phone charging)	Free
5:00 PM-5:30 PM	Eden Nature Park to Main Highway	50.00
	Bought mickey mouse plant (bundle)	50.00
5:30 PM-7:00 PM	Ride bus going to General Santos (off to Digos City)	58.00
7:00 PM	Arrived in Digos City
7:00 PM	Tricycle going to Crisbelle Hotel	10.00
7:10 PM-8:00 PM	Check-in Crisbelle Hotel meeting up with Leah Mae (1100/2; room is for 3 persons; no available rooms for 2)	550
8:00 PM-9:00 PM	Dinner (treat from Mojar family)	Free
9:00 PM	Wash-up/Sleep
TOTAL EXPENSES	LESS: RT plane tickets	Php 1,661

DAY 2: DAVAO DEL SUR: Camp Sabros, Kublai Art Garden, Passig Islet (Oct 11, 2013)
TIME	DETAILS	EXPENSES
7:26 AM-7:50 AM	Complimentary Breakfast	Free
7:50 AM	Gown check but still close (fare)	10.00
9:00 AM-9:10 AM	Gown check at Enhance Salon (fare)	10.00
9:10 AM-9:15 AM	Fare going to habalhabal terminal going to Kapatagan	10.00
9:15 AM-10:40 AM	Habalhabal departure to Kapatagan (Php 920 Camp Sabros, Kublai art garden, passig islet package deal for 2)	460.00
10:40 AM-10:48 AM	Arrival at Kapatagan
10:48 AM-11:50 AM	All zipline and cable rides Tandem zipline ride 380m, solo zipline 400m and 820m. Cable lift ride	550.00
11:50 AM-12:10 AM	Lunch: Pancit Bihon (Php 80.00 for 2) and liempo + rice (Php 90.00 for the driver) Php 170.00/2	85.00
12:10 AM-12:18 AM	Off to Kubllai Art Garden
12:18 AM-1:11 PM	Arrival at Kubllai Art Garden	Free
1:11 PM-1:54 PM	Off to Passig Islet (rough road/shortcut)
1:54 PM-2:31 PM	Stop-over to a house ask for free pomelo	Free
2:31 PM-2:35 PM	Arrival at Sta. Cruz (motorcycle parking)	20.00
2:35 PM-2:45 PM	Boat rental/ travel time	160.00
2:45 PM	Passig Islet (10 minutes boat ride)
	Entrance fee	5.00
2:51 PM	Sea urchin (trying it for the very first time)	10.00
3:15 PM	Heavy raining
4:00 PM-4:10 PM	Pictorial and islet walking
4:10 PM-5:30 PM	Back to Port
5:30 PM	Super headache/dead tired/hot-cold-rain exposure/no dinner/only bioflu (from Leah Mae)
	Hotel	550.00
TOTAL EXPENSES	INCIDENTALS: Sprite 48.00 Piatos 25.00	Php 1,943

DAY 3: DIGOS CITY (Oct 12, 2013 Wedding)
TIME		DETAILS	EXPENSES
7:00 AM		Complimentary breakfast	Free
9:00 AM		Bath
10:00 AM		Hair & make-up	Free
12:00 NN		Lunch (295/good for 2)	150.00
2:00 PM		Wedding ceremonies
4:20 PM		Wedding Reception/Dinner
6:00 PM		Rest + cake eating + HOTEL	550
TOTAL EXPENSES			Php 700.00
DAY 4: DAVAO: Phil. Eagle Center, Malagos Garden, Japanese Tunnel and Jack Ridge (Oct 13, 2013)
TIME	DETAILS			EXPENSES
7:00 AM-9:00 AM	Cotton candy outside the church			Php 20.00
	Complimentary breakfast			Free
9:00 AM-10:30 AM	Travel back to Davao City (tricycle to Digos terminal)			10.00
	Bus			95.00
10:30 AM-11:00 AM	Davao City Bus Terminal
	SM City Davao and leave bag at package counter			8.00
11:00 AM-12:00 NN	Jollibee + lotto			85.00 + 40.00
12:00 NN-1:00 PM	SM City Davao going to Ulas (Davao-Bukidnon Road)			10.00
	Jeepney going to Calinan			30.00
1:00 PM-1:10 PM	Calinan to Phil. Eagle Center			10.00
1:10 PM-2:15 PM	Phil. Eagle Center (entrance fee: 50.00 + 5.00)			55.00
	Bought bag (180) and balabal (170) + keychain (100)			450.00
2:15 PM-2:20 PM	Going to Malagos Garden habalhabal			10.00
2:20 PM-4:20 PM	Malagos Garden (entrance) + ice candy			100.00 +10.00
4:20 PM-4:28 PM	Malagos Garden to L3 vans (Calinan-SM Davao route)			10.00
4:28 PM-5:15 PM	L3 vans drop-off Pangi crossing			38.00
5:15 PM-5:23 PM	Dropped and ride habalhabal			10.00
5:23 PM-5:40 PM	Japanese Tunnel tour			50.00
5:40 PM-5:45 PM	Ocular at the pool
5:45 PM	Going to Jack Ridge (taxi 130.00)			75.00
5:58 PM-7:00 PM	Arrival at Jack Ridge and view-and-dine (with service charge)			300.00
7:00 PM-7:00 PM	Habalhabal			15.00
7:10 PM	Jeep to SM			8.00
7:30 PM	Pasalubong Kultura			875.00
8:40 PM-9:00 PM	Bus going to landmark			15.00
9:00 PM	Tricycle (couch surfing)			25.00
10:00 PM	Wash-up/sleep
TOTAL EXPENSES	INCIDENTALS: pasalubong to the maximum level Php 1325			Php 2,436

