Cebu City Weekend Trip

I haven't been to Cebu before that is why on my post 24th birthday celebration (my exact birthday fell on the holyweek) Jan and I decided to go to Cebu for a day of exploring the oldest City in the Philippines. Jan warned me that Cebu City is more like Manila (unless we head to the northern or southern part of Cebu). I initially planned to celebrate my birthday in Bantayan Island but I don't like to be wasting our short trip in Cebu travelling for hours just to get to the destination ..Maybe next time when we have longer vacation days. Our goal was only to relax, experience Cebu delicacies and escape our routinely life in Manila even just for a weekend trip. 

Our supposed 7am flight was cancelled and so we were scheduled for the next 9am flight and arrived in Mactan International Airport at exactly 10:10am. Whenever we travel, I always make sure to prepare an itinerary at least one week prior to our scheduled trip to maximize our time and searched on how to get around the destination. DIY Itinerary to Cebu City is pretty much easy. The only hassle is ofcourse transferring from one public commute to another but it'll save you a big chunk of money from availing a package tour and you also have a full control of your own time. Since we only packed for two days clothes, we decided to commute like the locals do and rode jeepneys and taxis to roam around the City. 

Selfie inside the shuttle. hehe

Our first itinerary was to head straight to Mactan Shrine. The historical tourist attraction nearest to the airport. Using my Cebu commute guide [which I jotted down on a piece of paper], we rode the yellow airport shuttle to Marina Mall and asked the driver to drop us where we could ride another jeepney to Punta Engano that will pass by to the shrine. Fare is Php11.00. 

The shrine was built in commemoration of first Philippine battle happened on 1521 between the Spanish soldiers led by Portuguese navigator, Ferdinand Magellan and famous native Cebuano hero, Rajah Lapu-Lapu. The Magellan Shrine is believed to be the exact spot where Ferdinand Magellan was killed after a poisonous arrow felled to him by one of the men of Lapu-Lapu.

Inside the Mactan Shrine is also where you can see the bronze statue of Lapu-Lapu. 

There are also a lot of stalls along the shrine that sells souvenir items.I bought another ref magnet to add in my collection and T-shirt for my mom. 

Punta Engano View Deck

Ofcourse, our Cebu City trip wouldn't be complete without a taste of their famed "Cebu Lechon". They say that CNt Lechon is one of the best lechon restaurants in town and so from Mactan shrine, we rode a jeepney bound for Park Mall. Fare is Php14.00. From there, we rode another jeepney to SM Cebu and walk our way across the mall to CNt lechon located inside a yellow building. 

The restaurant's lighting is dim though it looked bright in my photo because of my cam's flash. We ordered 1/4 lechon and chopseuy 

My verdict: CNt lechon is chewy and flavorful. No need for any lechon dip or toyo-mansi. No wonder they are often tag to be the best lechon in town.

After our yummy lechon indulgence, we rode a taxi to take us to Castle Peak Hotel where we stayed overnight in Cebu City. Our room has a modern interior with double size bed, hot & cold shower, refrigerator, coffee maker and cabled TV for only Php1588. For the price we paid, this hotel was a great value.The hotel is also a short taxi/jeep ride away from IT Park Mall and SM Cebu. And less crowded compared if you stay in hotels somewhere in Fuente Osmena. If you want to avail their buffet breakfast, just pay additional 250php per person but in our case, we decided to try out a grilled bar nearby for a change.

After a restful sleep, we started the continuation of our Cebu City tour at the famous Magellan Cross and Basilica Minore del Santo Nino De Cebu. Unfortunately, both religious landmark are still under construction due to a strong earthquake that hit Visayas almost a couple of years ago. 

Magellan's Cross

The Cross still has a wooden braces after the earthquake.

Basilica Minore del Santo Nino De Cebu or commonly known as Sto Nino Church is the oldest Roman Catholic Church established in the Philippines by the Augustian priests in 1565. The earthquake happened on October 2013 destroyed the Basilica's belfry and facade and still under construction up to this date. 

 Beautiful altar of the Basilica. The Basilica is also where you could see the oldest religious relic [sto nino] in the country.

From the Basilica, we rode a jeepney enroute to "Jones" or "Fuente" for our early dinner at Larsian located just a short walking distance from Fuente Circle  Larsian is included in one of the most must-try food trip in Cebu City by GMA news TV program, Ang Pinaka. It has a stretch of stalls offering variety of street foods and grilled dishes.

