Q Style Christmas at Waterfront

One of the biggest hotel in town with a very unique design and with its castle-like roof is the Waterfront hotel & Casino. A place to many international and local concerts and big events and parties. Speaking of big events, our recent company Christmas celebration dubbed as 'The Q Style Christmas' was held in one of their grandest ballroom. Since I am not into big events such as this, I went there to see 'what is there to see' and of course use my lenses as I haven't had any photo of the hotel even if I keep coming back and now I'm living here in Cebu.

the entrance to the hotel

not just one but lots of Christmas trees at the hotel lobby

even the chandeliers are also decorated for Christmas sake

the stage at the grand ballroom

Some Random things I Like about CEBU

Today, I had so much fun reading about Bianca's blog. One of the blogs I followed. One of her posts is about a random list about herself that she wrote last year. I'm also thinking to write my own list but since I am dedicating this month to just write about Cebu, I will stick to that idea. Here's my own list of Random things why I like CEBU- the Queen City of the South!

1. There are a lot of  Boracay like white beaches here. To name a few: Camotes, Bantayan, Malapascua, Moalboal and many others. They are heaven like beaches as captured in photos with sea-meet-the clouds view.
2. It is so much easier for me to go home in CDO from here. Just 1 overnight trip by boat or 45 minutes by plane.
3. Easy to communicate with people because Cebuanos speak the main language that we also use at home.
4. Cebu is the best place to eat lechon or roast pig. It is guaranteed super tasty!
5. I just love the 'death by chocolate' dessert in Casa Verde.
6. There are a lot of  'All you can Eat' places here that they called 'Eat All You Can' if you'd like to have a pig out day. Must go to 'Jovens' in Mandaue or at 'The Port' just beside Waterfront hotel. I've been to a few before.
7. The cost of living here is not that much and you can always get a good meal anywhere.
8.  Cebu is home to many old and big churches in the Philippines. I've been to the famous Miraculous home of  Mother Mary in Simala and the Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino in the heart of the City.
9. I love the bargains at Colon Street-known as the oldest street in the Philippines.
10. Golden Cowrie's crispy pata is also one of my many favorites here.
11. Sinulog- the biggest festival in the Philippines is celebrated here every January that is why a lot of people are coming here from all points.
12. Some of my best friends from University days are living and working here for years now.
13. I like to take an early morning walk from Mango Ave-Jones Ave-across Colon St to Carbon market every Sunday to buy fresh fruits and sea foods.
14.Hmmm...the SuTuKil seafood places in Mactan are also the best!
15.
16..

And the list goes on...I believe I will discover more things in the future about this place. For those of you who've been here in Cebu, what are the things you love about coming here?


More about Cebu this whole month of December as promised. Salamat sa pagbasa! (Thanks for reading!)

Thanksgiving day in Camotes Island

Destination: Camotes Island! It was Thanksgiving day when my cousin and 2 of our friends went to the island of Camotes. From SM Cebu City passenger terminal lounge, we boarded a van to Danao port as early as 7:00am and paid Php50 each. We reached Danao port at exactly 8:30 just in time for the next ferry trip to Consuelo port in Camotes. Good thing my cousin booked us a transportation from the port to Santiago Bay Garden Resort where I booked our overnight accommodation.

Welcome to Santiago bay!!!

The Santiago bay beach front

We arrived at Consuelo port at 10:30am (2 hours ferry trip for Php180) and hurried to the van waiting for us since we were already hungry. The driver offered us for a half day tour round the island for a reasonable price including a local tour guide and the pick up from the resort back to the port the next day so we grabbed the opportunity. By the way, the most common transportation on the island is the habal-habal or motorcycles that would cost you Php40 for each ride.

the very wide Santiago seashore

Wow! I was never wrong about Santiago bay because aside from their warm staff, the place was so lovely. We headed to our room and ate our lunch outside admiring the beautiful view and the very wide seashores. Then, we went down to the beach and took photos while waiting for Manong Pitos (van owner and driver) for the afternoon round the island tour.

we enjoyed the clear waters

 chilling and relaxing=Chillaxing!

what a wonderful world..

Our half day tour consists of 4 main tourist destinations in the island. We started in Mangodlong beach resort (sister company of Santiago bay), to Danao Lake Park, Timubo Cave resort and Buho Garden which were all breathtaking!

at Mangodlong resort

you'll see lots of these huge jellyfish in Mangodlong

Welcome to Lake Danao park (entrance fee: Php5)

the scenic Lake Danao park

at the cave's entrance (entrance fee is Php10)

going down to see more

Sunset at Buho garden

We also droved to Jestrera's to try their delicacies. They exclusively produced products made of camote or sweet potato. That was where the name of the island came from. According to our tour guide the shape of the island is similar to the shape of a sweet potato. We had a sumptuous dinner at Manong Pitos after the whole afternoon tour. It's one of the best dinner I've ever had as everything in our table is fresh. You can still taste the sweet flavor of the fish after it's cooked or grilled. It only cost us around Php300 for all those dishes you can see on the photo below.

Wow! Sutukil for dinner. dig in!

It was our time to go home the next morning. So we woke up early to watch the sunrise and took more photos around the resort. The place was so peaceful like the morning breeze of the ocean. We also ate our free breakfast and headed down to the souvenir shop before we packed up our things. Manong driver was already outside the resort's entrance waiting for us.

zooming my cam to capture the lovely sunrise and saw this fisherman

early morning at Santiago beach

Santiago bay poolside in the morning

Manong Pitos van with the ad of his Sutukil biz

the ferry about to leave Camotes..

I enjoyed the trip. Though I wish my partner was there too to see the beauty of the island and its wonders. Bye Camotes...

