It was I and my parents who had the trip to Cebu. How I really wish all my sisters could go to but they can't having a family that lives from different part of the world, well it is really hard to get a vacation all at the same time. We are blessed we had that family reunion last year.
Back to Cebu! This was a blessed trip as I may say and my first time to travel with just my parents, I know how excited they were too. Thanks to the promo fare of Air Philippines, now named as PALexpress. We were actually transferred to PAL as a complimentary privilege.
On our first day, we decided to have a City tour and since we were so early that our hotel rooms were not ready yet, we left our luggage and started our Cebu trip. By the way, another gift is we stayed at Allure Hotel and Suites owned by the family of Sir Joms (Bhotel's Hotel Operation's Manager) :) He gave me a big discount and super thanks to that.
Back to the City tour. :) The weather was great, it was not that sunny although we did experienced some rain but just enough. We visited both Cebu City and Mactan Island in one day. We visited Taoist temple, here we could not take pictures of their buddhas, its too sacred to them. Then, Cebu Provincial Capitol, Magellan's Cross, Fort San Pedro, Mactan Monument, and Lapu-Lapu Shrine; we then visited famous hotels and resorts in Mactan to have our day trip the next day through our paid taxi driver. Yes, we did not get any package, I just searched on some of the famous places to visit in Cebu and then drive along with it. We had our lunch at Sutukil restaurant. It's similar so Dampa although they have their fresh seafoods in an aquarium and it's quite expensive too but of course just to try, money never matters when you're travelling. :)
After our City tour, we head back to our hotel room to have a nap. It was a tiring day but we had fun. Just look at these couple. Sleeping - so sweet! <3
It's always good to have a rest from a day full of walking and sight-seeing. :) So we decided to have dinner just near the hotel, and the perfect spot - LARSIANS. I've been hearing this place from my colleague Adonis who's also from Cebu. It's not a fancy restaurant, rather a place for barbecue. :) It was really good, although a lot of smoke in the area but the food was awesome. Maka-Masa too describe it. Their rice is wrapped and it costs around 5 or 6 pesos only, then you choose from different kinds of food then they will cook it for you. We ordered, isaw, barbecue and just some drinks. That's all and we were all full. It didn't even cost me that much so for trippers who wants a very affordable meal, go to LARSIANS! They're famous and not hard to find. :)
Second day, we had a good breakfast courtesy of the hotel, then head to Sto. Nino de Cebu church to hear a mass, which my parents wished for. Indeed, there were a lot of people attending the Church besides that's it really famous it's going traditional and shows their faith. After the mass, we went to Costabella Tropical Beach Hotel. It was just a day trip for us. Instead of traveling to Bantayan Island we decided to have a beach on a nearer side. My parents needed to relax and not too much hassle on traveling so I decided to just have this day trip. It's affordable, for they have day trips for about php795 nett and with free buffet lunch at their La Marina restaurant. You can also stay there for an overnight or if you don't need a room, it's fun to sleep by the pool through their benches. If you worry about your valuables, they do have safe where you can keep them. We just had the great family bonding here under the sun. The food was worth it and the weather was fantastic.
After our day trip we had a long drive going to TOPS. It's a famous tourist attraction where you can see the Cebu city from above. Although we were like 100meters in reaching the destination but it was so scary. We did not push it. It was raining and the fog was too thick we can't even see the road, no lights on just the car lights and we were on a zigzag over a cliff. So we told the driver to not pursue it. It's way too dangerous for us. But still we enjoyed the scary ride. :D
To end the night, we ate LECHON! Famous in Cebu and what better place to try it on is in CNT Lechon. Better make reservations coz they always ran out of lechon. That's how good it tastes. :)
Back to the hotel, it was our last night in Allure Hotel and they have this promo for massage. I wanted it so badly so I grabbed the opportunity. :) It was an hour and a half whole body massage and so far it was the best massage. I fell asleep. Can you believe it? Either I am that too exhausted or I just really felt relaxed. I always have my massage but I never fall asleep but my therapist made a good job of making me fell asleep. :)
The next morning, we had our breakfast at the hotel, packed our things and went to Crown Regency Hotel in Cebu City. We had a good deal here as well since I know a good travel agent who offered me package for my parents. We got a good room, high floor with a nice view. We unpacked our things and decided to have lunch to a famous local restaurant just walking distance form the hotel named - CASA VERDE! Green House in English. You wouldn't even think it was a restaurant, it looks like a house form the outside with a big gate. The food was great! It was affordable and it has big servings. Couldn't ask for more.
Now it's time to shop for pasalubongs. We went to a Market, I totally forgot the place but all dried foods and pasalubongs can be found there. Kind of costly but it doesn't matter. As long as it's a gift for those we left behind from our tour. Then back to the hotel to have some time in the pool and their jacuzzi.
After our pool bonding, we went back to refresh ourselves and prepare for dinner. Another part of the package and this dinner includes free rides on their extreme adventure. Before the dinner I was preparing all the inclusions in the package and let my parents had their massage first. So I decided might as well explore the hotel myself and I've met some employees too and some guests.
Then off we go to have a goodnight sleep. Ended our last night in Cebu with a blast of adventure.
The next morning, we all had breakfast at their restaurant and had a lunch at their Chinese restaurant.
Good thing we had a late check out so we had more time to pack our things. And so we bid goodbye to the oldest City in the Philippines and the Queen City of Smile. Thank you for all the smiles we received, from the txi drivers, the attendants, the employees, the security guards, the vendors and more.
