Cebu City by Foot and Jeep

July 7, 2011
Cebu City, Cebu

Cebu was the first destination of the 4 day Cebu-Bohol vacation. We had one day to explore Cebu! Being wise spenders (or "kuripot") we opted to get around Cebu mostly by foot and by jeepney rides. (Click to see jeepney routes in Cebu). I've been to Cebu a lot of times before, but taking it on by foot and jeep made this trip truly a unique experience.

We stayed at JY crown palace at only Php 300 per head. It was a bargain, and the place was pretty decent. So after after checking in, we started out on our tour of Cebu City.

We started off at the Philippine Toaist Temple (~1 km from JY)
We walked 700 m to Gordon Ave then we took the 17B jeep to Fuente Osmena



We had lunch at Larsian BBQ near Fuente Osmena


From Fuente Osmena we took the 21B jeep to see Magellan's cross


then off to the Basillica Minore del Sto. Nino de Cebu

A little prayer to the Sto. Nino


After which we walked across to fort San Pedro

We lounged for a bit inside the triangular fort

Then we walked! first to Pier 1 to check Bohol fare rates of Ocean Jet,

then to Pier 4 to book our tickets with Supercat
We decided to take a short jeep ride (12 G) from pier 4 to SM for some snacks


In the evening we set out to enjoy the view of the City at Crown Regency
We did the sky walk and had dinner buffet

We took a taxi to Crossroads for K1 family KTV


Then finally walked to 'The Walk' of Asiatown IT park
to signify the end of our Walk in Cebu

*photos courtesy of Alden and Eds

Baler Surf

June 18 - 20, 2011
Baler, Aurora

June 20 was a non-working holiday in commemoration of our national hero's 150th birthday. Given that there are only few long weekends this year, my office mates and I took upon the chance to get out of the city and enjoy the weekend. So we went to Baler...

Baler was truly enjoyable! We stayed at Bahia de Baler and dined at Bay's Inn. The beach was perfect for surfing with its long shore line, smooth sand, gradual descent, and nice waves. The town and its surrounding areas were beautiful. Here are some of the activities that we did, as well as the places we visited:

First order of business: Surf's up!


2nd day we went around Baler: Maria Aurora's house


Then off to Quezon Park


Quezon Park housed the Museo de Baler


In decades past, villagers climbed Ermita hill to avoid an incoming tsunami

We decided to pursue a cove with white beach,
along the way we passed by Dima-dimalangat

And we chanced upon Diguisit Falls

Finally, the breathtaking Dicasalarin Cove

Back to Baler Bay for some frisbee and more surfing fun

Surfing is no easy feat. But thanks to Charlie Does
I had a surfin' good time!

** Courtesies in place**

Transportation: Sir Allan and Ate Ria
Reservation and Accommodation: Treb
Pictures: Sir Allan and Alden

Coron Take Two!

May 13-17, 2011
Coron, Palawan

Coron was my first ever entry to this blog. My second time around Coron, its magnificence still captivates me.

With 5 days to spare and armed with an exhausting (a.k.a. Brian) itinerary, my trip this time around was jam packed with activities! Mix this up with handful of awesome people, loads full of beautiful scenery, bits and pieces of cool aquatic life, and a pinch or two of gecko (tuko) makes for a trip worth remembering!

Gran Vista Lodge with the Group
(Photo Courtesy: Marion)

Sunset from Mt. Tapyas

(Photo courtesy: Marion)

Maquinit Hot Springs

(Photo courtesy: Chiara)

Malcapuya: soft sand great for touch football
(Photo courtesy: Bunny)

Exploring Banana Island. I love this quaint little island with its sand bar!

