Tagaytay: A Quick Escape

Whenever we feel tired from all the hustle & bustle of the Metro we always head out south and enjoy the breeze. We've been loving Tagaytay ever since, and never get tired of it. Actually when I was small my grandma usually have monthly recollections here & while waiting for her we would shop or go to the nearest tourist spots.

So here are my compilation of Tagaytay escapades this year (yep you read that right it's just this year coz if I add those I had before we'll have to make part 1 & part 2 even till part 5 with the blog post hahaha)

First of course like what we usually do... Some know-knows...

Tagaytay City (population 16,322) is about 60 km / 37 miles south of Manila in the mountains of Cavite Province.Tagaytay is home to the view of Taal Volcano, which is reputed to be the world's smallest and yet most active. It stands on its own island amid a landscape of ash and cinder. It actually is the one and only active volcano with such feature. It's featured in different magazines, travel shows & the latest is Katy Perry's music video "Roar"

Tagaytay, considered as the country's second summer capital because of its crisp and cool climate all year around, is a treasure box of pleasure points in by itself. Here, the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Philippine Tourism Authority built Picnic Groove, a public park in the city which generates public patronage through user fees and the sale of low priced goods, thus contributing to the industrial growth of Tagaytay. Tagaytay, however, is more than a picnic haunt. The place has given rise to many congregational houses and retreat centers. It is also conductive to spiritual meditation, that is earned yet another title for being the "Center of Spiritual Retreat." 

Mariapolis Center (from: Focolare website: http://focolare.org.ph/)

It's a beautiful city so why the name TAGAYTAY???

Legend has it that the word Tagaytay came from "taga" meaning to cut and "itay" which means father. A father and son were said to be on a wild boar hunt when the animal they were chasing turned and attacked them. As the boar charged towards the old man, the son cried "taga itay!". The boy's repeated shout reverberated in the alleys of the ridge. Heard by the residents, hunters and wood gatherers, the cries became subject of conversation for several days in the countryside. In time, the place where the shouts came from became known as Tagaytay.

One can reach Tagaytay in many ways one is via the smoother easiest way to get there (our usual way), Sta. Rosa, Laguna. One might pass by the newest attraction in the city, Nuvali and because of the different restos one might think of having a snack or even a smiple Lunch before heading to Tagaytay Proper (but I suggest keep some space there for later) or one might even think of just having dinner there later since it's also has a great view.
Here's our afternoon escapade...
It was quite weird because this pictures had a very bright atmosphere but I remember having rain so hard that we all got wet on our way home. Luckily our car had leather seats on so yeah it was just a matter of drying it up.

Koi fishes you could actually feed these cute little fellas by buying feeds in the booth

Boat Ride 60 pesos per person

Nuvali also has high end shops, schools, offices and of course a variety of restaurants from high end to your usual fast food.

Nuvali is just about 30 minutes away from Tagaytay already so it's just a short ride after. There are also other establishments on the way there like malls, restaurants, pasalubong shops, furniture shops to name a few.

If you want some family time and some amusement type of fun, then head to one of the largest amusement park in the Philippines, Enchanted Kingdom.

Us during our rainy escapade to EK June 2013

Enchanted Kingdom was opened to the public on October 19, 1995. It first had 16 rides and attractions which is enclosed in 7 themed zones with food and merchandise outlets around the park.
 Currently the amusement park has a total of 24 rides namely The GrandCarousel which is the first ride you would see as you enter,  the Dodgem which is actually a bump car pit, Up, Up & Away, EKstreme (one hell of a ride!), Roller Skater (a mini roller coaster), Anchor Away, Bump Splash, Swan Lake, Wheel of Fate (Philippine's largest Ferris Wheel before MOA Eye came around town), Jungle Log Jam, Space Shullte, Rialto, 4D Discovery Theater, Rio Grande Rapids, Flying Fiesta, Dinosaurus, Air Pterodactyl, Stone Egg, Boulderville Eexpress.