DAY 5: Crocodile Park, Butterfly House, Tribu K’ Mindanawan & GAP Farm (Oct 14, 2013)
TIME	DETAILS					EXPENSES
8:00 AM	Breakfast					free
8:50 AM-10:08 AM	Home to Crocodile Park					free
	Crocodile Park + Butterfly House + Tribu K’ Mindanawan Entrance Fee					Php 200.00
10:08 AM-10:39 AM	Tribu K’ Mindanawan
10:39 AM-11:14 AM	Butterfly House
11:14 AM-11:30 AM	Off to Gap Farm
	Taxi (80.00)					40.00
11:30 AM-11:48 AM	Arrival at GAP Farming Resort
11:48 AM-12:18 PM	Cave and roam around					10.00
12:18 PM-12:46 PM	Lunch + royal softdrink					100.00
12:46 PM-1:20 PM	Back home (jeepney hitch + bus)					Free + 15.00
1:20 PM	Rest/wash-up/airport (thanks to Mrs. Herdie for welcoming us into her lovely home)					Free
3:00 PM	Airport terminal fee					200.00
	Pasalubong					250.00
5:10 PM-7:00 PM	Departure to Manila
7:00 PM-7:15 PM	Arrival
7:15 PM-7:30 PM	Bus to MRT					12.00
7:30 PM-8:00 PM	MRT					15.00
8:00 PM-9:00 PM	TriNoma fx					45.00
9:00 PM	Home
TOTAL EXPENSES	Incidentals: pasalubong Php 250.00					Php 887

Expenses w/o incidentals	1,661	1,870	750	1,111	637	Php 6,029
Incidentals		73		1325	250	Php 1,648
EXPENSES	1,661	1,943	750	2,436	887	Php 7,677

Celebrate Museums and Galleries Month

October 2, 2013 | violetxplorer

Filipinos at heart. Be Proud!
Please visit our own museums and do it for free the whole month of October. ♥

Free Admission to all National Museums.

“To celebrate Museums and Galleries Month, we are opening our doors for free from tomorrow, 1 October until 31st. This includes all the 14 branches of National Museum and our flagship museums in Manila: the National Art Gallery (former Old Legislative Building), Museum of the Filipino People (former Old Finance Building), and National Planetarium.”
© Aissa Domingo and the National Museum of the Philippines (2013)

For more details, visit the National Museum’s webpage and Facebook fan page.

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JUN & MARLYN OLIVAREZ of Camotes Island Cebu

The couple that works hard together, stays together.

Rose is for Jack, Minnie is for Mickey, Beauty is for the beast, Bella is for Edward… Meet Jun and Marlyn Olivarez of Camotes Island. What makes them distinct from the rest of Camotes residents/ tour guides is that they always work in tandem. Every day, they patiently wait for tourist to came into their island. Jun drives while Marlyn calls out for passengers and do tour guiding. On times when the are no tourist and they have vacant time, they work in their home and take care of their child.

Photo Credits: John of skinnyalmondlatte.wordpress.com

Marlyn as very approachable and very friendly asked us if we wanted to tour the island and gave us very reasonable price of Php1500 (compared toPhp 2000 offered by Santiago Resort and of Habal-habal Php500 + 2 L gasoline). We kept of haggling until she even agreed to include Buho Rock in the tour and gave us a free ride back to the port (worth Php250) the following day. She said, she has a heart and it’s not just all about the money.

We did encircled the island and went further to Poro Island. It so nice to meet people like them. She even capture good photos.

For affordable Camotes island tour rates get them. Here the contact infos: 09075043009 & 09167634895.

CEBU Itinerary & Expenses

August 22, 2013 | violetxplorer

CEBU 2013 (Actual Itinerary)

Day 1 (Aug 18, 2013): ARRIVAL

Arrival: Violet + 2 companions: 3:10 PM; Other 2 companions: 6:00 PM

11:30 AM -1:00 PM

Home to MRT (8 + 30)

3:20 PM – 3:40 PM

Arrival/Taxi: Airport to Sugbutel, Cebu city (Php165)/3

Sugbutel (wrong choice/bad receptionist/bad ads) to a

Commoner Hotel near Gaisano Market (Php72)

3:40 PM – 4:00 PM

Arrival; Hotel Check-in (Php1395 for 5 persons)

4:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Mcdo (short distance walk)

Basilica de Sto. Nino (approx.. 1 Km walk)