Boat Schedule: http://www.travelcamotes.com/
Accommodation: http://www.camotesresorts.com.ph/santiago_accomodation.htm

SuTuKil feast in Mactan

It's the 1st of December! I would like to dedicate this last month of the year writing about the island of Cebu. Cebu is one of the islands in the Visayas region where you can find lots of beautiful white beaches, fresh sea foods and not to mention dining places that offer a relatively cheap (Php200-300) all you can eat lunch/dinner or buffet meal.

We visited a famous seafood place in the island of Mactan where you can just choose what you want to have and they can cook it for you. The term SuTuKiL is very popular among the locals. Su is the short term for sugba which means grilled. Tu is tula which is a soup based dish. Kil is kilaw which is raw fish cooked in vinegar and spices.

We went to No Problem. Such a cool name for a seafood restaurant. The easiest way to go there from the city proper is by cab (taxi fare is around Php190). This was actually the same eating place that I've been to years ago during our Cebu field exposure when I was still in the university. It was like 7 years ago so I was all excited to go back.

All freshly cooked that you would surely love!

Having lunch while enjoying the view of the mangroves..

hello buttered shrimp!

Fact: The sea foods are affordable but they will charge extra for cooking so make sure to ask.

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Back in Camiguin Island

Going to Camiguin is much easier by bus from Cagayan de Oro (CdeO). It  took us approximately an hour to reach Balingoan port from Agora bus terminal in CDO. We were just on time when we arrived at the port for the next ferry to Camiguin.
We didn't arrange our accommodation so we just ask some locals as to where is the best resort to stay. We ended up at Bahay Bakasyunan sa Camiguin (http://www.bahaybakasyunan.com/). We were lucky since they still have available rooms. The cottages looks very cozy and the huge pool facing the sea is totally inviting. My cousin and I enjoyed our evening chatting after not seeing each other for years. After our night swimming and dinner, we headed to our room to rest and look forward to next day's island adventure.

We woke up early after a very good night sleep. Wow! the place was indeed lovely in the morning. The coconut trees blended well with the huts around the area. Then, we went to the beach side of the resort to watch the sunrise and had our  breakfast before going out to see what the island can offer.

the view of the pool in the morning

the path leading to the pool, resto and beach side

We hired a  local tricycle or the so called rela and went to the souvenir shop first and then straight to Ardent hot spring. We agreed not to go to white island anymore as it was very warm that time. The rela driver also told us that it is much cost effective to go there in group.

outside the souvenir shop

With my cousin at the entrance to Ardent hot spring

Raining in the Old YORK

Back in the Northern part of England, this what they called 'walled city' is a must see with its very rich heritage.

A rainy day out in the city of York...My partner took a photo of me at 'the Shambles'  (above) which is a 14th century street in York. It is now a popular tourist destination.

When in York, don't forget to drop by at Bettys Cafe Tea Rooms (http://www.bettys.co.uk/) and check out their lovely apple strudel and fat rascal. Bettys is one of the oldest coffee shop in the city since 1919. With their unique and antique furnitures and great service, you would surely enjoy your coffee time.

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Reliving the World War at Eden Camp Museum

the entrance to Eden Camp

The Eden Camp Modern History Theme Museum is located near the town of Malton, North Yorkshire, United Kingdom. It is known as a multi-award winning museum. According to history, the place served as a camp for world war II prisoners.  

When we arrived at the camp, there were already lots of tour buses parked around the place. We paid £5.50 each (adult price) at the entrance and find a spot to park our car (free on site parking). Upon paying, they provided us a camp map so we'd know where to begin, eat and buy souvenirs.That was really helpful for first time visitors like me.

They put numbers outside the different huts so it wasn't that difficult to follow. You can begin your journey inside the camp from the rise of Hitler and the Nazi party. The museum is also complete with the different sound effects and life size images.

the Bismarck- a German warship

the evolution of bomber planes used during the war

I saw a real one at the grounds of the camp

this one is real!

an Italian torpedo

Please check their website for the current rates and how to find the museum.

Eden Camp Modern History Theme Museum

Malton, North Yorks., UK

Tel no. (01653) 69777

www.edencamp.co.uk

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Manaoag to Baguio City

My last trip to Manaoag and Baguio City was only one of my many solo trips in the Philippines. As far as I can remember, I was in my senior year in high school when we traveled to Baguio City after attending the National Student's Press Conference in Dagupan. Call it the "perks" of being your school's representative.

Since I've already been to Dagupan, I decided to take another route and went to Manaoag this time for the sole purpose of seeing the Miraculous Our Lady of Manaoag.

the front view of Manaoag church

Our Lady of Manaoag up close

I've arrived in Manaoag church just in time for the scheduled mass on that day. I went close to the altar after the mass to see the Miraculous Our Lady of Manaoag but one needs to fall in line in order to get a chance to touch Mother Mary's hand.

If you'll decide to take a van going to Baguio from Manaoag, you'll find the PUV terminal just outside the church.

Known as the summer capital of the Philippines, Baguio City is only an hour and 30 minutes ride from Manaoag church. I was thinking that it would be easier to travel back from Baguio to Manila even during the night since the bus schedule is 24 hours. And it's been almost 8 years since the last time I've been to Baguio City so I got suddenly excited.

One thing I like about going to Baguio aside from the cold weather is the journey through Kennon road or what they called zigzag road.

Certainly, Baguio is one of the places that I'll love to go back.

Kennon road

Burnham Park

Baguio souvenirs

Baguio is also known for the beautiful flowers they produced.  The Flower festival in Baguio is celebrated every February.

at SM Baguio