4 Days / 3 Nights Cebu Itinerary

On my recent trip to the Cebu Province, here are the gist of my tour details:
Day1 - Lapu-Lapu City Tour
Day2 - Cebu City Tour
Day3 - Moalboal Tour
Day4 - Pasalubong Shopping

Sharing our complete itinerary with costings: 

I'll be posting on the specific tours and pictures in the coming days or weeks.

Robe's Pension House

On my recent trip to Cebu, me and my friends chose this Pension House (Robe's Pension House) due to three primary reasons - it is just a walking distance from Osmena Boulevard (the main avenue going to Fuente Osmena Circle - the heart of Cebu City), it is near the historic landmarks in Cebu and it is cheap! 

Here are the pictures I captured during our stay:

view from the comfort room, the double bed

view from the entrance door - the single bed, ~14" TV, CR door and cabinet

comfort room entrance

view from the CR's entrance

their signage

our room's door

view of stairs up, they don't have elevator

the staircase at night

the hallway

their shower with hot and cold water; the pressure is a bit low though

their facade from down below

Insights:

• Reservation through emails is a breeze; very comfortable and I even requested to have our rooms at second floor. They do also entertain questions and replies within the day!
• Don't just rely on them asking what jeep code to take. They will give you an advice to take a taxi instead 80% of the time.
• When we arrived, our toilet is clogged but it was fixed immediately within 30 minutes. Fast and quick turnaround!
• Their phone lines might have crosstalks or is not properly designated. I was calling our friends' room but I was lead to a different room; and someone called our room but they were intended for the reception.
• Very helpful attendants and receptionists plus the guard greets you and opens the door for you; seems like a hotel. 
• I think their location and price is truly a winner!
• Walking distance from Fuente Osmena Circle (about 20mins), to Colon St (about 20mins), to Cebu South Bus Terminal (about 20mins). Jeeps are everywhere at Osmena Blvd. One ride to SM Cebu and Ayala Center, to Lahug etc.

I would definitely recommend this to others and will stay here for my next Cebu vacation!

In-Motion 2011 Running-Road

Me and my fellows were enticed in joining this running event primarily because there is a Finisher's Medal on all distances. We were still running for 10k that time. Plus this is held at Nuvali in Sta. Rosa, Laguna which is pretty near our place. So here are my bib and medal that I got here:

In-Motion 2011 Race Bib

In-Motion 2011 Finisher's Medal

There are only a couple of people who joined this event. Though there are various distances plus the trail event too, I think they only got less than 500 participants. The water stations were really far from each other and the 3k runners doesn't even have at least one. While running my 10k event, I felt lonely. I felt like I was running all alone because the runner in front of me was way too far and though there is a U-Turn you barely see someone meeting your way. Now I truly appreciate crowded races of RunRio that this one. As for the giveaways, I was okay since I got a Reebok Cap; not bad huh?!

In-Motion 2011 Race Routes

After this race, we thought of not joining any Finishline-organized running events in the future! Peace out!

Donsol's Butanding

I took this trip with Travel Factor with side trips to Daraga Church, Mayon Volcano, Cagsawa Ruins and Lignon Hill. This is one of my favorite key chains so far, why? It's because it truly showcases the main attraction of the place and almost like a real resemblance of a Whale Shark!

Butanding or Whale Shark

First tip! Do make your reservation for the whale shark tour a day before as it easily gets overbooked for the next day's schedules. They have schedules for every (i forgot how long) and has only limited number of boats and persons (6 persons per boat only). 

Second tip! Whale Sharks in the area only do show mostly in the morning and from the months of February to April (their peak season).

entrance to Amor Farm Beach Resort

This is the resort we stayed at. The rooms were spacious and clean, including their comfort rooms. The resort has full of plants and ornaments, the rooms were not cluttered on small single space. Sorry, got no pictures of the resort other than this sign.

my company to the tour of our lives!