After a long adventure, you might want to stay just before closing time and enjoy their nightly fireworks. It truly would leave the MAGIC to STAY WITH YOU.

one the way to Tagaytay

Going back to our main topic, you know when you're near Tagaytay when you see more and more pineapple plantations and even banana plantation.

A rainy view of Taal

When you reach Tagaytay you would see a good view of Taal Volcano. But it's a bit hard to see when it's raining or even foggy.

Town Proper Rotonda

The town proper has a big rotonda with many restaurants on the side and boat ride barkers. Try haggling with them to get a better price on their boat rides. They would actually bring you down to Batangas then would bring you to the Taal's crater by boat. From there one could avail service of a tour guide. To bring you to the viewing deck of the crater.

A better view of Taal from a viewing deck

Me & my friends trying Bulalo Point!

If you feel a bit hungry with all the sight seeing and picture taking of the breath taking view of Taal & Tagaytay itself. There are restaurants scattered in the road.

Me at Leslie's Viewing deck

You may try the usual restaurants/fast foods like Jollibee, McDonalds, Gerry's Grill, Dencio's, etc. Or you may try the popular restaurants in the city like Leslies, Antonio's, Rowena's, Kay Ryan Grill, Sonya's Garden, Josephine, RSM Restaurant, and the famous Mushroom Burger.

Or try the newbies like Bulalo Point & All about Goto. My mom and her friends also discovered a restaurant, I researched and knew that it was an old resto but the main (& popular branch) is located at Silang, Cavite. But I think the one in Tagaytay beside Total gas station a bit after Mushroom Burger is just new coz the place looks new but tourists & Manilenos are seen frequently in the place, the name of the restaurant is BALINSASAYAW.

My mom and her friends in a nipa hut

Baby shrimps!!! I love the suka (vinegar)

The food is very delicious, probably why the opened another branch. And the price is worth it. Well a bit pricey compared to others but it's simply because it tastes good and they really pick up fresh ingredients. They even told us once that what we ordered is not available because the vegtable is already not in good shape & about to rot. So yeah they're up for quality for their customers to come back, and yes they had my mom as one come back customer.



After a sumptous meal one could go to the famous tourist spots around. Here's a list you would want to have in hand...

• Picnic Grove
• Palace in the Sky
• Tagaytay Highlands
• Puzzle Mansion
• Paradizoo & Residence Inn Mini Zoo
• Sky Ranch (newest)
• Our Lady of Manaoag at Tierra de Maria
•  Maryridge Good Shepherd Convent (for pasalubongs too)
   

 Source: Trip advisor (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g317121-Activities-Tagaytay_Calabarzon_Region_Luzon.html)

After a days adventure one can visit the famous Mahogany Market & buy some fresh fruits & even meat. You'll really love the taste of their meet you really would taste the difference from meat from the city. Inside the market you could also find some pasalubongs but be sure to haggle for lower prices. Outside you may see plants stores. The biggest plant store is our "suki" they actually are 3 different stores but they're relatives so no hard feelings if you want to buy from the other and later buy another plant from the other. :D

 


It's actually fun to see a variety of flowers and ornamental plants. They also have a variety of medicinal plants such as Ashitaba, Oregano, Stevia, etc. They will also teach you how to care for the plant, just ask. And they give big discounts when you buy so much, like what mom & dad usually does.

from Rowena's website (http://www.rowenas-tarts-tagaytay.com)

If you still haven't buy any pasalubongs, you could still buy on your way back to Manila. One of the famous pasalubongs from people from Laguna is Buko Pie. Where else to buy one, but at The Original Buko Pie Bakeshop. The name speaks for itself. They're the first Buko Pie makers around town. I haven't seen a shop for quite a while until just last month when they opened a new store in Petron gas station. Another famous Buko Pie place is Colette's Buko Pie. They also make good pies, but make sure that you can see people buying in the stall, the quality still depends on the franchisee's ability to maintain the product fresh. If you know someone who doesn't want Buko Pies then better get to Rowena's. They make the best mini tarts. They also have all the native sweets you can imagine. They even have a dine in area, but due to it's customer's demands, they eventually made it into a cafe. What I love the most is their Blueberry cheesecake tart. It really has a generous amount of blueberry toppings and a delicious cheesecake filling.

