Feb 27 - 28, 2011
after exploring bantayan for the first half of our trip, we decided to explore cebu city for the second half of our trip together. it was not my first time in cebu but it was my first time on a DIY trip in the city.
after exploring bantayan for the first half of our trip, we decided to explore cebu city for the second half of our trip together. it was not my first time in cebu but it was my first time on a DIY trip in the city.
chicas at mooon cafe, IT park
GETTING TO/FROM/AROUND
[disclaimer: all the taxi we rode were already with the increased flag down rate of 40 php with 3.50 php per 300 meters
likewise, we hailed taxi all through out our city trip.]
SM City Cebu to Apple Tree Suites via taxi - ~85 php
Apple Tree Suites to Casa Verde via taxi - ~47 php
[disclaimer: all the taxi we rode were already with the increased flag down rate of 40 php with 3.50 php per 300 meters
likewise, we hailed taxi all through out our city trip.]
SM City Cebu to Apple Tree Suites via taxi - ~85 php
Apple Tree Suites to Casa Verde via taxi - ~47 php
Casa Verde to IT Park via taxi - ~120 php
* we were supposed to drop off at the loft in IT park but since it was closed, we went to crossroad. sadly, vudu was also closed. so we told the taxi driver to just bring us again in IT park. hence, the increased taxi rate.
IT Park to Apple Tree Suites via taxi - ~72 php
Apple Tree Suites to Taoist Temple and Magellan's cross via taxi - ~236 php
*we asked the driver if he could wait for us while we tour the temple. he agreed and let the meter running. the only thing that irked us was he asked for an "additional fee" before we got off at magellan's cross. bwiset!
Magellan's Cross to Apple Tree Suites via taxi - ~80 php
Apple Tree Suites to SM Cebu via taxi - ~80 php
SM Cebu to CNT Lechon Restaurant - walk
*from sm cebu exit at mcdonald's then cross the street to reach CNT
CNT Lechon Restaurant - Ayala Center Cebu via taxi - ~75 php
Ayala Center to SM via taxi - ~75 php
SM Traveller's Lounge to Mactan Airport via taxi - ~180 php
[note: we alloted 300 php/pax as taxi budget. since there was 4 of us, total budget for our taxi was 1200 php]
ACCOMMODATION
i originally planned to book a room at roseate pension but they were fully booked. next on my list was apple tree suites. good thing they have available room on our date so i booked and they gave me a reservation code.
i love their service. they sent sms to confirm our reservation and their reservation officer was very accommodating to our requests.
we booked their deluxe room with an extra mattress for a total of 1748 php/night.
here's my overall review about the hotel...
PROs
TOURS
Taoist Temple
no entrance fee. mostly for photo - ops :)
Tip: if you're commuting ask the taxi driver to wait for you.
Magellan'd Cross and Sto. Niño Church
there were ladies selling us long candles for 50 php/pack of 5. they told us that when we buy they will dance sinulog in prayer for us. we bought 1 pack for my friends as it was their first time to visit the place
Tip: you can decline the ladies selling you candles as there are candles inside the church compound near the candle stands that can be lighted by just giving a small donation.
OTHER PLACES/ACTIVITIES OF INTEREST
Asiatown IT Park
this place reminds me of rockwell. i love it here! very ka-chic! :)
since it was raining, we were only able to stay at IT walk. we had drinks at mooon cafe then transferred to Figaro to have desserts.
details of our food adventure will be posted soon.
Nightlife
it was unfortunate that The Loft in IT Park and Vudu in crossroads were both closed when we dropped by. this gave me a reason to go back really really soon.
Traveller's Lounge (SM Cebu)
our flight was scheduled at 8 pm and the latest time that the hotel can give us for check out was 1 pm. so we went to the traveller's lounge to store our bags to be able to spend the afternoon shopping for pasalubongs.
storage fee - 30 php/compartment
* first, fill up a form then go the luggage counter and give the attendant the form. they will get your luggage then wait for attendant to give you back the form. that form will serve as a claiming stub. if you're getting your luggage, proceed first to the cashier to pay then give the receipt to the attendant to get your bags
shower fee - 50 php/pax
* my friend tried this as she has to go straight to work from airport. she said it was no frill shower area but clean.
wifi - free
* sm's wifi was a bit slow. better connect to radisson blu's wifi network. it was much faster and it was also free.
Pasalubong Shopping
Rustan's supermarket in Ayala Center
*nothing much to shop for cebu delicacies
Metro supermarket in Ayala Center
*better selection for pasalubong
SM Cebu Supermarket
*Aisle 15 for the delicacies
ITINERARY
here's our itinerary...
day 2 - Feb 27
5:00 pm: check in Apple Tree Suites
7:00 pm: dinner at casa verde
9:00 pm: drinks at mooon cafe, IT park
10:00 pm: dessert at figaro
11:00 pm: back to hotel
day 3 - Feb 28
8:00 am: breakfast at hotel's cafe
10:00 am: taoist temple
11:00 am: Magellan's cross and Sto. Nino Church
12:00 pm: back to hotel
1:00 pm: check out hotel
1:30 pm: traveller's lounge in SM cebu
2:00 pm: late lunch at CNT
3:00 pm: Ayala Center
4:00 pm: SM Cebu
5:15 pm: travel to airport
COSTING
this excludes plane fare (airphil promo - 1137 php/roundtrip/pax) and pasalubong shopping
FOOD
a gastronomical review will be posted on my next entry
FASHION TIP/S
prior to this trip, i already planned to be extra girly, hence the dresses. hehe. i wore maxi dress on our night out and on our city tour trip. i later changed to something more comfy and casual on our trip back to manila.