The dive was great and the whale shark is so humongous! I got scared on my first dive as I thought it is so near me. You can also see the planktons in front of him. Several times I followed the whale shark on this path and it was just so awesome!

tourist center, 15mins walk from the resort

This is were you'll be briefed on the whale shark and its conservation. There are souvenir shops here as well and rental of fins, masks and snorkels. And most importantly, you need to reserve yourselves here!

Final note, I would love to go back and experience this again!

2010 Runs

Now, I would like to share my running experiences with fun runs I've joined so far. Actually, this is another collection of mine - Race Bibs and Medals (not to mention of course, the race singlet but I won't be sharing them here as some are already weary). I'll just start with a collection of Race Bibs for 2010. I don't have medals yet by then because I join the few kilometer runs.

Maynilad's Health Run for a Cause - October 2010

My first run! This is co-sponsored by Smart Communications (my former employer) that's why we have discounted rates here; my workmates enticed me on joining and the rest is history. The event was held inside the La Mesa EcoPark where Maynilad facilities also resides. I joined only 5k Run but I was totally lack of breath then probably because of the slopes of the area. The view was great since you can see many trees around. Runners were less than a thousand, just enough to accommodate everyone on narrow roads

.

Unilab's Run United 2 - November 2010

My first Run for RunRio and Unilab. It was held at BGC (as usual) and I just joined 3k Run (since the 5k Run is scheduled the next day) so imagine the crowded streets of BGC. I think I finished at around 19minutes and I'm so proud of myself then because I didn't stopped for the whole race! A great achievement for me indeed. By the way, RunRio's service then is at its peak since they can provide the race results and race pictures and analysis within 3days; unlike now..

Run BGC - November 2010

By this time me and my workmates are addicted to running. In less than a month after the previous, we registered again for another fun run. I already forgot how many kilometers I joined here but I'm guessing it's 5k Run. It' still fun indeed and this was my first singlet with sleeves. They also have a raffle for a brand new car but as always, I wasn't been picked.

ING Run - December 2010

This is my first time to run with my brother and our High School friends. It was their first time to join a fun run too and yours is their ultimate influence. I think this is my first 10k Run (while my friends did the 5k). I was among the last few who finished and I got an aching feet then; the worst part is, I'm all by myself on the race route. Attendees were just about a quarter of that from Run United's number. The worst part is, they have a disorganized race route and race marshals and race signage; my brother and friends got lost along the race route and led somewhere else. Good thing, they still joined me on my running escapades..

the Measles that hit me

Here are the day-to-day account of my experience with this viral infection which I don't know (and wouldn't know) where did I got from..

Day 0 (Sunday) - The Start. After I took a bath on the evening, I immediately noticed some rashes on the body. I just disregarded them as a belief that they would soon fade away the next day.

Day 0 (Monday) - The Prelude. I went to the office and even played badminton with my office mates. At the shower room, I once again notice the spread of rashes from the body to my back and now up to my arms! I was already alarmed by this time and asked my fellows what possibly is it. I rejected the fact that it is measles since I already got one (German Measles) when I was in High School. So I went home hoping the fact that they are an allergy. By the way, this time I felt feverish but paracetamol just took that away easily.

Day 1 (Tuesday) - The Revelation. I woke up really hot, my temperature then was 39.3C. Everyone panicked in the house as this is almost near 40C. I then immediately took Acetaminophen (650mg) to reduce my fever, as we ran out of paracetamol in the house and it was early morning. I head back to sleep right after and after 2 hours I was like bathing on my sweat! Wow, that medicine is really effective! Feeling much better and with the claim of Acetaminophen of 8 hours effectivity, I agreed to go to see a doctor. From there, I had a confirmation that I have measles. Yes, but no. It has been brought out to my knowledge that Measles (also known a Rubeola) is different from German Measles (aka Rubella); the former being the worse. No medicine or cure for it, only paracetamol to maintain the fever low; and lots and lots of water intake - 3 to 4 liters of water a day. And the good news for me, I would be in bed rest for one week! It ain't a vacation but indeed it is an escape from work with pay!