So next time you feel a bit bored with the hustle and bustle of the Metro, try coming here and enjoy the breeze of fresh air and the scenic view of Taal. If you want to be in line with your spiritual center, have a retreat with the numerous retreat houses around. And remember to pass by the pasalubong stops for your friends back in the Metro for them to also have a bite of Tagaytay.

 
HOW TO GET THERE:
COMMUTE
from Alabang:

1. From Alabang-Zapote Road, ride a jeep/bus to Alabang, and get off at Manuela Metropolis Alabang (Metropolis Mall).
2. Ride a jeep or bus to Balibago/Sta. Rosa via SLEX or National Road (passes by SM Sta. Rosa).
3. From Balibago Terminal, ride a jeep to Tagaytay.

from Manila:
From Taft, in front of Rizal Park (Luneta), ride a bus to Tagaytay

from Laguna:
From Balibago bus terminal in Sta. Rosa, ride a jeep to Tagaytay.

PRIVATE CARS
Option 1 (my usual way): via SLEX Sta. Rosa Exit, the most popular and easiest, is a straight drive all the way to Tagaytay Public Market (and right smack into Tagaytay Econo Inn) where you turn right going to Tagaytay city proper and Nasugbu/Balayan/Lemery Batangas or left going to People's Park in the Sky. Usual travel time from Makati CBD is 1.5 hours.

Option 2 (kinda confusing cause greenfield is full of tall grasses & not much sinages): SLEX Greenfields Exit, an alternate route to Tagaytay that pass by Pramana, Nuvali, Eton City and Paseo de Sta. Rosa, ideal to avoid traffic buildup on Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay National Road on Saturday mornings thus making it the fastest route to Tagaytay on weekends.

Option 3: SLEX Southwoods exit then Governor's Drive in Carmona going to Dasmarinas. Turn left on Maguyam Road just before the Shell Station to your left.

Option 4: Roxas Boulevard, Baclaran, Coastal Road, Bacoor, Imus, Dasmarinas via Aguinaldo Highway. Not recommended due to presence of heavy traffic made worse by SM Dasmarinas and Robinsons Palapala. At the end of Aguinaldo Highway is the Tagaytay Rotonda (roundabout) where a statue of Ninoy Aquino, a BPI with ATM, Days Inn, Max's Restaurant and 7-11 store as landmarks.

Option 5 (kinda long and tiresome): Another route for the adventurous to Tagaytay is via Daang Hari that passes by Molino, Bacoor, Imus, Dasmarinas and Silang. It bypasses the traffic chokepoint of Bacoor rotonda but not SM Dasma and Robinsons.

Option 6: From SLEX Toll Road 3/Sto. Tomas, Batangas via STAR Tollway in going to Lipa City, take Sambat exit and follow the national road to Talisay then go up Ligaya Drive, the zigzag road to Tagaytay (sometimes called Bitukang Manok, not for the faint of heart and newbie drivers)

If you're a foreigner, you can hire vans to get there or an airport taxi. Some taxi drivers charge a fixed rate or double the meter fare plus toll fees.

From Backpacking Philippines website 

Cebu: The City of Cultures

Cebu consists of Cebu Island and 167 surrounding islands. Cebu City is the capital city of the province, and the oldest city in the Philippines. Between the 13th and 16th century Cebu then known as Zubu (or Sugbo) was an island inhabited by Hindus, animists and Muslims. ruled by Rajahs and Datus. It was a kingdom of the defunct Rajahnate of Cebu. It is also the first island inhabited by the Spaniards, this was brought forth by the arrival of Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in 1521.

