Date: April 25th 2011
I woke up really early today as I had to catch my AirPhil Express flight to Cebu at 7am. I checked out of my hotel and took a taxi from Pasay to the airport. It cost ₱70 ($1.6/€1.2) but I reached the airport in under 20 minutes and there were long queues because of the security checks. I checked in, got my window seat and whipped out my phone to take a few snaps.
My flight was unfortunately delayed by nearly 45 minutes due to poor weather conditions (apparently), but it was better than hearing some flights being cancelled, leaving passengers frustrated.
I called Aimee and informed her about my arrival and she told me where to get a taxi from.
I had reservations at Sugbutel Bed & Bath for two nights. I chose this place because, as per the map, it was close to the pier. I needed it to close to the pier because tomorrow morning, I was to go to the island of Bohol by ferry. But when I arrived at Sugbutel, I must say, I had the look of disappointment on my face. It was bang opposite the pier, sure, but there was little else around it. No restaurants and it didn’t look like it was within city limits. Anyway, I checked in, paid ₱700 ($16/€12) for my dorm bed for two nights and went upstairs.
Since today was the only day I had to check out Cebu city, I wasted no time and took a jeepney straight to the first attraction on my list, Fort San Pedro.
I felt it was a bit of a waste of money. Maybe it’s because I’ve seen countless forts, both in India and in other places like Malaysia. After a while, they all start to look the same.
Ferdinand Magellan was a famous Portugese explorer who became the first European to land in the Philippines. He ordered this cross be placed here signifying the arrival of the invaders explorers.
As I sat there, eating my burger, I wondered what to see next. It was only the afternoon and I… felt bored already. Maybe it was the lack of sleep. Anyway, I hopped on a jeepney and decided to go towards Robinsons Mall.
I walked around some more, since I didn’t know what else to do.
After converting some dollars at a nearby plaza, I got into another jeepney and decided to head towards the Philippine Taoist Temple.
From the main road, I was instructed to cross over to a road on the other side.
It was only a short drive and the driver dropped me at a guarded entrance from where on, he told me, I would have to continue on by foot.
The bike taxis approached me again and asked me if I would like to go to a higher viewing spot, which was a bit further up from here. They said I could watch the sun set from there. I was honestly bored, so I said “No thanks” and just walked on.
I stepped into a nearby mall, mostly to get some air-con. I dropped by a travel agency and asked them how much a tour to Bohol island tomorrow would cost. They quoted just over ₱3500 which I knew was exorbitant, since I did look it up online and had a fair idea as to how much the tours approximately cost.
I messaged Aimee telling her I was bored in Cebu and she told me to go check out Ayala Mall. So I got into a jeepney and headed to Ayala.
30 minutes of store-hopping, got bored (again) and left. I was pretty sleepy by now and decided to just take a taxi back to the pier instead of a jeepney.
The tour of Bohol when purchased from Supercat themselves cost around ₱2800. I opted not to buy the tour package and instead, decided to do it myself.
I left the pier and walked back to the main road. As soon as I got to the main road in a minute, I realized why I booked at Sugbutel. You can literally walk to Supercat’s terminal from here.
I dropped my camera bag back at the dorm and stepped out again wondering where I could have dinner. There are hardly any eateries outside Sugbutel.
But walk all the way up to the Radisson Hotel and right next to it is one big-ass mall!
I walked back to Sugbutel, freshened up and hit the bed early. Tomorrow was going to be another early wake-up call.
I know Cebu residents will be going “Oh, there’s more to Cebu than just these sights you saw!” and you’re probably right. Aimee told me if I headed up north in a vehicle, I could have explored the beaches and other sights Cebu has to offer. But I’m keeping all my “beach and sea” experiences for Palawan, which is why I only used Cebu as a stopover point to get to Bohol and then fly to Palawan.
Previous posts in this series:
Philippines 2011: Day 8 – Manila tour: Rizal Park, Intramuros, Manila Cathedral, China Town
Philippines 2011: Day 7 – Leaving Angeles City for Manila, Mall of Asia
Philippines 2011: Day 6 – Good Friday in San Fernando, San Pedro Cutud Lenten Rites
Philippines 2011: Leaving Sagada for Baguio, and arriving in Angeles city (Days 4 & 5)
Philippines 2011: Day 3 – Banaue town; heading to Sagada via Bontoc
Philippines 2011: Day 2 – Banaue rice terraces; trekking to Batad village
Philippines 2011: Day 1 — Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Fort Bonifacio
Philippines 2011: Flying over South China Sea for the first time
Other posts in this series:
Philippines 2011: Day 10 – Bohol tour: Chocolate Hills, Loboc river cruise, Tarsiers, churches
Philippines 2011: Day 11 – Arriving in Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Philippines 2011: Day 12 – Puerto Princesa Underground River tour, Palawan
Philippines 2011: Day 13 – Puerto Princesa to El Nido by bus
Philippines 2011: Day 14 – El Nido island hopping tour A and sunset at Las Cabanas beach, Palawan
Philippines 2011: Back to Manila, shopping, and my final thoughts about the country (Last post)
Frank
06/12/2011No, I’m from Cebu and I want to say you got everything right. Cebu is just about as boring as you make it out to be, unfortunately. -_-
Berniemack Arellano
06/12/2011I lived in Cebú for more than a year and a half, worked at an outsourcing company, after that a university (a lot of them in Cebú actually, one business park there is dedicated to outsourcing and IT). Indeed, there is still a lot of things that Cebú can offer. But going there on the third weekend of January meant that the whole city is closed due to street dancing mardi-gras festival called Sinulog, the feast of Santo Niño.
doi
06/12/2011you’ll definitely get bored if you only stay within the city of Cebu. to get to know more of this province, you have to be willing to travel north and south to check out its beaches. Cebu is also home to one of the best diving spots in the country due to its rich marine life. one thing you could also do is go on a food trip as Cebu is home to the best tasting lechon (roasted pig) in the country.
as for Sugbutel, there’s really nothing you can see within that area except being near the ports leading to other islands in the region and SM as that area is far from the city center.
Mithun Divakaran Reply:
December 7th, 2011 at 1:56 AM
I know Cebu has a lot to offer in its surrounding waters but I just didn’t have the time to spend in Cebu. I stayed in Sugbutel mainly for the easy access to the ferry terminal to go to Bohol.
doi Reply:
December 7th, 2011 at 7:33 AM
that’s understandable 🙂 was surprised you didn’t mention Sugbutel’s free wifi. hope you got to use that though 😉 in case you do come back and visit Cebu, check out their website since they offer upper bunk beds for P99.00/night if you book 1 month ahead when they have a promo. just bring your own set of blankets to avoid paying the extra fees.
Mithun Divakaran Reply:
December 7th, 2011 at 1:08 PM
Nah, if at all I come back to Cebu, I rather stay in the city the next time.
Nisha
31/01/2012Philippines is a beautiful country. I did not stay in a dorm but it looks quite clean and doable. 🙂
One suggestion: probably you could have divided the posts in 2/3. So many photos in one post is a bit more to grasp. 🙂
Mithun Divakaran Reply:
January 31st, 2012 at 12:44 PM
Sorry Nisha, but that’s just how I write. Most of my readers appreciate the detail and how an entire day’s experience is in one post.