Sunday, July 31, 2011

Kwentong Kaladkarin #25: Cebu Chronicles – the Church, the Caffeine, the Cholesterol and the Crazies

Da Where: Cebu, Philippines
Da When: July 5, 2011
Da Who: Vin and me! :)
Da Trivia: Cheesy. Mushy. Corny. Old-fashioned. Call it what you may but this trip was to celebrate our 3rd year anniversary together. ;D

Vin and I were a little forlorn in leaving Bohol as the past two days were just pure bliss. However, we needed to make an early SuperCat trip out of Tagbilaran so we can have a full day of exploring Cebu before our 2300H flight back to Manila later that night.

We had a bit of a taste of Cebu when we landed into the city a couple nights ago and went out for some barbecue. As soon as we docked at Cebu Port, we went straight to Banilad Town Center in Mandaue City so we can sample the Anthony Bourdain-recommended Zubuchon lechon de Cebu  but to our disappointment, a roving security officer informed us that their branch in BTC closed a couple months ago. Bummer. ;(

Dismayed and starving, we decided to just head SM City Cebu and left our heavy backpacks at the Traveler's Lounge, paying PhP30.00 for the safekeeping and had lunch at the food court where, yes, we had lechon  from Marina's Lechon. It tasted just fine for me, Mr. Bourdain. ;D

After getting our energies and endorphins back, we finally stepped out into the cloudy but warm city and headed out for the sights and thrills the Queen City of the South has to offer. :)

Basilica Minore del Santo Niño

This church, built in the 16th century, is the oldest church in the Philippines. It is believed that the church was built on the spot where the image of the Santo Niño, a sculpture depicting the Holy Child Jesus found by Spanish explorers in the late 1500s preserved in a burned wooden box which was left behind during the Magellan expedition.

For a Tuesday, there were still a lot of people going to the church, some to pray and wipe their hankies to several religious figures inside the church. Having been raised in a Catholic home, I wanted to drop by and say a prayer and light some candles.

Basilica Minore del Santo Niño from the outside

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Roost Relaxation: Home Service Massage from Islands Massage Mobile & Day Spa

I'm huge fan of massages. It is said that having an hour of massage is equivalent to 8 hours of sleep. I'm also a huge fan of sleeping. But I won't say no to a good sixty minutes of relaxation. ;)

I've tried several spa and massage establishments and wrote a couple of feedback posts (Mont Albo and Pearlsacho). But when Vin and I found ourselves at home, awake at 1:00am, I've thought of trying a home-service massage, for the first time.

Photo from Islands Massage Mobile and Day Spa website


Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Kwentong Kaladkarin #24: Bewitching Bohol – Paragayo Resort

We were looking for affordable accommodations in Panglao that was close to the beach as possible and came across several great reviews for Paragayo Resort in Tawala, Panglao.

I thought getting beachfront resort reservations won't be necessary since we were both planning to do a Bohol Beach Club Day tour anyway so I scoured blogs and forum reviews for a good backpacker place to stay without sacrificing comfort and convenience.

Paragayo Resort entrance

Kwentong Kaladkarin #23: Bewitching Bohol – Life's a Beach


Da Where: Bohol, Philippines
Da When: July 4, 2011
Da Who: Vin and me! :)
Da Trivia: Cheesy. Mushy. Corny. Old-fashioned. Call it what you may but this trip was to celebrate our 3rd year anniversary together. ;D

Tatlong taong gala ng dalawang tao na makakati ang paa. ;D

I've been dragging my feet to finish my Cebu-Bohol posts. Work has been crazy the past couple of weeks after getting back from our short reprieve. Or maybe I didn't want to let go of the memories of the trip just yet because I feel that hitting Publish Post button would be to say goodbye to some of the best fun I've had this year. :)

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Kwentong Kaladkarin #22: Bewitching Bohol – Wildlife, Whatnots and Way Back When

Da Where: Bohol, Philippines
Da When: July 3, 2011
Da Who: Vin and me! :)
Da Trivia: Cheesy. Mushy. Corny. Old-fashioned. Call it what you may but this trip was to celebrate our 3rd year anniversary together. ;D

Looking back at our whirlwind of a day tour as soon as we stepped foot in Tagbilaran, the only thought that crossed my mind was that Boholanos are one of the luckiest people in this world.

Their tiny island/s of a province teems with beautiful natural wonders and rich with history and identity, one would feel almost reluctant to leave.

To show you what I meant, let's get on with the tour, shall we? :)

  • Corella Tarsier Sanctuary



Thursday, July 7, 2011

Kwentong Kaladkarin #21: Cebu Chronicles – Soaked, Skinned and Smoked in Sugbo

Da Where: Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines
Da When: July 2, 2011
Da Who: Vin and me! :)
Da Trivia: Cheesy. Mushy. Corny. Old-fashioned. Call it what you may but this trip was to celebrate our 3rd year anniversary together. ;D


Soaked

Our Cebu Pacific flight landed around 19:00 then proceeded to downtown Cebu City where we were met with torrential rains that flooded the streets en route to Cebu Century Hotel.

Flight 5J 571 disembarking at Mactan Cebu International Airport