Magellan, befriended Rajah Humabon the Rajah or King of Cebu and persuaded the natives of allegiance to Charles I of Spain. Humabon and his wife were given Christian names and baptized as Carlos and Juana. The Santo Niño was presented to the native queen of Cebu, as a symbol of peace and friendship between the Spaniards and the Cebuanos. On April 14, Magellan erected a large wooden cross on the shores of Cebu. Afterwards, about 700 islanders were baptized, and thus, the birth of Christianity among the country. It was thought that Humabon and Lapu-Lapu, native king in nearby Mactan Island, had been fighting for control of the flourishing trade in the area. And hearing this Magellan challenged Lapu-apu into a battle. On April 27, the Battle of Mactan occurred where the Spaniards were defeated and Magellan killed by the natives of Mactan in Mactan Island. Magellan's second in command, Juan Sebastián Elcano took his place as captain of the expedition and sailed their fleet back to Spain, circumnavigating the world.

Day 1- August 3

Our Plane, My friend Pia and her first plane ride... :D

It takes about an hour and a half via plane to reach Cebu from Manila. We arrived 0530H at Mactan Cebu International Airport. We decided to go to Mactan Shrine before heading to our hotel. So we commuted to the shrine. We rode a multicab just outside the airport complex to Savemore.I was with my Voyager luggage so it was a bit a hassle when riding the multicab, I just learned recently that there were baggage counters in the airport, where I should have just left my bag. Anyways, after reaching Savemore we asked some multicab drivers what to ride to the shrine, they pointed us at the main highway and asked us to ride a multicab there.

We asked how much is the fee, but then I know it’s around PhP 9, I just wanted to make sure. The driver told us PhP 20/person. Then a passenger told us now it’s just PhP 9, I think she realized the driver was trying to trick us since we spoke Filipino instead of the usual Bisaya and that we have our luggage.

TIP: Try learning Bisaya or better ask in English since most of them know English than Filipino.

We were shocked that our PhP 9 went a long way. The shrine is inside a park in Punta Engaño, City of Lapu-Lapu.We reached the shrine and took some pictures.




We encountered many runners that early in the park since it’s a day before the Ironman Marathon. I was amazed how it was near the Mangroves. Since it was about to rain so ths sky was not that perfect, still the view just captivated me and even made me ask myself, "how come bloggers don't blog this view"

After some pictures and 5 minutes of rest we felt rain drops so we decided to head back to Savemore to have our breakfast. After breakfast at Chowking, the rain got in and it was worst than what we expected. We waited for a taxi and flagged down one. We asked the taxi driver to bring us to Golden Valley Hotel. We decided to stay there since it was near tourist spots and it is also near a 7-11 store and it is just beside some schools which I supposed is safe since there are students.

We were expecting low since we got a 3-stars hotel and that it was on room sale so we thought it might not be good. We just wished the bathroom was clean.










And to our surprise  it was beyond our expectation. It had a cabinet where in you could put your clothes the room is really clean. They also have a card key for the electricity. You have to put in the card so that the electricity would be on. They also have 24 hour room service, laundry services and also the room has a mini bar and sky cable digibox.

We then checked in, and rested for a while since we lack sleep. We woke up around 1200H and ate lunch at the restaurant down stairs and ordered the famous Cebu Pochero. It’s different from the usual Pochero Tagalog people know. There's no tomato sauce and it is somewhat similar to niglaga.

We asked if the hotel is providing tours, but then we found it expensive so we decided to just go on our own. So then we then rode a taxi to Taoist Temple since it is the farthest.

The temple was built in 1972 and is located in Beverly Hills Subdivision. The temple was built by the Chinese community. With an elevation of 300 meters above sea level, and is a towering, multi-tiered, multi-hued attraction accessible by three separate winding routes.

