CEBU: Plantation Bay Resort

 

                          Plantation Bay is the will complete your vacation in Cebu. A good number of movies were shot here. Aside from that picture perfect view, they also have a lot of activities to choose from. The Villas have their own swimming areas its either gonna be a fresh water pool, Saltwater or fresh water lakes or the beach. So when you book for a room overnight youll be just a few meters away to swim.

 

                            We went only for a day tour that cost around Php 2000 / person that includes free use of their bikes & free ride to the Kalesas around the resort. It also inludes a buffet Lunch at the Kilimanjaroo Grill. We started our tour of the resort by taking the route to the left from the entrance. First you can see there is the game center where you can spend time if the heat will be too much for you in the morning.They have Xbox, billiards,table tennis,arade gamesand a Gym area all airconditioned

 

                     Next activity you might wanna do is take a bike ride to the wall climbing and Archery Area. if you feel a little bit extreme.just go to their safari area you can try climbing the wall from Level 1 - Level 3. The difference is that Level 1 has more stones and bigger ones that you can hold on to the top. The stones are smaller as the difficulty level increases. This will also let you think which track would be okay to climb.

 

                     If you are a hunger games fan then they also have the liesure to feel your inner katniss everdeen.Archery is also included in your Day tour pass and its okay to practice again and again if no one is inline behind you. It was my first time to try archery and realized it is not as easy at it seems to be. your arms have to be strong enough to hold steady when you target

 

                             Opposite to the Safari Area and the kilimanjaroo grill is the Beach area where one of the scenes of the famous kathniel movientitled Must be Love was shot. At the Beach area you could enjoy a lot of water sports activities. You could go on a jetski, go on island hopping helmet diving, banana boat or flying fish you can also have mermaid lessons on selected dates if you like. Thats what i've been wanting to try but unfortunately it wasn't available that day maybe next visit  could already.

 

        The middle of the resort is composed of freshwater and saltwater lakes where in you can try the Diving Rock.Also avail of your complimentary Kayak session. Kayakrides are complimentary for Day Pass holders and its the perfect activity to do at the near end of your day at plantation bay.The day pass for me is so worth it a fun-filled day at plantation bay & lots of pictures w/ good views for a good price.

        When the Sunsets at 5pm the Day trip ends already. You can already do a lot of things from 8am - 5pm  thats why  I do recommend Plantation bay for those who have extra time in Cebu. we spent our last day at Plantation bay upon checking out at the hotel, we headed to plantation bay before catching our evening flight. I suggest you take evening flights home when you take a trip so you can have more time to explore the place.

What Youll Need for this Trip:

- Swimsuit

- Sunblock

- Slippers 

- Sunglasses

-Towels are provided for Day trippers at the Towels Station

-You may bring your own toiletries or get one t the shops

-A Camera w/ loads of memory Card

- PHP 2000/ Person for Day Pass

XOXO

Coleen Perez

Cebu : Oslob WHale Sharks

     If you are in Cebu and you got a day to spend for another side trip you can add Oslob to your Itinerary. You can ask your hotel or a travel agency to arrange the trip for you. Most ptobably you will be picked up super early from your hotel because it takes 3 hours to go to oslob.

 

            Upon Arrival in Oslob you will have to register on the log book and pay the fee for whale watching . Since we were there on holy week there were alot of tourists in line. Youll have to get the number and wait to be called for orientation. while waiting you can stroll around and check out the food and souvineirs in the area.

 

                    Before riding a banca to the interaction are you are called for a short orientation. wherein youll be reminded to keep distance and not to touch the butandings. Though if they touch you that will be alright. also you are not allowed to wear sunblock and if you already are youll have to rinse them off at the shower area first before going to the interaction area.

 

             They say it is best to view the butandings from 6 am until lunch time because that is their feeding time. the fishermen feed the butandings w/ krill or that small shrimps around the interaction area so you can also see them upclose.

 

                It was magical to see the butandings up close ,they're like as big as a bus and they swim really just close around. I was amazed when the 2 butandings were just above and below me as the fishermen were feeding them breakfast. I wouldnt want to go up the banca again but i could just stay and swim with them the whole day.

 

          Two thumbs up for this experience a must try in Cebu. I still wish to go back and see them again. Made my holiday trip worth it. It made me appreciate the beauty of nature,the more that we have to take care of our marine life cause we are so blessed to have them in our country.

XOXO

Coleen Perez

CEBU:Sky Adventure

             If you are in Cebu and up for an extreme adventure the Crown Regency's Sky Adventure is the place to go.Just located near Fuente Osmena Circle. The 37th floor of the Crown Regency Hotel is where your adventure begins. I went up to try the Skywalk. I have fear of heights but battle them from time to time and this attraction did well for me.

