visit Cebu

[B|GBoT]

u must try SKY ADVENTURE...D best!

[jlx]

u must try SKY ADVENTURE...D best!

yea its great but its better if done with a group of friends. also sky walk is better than edge coaster:D find it more worthwhile. at least my friends and i are of the same opinion on this.

[bonetadeo]

yea its great but its better if done with a group of friends. also sky walk is better than edge coaster:D find it more worthwhile. at least my friends and i are of the same opinion on this.

 

Thanks for the reply. I appreciate it. I would try it but I need a "date" to be with to make it more fun. he he. Don't know how to make the necessary 'connect' eh.

[kanski]

cebu was the 2nd stop of our visayan adventure, bohol being the first (read about it here -->bohol trip).

 

to get to cebu, we boarded the supercat ferry from tagbilaran. the whole trip took just an hour and 45 mins., mostly in calm waters. the trip was enjoyable as the supercat was airconditioned, had comfortable seats, offered a movie shown via a big flat screen tv, and offered food and drinks for a price.

 

supercat, exterior

http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/1908/supercat.jpg

 

supercat, interior

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/6783/supercatinterior.jpg

 

 

we left bohol at 10:30 am and got to cebu at 12:15 pm, just in time for lunch. a cousin-in-law currently assigned in cebu was kind enough to offer us a ride to our resort. on the way, we stopped by park mall where we ate at da vinci pizza. everyone loved it.

 

the lunch took quite a while to finish with all the catching up to do. but eventually, we did make it to our resort- the plantation bay. after saying our goodbyes for the moment, we checked in and, as in panglao, we found out that we've been upgraded once more; this time to a one bedroom suite. we were on a roll!

 

plantation bay, driveway/entrance

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/8490/plantationbay.jpg

 

plantation bay, main lobby

http://img102.imageshack.us/img102/8349/plantationbaylobby.jpg

 

our initial glimpse of the resort confirmed my impressions that this place was huge. it was structured like some amusement parks in other countries where some sort of transportation will take you around the circumference of the place. in this case, transportation took the form of mini jeeps that would intermitently travel along a small winding road that goes around the resort.

 

circumferential road

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/5448/circumferentialroad.jpg

 

mini jeep

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/1752/minijeep.jpg

Edited April 26, 2009 by kanski

[kanski]

bags in tow, we were whisked off to our one bedroom suite in one of said mini jeeps. reaching our room, everybody in the family had a grin from ear to ear, not believing our luck. the suite was huge! or at least, it was the biggest room we have ever stayed in on holiday. it consisted of two rooms, a living room and a bedroom. the former had a sofa bed in which one could view the flat screen tv and the latter had two queen sized beds, a more modest crt tv, a mini fridge, a desk and a closet equipped with a mini safe. both rooms had (separate) toilets; however, only the one in the bedroom had a both a bath tub and a shower. both rooms opened to a veranda that fronted a man made beach and was just yards from the shore line of one of their huge salt water pools.

 

one bedroom suite (bottom)

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/2553/onebedroomsuite.jpg

 

living room

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/832/livingroome.jpg

 

bedroom

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/9652/bedroomrtv.jpg

 

http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/2782/bedroom2.jpg

 

veranda

http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/777/veranda.jpg

 

 

but as much as we wanted to just stay there and let it all sink in, it was getting late and we had to get to the city proper and see as much tourist attractions as we can. some resort personnel called for a cab as there weren't any inside the compound and it took a while for one to finally come pick us up. since it was already nearly 4 pm when we neared our destination (the basilica de sto. nino), the roads were understandably choked with traffic. but we eventually got there only to be harassed by the cab driver who was insisting that we pay him P350.00 inspite of the P180.00 reflected by meter. pressed for time, we settled on a P 250.00 fee and begrudgingly entered the basilica's compound.

 

inside the church, the altercation was forgotten as we were suddenly in the presence of the sto. nino. after a short history spiel directed to the kids, we queued for 25 mins. for a chance to touch the sto. nino and say our own personal prayers. i wanted to take pictures of us inside the basilica but i prudently desisted fearing that other churchgoers would find offense. however, i snuck a shot of the sto. nino.

 

a few steps further and we were at magellan's cross. here, i clicked away as if to make up for the dearth of pictures in the basilica. of course, my kids didn't get away from another history spiel from i even if i wasn't sure if i had facts entirely right.

