Cebu, Philippines (Part 5 of 5)

Before you decide to fly to Cebu, spend some time reading this article to know more about Cebu. Don't be like me, encountered a few hiccups especially the departure tax.

About Cebu

Cebu (Cebuano: Sugbo) is a province in the Philippines, consisting of Cebu Island and 167 surrounding islands. Cebu is a long narrow island stretching 225 kilometers from north to south, surrounded by 167 neighbouring, smaller islands, which include Mactan, Bantayan, Malapascua, Olango and the Camotes Islands. Cebu has narrow coastlines, limestone plateaus and coastal plains.

Its capital is Cebu City, the oldest city in the Philippines, which forms part of the Cebu Metropolitan Area together with four neighboring cities which include Danao City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City and Talisay City and eight other municipalities. Mactan-Cebu International Airport, located in Mactan island, is the second busiest airport in the Philippines.

Mactan Island is a Coral Island located across from Cebu City. The island is connected to Cebu by 2 major bridges. Mactan holds all of the beach areas and resort areas closest to Cebu City.

Map of Cebu City (given by hotel)

Language

Cebuano is the official language spoken in Cebu and it is also spoken in most areas of the Visayas.

Currency

The currency is the Philippine Peso (PHP). Bill denominations are: 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000 pesos. If possible, bring your cash in 500 PHP denominations as you will find that getting change for 1,000 PHP bills is at times difficult. Only the larger restaurants and hotels accept credit cards including MasterCard, Visa and American Express, although a 5% surcharge on credit cards is standard. Personal checks are generally not accepted.

Climate and Clothing

Amihan - High Season, Sep/Oct to May/Jun 25-32°C, hot and humid, little or no rainfall.

Philippines summer - Apr/May/Jun, 28-38°C, hot and mostly dry.

Habagat - Low Season, May/Jun to Sep/Oct, 25-32°C, moderate to heavy rainfall.

Electricity

Electricity in Philippines is 220 Volts, alternating at 60 cycles per second. If you travel to Philippines with a device that does not accept 220 Volts at 60 Hertz, you will need a voltage converter. Do use a flat blade plug or two round pins plug. Otherwise always bring a travel adaptor along.

Safety and Security

For the most part, Cebu is considered safe for travellers from all locations. However, visitors should take standard precautions to protect themselves from harm during their travels in the area.

Internet Facilities

Many hotels have WiFi internet connection, some restaurants have WiFi hotspots, and internet cafes are also scattered around the island. Getting online shouldn't be a problem, although speeds are going to be slow and subject to interruption.

Tipping

Usually service charge, VAT and local food tax have been included in the bill, so in my opinion tipping is not require especially in Asian country. However if you still insist to tip for excellent service you receive, well PHP20 to PHP50 should be enough.

Getting to Cebu

By Air

Cebu is an international destination with flights from Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Japan, Taiwan and South Korea. Arrival is at at the Mactan International Airport almost daily. From Manila, Cebu is just an hour away by plane. Make sure you get to airport at list one hour before your departure time since by now you should know the pace of service. Do remember to set aside PHP750 per adult for terminal fee (departure tax) for international flight.

By Sea

Cebu City's vast, multi-piered port throngs harbor boats travelling around the Philippines. There are daily ferries to and from Cebu, Manila, Bohol, Negros, Leyte, Butuan, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Ozamis and Iligan among others. Ferry schedules change often so reconfirm departure times you get from guidebooks.

4D3N Cebu Itinerary

Day 1 - Explore Mactan Island

- Visit Lapu Lapu Statue/Magellan Monument

- Shopping and dinning at Gaisano Mactan/ Marina Mall

Day 2 - Islands Tour

- Islands Hopping Tour

- R&R in hotel

Day 3 - Explore Cebu City

- R&M Factory for purchase of dried mangoes

- Cebu City historical trail (start from Casa Gorordo Museum to Fort San Pedro, zoom in using the map below)

- Shopping and dinning at SM City Cebu and Ayala Center Cebu

Cebu, Philippines (Part 4 of 5)

Day 3 in Cebu. A day for shopping and visiting the heritage. In all trip, things don't go as plan, be flexible. Our initial plan was to take the Movenpick Shuttle Service to Ayala Center and hire a tricycle to take us to the attractions which are 3km away only. However it was a day with a few showers and we couldn't get onto the shuttle service. So we hired a taxi, negotiated the price to take us around for a full day.

Ayala Center Cebu

Our first destination was Ayala Center Cebu, where we would do some shopping first and have lunch to be filled with energy for visiting some attractions later. The shopping mall was huge. You can really spend a few hours here.