It is open to the worshipers and non-worshipers alike. A ritual among devotees is where one prays to the gods to grant one's wish. The ritual includes washing of hands, going inside the chapel barefoot and dropping two blocks of wood. If the blocks of wood are both face up then one could make a wish. If not then it is not yet the time for one's wish to be granted and one has to come to the temple some other time.
 

It is very beautiful and peaceful and if you would listen closely you would hear the chants. It is nice to take pictures in this place but be sure not to take pictures of the altar & the prayer rooms.

We then headed to our next stop which is the Magellan’s cross & Basilica Minor del Sto. Nino.

Magellan's Cross is a Christian cross planted by Portuguese, and Spanish explorers as ordered by Ferdinand Magellan upon arriving in Cebu in the Philippines on April 21, 1521. The original cross is encased inside the wooden cross that is found in the chapel. This is to protect the original cross from people who chipped away parts of the cross for souvenir purposes or in the belief that the cross possesses miraculous powers.

The convent of the Sto. Niño de Cebu was founded by Fr. Andres de Urdaneta on April 28, 1565 , the very day the Legazpi-Urdaneta expedition arrived in the island. On May 8 of the same year, when Legaspi and his men planned the urbanization of the city, they allotted a "place for the church and the convent of San Agustin, "where the Santo Niño image had been found." In 1599, the convent was made a house of studies of grammar, headed by the Visayan linguist, Fr. Alonso de Mentrida. It also served as a rest house for missionaries working in the province and as a retirement home for the aged and the sick, usually attended to by a lay brother. The church has always been the Sanctuary of the Sto. Niño, under the custody of the Augustinians. The number of priests assigned to the church varied from three to five aside from one or two lay brothers. (source: http://basilicasantonino.org.ph/pages/basilica_complex.html)

There was a mass held inside the church so we decided to have our mass, but after knowing it was a mass for the installation of newly elected PTC officers of the school, we decided to go on with our tour since we’re decided to finish the day tour that day.

UPDATE: The bell tower of this famous church got destroyed last October 15, 2013 due to a 7.2 magnitude earthquake

Mass Schedules (source:http://basilicasantonino.org.ph/)

After a stop at the gift shop and Island souvenirs we decided to take a quick break at McDonalds, and I had my first Smurf float!

We then walked to the Cebu Cathedral took some pictures and prayed, we were not able to get near the altar since there was a wedding held in the Cathedral.

So we then continued to the Heritage Monument, and at last to the Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House. Then luckily as soon as we stepped inside the house it rained.

We were toured by the curator who is the care taker of the house and also served as our photographer.

The house is one of the oldest houses in Cebu. Yet it is amazing how the family still occupies the house every weekend and yes, they’re coming that night.
It was constructed out of coral stones and woods, by a family of Chinese merchants sometime in the late 17th century. 


 
History tells that Parian was a busy barangay and the community houses were commonly designed with a second storey. To date, this “Balay nga Bato ug Kahoy” (house of wood and stones) stands still despite wrecks and fate of time at the corner of Mabini and Lopez-Jaena streets. The house’s roof and wall were 95% original. It was also believed that this particular old landmark was the oldest existing Chinese house outside China.

We stayed there until the rain calmed down. We then decided to end our tour from there. Which actually, if it wasn’t raining, we still have yet Casa Gorodo, Sugubu Museum & Fort San Pedro. So we then decided to go to SM Cebu to eat dinner & buy our ferry tickets to Bohol the next day. We bought our tickets at Mail & More, the personnel was kind enough to find the cheapest we could get, but then they told us that they charge 10% of the ticket price as their service charge.

We then bought dinner at Jollibee and also bought some things we forgot to bring. We were okay until we realized that we forgot to ask the hotel staff what to ride from SM back to the hotel. We then decided to take the taxi, not realizing that the long line was actually the queue for the taxi and it was the LONGEST TAXI QUEUE I EVER SEEN! To think that before we tried riding a taxi going home from EDSA Shrine after attending the EDSA 2 Revolution.