 

magellan's cross

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/5770/magellanscross.jpg

 

 

with the sun setting, we didn't have enough time to visit fort san pedro nor casa gorordo. more important things were to be had. so after asking what jeep to take, off we went to tabo-an market for the all important danggit and other dried fish. by this time, my aforementioned cousin-in-law got off work and met us in the market. he then drove us around, showing us the crown regency hotel and the fuente osmena circle, before heading towards the ayala center where we had dinner.

 

tabo-an market

http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/3269/taboanmarket.jpg

 

 

the ayala mall here is quite like glorietta- badly in need of a make over since it is already showing its age. however as we stepped outside, a new greenbelt clone called ayala terraces greeted us. albeit smaller, the terraces i thought looked better than it's manila counterpart. we strolled around looking for a place to eat and finally decided on a casa verde, an american style diner in the mold of fridays native to cebu. and we were glad with our choice (i in particular was ecstatic) since where in the world could you order 2 slabs of ribs for P188.00? a big portioned fish and chips for P150.00 or thereabouts? or a huge steak and shrimp combo called surf and turf for only P250.00. all of us left the place full, hoping that they would come north one day, to quezon city in particular.

 

ayala terraces

http://img55.imageshack.us/img55/6690/ayalaterraces.jpg

 

 

more driving ensued but we didn't get down the car anymore since it was getting late. our guide for the day showed us the new waterfront hotel with its castle-like top, the new and modern fernan bridge, and the lapulapu monument. by this time it was nearly 11:00 pm and we headed back to the resort.

Edited April 26, 2009 by kanski

[kanski]

the next day started with a buffet breakfast inside the resort. at P880.00/head, i wished we were at verde instead. instead, i just had to console myself with stuffing my belly with a good variety of breakfast fare.

 

we then borrowed bikes and biked around the perimeter road, making note of all the attractions that could be seen. first stop was the game room where the kids had to engage in battle over ice hockey and foosball and pinball. btw, the game room is also where the gym is.

 

game room

http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/7990/gameroom.jpg

 

next, we set off to a secluded fresh water pool just in front of our room. this pool, while not nearly as big as the 3 main salt water pools, is big enough to house a mini water fall and a volcano that continually spouts water. we spent the rest of the morning frolicking in this pool.

 

after feasting on P260.00 hotdog sandwiches (the cheapest there was) and some rest, we headed of to try the salt water pools. the experience could be likened to swimming out in the sea, minus the waves and the undercurrent, plus not having to worry if the kids will wander of to a deep portion. it was good enough to while the whole afternoon away. didn't bother to swim in the resort's real beach any longer.

 

salt water pool

http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/4070/pooli.jpg

 

http://img102.imageshack.us/img102/6488/falls.jpg

 

http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/9214/pool2.jpg

 

beach

http://img123.imageshack.us/img123/16/beachn.jpg

 

 

i just had to try their long water slide located beside the main water fall (2nd photo, above). ended up scraping my elbow after failing to fold my arms on top of chest adequately.

 

the next day, was just for relaxing. the wife tried the resort's spa named mogambo springs and availed of an hour of massage and claims this was way better than the massage she regularly gets in manila. i on the other hand didn't go for a massage (still smarting from all the food bills) and spent the time going around the resort, taking pictures of the kids. also got to watch a korean get a crack at firing half a dozen rounds from a shotgun in the firing range.

 

mogambo springs

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/6560/mogambosprings.jpg

 

 

we left for manila via cebu pacific that afternoon.

 

let me finish by saying that plantation bay offers such a good respite from your daily routine. and it is not just because of the marvelous facilities they have that i've talked about in detail. it's equally due to the excellent service that their staff will render upon you from the minute you step in their resort till the minute you leave. their 'strictly no tipping' policy makes this feat even more amazing. it trully makes me think that their training is correctly geared towards giving their guests a fantastic time. it also makes me think of the old adage 'you get what you pay for' and that i shouldn't complain about the high food prices.

[jlx]

@kanski

glad to hear you had such a wonderful time here. were you just here a few days ago? did you get to hear about the food festival? there are food stalls infront of lapu-lapu monument for the past week from 5pm up. food cost anywhere from 5-100 pesos per order. hotels/resorts like shang, hilton, plantation, white sands, etc... had food stalls for the same amount. we went there last night and had to say the food was great! where else can u order barbequed blue marlin for only P45 per stick? an order of lasagna that is bigger than the one from greenwich, is also very creamy and full of mozzarella cheese for only P100? or an order of beef w/ broccoli for P60? these dishes that i've mentioned are from the major resorts in town.

