In the middle of wedding preparations last year, I took my last vacay as a single lady with two of my closest friends to unwind, to reflect and to just plainly get a good time. Our chosen destination was Northern Cebu (Bantayan Island and Malapascua). Both of course requires long hours of travel before one can reach the magical islands.
We arrived past midnight in Cebu and was enthusiastically greeted by our Cebuana girl friend. We took the taxi to Northern Bus Terminal in the hope of catching the early bus to Sta. Fe. The first aircon bus that drives directly to Sta. Fe though arrived at around 3AM. Only Ceres Bus lines served that route during our visit. The fare is 200 php per head. However, the Roro payment is separate upon reaching Hagnaya port, one must buy a different ticket at 180 php per head. There are a lot of stores in the port so one can also buy breakfast such as pandesal, sweet corn and banana to fill your stomach.
Our chosen hotel is along the route of Ceres Bus Line, so we were easily dropped at Coucou Bar Hotel and Restaurant. We arrived around 7 AM, but we were not allowed to check-in yet. We just had our heavy breakfast in the restaurant and deposited our bags so we can roam around the area.
We decided to kill time by renting a bike. Little did we know it will take us more than 10km ride with rough road to reach the bayan. Our bike has no gear option, so imagine the difficulty.
We felt like we are in a K-drama with this kind of bike. Bike rental is at 150 php for 24 hours.
We visited the bayan and saw the plaza. We were able to view St. Perter and Paul Parish, which is the oldest parish in Cebu. It was founded way back 1580. We did not enter the church anymore since we are all sweaty and in our shorts.
This oldest parish in Cebu was founded by Augustinian Missionaries in 1850.
We simply cannot endure the bike ride back to our hotel so we just rented a jeep for 300 pesos to take us back. We were already allowed to check-in by the time we returned. We rested for a while and refreshed ourselves. We managed to go out late afternoon already to check out Kota Beach Resort. Entrance is free.
We had fun swimming since there were not much waves. We called the night early as we are bound to travel to Malapascua the following day.
To reach Malapascua, we have to ride the same bus back to reach Santa. Fe Port. We also need to pay Roro ride at 180 php per head. In Hagnaya port, we rode a tricycle to drop us at the junction. Tricycle cost 30 per head. We waited for almost 30 minutes since we wanted to catch another aircon bus to Maya Port. There are also UV express in the area but almost all are full. Bus fare to Maya Port cost at 40 php per head. Since it is low tide during our arrival, we need to ride a pump boat for 20 php per head before riding the regular boat at 100 php per head to reach Malapascua Island.
We love Malapascua. I imagined that this could had been how Boracay looks like in the 80s or 90s. I hope they preserve the natural condition of the island. We booked a room at Little Mermaid Dive Resort. We were able to just chill at the beach and watch the beautiful view.
Regular boat ride to reach the island.
Chillin at the beach
The following day, we woke up early for our snorkel tour. The whole tour just costs us 400 per head. Good find! The best part was witnessing the beauty of the Coral Garden. I hope they strengthen their environmental protection to ensure that corals will be well preserved. When we visited the place, there were no personnel to charge us for Environmental Fee or even someone to police tourists if they are not aware that corals should not be touched. We also passed by the lighthouse as part of the side trip.
Shipwreck in Malapascua
A little municipality where we brought food for our snorkeling activity
The lighthouse in Malapascua
After our early morning activity, we were set to return back to Cebu City as our city tour awaits us. We paid another boat ride back to Maya port at 100 php per head. From the port, there are vans that drives directly to Cebu City. The cost is 200 per head.
Upon reaching the city, we asked to be dropped off in a mall to meet with our City tour driver. We hired him for 3 hours to check Sirao Garden, Temple of Leah and Tops. Our transportation costs us at 500 php per head while the entrance fee we paid is at 200 php total. I just forgot the breakdown.
The beautiful garden of Sirao
Tops is really a chill place. You can just have your picnic here with the view
View from Tops. Might be more dramatic at night!
So many artifacts here in Temple of Leah
Feels like I am not in the Philippines anymore
After our city tour, we were all exhausted, so it is time for us to check in at Red Planet Hotel to secure our stuff. For our last night in Cebu, we have to really try Rico's Lechon. This was my third time in Cebu. Third time seems to be the charm as I was able to try the famous Rico's Lechon.
I guess Rico's lechon wins over Zubuchon and CnT. YUMMY!
We are bound to fly back to Manila the following day but we cannot go back until we pay our respect to Basilica de Sto. Nino. We visited the church early morning.
It's nice to see the church is being rebuilt after the quake in 2013
We also passed by Tabora to do our last minute shopping before we had a quick lunch around Ayala area. I was happy to meet with an old colleague as well.
It was always a pleasure to catch up with an old friend
So much fun for my last escapade as a single lady! Next blog entry would probably be about the most important day of my life, the day I said I do to my husband.