 

They have this special jumpsuit you will wear before you go out the skywalk and a harness  which they attach to the rail for safety  just incase maybe you slip doing the signature poses at the skywalk .

  

The first challenge was to sit at the glass edge for a photo taken with the Fuente Osmena Circle that resembles a guitar, which cebu is also known of making.

 

Next challenges was to raise your foot sidewards and backwards for a good photo with the magnifecent view of Cebu City and its neighboring islands.It first it gets scary cause you got no bars to hold on to. Only the hardness attached to the rail above you will hold you if you are going to slip. The tour guide was very knowledgable about all the questions i had bout cebu while our group walked the edge but also have this habbit of joking that hell fall so it just made me more nervous.

 

Aside from the Skywalk they also have other extreme adventures like the zipline that will cross to the next building. The famous edge coaster that will tilt you down and ride for 360 degrees of the tower. They also have a paramount climb where you would wall climb at the top of the tower.

 

My favorite part at my sky adventure was the sunset view of the mountain tops.I just love sunsets it just keeps you that peace of mind brings yourself back to calm and you can forget all the badvibes coming to you. Try adding this up on your list or doing it after one of your city tours. Its worth it.

XOXO

Coleen

 

Cebu: Side Trips

 " TOPS LOOKOUT"

 

This is one tourist spot in Cebu that you shouldnt miss! this is located at the top of Busay Hills, further up north from the Temple of Leah. Here you will see a beautiful view of Cebu City, Mactan Island and other islands. A perfect stopover to enjoy snacks after a tour or before heading home.

 

I love staring at beautiful sceneries. Even for a while it clears my mind and makes me appreciate the beauty of nature. Its a good spot to unwind from maybe a stressful week. Also even a good spot for maybe proposals i think or justto let the bad vibes out of your head. There are snack bars in the area so you could just grab snacks and drinks there. Though you can also bring your own they wont charge you corkage anymore. there are stone tables and chairs on the side where you can just chill

There is a 100php entrance fee for tops lookout but i assure you its just so worth it.Of course who wouldn't miss taking photos and my favorite jumpshots. Make sure to take a lot of photos w/ the view and at the picnic area.

OUTFIT : crop top (louelle), Leggings (terranova), Sneakers (Forever 21) Hat(Dotti Australia)

 The picnic are was featured in one block buster movie. The way that stones and concrete was designed and the way that the ceiling was made of nipa and then supported with cement amazes me. They really gave effort in designing the lookout giving it a more beautiful ambience.

" TABOAN MARKET"

         I think anyone wouldn't leave cebu without taking home their most requested pasalubong. At taboan fish market you'll find all kinds of dried fish and squid that sells from 400-600 per kilo. You will save more instead of buying at the supermarkets or pasalubong stores. You can request to separate the dried fish and seal it per 100 grams. If you love longanisa they also have their local longanisa they call chorizo sold per dozen.

   

 Aside from dried fish & chorizo you can also find their export quality dried mangoes in different varieties. Dried mango chips, the newest mango chocolate and the classic mango slices which can also be bought per kilo that would cost around 400php. They also have other snack items like otap, durian candy squid rings etc. Food is just the best pasalubong from cebu and its best to get all of it from taboan market. Looking forward to my next trip to Cebu loving it already!

XOXO

Coleen Perez

   

CEBU: The Taoist Temple

 

I had a photo in this same Spot with my dad when i was 3 years old so i wanted to have that photo again after years. The Taoist Temple is one attraction you shouldn't miss in Cebu. It is a good place to appreciate Chinese architecture & take your  souvineir photos .

           There are several prayer rooms at the temple from the simplest  to the grandest ones. If you are taoist you can pray or if your not taoist i think you can try praying well there's no harm doing it since we really worship the same god just in a different form. There are instructions outside the temple about how they practice.

         Outside one of the prayer rooms at the top of the hill in the area was a wishing pond not a well but same thing you can just throw your coins and make a wish. Wishes do come true just wait for the right time.

 

We started walking from the top area of the Temple. At the top you can also see the view of Cebu City and breath fresh air. Another nice place to meditate but as for me being a tourist in Cebu, It was unlimited photo sessions with my relatives on the walk down the temple.

 

 We went to the Taoist Temple via a van for hire and i dont think this exact point is accessible by other public transportations except taxis. If you want to visit and take your photos at the taoist temple you can just book a city tour with your travel agency or hotel and they will surely include this in your itinerary.