We ordered grilled squid, pork, chorizo and chicken liver barbeque. It also comes with Puso (hanging rice) and plastic glove as it is meant to be eaten using your hand. Eating puso is something new for us. And with all the dishes we ordered, we only paid less than Php300. Super affordable! For desert, of course nothing beats the chocolate sundae of Mcdo. Hehe

Then we went back to our hotel for a quick rest. Jan and I are a big fan of Jazz music [influenced by both our parents.] That is why we were so thrilled to see a Jazz bar across Castle Peak hotel called "Jazz n' bluz". We went to the bar just in time before the bands start to perform. Session4 performed on the 1st set with jazz/bosa nova songs and Purplenotes entertained the guests with their ballad/pop songs. Both bands are equally talented singers and musicians and they would be perfect to perform to formal social gatherings like weddings and business events.

It was so fun watching other guests dance salsa and tango. Most of the guests are same ages with our parents. Parang kami lang ata ang young adults dun. Hehe. But we did enjoy a lot with happy crowd and romantic music. It was indeed a perfect night. We went back to our hotel past 11pm already with the continuation of our foodtrip to the hotel's convenience store eating chips, siomai and redhorse beer for Jan.

The next morning, we went to Taoist temple before our flight back to Manila. Only private vehicles and taxis are allowed to enter the Beverly hills subdivision and you have to pay extra for the taxi to wait for you. Unfortunately, the taxi driver took advantage of us and he's the only taxi driver we rode in Cebu who didn't give us our change. Estimated and double charge. Oh well... 

And then we headed to SM Cebu for a quick lunch and Lechon pasalubong. I thought there was a CNt Lechon branch at SM Cebu's food court [as what I've read from a travel blog]. But there is none. Good thing there are other lechon restaurants in the food court such as Marina Lechon and Lechonito de Cebu so I could still brought home lechon. We chose lechonito de Cebu and ordered 1/4k of Lechon for our lunch and 1/2K for my pasalubong to my mom. Comparison between Cnt and Lechonito de Cebu? Nothing much difference. Both are chewy and tasty. Siguro CNt is more flavorful lang but nonetheless, I also recommend Lechonito de Cebu for your lechon pasalubong. 

Beautiful clouds on the way back to Manila

Goodbye Cebu..What a refreshing weekend it has been for us to start a new week. We would definitely come back to experience your prestine white sand beaches to Bantayan Island, Malapascua, Oslob and the list goes on. Hopefully Soon! :)

And by the way, Thank you honey for this birthday travel treat :)

Always,

Rica ♡

Part 3- Ilocos Norte: Pagudpud

Click here  and here if you've missed the 1st and 2nd part of our Ilocos Adventure.

Our last destination for our Ilocos Tour is the beautiful town of Pagudpud. We arrived in Pagudpud at around 7:30pm and rode another tricycle to take us to Palm Grove Saud Holiday Complex where we stayed two nights in Pagudpud. The inn doesn't have a reception so all transactions are being done at the inn's restaurant. We were assigned at room #7 located at the second floor. Our room was spacious with queen size bed, free WiFi, hot and cold shower and free breakfast for only Php1800/night.

Our Standard Room at Palm Grove Holiday Complex

After we had settled our stuff in our room we went down to have our dinner at the inn's resto.. We ordered my all time favorite dish, grilled liempo and tortang talong.

The next morning, we snoozed our phone at 6:30am but by body clock automatically wakes me at 6am. My poor boyfriend have no choice but to adjust with my "morning person" lifestyle. For our breakfast, I ordered Bangsilog with hot chocolate while Jan ordered Hotsilog with brewed coffee.

At 9:00am, Kuya Rey, our Pagudpud tricycle guide, was already waiting for us at the inn's parking for our South Pagudpud tour. I got Kuya Rey's number thru reading a couple of travel blogs suggesting him for his good service and so I reserved his tricycle tour two weeks prior to our scheduled trip and he even helpfully recommended two of his friends who eventually became our tricycle guides in Laoag and Vigan. I asked Kuya Rey where is the perfect spot in Pagudpud where we could surf. Kuya Rey said Blue Lagoon but he warned us that the sea seems calm that day so there's a big possibility that we could not surf. We availed the blue lagoon anyway regardless of the sea's condition plus South Pagudpud tour for Php800.00. 

Our tour started at Pagudpud Arch for photoops.

