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! 

Discover Bohol

Bohol province has 4 sea ports they are Tagbilaran, Tubigon , Catagbacan and Hagna. There are a few ways to get to Bohol via these ports however, the question is where would you want to go from there? So before you decide your route, consider where you will be staying and how long it's going to take for you to get there from these ports.  Below are the common options if you are from CDO wanting to go to Panglao Island Bohol.

Tagbilaran route 

Option 1: AIR

Laguindingan Airport --> Mactan Airport -->  Cebu city port  --> Tagbilaran port.

NOTE: Expensive airfare, taxi fare (from airport to Cebu city port) & terminal fee PhP 200 each.

Option 2: SEA

CDO port -->Tagbilaran Port

NOTE: An overnight trip which is  not available daily. Check shipping schedules.

Option 3: SEA

CDO port --> Cebu city port --> Tagbilaran Port

NOTE: An overnight trip. Check shipping schedules.  

Jagna route 

Option 4: SEA

CDO port --> Jagna Port

NOTE:  A direct trip for approximately 6 hrs. The trips are not available daily. Check shipping schedules.

View of CDO port aboard our ship

After a thorough planning and deliberation, we finally decided to choose option 3.  As soon as we arrived in Cebu city port we book our tickets bound for Tagbilaran ( remember to book for the return ticket to secure a seat and avail of an early bird discount). The ticket outlets are just right outside Pier 4 or better yet ask the security personnel for directions.

Fig 1.  Waiting for the ferry bound for Tagbilaran

We arrived at the Tagbilaran port around 11 AM. As expected, it was crowded with porters, tricycle drivers and a whole lot of different people. Be sure to grab your bags and belongings before the porters take hold of it and be firm when you decline their assistance. 

In our case, we go straight into the tourism office and ask the personnel for the nearest exit away from the crowd then hired a tricycle bound for Panglao Island. Travel time of around 30 mins and fare PHP 400. 

Fig 2: The most common mode of transport in Tagbilaran & some areas in Bohol

We have our reservations at Paragayo garden resort, a walking distance from the famous white sand beach just right in front of BPI. The resort is very tranquil and peaceful place suited for relaxation only a few meters away from the crowded & noisy beach. They have rooms for solo travelers as well as groups. Below are the some of the resort pictures: 

Note: Inland and island hopping tour are available in this resort (has separate fee). Don't forget to include this in your reservation.    

Fig Paragayo resort garden setting. 

Fig 3: Our room

DAY 1 

We don't have much activity today other than roam around the island & relax at the beach over a few bottles of ice cold beer. 

Fig 4: Powder Keg a Filipino-Canadian restaurant in Panglao

DAY 2 

The chocolate hills is the furthest in our list of to-go places and we decided to go there first. We are set to travel very early this day, so we woke up at 5:30 AM, ordered breakfast and buy supplies (bottled water, candies & chips) for our day long activity. 

Fig. Picture taken prior to a day-long trip.

Chocolate Hills is located in the towns of Carmen, Batuan and Sagbayan. Like every other tourist destination in the country, the place is crowded with tourist both locals & foreigners alike. 

Note: Entrance fee PhP 50 per person

Fig 5. View of the Chocolate Hills from Sagbayan Peak

Next stop, Bohol butterfly sanctuary. The place is very educational, they showcase the life cycle of a butterfly. It's ideal for kids and to those who didn't pay much attention to Biology class before (haaahhaah guilty). 

Note: Entrance fee PhP 40 per person

Next stop, Off to see Prony - the largest python snake in captivity.  The place reeks with weird smell that I cannot identify. Prony was immobile when we get there, either its asleep or just lying there I don't want to find  out.    

Note: entrance fee PhP 25 per person

On the way to our next destination we pass by Bohol man-made forest. This is a 2 kilometer stretch of mahogany trees. Astounding!  

Next stop, river cruise on Loboc river. Be sure to purchase your meal tickets upon arrival and be polite to invite your driver. This is a very relaxing cruise and we enjoyed the sights and sounds of good acoustic music.

Note: Entrance fee PhP 250 per person 

Fig 6: Gigantic crab along Loboc river

After the sumptuous meal, we head straight to the Tarsiers Conservation Center. This is where our little primate friends are found. Tarsiers  are nocturnal animals, so turn OFF your camera flash when taking pictures in order not to disturb them. 

Note: NO Entrance fee needed just a donation box. 

The next mission is to cross Sipatan river using an indigenous bridge made of bamboo. A hanging bridge out of bamboo - yes bamboo! So hold tight on the railings, walk straight ahead and there's no going back! 

Note: Entrance fee PhP 10 person

To enhance our spiritual experience, we visited the Baclayon church. This is the home of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Baclayon whose fiesta falls every December 8. This is considered as one of the oldest churches in the Philippines. However, when we get there there was an on-going wedding so we were not able to take pictures of the church's internal facade (hmm we wouldn't barge into their blessed event, are we?). 

Fig 7. Baclayon church

Anyway, Bohol has a lot of very old churches and monasteries which were built during  the Spanish era. Below are some of the old churches (sorry I forget the names)

Fig 10.  Sta. Monica Parish, Albur, Bohol

The last of our destination is the Blood Compact shrine otherwise known as SANDUGO. A blood compact is an ancient Philippine ritual that signifies a treaty or friendship. This meaningful event happened in the year 1565 between Bohol chieftain Datu Sikatuna and Spanish explorer Miguel López de Legazpi. 

After a busy day, we earn the right to relax on the beach over hot chili wings and a few bottles of tanduay ice  .

Our last day in Bohol was a day of total relaxation, we stayed at the beach most of the time eating, drinking and talking.

On our way to Cebu

Overall, our stay in the famous island of Bohol is truly awesome. It was an adventure worth repeating many times over.