2013 Vgang Beach Trips - Part 1: Cebu

Long overdue posts for my high school barkada's beach escapades (overdue as in we already had 2 for this year hahaha). I'm usually a freeloader when we have vacations. Meaning I don't contribute in the planning and I just come in when it's already set. Hihi

First is the January Pre-Sinulog Trip. Funny story: We wanted to be there in time for Sinulog Festival but we (unknowingly) booked it a week early. So we became Sinunog instead. Mwahaha.

I wasn't supposed to join this trip (because I wasn't following the thread in our FB group). It just so happened that another Cebu Pacific seat sale came up and I couldn't let this opportunity slip away. With that said, it turned out that my ticket cost (I think) 50% less than everyone else. I only had to fly to Cebu alone and 3 hours earlier (hahaha). But fortunately, I was still able to join their flight back to Manila.

I've been to Cebu before but only for 6 hours (long story haha). So glad that I'll be able to explore this time around and with my best friends. And although we only had the weekend (2 full days) to tour, it was so packed but so worth it!

We stayed at a hostel (SUGBUTEL), perfect for us for so many reasons:
- it's cheap
- it's dorm type: perfect when you're traveling with a big group (Cebu batch is only half of us)
- we really just used it to spend the night (like 5 or 6 hours?)
- we're cowboys and super game like that

Spent the first day exploring the city:

1. CNT Lechon. I had a good time here the first time I was in the city. It's sad that the Lechon was waaaay too salty during our time there. Gah.

 2. Another place with a Lapu-Lapu statue. There were also some street food! Time for some afternoon merienda and food trip!

3. A Taoist Temple. It was a good place to try my camera's Toy Camera feature (which my lomographer boyfriend will not like at all hahaha)

4. A monument with a museum across it. Also appreciated my camera's aperture hihi.

5. Magellan's Cross + Buffet Dinner suggested by our driver. Food was steady. Good enough for Php200+ :))

Alright, I know I'm not so helpful because I couldn't remember the names of the places we went to (hahaha) but it was such a plus that we found a van rental company (totally DIY and booked just when we got there, thank you sulit.com) with a great driver who brought us to these tourist spots.
 
We contracted our driver again for day 2. We checked out out really early to drive to Oslob, south of Cebu, to watch whalesharks (yaaaaaaay!)

Highs:
- this tourist attraction is really regulated by authorities. We had an orientation where they informed us about the rules and regulations, dos and donts
- uh-maaaazing experience. Can't stress how amazing whalesharks and the chance to be so close to them are. You have to try it for yourself!
- good price. It costs Php300 for just viewing and Php500 per person to get in the water
- kuya bangkero is the one taking our underwater pictures!

Lows:
- you can't wear sunscreen!
- not that I don't want to be with my friends but this activity is better done with a small group. We ended up killing each other to get a good picture from just 1 underwater camera

After that, we spotted a small island in a distance and asked the bangkeros if we can go there. Such a good call because the island was soooooooo beautiful! No one else was there, the sand was so pure, and the view was just breath taking!!

After that we went back to the city. We had a good dinner at Casa Verde - a must try when you're in Cebu. They have big servings at very reasonable prices. We also had to kill time at a coffee shop while waiting for our midnight flight. We almost had no time to rest were it not for our 3 hour road trip but everything's worth it.

In my next trips to Cebu, I'd love to go North to Bantayan Island plus try the zip line and other activities at Crown Regency Hotel.