(Photo courtesy: Lance)


Sunset at Castaway Resort

(Photo courtesy: Marion)

Siete Picados. don't forget to bring some pandesal for the fish!
(Photo courtesy: Chiara)

Cayangan Lake. My fave swimming spot
(Photo courtesy: Bunny)

Skeleton Wreck, great snorkeling site

(Photo courtesy: Lance)

Twin Lagoon! swimming and touching the jellyfish was one heck of an experience

(Photo courtesy: Lance)

Barracuda Lake, intimidating name but nevertheless a great swim spot
(Photo courtesy: Bunny)

CYC, stopover waiting for the tide to ebb
(Photo Courtesy: Sam)

Beach 91. Explore and Play
(Photo courtesy: Sam)

The Opulent Sto. Nino Shrine

April 23, 2011
Sto. Nino Shrine, Tacloban City, Leyte

The Sto. Nino Shrine is not a church, it is actually a rest house (or castle?) built for Imelda (built from 1979-1981). The Marcoses never really stayed in this huge rest house. And according to our guide, it was only used 2-3 times for gatherings. The first floor housed a large chapel, dining area, sala area, and 13 guest rooms (each with different themes). On the second floor one will see the magnanimous ballroom, another sala area, another dining area, and the rooms of Ferdinand, Imelda and the children. Words nor pictures cannot describe how rich and grand the shrine was. One can only imagine how it was in its glory days, and how pricy it must have been. The shrine was dark, lights were only turned on by the guide as we passed through each area of the house. Bear with my pictures, but take a glimpse on the opulence of this rest house.

Each guest room had paintings of famous painters (e.g., Malang, Amorsolo)


One of the guest rooms

Nara wood carving of Malakas and Maganda


Ivory sculptures "gifts" to the Marcoses

China wares, gifts from Mao

One of the many crystal chandeliers

Huge portrait of Imelda in the Huge ballroom

One of the huge Nara chandeliers in the Huge ballroom

The dinning table that was never dined at

(China wares all over)

This big block of jade was placed in Imelda's room to counter
bad feng shui

Tacloban City Tour

April 23, 2011
Tacloban, Leyte

After our day at the beach, Apollo and Liezl took us around Tacloban and nearby places in Leyte. Here are some of the places that we saw:

Leyte Capitol Building (this was taken in the evening of April 22)

We started late the next day, headed out to Rafael's farm for lunch


On our way back to Tacloban, we passed by the foot of San Juanico Bridge


We then proceeded to the McArthur Landing Memorial in Palo


The gang enjoying the sea breeze at the McArthur Landing Memorial Park


Last stop the Sto. Nino Shrine, the Marcos' Tacloban Resthouse
(see separate blog post)

Caluwayan Getaway

April 22, 2011
Caluwayan, Samar

First post of the year :)

The first quarter has passed, and I have not been traveling as much as I would have wanted to. So far I've visited Laiya Batangas (again), here is a post of Laiya from last year. I've also been to Mt. Pinatubo with my siblings. I'll create a different post for that. In the meantime I want to share my Holy Week vacation to Leyte and Samar.

Emil and I went to Tacloban, Leyte to enjoy the holidays. Much to our appreciation Apollo and Liezl were very accommodating. The trip was all more enjoyable because of their hospitality.

Apollo, Liezl and their family took us to Caluwayan, Samar to enjoy the day at the beach. The resort is only around 45 minutes - 1 hour drive from Tacloban City proper (We got to pass the San Juanico Bridge). The Caluwayan palm island beach resort was pleasant, they had direct access to the beach, quaint cottages, pleasant ambiance, clean pool and good food. More than the beach resort, I was taken aback by the beautiful scenery of Caluwayan islet/rock formations. Emil and I went off to a banka ride to take a closer look at the islets. Below are some of the pictures, too bad we didn't have a nicer camera. Enjoy the pictures!

View from the resort

Off to a banka ride (paddle drive)

Limestone formations both on and off the mainland

Can you see the snake skin dangling?


Fishermen trying for their catch

Lights in the City

December
Metro Manila

Cool breeze, food, carols, greetings and gifts, these are signs that the Christmas season is upon us. Among all the festivities, one of the things that I truly enjoy seeing is the city being adorned with lights and decors. Here are some spots you might want to catch before the season ends :).

GMA from MRT station (Phone Cam)

Ayala Triangle Gardens

Nativity scene at the Ayala Triangle

Christmas Village - Meralco Compound (Phone Camera)

Nativity scene -Meralco Compound