We then proceeded to the next town in Bangui to see the windmills.. Seeing the giant windmills for the second time still amazes me. The Bangui windmill provides 40% electricity to Ilocos Norte..a brilliant project by the former Ilocos Norte Governor and now Senator, Bongbong Marcos.

There were also plenty of souvenir shops along the beach. I bought ref magnets (my new goal is to collect ref magnets from all the places I visit which I learned from Jan's sister) .. These windmill magnets and displays are just so cute.



Next is the Kapurpurawan Rock Formation. We were transfered to another tricycle that would tour us around Kapurpurawan for additional Php300.00. Kuya Rey explained to us that a new ordinance was passed that will no longer allow tricycle drivers from other towns to go to Kapurpurawan to give chance to the Town's tricycle drivers to earn a living.

We paid Php20.00 entrance fee and there were also horses for rent to take you to Kapurpurawan Rock formation. I actually didn't anticipate that riding a horse going to the rock formation would be the highlight of our Pagudpud trip. Its my first time to ride a horse and it was a happy, memorable experience for me I can't help but sing this time.. "Day after day.. Time passed away and I just can't get you out of my mind". Hahaha. Boyband craze!

Meet JM.

While Jan's horse named Jeffrey. :)

I was really awed by the beauty of Kapurpurawan Rock Formation. How on earth the rock became white? Indeed, beauty of nature at it's best.

The 2 way horse back riding btw costs Php100.00. Don't miss the chance to ride a horse when you go to Kapurpurawan Rock Formation. :)

Our last destination for South Pagudpud tour before we head to the Blue Lagoon was the Cape Bojeador Lighthouse built in 1887 and is still functioning up to this date. The lighthouse gives a great view of Burgos town.

Then the tricycle driver transfered us back again to Kuya Rey. We asked Kuya Rey to bring us to any restaurant where we could have our lunch. Kuya Rey asked me if it was okay for me to eat at calenderia.. I said of course.. We love home cooked dishes with affordable price. The calenderia's name is Izza if I remember it right. We enjoyed their Ilocos homecooked delicacies-- Pakbet, Bagnet, Pork adobo and Igado with free beef papaitan soup. The soup actually tastes good. Not bitter. Too bad I forgot to take picture because I excitedly finished my meal the moment they served our order.

After lunch, we took about less than an hour tricycle ride going to Blue Lagoon. Kuya Rey brought us to Kapuluan Vista Hotel where the surf boards can be rented. We checked the sea and Kuya Rey was right.. The sea was calm. But it was absolutely fine for us because the hotel has the most relaxing cocktail bar by the beach with light blue soft couches, hammock and acoustic & reggae music. We totally had a wonderful time in this place and stayed for about another hour just relaxing, cuddling each other and enjoying their refreshing cocktail and fruitshake.

Their cocktail drink's price are pretty reasonable too. I ordered their fruit shake for only Php60.00 while Jan ordered their cocktail called longchamp for Php120.00. And because its happy hour, the cocktail drink is buy one take one. Can you imagine that.. Our bill for a relaxing one hour stay and refreshing drinks was only Php180.00 . Maybe next time if ever we come back to Pagudpud again, we'll definitely stay at Kapuluan Vista Hotel. I checked their room rate and it was not that expensive at all. They are even offering fan rooms for as low as Php600.00

And that ends our tricycle tour in Pagudpud. Kuya Rey brought us back to our inn. We thanked him for making our Ilocos trip a lot more convenient for us together with 2 other guides we had at Vigan and Laoag. If ever you come to Pagudpud and need a tricycle tour, you may contact Kuya Rey at this number 09208684798.



But wait.. our Pagudpud adventure doesn't end there yet.. Of course.. this tour wouldn't be complete without visiting the pristine white sand beach of Saud. After resting for a short while.. I convinced Jan to take a dip at Saud beach which is just  walking distance from our inn..

Saud Beach

Dog's footsteps.. cuteeeee..

Saud beach is known as a not so beach friendly to swim at because the sand is soft it has a tendency to pull your feet down and get drown. But the beach was also calm when we visit soooo.. Swimming time!! We didn't go far though. We swum at the Saud beach just in time before the sun goes down. The sunset view as we enjoy the clear water of Saud beach is just so magnificent. I told myself.. "This is the life!" ..Thank you Lord for this trip.

Clear water of Saud Beach.