Day 2-3 (Wednesday to Thursday) - The Climb to the Climax. The next two days were literally boring! I had fever which doesn't lower to 39C (usually at 39.5C, the maximum also). I just usually go to sleep whenever I feel to. I can't watch TV for long and can't even stare since it would just worsen my dizziness. But with all these, luckily, I can eat by myself, I can walk alone, and weirdly, I don't feel hot at all and would wonder "how in the world my fever is that high?!" Lastly, on these days, the rashes continue to invade my whole body - from my scalp to my feet, literally everywhere! They were not itchy after all, thankfully! So I was really red on these days.

Day 4 (Friday) - The Improvement and the Setbacks. Finally my fever went down to lower 38C and generally felt nothing at all. I was now able to use laptop again, and can stare at the TV longer. Also saw some rashes starting to turn into brown, which is the phase before disappearing. But also on this day I started feeling aches on my muscles joints - wrists, elbows, knees and ankles.

Day 5-6 (Saturday to Sunday) - The Healing. I went back to the doctor to check on my cough which started last Thursday and to complain my muscle aches. Well, I really don't like how that doctor explains; anyways, the muscles pains were just normal as I am ill affecting my whole body. Now, majority of my rashes are turning brown and noticeably some are disappearing already. Plus, my dry hard cough eventually subsides after the intake of the medicine my doctor advised.

Day 6-7 (Monday to Tuesday) - The Finale. My muscle joints are back to normal and my skin started to clear again! It feel so normal now but haven't go back to work yet as I'm still contagious due to the (still) presence of some rashes. Hopefully, within the day all of these will clear up and will leave no scars...

Baler, Aurora Itinerary

I think this would be one of my cheapest trip to date. It was a trip an over the weekend trip wherein we left Manila by Friday midnight and back by Sunday evening. It only damaged my savings Php3000 (all-in). It was an enduring approximately 7 hours of road travel from Manila; which included both zigzags, rough and steep roads. Well, all these had been paid of with what you will see on this hidden town east of Luzon.

Here are the photos and our travel itinerary...

Upon checked-in at our resort (AMCO Beach Resort), they have their accredited tricycles for tour. We hired one tricycle (good for 3 persons originally but we were allowed to up to four) for Php500 each to take us on tour to Mother Falls and Balete Park good for 6hours.

They were kind enough to drop us on the Museo de Baler which is on the way to the falls and is on the town proper central.

Museo de Baler

former President Manuel Quezon's Presidential Car

After a short stay at the park, we headed on trek to Mother Falls which is about few kilometers away from Baler. It was a bumpy and rocky road on the way to the top so I'm afraid bringing your own cars/vans here since you would surely regret it. And from the vehicle station, you still have to trek on foot for about 45mins to the falls.

pipeline from the falls to generate power

you'll truly feel the nature as you trek your way on top

mini falls before the mother, better call this as the Son Falls

Mother Falls, San Luis, Aurora

very shallow cold water, ideal for swimming

After the falls, we ate lunch then went to the Balete Park in Ma. Aurora, Aurora where you can find the 600 year old Balete tree that has a circumference of about 52 persons.

the 600 year old Balete tree

inside the Balete tree

list of tours I saw on our tricycle, there's still so much to explore!

That two tours already made  us tired. So the next day it was a visit to the Sabang Beach! Notice the beach is surrounded by the Sierra Madre Mountains, amazingly beautiful!

Sabang Beach, Baler, Aurora

Sabang Beach, Baler, Aurora

Sabang Beach, Baler, Aurora

I also tried surfing for the first time. I only cost me Php350 for an hour; this includes surfboard rental and an instructor, my friend was also lent with rash guard for free.

I won't have double thoughts going back to this place. Surely I still have lots missed!

Before I end, I want to recommend Chef Gerry Shan's Place. It's a buffet for only Php150 (both on food and iced tea!). Truly a great deal and their menu are great and plenty!

Chef Gerry Shan's Place