Our van was scheduled to arrive at 8:00 AM. We hardly had a good sleep since we slept late and light as we were quite afraid that we might not catch the scheduled time for the rented van. We left the hotel at exactly 8:30 AM. We just had to use the 30 minutes of our van rental in favor of having a short and mini breakfast.
Our first stop was the Plantation Bay Resort and Spa. At the main lobby of the resort was a bunch of Koreans. We thought that a K-pop group is having a press conference. LOL. Roaming around the place, I thought the name Plantation Bay speaks for itself as the bay was like artificial and just man-made, "planted". But I realized just now, that it doesn't connect anything at all. HAHAHA. A lot of Koreans were there at that time. Koreans, from my observation, are among the top tourists of Cebu City. They're like sprouting mushrooms as every spot we go to, they're presence is undeniably loud.
Second stop should have been the hotels, but we decided to not proceed anymore since they can also be founded in Manila. We preferably went to Alegre Guitar Factory. As you enter the place, you can directly see a few people crafting guitars.
Third Stop was the Mactan Shrine located in Punta Engaño. There you'll find the Magellan Shrine, a memorial tower to commemorate the "great" explorer Magellan who was killed way back in 1521. You can also find in Mactan Shrine the Lapu-Lapu Monument, a bronze statue erected to give honor to our own Datu Lapu-lapu.
Then, we went to the popular Magellan's Cross, a Christian cross planted by the Portuguese upon arrival of Magellan and his company in Cebu. I never thought that a lot of people goes in the building which houses the cross itself. Opposed to the pictures I saw over the internet. There are also women who sell candles for which I don't know what the purpose is. Split-Christianity, maybe. People believe that the cross has a miraculous power and so they offer candles in exchange of their personal wishes and prayers.
It was around 1 PM when we arrived at the Magellan's Cross. We had our late lunch at CnT Lechon restaurant near SM Cebu. Cebu is known for it's delicious lechon. CnT is also the infamous restaurant which offers the most delicious among the delicious lechon in Cebu. Well, it's according to the reviews I've read over the internet.
Fort San Pedro became our next stop after we had our lunch. Then, Cebu Heritage Monument and Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House. Cebu Heritage Monument was really great! I think there are tourists who may have not appreciated the bronze sculpture as it's location is kinda off. Nevertheless, I may say that it's really a great piece that showcases the culture and history of Cebu as well as of the Philippines. For the reason that (1) Cebu is one of the the first place that Spaniards have arrived to and conquered and (2) it's also the place where Christianity was first introduced to the people. The monument was a huge bronze sculpture with different highlights about Cebu, the name of the monument "heritage" speaks for itself. I wonder how it is preserved by the local government.
On the other side of the street, just a few steps away from the monument is the Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House. On the outside of the house, you might not be interested and pay for the entrance fee. As you catch a glimpse on the inside of the house, yes it's old but no doubt you'll be interested to learn about the place. The house was built in 16th century. The structure of the house was maintained as it was since 16th century. The furnitures and fixtures in the house, as well as the paintings in the walls, were selected by the current generation of the Yap-Sandiego family. You must visit the place to learn more and feel about what I am sayingit. It's really interesting! However, the thought that the government raise the roads a number of feet higher due to flooding makes me sad. They never thought consequences that might happen to one of the tourist spots/heritage of Cebu. Much like what happened to the DPWH tactics outside UST. UST has raised their flooring to avoid water penetration and flooding. But the stupid local government of Manila also raised the roads outside the university. Consequently, UST is more prone to suspension of classes because of the flooding.
Moving forward, we attanded the 2:30PM mass in the number one place that all tourists should visit, the Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino. The church is more than magnificent!!! With the altars placed in front, and the murals in the ceiling, no need to say more. Clueless are we that the priest was not inside the church. There's another sanctuary outside where there's also the altar and where the priest celebrates the Mass. So everytime we stand, we also turn our backs to face the priest outside the church.
We proceeded to the Tabo-an Market to buy danggit, dried mangoes, otap, and other possible pasalubongs. We never knew that danggit smell really stick to your clothes after. So we proceeded to the, Taoist Temple smelling like danggit. It's really quite shameful that a bunch of woman has passed by us and were talking about us that we went to Tabo-an and there line was "Been there, done that". HAHAHA. Kalerkey. Taoist temple in Cebu was the third taost temple I went to. First was in Davao, then Baguio. We went straight to Cebu Tops after to have sight the city of Cebu at night.
Even if we stink like danggit we giddily tried the Sky adventure in Crown Regency. Cebu trip will never be complete without trying this one. It's really fun! Edge coaster really made my hands so sweaty, though. But a must-try! Conquer your fear, as they say. :) Zipline was so-so. At first it was scary, but then you'll get by. Skywalk was also a great experience. My knees are shaking while looking down the mirror glass where we stand on. Ahh, it made my day complete!!!! We spend 2.5 hours to experience the whole sky adventure.
We had our late dinner at the Lantaw, a floating native restaurant. Dinner was really sumptuous! Though the day was really tiring, ending the day without having a different kind of dinner was not a good idea. And so, we spend 16 hours of the day just to experience all these great things I had experienced that day. Cebu, I love you really!!!! :) You offered us a lot, more than the great and gwapa people you have. It would be great to vist you again. I don't know when would that be. But I will. :D
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