Sumilon Island Bluewaters Resort

Awesome place! The plus plus points are:

1. When we docked, they greeted us with leis of shells.. and superb welcome drinks :D
2. The rooms are absolutely gorgeous with incredible bathrooms!
3. Great staff -- will always provide what you need -- even batteries for your cam!
4. Free snorkeling gear
4. Free kayak (unlimited hours of use!)
5. Since sumilon is a marine sanctuary, the corals are oh so AMAZING! You get to see all the nemos, dorys, gills... oh my.. as in super dami fish even little sword fish... super nice as in! Theres lotsa lotsa fish EVERYWHERE!
6. The resort offers great massages.
7. Day Use is ONLY P1000/head which includes use of all the ammenities:pool, snorkel equipment, kayak, boat ride to and from the island, glass bottom boat ride and BIG LUNCH!

Super wonderful, super sulit! :D Enjoyed best when with fabulous company :D

contact info:
http://www.bluewater.com.ph/dining.htm
63(32)-4810801

The author Ruanne is a pure pinay now living in Towson MD, who loves spring and missed steam rice so much.

Choosing the right accomodation!

Whether it is a five-star luxury hotel or a pension house don't assume they offer the best accommodation that will reasonably justify the price you will pay. If you know which hotel you want, skip straight to the cheap-hotel section. If not, you need to pick a venue, within your budget, that's not a damp squib; and this involves cutting through the vast arrays of disinformation. Moneysavingexpert says, "The hotel star system is a mess; there's limited standardisation within countries, nevermind worldwide. Stars may be given by Governments, review organisations or even the hotel itself. Package tour operators tend to be overly generous; often a star higher than independent reviews. Yet they still provide a rough start point. It's important to understand that stars usually indicate the facilities available, not the quality of the hotel, so usually the higher the star the higher the price."

Here are some guidelines you might want to consider:

1. Lastminute.com sells top secret and very discounted room where you can't find booking directly in a hotel.
2. Check the reviews on TripAdvisor and customer's feedbacks on some online travel agent like expedia and travelocity.
3. Just because it's a 5-star it has a very nice accommodation, i tell you it doesn't always follow, try consider 2-3 star hotel, a hostel or even apartelles that has very good review.
4. Book in advance at least 6-8 weeks before your check-in date.
5. Compare prices from other online travel agent and from the hotel itself.
6. If you are booking a flight you might as well consider booking it as a package since most online travel agent give discount in package reservation.

That's it for now!

Camotes Island: "The Lost Horizon of the South"

photo courtesy of miggy

Camotes they said as the “Lost Horizon of the South” are loaded with fun-filled activities and attractions. Activities include spelunking /caving, snorkeling, diving, fishing, trekking, camping and a lot. Camotes attractions will surely wow your hungry-for-nature appetite like the “Bukilat Cave”, Lake Danao and Buho Rock.

How to get there:

Pumpboat ride (max of 4 hrs.)

via Ouano Wharf (near Mandaue Hospital and Mandaue Sports Complex)

Cebu-Camotes 1PM (everyday) (ETA: 5PM)
Camotes-Cebu 4AM (everyday) (ETA: 8AM)

via Danao (ETT:2Hours)

Danao - Camotes: ETD is 6AM; ETA is 8AM
Camotes - Danao: ETD is 1 PM; ETA is 3PM

Boat ride (max of 4hrs.): M/V Melrivic (Aznar)
Point of origin: Pier 1

Cebu-Camotes 12NN (everyday) (ETA: 4PM)
9PM (everyday) (ETA: 4AM)
Camotes-Cebu 12NN (everyday) (ETA: 4PM)

Or you can start at “Green Lagoon” in Compostela they have a ride to Mangodlong Resort by the way these two resorts are own by just one person, you can contact them at (632) 3458599

*Boat/Ferry cost: P250-300

* if you want to bring your car, catch the 12NN trip (Melrivic). fee is around P1,500 (per car).
* airstrip is still being renovated.

Accommodation:

Little Island Hotel
aircon: P1,500/rm
- 13 rooms
- can accommodate 3 in a room (extra bed: P500)

SeaView Pension (town area)
- fan: P200/person
- 2 rooms
- can accommodate 3 in a room

Costa Verde Beach House (a few kilometers from the town area)
- fan: 250
- 2 rooms
- can accommodate 4 in a room

Santiago Bay
- aircon: P500/person
- 4 rooms
- 2 persons per room
- fan: 300/person

Mangodlong Rock Beach
- aircon: P500/person
- 8 rooms
- 3 in a room

Cafe Z
- fan: P250/person
- 4 rooms
- 8 in a room
- aircon: P 1,500/room
- 1 room available
- 6 in a room

The Food:

Restaurants and carenderias abound in Camotes, some resort hotel has restaurant on it and serves food upon request. You can even go fishing and have them cook it for you serve hot, fresh from the sea for just a little amount, how about that?

Please be reminded that these are reference information only, it’s subject to change. Please leave a comment should you have any question and/or suggestion.

Thanks to unofficialplayer for some of the info.

