Jan 21-25, 2017
Wasn't long enough but here I am again making my way back to the Queen City of the South together with my Family and closest friends we're about to explore for 3 days.
For this trip, it would be a semi DIY. We have contacted Island Trek tours for the main attractions which is twin city tour and for Simala Pilgrimage tour with Hidden beach sidetrip. And for other attractions would depend upon our remaining time.
Our flights scheduled Jan. 21, 2017 but in different time, there's 7am, 10am and even 10pm so we have decided to make our activities starts when we're complete. What we did for our first day in the City is to make some rest and hunt for some recommended restaurants. When in Cebu, Lechon should not be taken off the list that's why we tried to look for CnT for our dinner but to our dismay they run out of stock so next thing to go is the famous Cafe Laguna located at ayala terraces cebu. It is a fine dining restaurant that offers not just cebu dishes but also other filipino best cuisine. when dining in Cafe Laguna, better be early or you'll wait for a long while to be seated, but it was worth it. Servings are good for sharing and that would be good if you come in big group just like us. With so much for the day we get rest as we will have to be early for the next day twin city tour.
As early as 6am we leave the pension house and to start the tour we got PARIAN and Yap-San Diego Ancestral house on our first destination. The Ancestral house will remind you of the houses in Laguna more specifically Rizal's Ancestral house and others, with it's preserve antique collections inside this will take you back in time. Just across the ancestral house is the PARIAN. It is a monument that depicts the history of Cebu more likely it is somehow reminds me of history subjects in elementary.
Next thing on our list is the Fort San Pedro which happen to be the Intramuros of Cebu. Spanish structures with walled city feels and of course museum inside. ticking off our next destination is the famous Magellan's Cross along with Sto. Nino de Menore Basilica and Cebu Cathedral. though Sinulog was a week ago, tourist and devotees flocks the church and visiting the Señor Sto. Nino. Magellans cross is also another busiest area in the city. Never will I imagine that this site would be empty of visitor. What makes me feel good is the Cebu Cathedral which is just few meters away from the Basilica. It is a more quiet and more serene place than the later. You can pray without thinking of people to flocked behind you. And half day is over we have to get some good lunch before proceeding to our few more destinations. For a better Cebu Lechon tasting we had our lunch at Rico's Lechon restaurant and it was indeed a good choice.
For another adventure must try in the City is the sky walk adventure. Getting our way to the highest skyscraper in Cebu we brace ourselves as we try to conquer the fear of heights and walk around to the glass and metal platform where one can view the whole city lights. And so we call it a day.
third day in the queen city and what we have prepared for the day is a Pilgrimage tour. Waking up early in morning we make our way to Sibonga; First destination is the St. Katherine Church. Good thing about this, we came too early that we were the first visitor of the church. Just had a quick prayer and sight seeing then we proceed to Simala Church or what they call the Castle of south Cebu. It was such a great feeling that even it is raining we managed to see the majestic miraculous church. It is still under construction but the view got me captured most specially knowing that this church has testify to many miracles happen in one's life.
Next on our list is the shoe expo. for us, it is a usual place for selling. Nothing special but for those who loves shoes might be in a rush to be there. Proceeding on our next destination which is Hidden Beach in aloguinsan, it has been a long long drive that you might feel like travelling to Quezon Province all the way from Manila. It was a tiring trip since the road has not been developed and as if you're going nowhere until we got to our destination. Unfortunately, Rain starts to fall and our concern were the kids with us might get sick if we push with it. We aborted the mission and regretting the experience to touch the fine sand and explore the simplicity of the area. We traveled once again and had our lunch somewhere in between. It's getting late already and we've just decided to spend most of our time in the newly built Church just right beside SM by the Bay which is no other than Pedro Calungsod Church. There's a different vibes in this area. Feeling classy, walled City and a place for serenity. But of course the main reason for getting there was giving thanks for another one good memory for a family trip. After that we make our way to the famous Pasalubong center for dried fish and that's how our third day tour ends.
After assuming that our day has ended, we came upon to go to what they called French restaurant that makes you feel like being there actually. It is none other than "La Vie Perissienne" They offer bread and wines that satisfy ones soul for French experience. But what's more interesting? It is their ambiance; There's this Wine Cellar, Bohemian themed area, Classy french villa and others. That's a must try experience.
This is my second time in Cebu and like what I said before there are many reasons to go back. It may not be favorable like what it's planned but the journey was always worth it. I've got to see what is there in the City, next time I wanted to explore more of the south as well as northern Cebu. Until our next meeting Cebu! Daghang Salamat!