It took us almost 4 hours before it was our turn, I prayed hard that there would be more taxis and yes after my 4^th mystery it rained taxis! 4 taxis arrived all at the same time.

 

 

 

Day 2- August 4- Bohol Trip

We woke up around 0500H then dressed up and flagged down a taxi to Cebu Port. My friend decided to buy breakfast, while I already ate in the hotel my spaghetti that I bought last night. Then we went inside the port. There we saw a lot of tourist, you would know they’re tourist simply because of the constant picture taking and some are foreigners with their luggage at hand.
The gates were opened at 0600H exactly. We headed to the ferry and sat, well I was actually my first time to ride a ferry. It took us a while; we waited until around 0700H before we departed.

Here is a link for a more detailed entry of our Bohol Trip.

Day 3- August 5

We were able to go home around 2200H so we decided to sleep till 1030H the next morning. Then we dressed up and packed our bags. We left our bags at the baggage area and headed to finish our list. First stop was Fort San Pedro.

 Fuerza de San Pedro is a military defence structure, built by Spanish and indigenous Cebuano labourers under the command of Spanish conquistador, Miguel López de Legazpi and the Spanish Government in Cebu. It is located in the area now called Plaza Indepedencia, in the Pier Area. The smallest, oldest triangular bastion fort in the country was built in 1738 to repel Muslim raiders. In turn, it served as a stronghold for Filipino revolutionaries near the end of the 19th century. This served as the nucleus of the first Spanish settlement in the Philippines. The three bastions were named La Concepción (SW); Ignacio de Loyola (SE), and San Miguel (NE). The sides are of unequal lengths and the one fronting the city is where one may find entry into the Fort. Fourteen cannons were mounted in their emplacements most of which are still there today. Work first started on May 8, 1565 with Miguel Lopéz de Legazpi breaking ground.

sitting under a hundred year old tree

Me & My friend on our way to one of the bastions

We took our time taking pictures and enjoying the fresh air. It was also nice knowing more of the history of Cebu. It was also dreadful to hear and read the stories of hardships our countrymen had suffered brought by the colonizations of other countries.

Then we headed straight to Plaza Independencia had some pictures then spotted AA BBQ just across the street. We decided to have our lunch since it was already past 1200H. It is actually a “paluto” restaurant where in you would choose you the food raw and then you would tell them how they would cook it for you and the price…. Was reasonable! We had 3 sticks of pork barbecue, 4 pieces of langgonisa, a grilled fish, 2 orders of rice, and drinks.

After a hearty meal we headed out to Casa Gorodo, we got lost and reached the pier but luckily I remembered the pier so we used Google maps. As soon as we reached Casa Gorodo, the care taker informed us that it was closed. They told us to try going to Sugbo Museum instead which is just near. Not being a “walker” we kinda got tired and felt that it was too far than what we usually expected. So we asked around again and they said it’s just straight ahead.

An Old Drug Bottle

As soon as we saw it we paid the fees and went in. The Sugbo Museum is the Cebu Provincial Museum. It was once the main prison of the Visayas Islands and was called Carcel del Distrito.  It is a huge museum containing 12 air conditioned galleries. There are 4 permanent galleries and the special exhibition galleries. There are also 2 large galleries which contains the National Museum- Cebu regional Branch. It houses the excavations from Plaza Independencia and the San Diego Shipwreck of 1600. Another 2 large galleries contain the National Historical Commission’s Museum of Philippine History.

Head of the 12 Apostles

Future Pres. Kennedy of the Philippines? hahaha :P

After the long tour, we decided to head to Ayala Cebu, cause you know we’re Ayala Mall girls. So we flagged down a taxi to Ayala Cebu.

