Katie writes: My Cebu Trip

For almost two years I didn't go out on a long trip, it was all work or just plain rest from work due to health issue. Last week I visited the Queen City of the South (Cebu City) with a friend and we also traveled to the City of Friendship that is Tagbilaran City. However, I made a mistake in booking the return trip to Manila via Mactan Island (Cebu) so we had to return to Cebu again. Now I learned my lesson that if I will do backpacking or visit other nearby provinces, I will surely check out if there is an airport and if I could exit via that place.

We left Manila past 3pm but flight supposedly was at 2:15pm. We boarded on time but takeoff was delayed due to traffic congestion.

We reached Mactan Airport nearly past 4pm. Mactan Island to Cebu City proper is 30 minutes drive however if there is traffic it can take you 45 minutes to an hour. It took us 45 minutes to reach Maxilom St.

You can chose either metered taxi or fixed rate taxi. Mactan - Cebu City is Php475 if it is the latter. However, I selected metered taxi because I am optimistic traffic won't be that horrendous. Yes, there was traffic along the way but meter fell only up to Php302 overall. Riding metered taxi was a good choice.

Took this snap while we were stuck in the traffic

The first order upon arrival was to find a decent hotel in Cebu City (Sampaguita Suites and Palladium Hotel are affordable ones) and next one is to have a taste of Cebu Lechon. :) I was told by a colleague to try CNT Lechon but our hotel was nearer Zubuchon at One Mango building. Off we went to the latter.

Cebu Lechon, Ginataang Langka and Lemongrass with Lime Juice

Can you resist eating lechon? Looks yummy!

To be honest, what I really enjoyed from this meal was the Lemongrass juice. The lechon was tastier than the lechon in Manila or Pangasinan but it was a bit salty.

May 20 - We made plans to have day tour of Cebu City. Most of the places to visit are of historical or religious sites. We opted to check out historical sites only since we are non-Catholic.

We checked out tour agencies on their day tour rates and it is quite expensive. They charge Php2000-Php2500 per head. So what we did is negotiated with a taxi if he can tour us for 3 hours only for Php900. Boy, we nailed the deal. :)

Here is our itinerary.

Cebu Heritage Monument - quickly revisit Philippine History by visiting this site.

At Cebu Heritage Monument Park the caretaker was kind enough to take our photos and explain each side of the monument.

Next stop was Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House.

Another tour of musuem was Casa Gorordo.

Go to Intramuros of Cebu City, that is Fort Sn Pedro.

Last stop with our three hours tour was the Taoist Temple.

View from the top of the temple

I recommend KaonaGrill near Lapu Lapu Camp. Food and customer service was great in this resto. We capped our half day tour in this resto.

We went to Tagbilaran City in Bohol via Supercat Ferry at 3:15pm same day. We continued our Cebu Tour on May 22. We hired the same cab driver to tour us around Lapu-Lapu City and Cordova. Don't miss out in trying Lantaw, floating resto in Cordova.