Quickie tour in CEBU!

As a kid, I haven't traveled much except during summer when I get to visit my grandfather's place in Bukidnon. I have yet to experience and appreciate the DO's and DONT's of traveling. To learn the fun facts, review history ( finally not from books! Hahahaha ) and discover new inventions as I go along. Come with me as I take you to our first stop - CEBU. The Oldest City in the Philippines.

Day 1 

We arrived in Cebu at 6 AM via Cebu Ferries on Pier 4. Please note PIER 4 is far from the exit gates and there is no covered walk so if it rains you'll get wet. Also, all public utility vehicles are not allowed to pick-up passengers at the arrival area, either wait for the bus provided by the shipping companies or walk 2 more blocks to where the cabs are waiting.

We stayed @ Cebu Grand City hotel located in the Capitol Commercial Complex, North Escario St. Cebu City. The hotel is nice, very clean, and the staff is very friendly and accommodating. They have a rooftop pool plus they offer a continental breakfast with unlimited coffee upon request.

Below are some pictures of the hotel:

Cebu Grand Hotel

Our room

Places to see:

Anyway, we did not lose time to linger in our hotel room. We came to Cebu to explore and enjoy. Below is our itinerary.

Casa Gorordo  

This is where Fr. Juan Gorordo, the 1st Filipino Bishop lives. Unfortunately, the caretakers of the house doesn't allow tourist to take pictures of the house interior. I was pissed! Anyway, here are some pictures of the house landscape.

Entrance fee: PhP 20

The Magellan's cross 

This is located along Magallanes Street (sounds familiar? Heheheh, I think it's time for us to review our history). This is one of the most important landmarks in Philippine history. Ferdinand Magellan was the first European to visit the country in 1521. This place is surrounded with lots of tourist so you have to be patient and wait for your turn to take your pictures.

Entrance fee: NONE

Basilica del St. Niño

The church was founded in the 16th century and this is the oldest Roman Catholic church in the county. The church is bursting with people from different walks of life - Church goers, devotees, and tourist Filipino and foreigners alike. 

NOTE: No Entrance fee needed, a little mass offering is good enough and  Beware of pickpockets! 

Church main entrance

View of the altar from outside

DAY 2 

Taoist Temple 

It is located in the Beverly Hills subdivision in Cebu city. The subdivision name says it all - a place for the rich people. You will be climbing close to a hundred steps, so bring an extra shirt and bottled water if possible.

NOTE.  No entrance fee needed but you need to go there via taxi since it's far from the city and the fare is around PhP 150

Afternoon comes and we were strolling across the famous Cebu IT park, home of the call center industry in central Visayas. This is were you will see tall commercial buildings occupied mostly by BPO industries.

 * Book hotel reservations ahead. 

Cebu Grand Hotel was recommended to us by a friend, although the place is nice and secure I find it too expensive for sleeping and baggage counter purposes. We were out of the hotel most of the time so we could have stayed in a pension house or INN which is less expensive and more practical.  

  

Overall, the first chapter of our Cebu visit was a success. Watch out for our come back soon!