Rockview Resort at Carmen, Cebu

The venue now looks like an abandoned resort for so long, however, it brought me back good-old-memories from the past since the same venue were where my friends and i usually hang out if we needed to get away from the bustle and the noise of the busy City of Cebu. Rockview is not something new to me, it is a place filled with memories. Added to it now are the recent events and memories i will treasure forever. - Michael Ian

The place is 42 km away from the city or less than a 2-hour ride and again can be reach by bus for just P90 I hope it did not increase yet with the rise in price of gasoline every now and then. Anyway Rockview is one of Carmen's best kept secret. The panoramic view will reminds you of it's historically unassuming past. It has spacey rooms and verdant atmosphere. It was a leisurely fun outing complimented by the place natural environment.

Should you have question regarding the accomodation and the food, please pm me. Thanks!

Old Cebu

Evidence of old Cebu is predominantly present in the “carbon area” from Greco-Gothic architecture to old churches and century-old fort. You might not notice it in the front view but when you’re seeing it on top of a building numerous old structure are very apparent. Here are some photos I have taken on the top floor of MCWD building except for the Basilica del Sto. Nino.

Magellan's Cross

It took me 20 years to realize that Magellan’s cross located in front of Cebu City Hall is not the actual cross although it really stands to where it is situated right now. What you are seeing is actually just the replica of such cross since the original cross is protected by the government from people who are chipping it believing it has healing power. But some people just can't give up the faith that easy they still regularly visit the cross praying, asking for healing. Some consider it as an altar while other dropped by lighting some candles. Some might still even think it's the genuine cross. Whether it’s original or not I still believes it has power to remind us of Cebu’s historic glorious past.

Misilak na'ng Adlaw

The sun brilliantly scattered its light painting the sky indigo red as we get nearer the port area when someone at my back saying in an undertone voice “misilak ng adlaw”. I was reminded of a new start after my Lola died few weeks ago. The sun shines again after darkness struck my life. The sea was calm and the melancholy of the sky vanished. And after I set foot I look back and remember her death once more and leave it behind. The sun rises, so shall I.

Holyweek Alta Vista Pardo Way

Okay, holy week is coming to town, again. Usual stuffs are rushing in from beach vacation to mountain isolation. Some just spend it watching tv while other chooses to reflect. But I prefer going to the beach and spend worthwhile time with some friends. After all it’s the only time your boss forced to give you some break unless you’re working in a callcenter.

Cebu has a lot to offer for Holy-Week bakasyunistas, from beaches to old churches, mountain resorts and a lot more. Cebuano’s has religiously preserved Holy Week traditions so even if you're spending your time in some part of the city it will still be a pleasurable divine experience. But if you want your once in a lifetime 5-day off heavenly affordable and gratifyingly sacred I suggest you try visit Alta Vista Golf and Country Club absolutely for free*, located in Pardo, Cebu and experience quite time with God on a higher level.


*surcharge will apply for using club/resort ammenities like swimming pool, etc..

Rock Climbing at Lutupan

We get there never thought the place was very isolated. Isolated enough that I'm deafened by the silence of muted surrounding. The Barangay is walled by these majestic rocky mountains with sunset copper sky as the backdrop. Consist of rocky hillside perfect for rock climbing afficionado.

Rediscovering Fort San Pedro

Fort San Pedro is a military defense structure built by Spanish for protection against violent sieges during the 1500's. Located at the heart of the city, Fort San Pedro is usually most tourists first itinerary. Entrance fee cost P15.oo ($.35). A small portion of the Fort was made into a museum which houses, Spanish legacies, preserved artifacts, documents written in Spanish, paintings, sculptures and a lot more. Nowadays Fort San Pedro is popular for wedding pictorials, tourists and dayschool fieldtrips. It has a restaurant in it and souvenir kiosk.

Discover Tabuelan!

Its perfect for beachbums, soulsearching, and retreat. If your sanity is on the verge of giving up-just take a 2 hour bus-ride and isolate yourself and relax. Tabuelan offers reasonably priced hideout, fresh food and perfect solitary confinement. Dont forget your paolu coelho book over buko juice it will surely calm your worn out soul.

How to get there?
mini-bus is available in NorthBus Terminal(Cebu)with an hour interval that cost $2-$3. V-hire is also available but very limited at SM terminal area.

Where to stay there?
LaFamilia Beach Resort and Durham is what I reccommend which are reasonably priced at $40-$45.

The Food? The place has lots of restaurant to choose from.

Destination Badian!

Badian is a secluded town in the southernmost portion of Cebu where you can find pristine and white sand beaches. Few exclusive resort are mushrooming the area including Badian Island Resort and Cebu International Golf and Resort. Anyways I am not recommending those resorts unless you extend the credit limit of your visa card.

There are lots of ways you can groove your way down there, either thru a bus or a 15-seater van. A van will cost you $2.50 for a 2 hour ride from Cebu City to the town proper. Private villas and beach houses abounds the area ranging from $45 to $95 per night. The one we had rented has a patio/balcony, private loft, 3 bedroom, 1T/B and a shower room good for 6-8 people.

Restaurants are 5 mintes ride to town center since these houses are secluded. But food is not a problem, you might bring some canned goods or you can ask the house caretaker to buy you some fresh stuff and have them cook it for you, serve hot, how bout that?

Nostalgic sunset, calm seabreeze, comfy beachhouse, and good food is somethin Im looking forward the next time I will visit Badian. Ooh, I just cant wait for it.

For reservations: contack erick at this no. 09273157259