 

sorry to burst your bubble but the owners of casa verde have no plans of opening a branch in manila. at least the last time i talked to them. problem is the business is a family affair. currently they already have more branches than there are family members. they're already asking help from relatives to help them run that particular biz. i hear you on this though:P thanks for reminding me i gotta eat there before i leave town (adds on my checklist)

 

you're right about the no tip policy but it's quite sad if you work for a company like that as lots of hotel employees rely on either service charge or tips to support their wage. as they say if a customer insists they cannot throw the tip away either:D

[kanski]

hey jlx! we were in your town last week, from tues to thurs to be exact. we didn't get to go around that much since the kids wanted to spend as much time as possible in plantation.

 

got to see the ruckus going on in and around lapu2. when we got there, we initially thought there was a fiesta was on going. there were banners hanged over the street, a lot of stalls in the side of the street, and even more people in the street. unfortunately, that was the last place we stopped by prior ro going back to the resort and, being late, we didn't bother to go down anymore.

 

regarding casa verde, i highly doubt if they would be able to serve the same fare with the same prices if they opened a branch in manila. so me wishing that there would be a branch here in manila is just my way of saying how lucky you guys are for having that place there.

 

and by the way, i tried to give a tip to the first person we met in plantation- the guy who brought down and watched over our bags as we checked in. but to my slight embarrasment, he turned it down. it was later during our ride to our room that i saw the first of many signs informing guests of the resort's no tipping policy. after both those instances, i didn't even bother to try to give another worker a tip.

 

i forgot to mention, one of the things that i really like about employees in palntation is that they readily answer " you're welcome" when you thank them, and they say it like they really mean it. this is a lost art in proper discourse that i am happy to have experienced once more.

[floppydrive]

@kanski

glad to hear you had such a wonderful time here. were you just here a few days ago? did you get to hear about the food festival? there are food stalls infront of lapu-lapu monument for the past week from 5pm up. food cost anywhere from 5-100 pesos per order. hotels/resorts like shang, hilton, plantation, white sands, etc... had food stalls for the same amount. we went there last night and had to say the food was great! where else can u order barbequed blue marlin for only P45 per stick? an order of lasagna that is bigger than the one from greenwich, is also very creamy and full of mozzarella cheese for only P100? or an order of beef w/ broccoli for P60? these dishes that i've mentioned are from the major resorts in town.

Sir jlx,

 

Any event this friday in Cebu we should know about? We're going to Cebu and Bohol this long weekend. Uso ba ang May 1 rally sa Cebu?

[jlx]

Sir jlx,

 

Any event this friday in Cebu we should know about? We're going to Cebu and Bohol this long weekend. Uso ba ang May 1 rally sa Cebu?

 

unfortunately, i havent heard of any event this week. nope. rallies are not uso here. it's kinda too late now but this will be helpful for other travellers for future bookings (in case there are such promotions) if you booked your tix to bohol about a week in advance its only P400 and 2 weeks in advance for P300 and these are back and forth tix already but of course these are subject for availability. for myself i was not able to get this because it was a last minute decision a few days ago but i was able to get tix for P525 for april 30th w/ supercat. be careful though because some of these are non-aircon.

[ripley2]

thank you for the reply mis jlx! i we, the people you've given your help to, are deeply grateful for your time and effort on helping us.

 

yes, ive seen the itinerary in this discussion and will surely follow that.. and of course, we'll take into consideration to follow your advice by spending the 18th somewhere else.

 

with regard to the different path that you're about take, i hope that you'll have a great great time.. Have alot of time for yourself when that time comes.. Dont mind the people here in MTC, we are adults already hehe but it would still be nice if you drop by once in a while

 

thanks and goodluck!

[anyalim]

anybody in cebu today or this week?

[saitox]

wat hotel or inn sa cebu ang price is 1k below per night? city proper sana

[Richmond]

Try Queensland in Basak or Mabolo it is the counterpart of Sogo in Cebu.

[sukdulan]

Hi guys ... I will be in cebu tomorrow. first time to visit alone and clueless what to do or see ... any help? thanks!