Fire Station beside Heritage of Cebu Monument

Kind of funny that the fire station was just beside the Monument. Anyway we took the opportunity to take some photos of the local fire station while the staff are having a post Christmas celebration I guessed.

Heritage of Cebu Monument

Entrance was free, be sure to go round the structure to take pictures. Different sides of it tells a different story. Next to it is Yap Sandiego Ancestral House. With a small entrance fee of PHP50, you get to tour the inside.

Yap Sandiego Ancestral House

Yap Sandiego Ancestral House

Yap Sandiego Ancestral House

It wasn't easy to take pictures due to many tourists during that time. Still I think we managed to get a few nice shots to share with readers.

Fort San Pedro

It took us a pretty while to get the picture of Fort San Pedro due to a few girls standing there waiting for friends. They simply didn't get the hint that many tourists was trying to take the signage without them. Guessed they regarded themselves as models.

Fort San Pedro

Go with your instinct and you might just be able to spot the right places for taking those nice shots at the Fort. Since you got to pay PHP30 to enter, take your time to explore the Fort.

Cathedral

As Casa Gorordo Museum was closed for restoration works, we headed to our next destination the Cathedral. Luck was not on our side, a wedding was carrying on when we visited, hence we could not explore much in this place. Also it was raining, so we just stay for a short while.

Cathedral, Church, Jeepney

Just enjoy the undevelop city while you are on the road and appreciate what you have back home. On the way to R&M factory to buy our dried mangoes. No food tasting, but worth the buy. Something you definitely must do. I have no idea where the actual location is. Our cabby just brought us there, going through many short cuts and small lanes.

Last but not least, we visited SM City Cebu. Not as big as Ayala Center. SM is more for local whereas Ayala is more skew towards tourists. If you are bringing kids along to SM, do not go to the restroom at the last hours, since the facilities are little and hence long queue.

Cebu, Philippines (Part 3 of 5)

Day 2 in Cebu, so what are we up to. How can one miss an island hopping tour if you are in Cebu. So blessed to have good weather on day 2 for the sun, the sea and the sand. The most headache stuff was about choosing to go with which tour. I placed my bet on Ocean Dreamer Island Tours. Some commented it was more expensive compared to others. However I am attracted to the social initiatives it has. Even if it was slightly more, who cares as long as the money went into better use.

Snorkelling

Be rest assured that the crew always look out for your safety, which was something being compromise in most of the tours we saw that day. Having a crew taking care of your safety while you were having fun was wonderful.

Lunch

Yummy yummy BBQ lunch and the Cebu mangoes served by the crew. Felt bad the crew didn't get to enjoy. But our satisfied faces and filled stomach were more than enough to bring smiles on their faces.

Sea Urchin

Fresh sea urchins for tea-break. Best to go with Red Horse Beer not for export. A jolly good time with the crew and doing silly stuff.

Sunset

Sunset

Before ending the tour, the beautiful sunset greeted us farewell. Seriously consider giving Ocean Dreamer Island Tours a try. I bet you will love it.

Ocean Dreamer Island Tours

Ocean Dreamer on Facebook

Tripadvisor Reviews on Ocean Dreamer Island Tours

Cebu, Philippines (Part 2 of 5)

Downside of having my sister and brother-in-law in the trip was not able to try the local delicacy. Well my sister has a weak stomach while brother-in-law is not adventurous. Giving it a miss this time, I will be back to try local delicacy with my adventurous friends next time. We still have some nice food.

Snack at Movenpick

While waiting to check-in into our hotel room, we had little bites from The Lobby Lounge and not to miss out on my coffee.

Dinner at Movenpick

We didn't manage to get a seat at Ibiza Beach Club, hence dinner was simple at The Lobby Lounge again. Just lazing in our seats, taking in the breeze, looking over the pool and enjoying the free WIFI.

Breakfast and desserts at Movenpick

Spread of breakfast was reasonable, but for 3 days taking the same spread kind of sick of it. We didn't manage to take any pictures because of the crowd. I think it is cheaper to have your room package inclusive of buffet breakfast.

Jollibee at Ayala Center Cebu

Jollibee did open an outlet in my home country, but we never get to try. It was a must try Philippines fast food outlet. So we have to lay our hands on this no matter how long the queue was. It was worth the wait, delicious, better than KFC in my opinion.

Asian Seafood Restaurant outside Movenpick

By chance after our island hopping tour, we saw this restaurant just beside our hotel. Everything is wait again, but okay since we are on holiday and not hurry for time. If you do happen to stay at Movenpick, just walk over to Asian Seafood Restaurant that serve yummy seafood. If I was not restricted to the less adventure travel-mates this time, I should be able to find more makan places near my hotel.