Final thoughts about Cebu City
despite a short trip to the city, i actually loved it here. taxi drivers always give an exact change which hardly happens in manila. haha. a vibrant city with a laid back appeal.
it is imperative that i should go back to experience its night life and to also experience other activities such as sky adventure and resort hopping in mactan (think:shang rila).haha!
* we were supposed to drop off at the loft in IT park but since it was closed, we went to crossroad. sadly, vudu was also closed. so we told the taxi driver to just bring us again in IT park. hence, the increased taxi rate.
IT Park to Apple Tree Suites via taxi - ~72 php
Apple Tree Suites to Taoist Temple and Magellan's cross via taxi - ~236 php
*we asked the driver if he could wait for us while we tour the temple. he agreed and let the meter running. the only thing that irked us was he asked for an "additional fee" before we got off at magellan's cross. bwiset!
Magellan's Cross to Apple Tree Suites via taxi - ~80 php
Apple Tree Suites to SM Cebu via taxi - ~80 php
SM Cebu to CNT Lechon Restaurant - walk
*from sm cebu exit at mcdonald's then cross the street to reach CNT
CNT Lechon Restaurant - Ayala Center Cebu via taxi - ~75 php
Ayala Center to SM via taxi - ~75 php
SM Traveller's Lounge to Mactan Airport via taxi - ~180 php
[note: we alloted 300 php/pax as taxi budget. since there was 4 of us, total budget for our taxi was 1200 php]
ACCOMMODATION
i originally planned to book a room at roseate pension but they were fully booked. next on my list was apple tree suites. good thing they have available room on our date so i booked and they gave me a reservation code.
i love their service. they sent sms to confirm our reservation and their reservation officer was very accommodating to our requests.
we booked their deluxe room with an extra mattress for a total of 1748 php/night.
here's my overall review about the hotel...
PROs
- nice and accommodating staff (receptionist, security guard, housekeeping, waiter from the restaurant)
- no need for a deposit to book a room. they allow phone reservations
- room is relatively clean with comfy bed, comforter and pillow
- bathroom is clean with hot/cold shower
- taxis are always available
- rooftop restaurant is clean and service is fast and efficient
- long walk to establishments
- narrow shower area
- free wifi on selected areas only
room
bathroom
TOURS
Taoist Temple
no entrance fee. mostly for photo - ops :)
Tip: if you're commuting ask the taxi driver to wait for you.
there were ladies selling us long candles for 50 php/pack of 5. they told us that when we buy they will dance sinulog in prayer for us. we bought 1 pack for my friends as it was their first time to visit the place
Tip: you can decline the ladies selling you candles as there are candles inside the church compound near the candle stands that can be lighted by just giving a small donation.
Magellan's Cross
Sto. Niño Church
OTHER PLACES/ACTIVITIES OF INTEREST
Asiatown IT Park
this place reminds me of rockwell. i love it here! very ka-chic! :)
since it was raining, we were only able to stay at IT walk. we had drinks at mooon cafe then transferred to Figaro to have desserts.
details of our food adventure will be posted soon.
Nightlife
it was unfortunate that The Loft in IT Park and Vudu in crossroads were both closed when we dropped by. this gave me a reason to go back really really soon.
Traveller's Lounge (SM Cebu)
our flight was scheduled at 8 pm and the latest time that the hotel can give us for check out was 1 pm. so we went to the traveller's lounge to store our bags to be able to spend the afternoon shopping for pasalubongs.
storage fee - 30 php/compartment
* first, fill up a form then go the luggage counter and give the attendant the form. they will get your luggage then wait for attendant to give you back the form. that form will serve as a claiming stub. if you're getting your luggage, proceed first to the cashier to pay then give the receipt to the attendant to get your bags
shower fee - 50 php/pax
* my friend tried this as she has to go straight to work from airport. she said it was no frill shower area but clean.
wifi - free
* sm's wifi was a bit slow. better connect to radisson blu's wifi network. it was much faster and it was also free.
Pasalubong Shopping
Rustan's supermarket in Ayala Center
*nothing much to shop for cebu delicacies
Metro supermarket in Ayala Center
*better selection for pasalubong
SM Cebu Supermarket
*Aisle 15 for the delicacies
ITINERARY
here's our itinerary...
day 2 - Feb 27
5:00 pm: check in Apple Tree Suites
7:00 pm: dinner at casa verde
9:00 pm: drinks at mooon cafe, IT park
10:00 pm: dessert at figaro
11:00 pm: back to hotel
day 3 - Feb 28
8:00 am: breakfast at hotel's cafe
10:00 am: taoist temple
11:00 am: Magellan's cross and Sto. Nino Church
12:00 pm: back to hotel
1:00 pm: check out hotel
1:30 pm: traveller's lounge in SM cebu
2:00 pm: late lunch at CNT
3:00 pm: Ayala Center
4:00 pm: SM Cebu
5:15 pm: travel to airport
COSTING
this excludes plane fare (airphil promo - 1137 php/roundtrip/pax) and pasalubong shopping
FOOD
a gastronomical review will be posted on my next entry
FASHION TIP/S
prior to this trip, i already planned to be extra girly, hence the dresses. hehe. i wore maxi dress on our night out and on our city tour trip. i later changed to something more comfy and casual on our trip back to manila.
night out look
details are here
city tour look
details are here
airport
details are here
Final thoughts about Cebu City
despite a short trip to the city, i actually loved it here. taxi drivers always give an exact change which hardly happens in manila. haha. a vibrant city with a laid back appeal.
it is imperative that i should go back to experience its night life and to also experience other activities such as sky adventure and resort hopping in mactan (think:shang rila).haha!
1 comment
Thanks for this very informative blog post. I'll be in Cebu today - my first, and your Cebu adventure and tips are great help for me to get by.
I came across your blog through Google pala. ;)
Have a nice day!
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