“Adto Nako” Cebu (Seeing Cebu Travelogue Series Finale)

Mactan Cebu Guitars

After touring Cebu City, Bantayan and Malapascua Islands from Day 1 to 4, “Adto nako Cebu” (I am leaving Cebu).

Our feet were heavy as we woke up on the last morning of our adventure, not because of the tiring snorkeling activity we had the day before, but because we are about to leave this little paradise of Malapascua. This is our last sunrise to feel the sand on the soles of our feet. This is the last breeze from the sea that will touch our face. The last sound of waves splashing against the pebbles of the shore. Well, at least for this trip. =)

Leaving Malapascua Island

But as endings are inevitable in every story, we bade our goodbyes to the local folks who took care of us (Aling Virgie, resort care taker, upper right pic) while Mr. Salonpas Boy is showing-off his proof of yesterday’s toil (lower left pic).

Boat to Maya Port, Northern Cebu

We left Blue Water Beach Resort about 9am of Day 5 after we had our breakfast. The boat only took less than an hour to reach Northern Cebu’s Maya port where our private van was waiting. Now, this is a three-hour drive from Northern Cebu to Cebu City, and we took this opportunity to extend our sleep. We arrived 1pm at JY Square Mall to catch our late lunch.

Back in Cebu City: JY Square Mall, Magellan's Cross, Basilica Minore del Santo Niňo

And since we’d have to wait until 7pm for our flight in Mactan, the group decided to tour the city (even though I already did this in Day 1 by myself).

First stop: the Philippine Taoist Temple. I was glad that the group choose to go here because I missed this in my solo trip. It’s located in a seemingly private village of Beverly Hills in Lahug.

Philippine Taoist Temple, Beverly Hills, Lahug, Cebu City

The place was huge as it has a nature park, water feature, gazebo and parking area. There was also a small group of students in the vicinity on a field trip. Even with a number of visitors, you could feel the serenity of the place. When we reached the upper portion, or the Main Temple, some of the guests entered the temple to pray; probably to show respect. But I had to courteously decline as a personal choice due to my Christian affinity (even if I’m a Chinese).=)

Next stop, the main city of Cebu. We went (in my case, again) to Basilica Minore del Santo Niňo and the Magellan’s Cross.

Cebu Litson / Cebu Lechon

Before we left the city to go to Mactan Island (where the airport is), our driver asked if we want to bring home some ‘lechon’(pork). And as expected, the reply was affirmative. We went to a street which I failed to get the name or ask Manong Driver. The street was filled with ‘lechon’ retailer stands and the group ordered a kilo or two at Php300 (Php49-$1) per kilo.

We then proceeded to Shamrock to buy more ‘pasalubong’ (gifts to bring home). I think Shamrock is a quality brand and product in Cebu so it was quite surprising that the shop set up and exterior store name did not quite well matched the reputation. I guess the budget is allocated to other priorities even if the business looked brisk. Anyhow, I got a number of ‘Otap’ (crispy thin-flaked cookie delicacy) packs and Cebu ‘polvoron’ (milk cookie delicacy). My friends ordered in boxes (yes, in plural form)! =)

Pasalubong : Shamrock Otap

Off to Mactan Island! We took the Marcelo Fernan Bridge to Mactan Island. The farther bridge on the picture (with red arrow), is the Mandaue-Mactan Bridge (Old Bridge) which my taxi drove on the first day.

Marcelo Fernan Bridge, Cebu City

While on the road and out of nowhere, we decided to give Shangri-La Mactan Resort & Spa Hotel a visit. We agreed to answer that we would be inquiring about the hotel rates to cover the primary objective of setting foot on the prestigious hotel and brag about it back home. =) And so we did. It was good that the lobby facilitators were gracious enough to let us in. And of course, we asked for the rates at the reception, as promised, and got some leaflets. Needless to say, the rates were as prestigious as the hotel. =)

Shangri-La Mactan Resort & Spa Hotel

And of course, the photo opportunity is not to be missed. =)

Magellan Monument near Lapu-Lapu Shrine Park

Last stop on the list was the Lapu-Lapu shrine. It’s a small park with lots of Lapu-Lapu’s statue and the Magellan Monument monument at the center.

If there are food to take back home, there should also be souvenirs, of which this park is surrounded with. There are guitar retailers of which Cebu is famous for, clothes, accessories and key chains representing different landmarks of the province. (I’d be giving away some of the key chains tomorrow as a prize; wait for that post following this).

Cebu Souvenirs

Cebu Food Stall

But wait, there’s more! We’re not boarding the plane without having dinner, are we? We got a recommendation for Tong’s seafood restaurant but they are not open ’til 6pm and we were there an hour earlier. We walked a little and ended up in Da Vinci’s Pizza which was not a disappointment. (See the review of Da VInci’s Pizza in the part 3 of this series.)

And finally, the Cebu Mactan Airport. Our plane flew a little past 8pm and we arrived in Manila 3 hours later.

Cebu Mactan Airport

That concludes my 5 day trip of the “Queen City of the South ” - Cebu City, Northern Cebu’s BantayanIsland , Malapascua Island, and food adventures. Thank you for following this travelogue series entitled “Seeing Cebu,” I hope you enjoyed your reading travel with me and feel free to comment in all the five parts of the series or any post in this blog for that matter. “Adto nako” Cebu! (Perhaps southern Cebu next time.) =)

Seeing Cebu Travelogue Series:

Part I – Historical City of the South – Nov1

Part II – Reaching Bantayan Island – Nov 8

Part III – Cebu On A Plate – Nov 15

Part IV – Malaspascua, Cebu’s Boracay – Nov 22

Part V – ‘Adtonako’ Cebu – Nov 29

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