XOXO

COLEEN PEREZ 

CEBU: CHURCH VISITS

     The Magellan's Cross is something you shouldn't miss when you are going to Cebu. Magellan's Cross was said to be planted there by the Spanish & Portugese explorers upon their arrival in Cebu. The original cross was believed to be encased in the wooden cross thats standing in the middle of the chapel. They did this to protect the cross from those who chipped a part of the cross as souvineir or believed that the cross has miracolous powers.

        Next to Magellan's Cross is the Basilica Minore De Sto. Nino, which is the oldest Roman Catholic church in the Philippines.Established in the year  1565 when they found the Sto Nino Statue that was believed to be given by Magellan to the wife of Rajah Humabon on their baptism. Inside the church garden was a wishing well where you can throw coins and make a wish.Also Just like how they say when its your first time in a church light a candle and pray for a wish come true. So I did and hope it will come to reality.

 

Outside the Basilica is a huge space where they do the masses for big occasion like for example the Sinulog Festival.Sinulog is the festival happens yearly in January.

 

Just outside the city near the ongoing construction of SM Sea that they believe will be bigger than mall of Asia is the Marker of Saint Pedro Calungsod. Located at the center of a wide lot was this housing his photo, this was were all the people filled the area during his cannonization as the second Filipino Saint.

 

Also near the area was the Chapel of San Pedro Calungsod. My uncle told me that this was funded by bussiness tycoon Henry Sy. Whattouches their heart was that he had it built for the people even if he wasn't Catholic. Its high cieling, fully airconditioned ,painted w/ white is such a good ambience  to find peace. It was good that we went to visit these Chruches since it was also Holy Week . Find time to stop by this places when you get to cebu.

XOXO

COLEEN PEREZ

CEBU: Historical Highlights

  I was 3 years old when I last went to Cebu, so the city tour was first on my itinerary. We were accompanied by our relatives from the Cupin clan, making our tour more fun and productive. Our first stop was the Mactan shrine just a few kms from Be Resorts. There is no entrance fee to this park so you could just walk in  to ecplore tha place.

Magellan Shrine

         This is what you'll first see when you enter. the Magellan  Shrine. This was built sometime in 1866 to give honor to the Portugese explorer Ferdinand Magellan.They believed this was the exact point where Magellan was killed in the year 1521

 

        On a covered area just across Magellan's Shrine is a painting illustrating  the Battle of Mactan. In front of the painting is another commemorative marker and written on it is "Here on April 27,1521 Lapu-Lapu and his men repulsed the spanish invaders, killing their leader, Ferdinand Magellan. Thus Lapu-Lapu became the first Filipino to have repelled European aggression"

Lapu-Lapu Shrine

          A few steps from the Magellan Shrine is the Lapu-lapu Shrine. A statue of Rajah Lapu- lapu who at that time was the native chieftain of Mactan Island. He was said to be the one who defeated Magellan during the battle. Though one tour guide told us that there have been rumors that Ferdinand Magellan was not killed by Lapu - lapu himself but by one of his men.Yet since he was the team leader the credit was given. After that historic event there were no more stories written about Lapu-lapu

           In the Area you'll be able to buy souvineirs & Pasalubongs like handmade bracelets, refrigerator magnets,keychains,Shirts and many more. Nearby is where you can try Cebu's "Sutukil" which stands for Sugba, Tula and Kilaw. Sugba means grilling, Tula means stewing or simmering in broth while Kilaw means eating food.

 

      Next stop was the Heritage of Cebu Statue. This was built by Eduardo Castrillo to commemorate the history of Cebu starting with the Epic Battle of Mactan where Lapu - Lapu killed Magellan. The statue is made from concrete, bronze,brass and steel. Depicted in the statue are the scenes of rajah Humabon's Baptism.Sto Nino Procession & The Battle of Mactan. There is no entrance fee for this. there is a caretaker that would explain to you everything and open the gate for you.

 

    Just a few steps from the Heritage of Cebu Monument is the Yap San Diego House. It is believed to be one of the oldest houses in Cebu. Owned by a Chinese Merchant Don Juan Yap, later on his daughter Maria married Don Mariano San Diego. This was built sometime between 1675 - 1700 and is currently taken care by Maria's great grandson Val San Diego. This home has such ancestral value everything was well preserved and you can really see how thee way of life was at those times.

 

  If Manila has Intramuros Cebu has Fort San Pedro, which was  a military defense structure built during the command of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. Inside our different Museums where you can see models of the ships. There is also one where you can see all postage stamps from the earlier years. There are also relics of the spanish flags & outfits found as remains from battles . There are also paintings of the former leaders and photos of how cebu looked like back in the days. This place will just give you a quick flashback of our history.

    Usually this places are included in your City tour or if you have relatives or friends in Cebu might as well just ask them if they can tour you around that way it'll be more fun.