Queen City of the South

Finally!! we pushed through with the CEBU trip! 

This was actually planned and booked several months ago but lots of hindrances came before it happened.. Some of my companions backed off, three time flight cancellations and bad weather..That airline really stresses me out every time I have a flight with them,its always a mishap!
 BUT God is good and we still made it and I have AirPhil Express to thank for! I got last minute tickets for me and my sisterss, plus we were few minutes ahead of the estimated time of arrival. I'm a fan of AirPhil Express from this point forward! hahaha!! 

So, enough of all the talking, Let's start the CEBU 2 days and 2 nights journey!!

Checking-In

Sissie

All aboard!!!

Love this pic!! Thanks Again AirPhil Express!!

So we arrived in Cebu at around 11:00 p.m and went straight to the nearest hotel. We opted for a hotel instead of a resort since we've all decided that our second and last day of tour will be spent in Bohol, so we'd rather spend our pocket moneys to see Chocolate Hills than go to the beach though Cebu's beaches are a MUST-see spot, It has white soft sands and oh-so blue beach water and the air is just so refreshing!!

 Are you now asking yourself on How can I say these things when I wasn't even able to go to the beaches? well, this trip is my second Cebu visit.. The first time i did was way back 2003 or 2004 and I was in high school then; I can still remember how me and my cousin Joan spent the whole Cebu trip just inside the resort, swimming and sun bathing by the beach! hahaha!!

This time, I told myself, i should tour the city and I did!! 

First Stop-- Lapu lapu Monument

This is the site where the battle of Lapu Lapu and Ferdinand Magellan occurred.

with my sis Erica

Former President Gloria Arroyo's Balay 

Huli ako, nanguha ng gumamela! haha! chos!

Buying Souvenirs!

Second STOP-- Basilica de Sto. Nino 
The Minor Basilica de sto Nino is a 16th Century church in Cebu.
It was built purportedly on the spot where the Image of Sto. Nino, a sculpture depicting the Holy child Infant Jesus was found by Spanish explorers in 1565 preserved and burned wooden box which was left behind during the 1521 Magellan Expedition.

Basilica de Sto. Nino

With little sister and BIG sister. LOL!

Outside the Church.

Wasn't able to take a pic inside the Church, I was too shy to make a scene coz of my camera's flash.. 

THIRD SPOT-- Magellan's Cross

A cross planted by Portuguese and Spanish explorers as ordered by Ferdinand Magellan upon arriving in Cebu City, Philippines on April 8, 1521.

This cross is housed in a chapel next to the Basilica de Sto. Nino, A sign below the cross describes the original cross is encased inside the wooden cross that is found in the center of the chapel.

This is to protect the original cross from people who chipped away parts of the cross for souvenir purposes or in the belief that the cross possesses miraculous powers. Some people, however, believe that the original cross has been destroyed or had disappeared after Magellan's death, and the cross is a replica that was planted there by the Spaniards after they successfully colonized the Philippines.

External View

LAST SPOT TO VISIT -- Fort San Pedro

Fuerza de San pedro is a military defense structure, built by Spanish and indigenous Cebuano laborers under the command of Spanish conquistador, Miguel de Legazpi  and the Spanish Government in Cebu.

It is located in the area now called Plaza Independencia, in the pier Area of Cebu City, Philippines.

The smallest, oldest triangular bastion fort in the country was built in 1738 to repel Muslim raiders. in turn, it served as stronghold for Filipino revolutionaries near the 19th Century. this served as the nucleus of the first Spanish settlement in the Philippines.

Upon entrance

Love the place. very historical! =)

My sis riding a canyon!! =)

Every corner is a photo opportunity!

Well, That ends our Cebu City Tour, Many other tourist spots were unseen by us but It's okay because we were able to see the Top Tourist spots and enjoyed ourselves roaming around the City.

If you wanna go somewhere that's highly significant in the Philippines history, go visit Cebu City! 

(It is known also as The Oldest City in the country.)

Here's some facts and tips about CEBU - the QUEEN CITY OF THE SOUTH!

Cebu is a city on Cebu island in the Philippines.

It is one of the most popular destinations in all of the Philippines for the foreign tourists. It has the largest sea port in the country, and the second largest Air hub and City in the Philippines.

Cebu is a blooming metropolitan area with all the convenience of a modern city.

At the same time, it boasts of natural resources like countless of white sand beaches as well as historical sites that reflect its cosmopolitan past.

LANGUAGE: 

Cebuano

WHAT TO DO:

See:

1. Basilica of Santo Niño
2. Fort San Pedro
3. Lapu-Lapu Monument,
4. Magellan's Cross,
5. Cebu Provincial Museum -- The museum is housed in the former Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center, which was once the Carcel de Cebu. Its four Spanish-era buildings made of coral stone contain artifacts relating to the history of Cebu. It is only a short taxi ride from Fort San Pedro.
6. Heritage of Cebu, (Eastern end of Colon Street). A massive and particularly detailed monument showcasing the heritage of Cebu from the old Spanish to the American colonial era.
7. Tops, which literally sits at the top of the Mt Busay for an unobstructed view of the entire city at night. A few shops and restaurants stand along the way for a short stop.

Eat: 

Cebu's Lechon!! NEVER Leave Cebu without tasting their very tasty Lechon (without the sauce) It's the Best in the Philippines! =)

Buy:

Guitars, Dried Mangoes, Dried Fish (Danggit, Pusit, etc..)

WHERE TO STAY:

Hotels:

1. Marco Polo Plaza
2. Waterfront Hotels & Casino
3. Marriott Hotel
4. Bellavista Hotel - This is where we stayed! =)
5. The Golden Peak Hotel and Suites,
6. Crown Regency Hotel and Towers
7. Cebu Grand Hotel

Resorts:

1. Hilton Hotel
2. Alegre Beach Resort
3. Cebu Beach Club
4. Tambuli Beach Rresorts
5. Be Resorts

I knew it will take me lots of years again before I get to visit Cebu once more, but hopefully by that time, i wish to enjoy both the beach and the city!

This is just the start of my jaunt, there's more!! BOHOL TRIP to be posted very very SOON! =)

P.S.

Some contents, details etc. are from

wikipedia and wikitravel =)