 Ayala Cebu has an exterior with the similar feel to Alabang Town Center and a garden area similar to Greenbelt. I went to Starbucks hoping that they would have a demitasse set there for my collection. Luckily the have one, they were actually telling me they have little stocks left because of the Ironman Competition held yesterday.

After roaming around we decided to go to ask the taxi driver to drive us to Shammrock to buy some pasalubongs and then pass by the Church to say a little prayer and head back to the hotel. Luckily the taxi we rode was a Manilenyo, born and raised in the city of Manila, he was around 40-50 years old and stayed in Cebu since his 2 children went to college. He asked us if we already visited the different tourist spots. I even told him, “Sana Manong nung isang araw pa naming kayo nasakyan. Para kayo na lang po tour guide naming, madalang kasi kami maka-encounter ng marunong mag Tagalog.” (We hoped we were able to ride in your taxi since our first day here so that we made you our tour guide, we seldom encounter taxi drivers who can speak & understand Tagalog.) Our taxi bill was just around PhP 130 but I gave him 200 :D He was really kind to us and even wished us a safe flight back to Manila.

After reaching the hotel, we got our bags and flagged down another taxi to Mactan. We plan to go to the beach and found this really cheap beach with PhP 20 entrance fee. It was called Vano beach. It was a long trip we reached the place around 1800H and as soon as we reached it the caretaker said they’re closed already, then I asked them if they do have rooms, they said they have but they don’t accept overnight stays.

With nowhere to stay we headed back to the previous resort we saw, Haruhay Restaurant & Resort.

 It was a little bit dark already, around 1830H when we negotiated the price of the room. We also informed them if they could give us a discount because we’re just gonna stay there till 0200H. The said it is a fixed price. We did not bargain enough because we were so tired already. We then agreed and just paid them since we’re about to leave early.

They have a pool, a tennis court and of course a german restaurant. The place was nice, the thing I did not enjoy with this place was that it was too dark even though it was just 1900H and last is that I left my Timex watch (learned I lost it when we already checked in  at the airport) in the room and tried to contact them but they did not respond back. The staff was courteous anyway so that’s a plus for me. Though don’t expect too much, it’s not that clean because of all the trees surrounding the place, but at least the bathroom is clean and so is the bed, very comfortable!

We then asked them if they could call in a taxi for us to bring us to the airport and they did. Unfortunately we were asked by the taxi driver if it is okay if we give him PhP 450 because he came from the Cebu City proper.







We reached the airport around 0230H. And had our flight back home around 0310H and arrived in Manila around 0400H but it took us a while because of our checked in bags and unfortunately it rained so yeah I got my bags drenched in the rain.

But over all I enjoyed. There were adventures, and misadventures but who gets a perfect getaway the first time they planned one right? I also love how Cebuanos are very accommodating, warm and helpful. Only downfall is that not everyone can speak Filipino, but they try hard to help. The City feels like Metro Manila minus the traffic. Surely will come back I also love how they preserve every important places and yet still have that Metro feel. I would really want to come back and enjoy the other side of town and get sun-kissed skin all-over me!

For the list of our expenses & the summary of our travel itenerary see this post

WHERE TO STAY:

Golden Valley Hotel
155 A. Pelaez St.
Cebu City 6000, Philippines
Tel Nos.: (6332) 253-8660; (6332) 253-8481
Cellphone Nos.: (+63917) 323-8660; (+63918) 951-5497; (+63923) 737-6215
Sales / Telefax: (6332) 253-8482
Email: sales@goldenvalleyhotel.net; reservations@goldenvalleyhotel.net 
website: http://goldenvalleyhotel.net/



Haruhay Dream Resort
Marigondon Beach, 6015 Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
Telefon +00 63 917 303 1954
TEL/FAX +63 32 340 9790
Alternate Mobile No.: +00 63 917 325 6016
E-mail Address: contact@haruhay-philippines.com
website: http://www.haruhay-philippines.com/