Bigby's at SM City Cebu

After shopping at SM City, time to fill the stomach. Thought it was going to be long wait again. Food was served not long after we placed our orders. By the last night, we were almost broke, so we took back all the change for the bill. After all, service tax, VAT and local food tax was already included in the bill.

Cebu, Philippines (Part 1 of 5)

Year 2013 was a year of 2 mission trips and none holiday trip to pamper myself. Year 2014 soon came to an end, which I desperately needed a gate-away trip. It was a last minute plan to go for one during Christmas 25 Dec 2014. Despite higher costs during super peak season, I went ahead to book the air ticket and hotel accommodation without much homework being done this time round. All I needed was a pampering trip which I will not count every cents this time round. That's what an accountant will usually do, to make sure every cents spent, is worth the price. Soon I found myself landed in Cebu and the adventure began......

From the very first day, things just didn't turn up well. I told myself this was a super peak season, got to be patient. Otherwise I would end up complaining and not enjoy the long waited break. After all, the break was to slow down my pace, break from the hectic lifestyle, relax and enjoy. So enjoy the pictures of Cebu. Hope you will get a chance to visit Cebu.

Movenpick Shuttle Bus

We decided to stay in Mactan Island instead of Cebu City, as after all Cebu is known for its beaches and going for an island hopping tour will be much easier. So we chose Movenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu. The hotel does provide free shuttle services to Ayala Center Cebu and SM City Cebu in Cebu City. Hence getting to Cebu City to shop is easy but do make sure you reserve a seat early with the staff, to avoid disappointment.

Movenpick Lobby

The Lobby Lounge is where you should try ordering the coffee. If you are a coffee lover like me, this is something you must not miss. The towering Venus espresso machine by Victoria Arduino is the focal point of the grand lobby and is where the Lobby Lounge brews an elegant cup of imported Mövenpick specialty coffee. Crafted by master artisans in the small village of Macerata in Southeastern Italy, it is the same espresso machine used at the Vatican.

Ibiza Beach Club

Do consider going during off peak, guess you will get to enjoy the facilities better with less crowd and less noise.

Pool in the day

Pool in the night

Movenpick in the day

Movenpick in the night

Staying in a one bedroom ocean view suite for 3, I considered it as our first time to splurge for such a room. Every morning, you woke up with the sunrise greeting you right where you were laying. The best spot for sunrise ever.

Ocean view from our room

Pool and Ibiza view from our room

Ocean view from our room

1 bedroom ocean view suite

1 bedroom ocean view suite

One of the advantage staying in this room, was to call for room service, have our meals here, enjoying the breath-taking scenic, without the crowd and noise. Some stuff in the room are losing their shine, time for the hotel to do some upkeep and maintenance, if it wants to uphold the standard.

Aqua aerobics coming to Toa Payoh

Aqua aerobics coming to Toa Payoh. Check this out if you are interested in the class.

https://www.facebook.com/ViksFitness/photos/a.1457468297816039.1073741828.1457232747839594/1538177163078485/?type=1&theater

Nescafe Ipoh White Coffee with Hazel Nut

Have tried Hazel Nut Latte, but Hazel Nut Ipoh White Coffee is something new. Just imagine you are drinking those white coffee with the smell of hazel nut. The smell and taste of hazel nut give the coffee a little boost to the aroma. The sweetness is acceptable for me although I am not someone who prefer sweet stuff.

Nescafe Ipoh White Coffee Hazel Nut

Kopiko L.A. White

Earlier I wrote about L.A. Coffee with no taste of coffee. Hence I was sceptical about this packaging. Will it taste the same as the previous one? Conclusion it was just slightly better that the previous one I tried. The smell is strong when one makes the drink, however it doesn't taste fantastic as a coffee. However everything has its own fan. My colleague is just a fan of L.A. Coffee. As for me, it is never my cup of coffee.

Kopiko L.A. White

Jie Coffee Bags

Don't know where my mum manage to get this. Thought is looks pretty attractive. Inside contains coffee bags. Not bad after all if you are just going for black coffee. Of course if you are looking for good one, this surely can't even compare to Nespresso capsule.

Jie Coffee Bags

Nescafe Kopi-O

Didn't think that Nesafe will come out with Kopi-O. Generally a good mix of both coffee and sugar for a normal cup size. Want to drink Kopi-O now you can have it instantly at home, rather than going Kopitiam for a cup.

Nescafe Kopi-O