Our Cebu Tour ..

top view of Imperial Palace Resort taken from 8th for

     February 2, 3, and 4, are our scheduled stays in one beach resort in Dalaguete Cebu. Don't want to mention the name of the resort for we were not satisfied with the accommodation and their services. Anyway, we were very excited to board a plane since this would be the first time for my eldest and youngest, I got 4 kids and they were all with me during the trip. We arrived before 6am at Mactan Airport, and from there we rode a taxi to take us to Dalaguete, a 2-hour ride from Mactan. Have seen on the map that we have been on from end to end of the island. 

     With all the tiresome trip we were expecting a warm welcome from the resort staff..but ..alas..no one welcomes us, and we were even asked if we had made a reservation! To make the story short, they had given us a room. It's a big but old family room, with a mirrored door but no curtains. Well, the beach is not as good and as clean as in Boracay, we prefer to swim in their pool. Our first night there was a sleepless one for I don't know I'd been uneasy the whole night, maybe because my knee joint was aching or I don't feel secure with the place. I think the latter was the reason for I am not at ease when in a strange and far away place unless there are many people around and hotel guards. It was raining hard that night and brownouts occurred .. creepy. Since this is not a hotel and far from the one we used to stay in Boracay, I should not expect something special to happen. We were supposed to stay there 2 nights and 3 days but I decided to go back to the city the next morning and find someplace to stay and where we could also swim. 

     From Dalaguete to Lapu-Lapu City, we were led to a five-star hotel, Imperial Palace Water Resort, and Spa..whew for just overnight ..don't want to remember that huge amount..geesh, it still aches my pocket. Anyway, I've given my kids their best time to enjoy and it's giving me happiness to see them with it. The breakfast eat-all-you-can was superb with all the different oriental cuisine. We really have a good time since breakfast time is our favorite and the biggest... ('-')...Of course, our swimming would not be complete without our Olympus underwater camera. 

     I would say Cebu is like Manila in its structure, even when we were over the city on the plane you would think from above you're still in Manila. Though we had a short time exploring the place, there are nice beaches around, and it's not that polluted compared to Manila. Traveling throughout Dalaguete and Cebu City, you would still see the simplicity of life in some remote areas to those in the city. Magellan's cross is not as big as my son had thought before. By the way, we are very grateful to the driver who gave us full service touring the city and fetched us from Mactan airport to Dalaguete to Lapu-Lapu and to Mactan for our flight. Call me for his number if you want a driver who can be trusted..('-'). And remember, when you say Cebu, it's the island, and Cebu City is within that island as well as Lapu-Lapu City.

Our Boracay Tour

     Kinda late to write about our Boracay tour, but since we just came from the Cebu tour a week ago, I can't stop comparing the two places and what we experienced in the previous one.

     The thought of boarding a plane really excites us, especially for a mom who would give her kids a taste for the first time traveling through the plane. I got 4 kids but only the 2 of them were with me on our Boracay tour. Excited since it is our first, we would be able to see Manila lights from above since our flight is at 5:20am, the seas, the clouds..and how does it feel when the plane is about to take off.
     We have a smooth journey and from Kalibo airport, somebody was waiting for us to take us to Caticlan, which is part of the promo package I had bought from an Ensogo deal. An hour of travel lulled us to sleep later we have to board a ferry boat to take us to the island of Boracay. Another ride was waiting to take us to our accommodation tour package in Patio Pacific Hotel Boracay. I would say if u want a more quiet place to stay, not too far from the beach hub and free from the loud music of bars and restaurants, choose this one. Secured, cozy rooms with wi-fi and cable tv, great dishes as well as friendly staff, and affordable rates.

     With our accommodation, daily breakfast is included on buffet plus...free one lunch and dinner. On our 1st day, we decided to have our lunch outside a hotel in D'Mall rather than take the free lunch. Since it would be harder for us to find a restaurant for dinner, we had availed of our free dinner on our 1st night there and exchanged our free lunch for another dinner on our 2nd night. While eating, the kids and I kept thinking about their eldest and youngest siblings (I am with my 2nd and 3rd kids) who were left behind as suggested by their father. With all the menu being served, we can't stop thinking if they are there too. The food servings and the staff and crew at Patio Pacific Hotel Boracay are worth our dime. Php 8888, 3days 2 nights with round trip transfer from Kalibo to Caticlan, free daily breakfast, one lunch, one dinner for 2 and you can bring along one child below 10 years old for free.

Boracay, November 2011

     What would enchant a visiting tourist in Boracay? What I love in Boracay is the white fine sand, swimming with small fishes even near the shore, the hotel accommodation, the freshwater pearls, different people from different places and cultures, a  no inhibition zone (you can even walk on the beach and the national road on two-piece or bareback without intimidation). Visiting this place is worth your trip.

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 Boracay Views

Mesmerized by Baguio..

     City of blooms! The summer capital of the Philippines! whatever you may call it..it's the place I've always wanted to come back to.. the mountains, its landscape, her flowers, the wind, its people. It's been a long time since my last visit to Baguio, 12 years ago..but still the memories, all that is in Baguio lingers. A happy family back then, it seems. I have 2 kids then and we went boating in the man-made lagoon in Burnham Park, took our walk up the 100 stairs, and took pictures with the Mines View Park behind us and The Mansion. Sweet memories..we even experienced a tremor at 2am.  Earthquake!   at first, I thought there was a monster opening the door since our room is connected to the other moving through a common bathroom.
Traveling 6 hours from Manila.. always excited to get there.. remember my first visit when I was in college for a leadership seminar sponsored by one of our student societies I was a member of. Six months after the July 16, 1990 earthquake when Baguio, one that was badly hit at that time.. though we could still see the ruins, its natural beauty can still be seen despite the tragedy. The warmth of the native people living there, and the rich culture, would also make you back and even wanted to live there. I think this is the place where I can really be one with nature, be what I am, be with other God's creation, It's a beautiful place..being tired of the suburbs' polluted air, the noise. it's one place that will bring you to your senses. Though I know there is a far better place than Baguio, still, her flowers leave their color in my eyes.
     One day, two days, or even three days are not enough to see the marvelous splendor of Baguio..and maybe after all these tedious days, I would go back and experience once again the different colors and blooms of Baguio.