Magellan’s Cross (very near the church)

City Hall (in front of the cross)

6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Back to the Hotel/ Rest/ Met up with our 2 companions (walk)

7:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Ride 6B jeepney and site-seeing trip (it will pass Crown Regency Hotel)

CnT Lechon Dinner (Php8 take 6B jeepney)

(Php335; 5 rice, ½ Kg Lechon and 1L Sprite)

8:00 PM – 8:15 PM

CnT Lechon to Gaisano Market (Php8 take 6B jeepney)

8:15 PM – 9:00 PM

Roam around/ Mercury Drug Store (Mr.chips & pretzels Php50)

9:00 PM

Wash Up/ Sleep

Optional: Crown Regency’s Extreme Sky Adventure/ Edge Coaster/ Tower Zip

Expenses: Php 8 +38 + 55 + 279 + 8+67

Incidental: Php 50

Total: 455 + 50 = Php555

Day 2 (AUG 19, 2013) : CAMOTES

5:00 AM

Check-out

5:10 AM – 5:30 AM

Taxi from Hotel to SM (Php70)/5

5:30 AM – 6:30 AM

SM City Cebu to Danao Port (Bus Php35)

6:30 AM – 7:30 AM

Breakfast at the Port (Php10 hot choco + breakfast from the hotel + Php25 H2O)

7:30 AM – 8:30 AM

Sto. Thomas de Villanueva (free/just infront of the port)

8:30 AM – 9:30 AM

Shuttle Ferry (Php180; non-aircon)

Boat Schedule from Cebu to Camotes Island (effective July 29, 2013)
Time	Origin	Destination	Vessel
*5:30 AM	Danao Port	Consuelo, Camotes	Jomalia Shipping
*>>>> 8:30 AM*	*Danao Port*	*Consuelo, Camotes*	*Jomalia Shipping*
2:00 PM	Danao Port	Consuelo, Camotes	Jomalia Shipping
5:30 PM	Danao Port	Consuelo, Camotes	Jomalia Shipping

8:30 AM -11:30 AM

Travel Time/Arrival to Consuelo, San Francisco, Camotes Island (2 hrs)

11:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Consuelo Port to Santiago Bay (Php50; Look for Marlyn & Jun)

Jun and Marlyn Camotes Tour Contact info: 09167634895 / 09075043009

12:00 PM

Check-in Santiago Resorts (P 1,000 pesos /2pax/non-aircon)

V, E, D = 1000 + 200 extra pax = 1200/3 = (400/each)

J, C = 1000/2 = (500/each)

1:00 PM – 2:30 PM

Lunch Php1030/5 persons; (Php206 each)

Delicious Food and generous serving amount and value for money:

Gambas (Php250), Sinigang na isda w/ platter of rice (Php195), stuffed pusit (Php190), Chicken with Basil Sauce w/ rice (Php195), chopsuey (Php120) and 1 L Sprite (80)

2:30 PM – 6:00 PM

CAMOTES TOUR ( Php1500)/5

Jun and Marlyn Camotes Tour Contact info: 09167634895 / 09075043009

Mangodlong Rock Resort (free if staying at Santiago resort)

Lake Danao (Php15)

Timobo Cave (Php15)

San Francisco Baywalk (free)

Buho rock resort at Poro Island (20 w/ free wifi)

Back to Baywalk and bought BBQs (chicken Petso Php45, Adidas Php 10, Leg 10.00, Pork Php 10, atay Php10 and rice Php5)

6:00 PM – 6:30 PM

Wash up

6:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Dinner (BBQ + sinigang na isda with rice Php195)/5

7:30 PM – 9:00 PM

Swim in the pool (Typhoon Maring made the beach dirty)

9:00 PM

Wash up and Sleep

Expenses: Php 14 + 35 + 10 + 180 + 400 +206 + 300 + 45 + 10 + 5 + 39

Incidental: Php 25

Total: Php 1269

DAY 3 (AUG 20, 2013): CAMOTES

5:30 AM – 6:30 AM

Early walk at the beach (low tide)

6:30 AM – 7:30 AM

Breakfast at the Beach (fried fish and rice Php70) + water (10)

7:30 AM – 8:00 AM

Prepare to Depart & Check-out

8:00 AM – 8:30 AM

Resort to Consuelo Port (free c/o Jun and Marlyn-our tour guides)

Jun and Marlyn Camotes Tour Contact info: 09167634895 / 09075043009

8:30 AM – 9:00 AM

Shuttle Boarding / Waiting Time (Php200; aircon)

9:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Travel Time (2 ½ hrs)

Boat Schedule from Cebu to Camotes Island (effective July 29, 2013)
Time	Origin	Destination	Vessel
*5:30 AM	Consuelo, Camotes	Danao Port	Jomalia Shipping
*>>>> 9:00 AM*	Consuelo, Camotes	*Danao Port*	*Jomalia Shipping*
1:00 PM	Consuelo, Camotes	Danao Port	Jomalia Shipping
5:00 PM	Consuelo, Camotes	Danao Port	Jomalia Shipping