We went back to our inn and after a couple of hours, our tummies were hungry again. We had our dinner at the inn's resto and ordered Pork Sinigang and Tortang talong. There was a free videoke at the inn's rooftop and so after dinner, we took advantage of the videoke. Jan and I love to sing a lot.. Kahit YouTube videoke lang yan we would still duet together so having a free videoke is a big thumbs up for us. Sulit na sulit ang Php1800!

At 8am the next morning, Kuya Rey was already in our inn to take us to bus terminal to Laoag for our 1:55pm flight back to Manila. Then from Laoag bus terminal, Kuya Wilson took us to the airport as part of our tricycle tour package. On our way to the airport, I bought Ilocos longganisa and chicharon for pasalubong.

So that concludes our Ilocos Adventure. It was so nice to revisit the beautiful province of Ilocos with my favorite travel buddy and boyfriend, Jan. A vacation with lots of travel, foodtrip, fun, learnings and lurveeee.

Till we meet again, Ilocos!


Rica ♡

Part 2: Ilocos Norte-Laoag City

From Vigan, we travelled another 1 1/2 bus ride going back to Laoag. Bus fare is a little cheaper (Php110.00) because we rode the typical bus aircon. Kuya Wilson, our Laoag tricycle guide, advised us if we could meet at Batac instead so we won't go back and forth from Laoag to Batac. On our way to Batac, Jan suddenly suggested that it would be much convenient for us if we travel straight to Pagudpud after our Laoag tour so that we could start our South Pagudpud tour early and by the afternoon, he could happily surf at the blue lagoon. We initially planned to stay in Isabel Suites in Laoag and upon confirming that Palm Grove Holiday Complex (where we stayed 2nights in Pagudpud) can accommodate us a day earlier than our scheduled arrival in Pagudpud, I immediately canceled our reservation in Isabel suites thru text. Sorry Isabel Suites..

We arrived in Batac at around 2:30pm and Kuya Wilson immediately greeted us at the bus stop. We first headed to Marcos Museum where the preserved body of the late President Ferdinand Marcos lies in along with his memorabilia. Entrance fee is Php50.00. Jan is a big fan of Ferdinand Marcos-- interestingly reading all the single facts and info of the late President hanged on the museum's walls. This was the tourist attraction in Laoag where we stayed long.

Wedding Photo of late Pres. Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos.

Filipiniana Dresses Collection of Imelda Marcos

Next stop is the Paoay church.. For me Paoay Church is the most remarkable tourist attraction in Laoag the first time I've been here and still took the no. 1 place for me on my second visit . The church is solemn and has a unique architecture designed for earthquakes. No wonder why it is the most favorite church of Imelda Marcos.

Then we also stopped by to the view deck of Paoay Lake before heading to  Malacanang of the North which Kuya Wilson said was used to be a vacation house of Pres. Marcos. Imelda Marcos still stays here when she's in Ilocos. I didn't appreciate the mansion the first time I went here because my classmates and I were goofing around each other all the time. The vacation mansion is huge with preserved antique pieces, memorabillas and old pictures of the Marcoses. 

I was surprised that Malacang of the North is also holding weddings and events. There was a wedding being romantically set up at the mansion's garden facing the Paoay lake.

Next is the Paoay sand dunes.. Kuya Wilson said that riding in  a 4x4 car would be the highlight of our Laoag tour. But Jan and I we're both not a fond of sand activities. We also dont think its worth it to spend Php2500 for a ride in a 4x4 car with just the two of us. Knowing me.. I'm a boring girl. Hehe. We'd rather pay for surfing instead. Sand dunes was not included in our tour package the first time I went to Ilocos so this was basically my first time here. Being at the sand dunes made me sing Everytime by A1. If you are familiar with the song's video.. You would know what I mean. Hehe.

Our last tour in Laoag was the Sinking Bell tower located at the city proper and photoops to Laoag landmark.

Jan and I ate at Mcdo [para maiba naman] just across the Laoag landmark to fuel our body with energy for another 2hrs bus ride to Pagudpud. After our quick snack, Kuya Wilson took us to the bus terminal. Only ordinary bus travels in the afternoon going to Pagudpud. Fare is Php70.00.

Like Kuya Alex, Kuya Wilson is also informative and kind. I later learned that Ilocos local government requires tricycle drivers to attend DOT seminars due to the high demand of tourism in Ilocos. Our Laoag tricycle tour costs Php800.00 which includes transfer to airport from bus terminal. If you want to avail Kuya Wilson's Laoag tour service, you may contact him at this number 09053636635.

Click here for the last part of our Ilocos adventure in Pagudpud.


Rica ♡